Choosing new flooring involves a considerable number of decisions, and while colour and material tend to receive most of the attention, the way the floor is laid can have just as much influence on the finished room.
Herringbone and straight plank flooring are both familiar choices, with each offering a different way to introduce wood or wood-effect finishes into a home. Herringbone creates a repeating pattern that adds detail and movement, while straight planks provide a more continuous appearance that allows the colour, grain and proportions of the boards to come through.
For homeowners comparing the two, the decision often begins with appearance. You might have seen a herringbone floor in a renovated Victorian hallway or liked the simplicity of wide oak planks running through an open-plan kitchen. Those examples provide a useful starting point, but the layout that works in one property won't necessarily have the same effect in another.
The size and shape of your rooms, the furniture you already own, the material you're considering and the budget available for installation all deserve some thought before you decide.
How The Layout Changes The Room
Herringbone introduces a level of detail that can become an important part of a room's design. The arrangement of rectangular blocks creates a recognisable pattern, giving the floor a decorative quality even when the colour and finish are relatively understated.
In a hallway with plain walls and little furniture, that pattern can provide much of the visual interest. In a living room, it might complement a fireplace, fitted cabinetry or other features that give the space its character. Although it's often associated with older properties, herringbone can also work well in contemporary homes, particularly where the surrounding finishes are simple.
Straight plank flooring creates a different impression. The boards run in parallel rows, producing a more consistent layout that can work comfortably alongside a wide range of furniture and decoration. For homeowners who already have patterned fabrics, prominent artwork or several different materials within a room, that simplicity may be particularly appealing.
That doesn't mean straight planks lack character. A floor with pronounced grain, natural colour variation or a richer oak finish can have a considerable presence without introducing a repeating pattern. Equally, a herringbone floor in a subtle, consistent shade can be less visually prominent than people initially expect.
The layout is only one part of the overall effect.
Considering The Space You Actually Have
Room size often comes into the conversation when homeowners are comparing flooring layouts, particularly if they're concerned that herringbone might make a smaller space feel too busy.
There's no fixed rule that herringbone belongs in large rooms or that straight planks are always better for smaller ones. The amount of visible floor, the size of the blocks or boards, the contrast within the finish and the surrounding decoration all influence how the layout is perceived.
A relatively small entrance hall may have enough uninterrupted floor space to show a herringbone pattern clearly. A larger living room, on the other hand, might have much of its floor covered by sofas, a rug and other furniture. Looking at the dimensions alone won't tell you which layout will work best.
It's also worth considering how the room connects with the rest of the property. In an open-plan space, the floor will be viewed alongside kitchen units, dining furniture and seating areas, often from several different directions. In a hallway, the view from the front door and the way the floor meets adjoining rooms may be more relevant.
Product photographs can help you understand the overall appearance, but try to look beyond the styling. A floor shown in a bright, sparsely furnished room may look quite different once it's surrounded by the furniture and everyday belongings in your own home.
Understanding The Installation Costs
When comparing herringbone and straight plank flooring, it's sensible to consider the complete installation cost before making a decision.
Herringbone requires careful planning to position and align the pattern, with cuts needed where it meets walls and other boundaries. The amount of work involved will depend on the product, its installation system and the shape of the room, so it's worth discussing your preferred layout with a fitter before placing an order.
Straight plank flooring may offer a more economical installation for your project, although the layout alone won't determine the final price. Preparing the existing subfloor, removing old flooring, fitting accessories and working around awkward areas can all influence the overall cost.
The quantity of flooring required also needs to account for cuts and waste. Your supplier or fitter should be able to advise on an appropriate allowance for the particular product and layout, rather than relying on a general percentage that may not reflect your room.
Understanding those costs early gives you a more useful comparison. A flooring product that appears comfortably within budget on a price-per-square-metre basis may leave less room for preparation and fitting than you expected.
Choosing The Material Alongside The Pattern
It's easy to talk about herringbone as though it's a material in its own right, but the pattern is available across different flooring types.
Lux Flooring Club offers herringbone options in laminate, LVT, SPC and engineered wood, allowing homeowners to consider the appearance alongside the practical requirements of their rooms. Straight plank designs also provide a range of material and finish choices.
The distinction matters because choosing a pattern doesn't establish whether a particular floor is suitable for a kitchen, compatible with underfloor heating or appropriate for your proposed installation. Those details need to be checked against the individual product's specification and fitting requirements.
If you're still deciding between laminate and LVT, our earlier article, Laminate vs LVT: Which Flooring Is Right For Your Home?, explores the considerations involved in choosing between them.
Thinking about material and layout together helps narrow the options without becoming committed to a floor that looks right but doesn't meet the requirements of the project.
Finding The Right Flooring For Your Home
For some homeowners, herringbone will be an important part of the renovation from the outset. They want the detail of the pattern and are happy to plan the rest of the room around it. Others will prefer the appearance of straight planks, particularly where the floor needs to sit comfortably alongside existing furniture or continue through several connected spaces.
Both are reasonable starting points, and neither requires you to follow a particular interior style throughout the property.
Before making your final choice, bring samples home and compare them alongside your walls, furniture and kitchen finishes. Look at them at different times of day, then use photographs of completed rooms to help judge how the layout might work across a larger area. Samples are useful for assessing colour and texture, but a single board or block can only tell you so much about the finished floor.
At Lux Flooring Club, our free samples give you the opportunity to compare finishes in your own surroundings before ordering. If you're considering herringbone or straight plank flooring, we're also happy to help you understand the options available and find a product that suits your room, your budget and the way you use your home.