What Is Herringbone? A Hot Home Decor Trend Based on a Fish
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This repeating V or W pattern, often used for tiles on walls and floors, is inspired by the bone structure of the herring fish (hence its name). It’s also a popular decor trend today that can be traced back to Roman and Egyptian architecture.
“[It’s] the way ancient Romans set stones for paving thoroughfares, and the way they set stones for buildings and roof lines,” explains interior designer Debra Funt of Debra Funt Interiors in Scarsdale, NY. “If you look back at vaulted ceilings in churches, you will usually see some form of herringbone as well. It was used as much for structural integrity as for aesthetics.”
What to know about herringbone?
Herringbone has come back in a big way—you can spot it everywhere from haute couture to luxury home design. That’s because fashion and design are more closely linked than ever before, Funt says.
“Thanks to the popularity of midcentury modern ‘Mad Men’-inspired interiors and ’70s ‘vintage chic,’ we are moving into a period of more classic shapes and luxe fabrications like herringbone,” Funt says.
Another perk of this pattern? It’s surprisingly easy to incorporate into floors and walls, with Clinton J. Miller of Parisa O’Connell Interior Design in San Francisco, explaining, “It’s a simple repetitive pattern, so the installation cost is not outrageous, but the effect is.”
So how do you incorporate this hot trend into your home? From the floors to the walls and everything in between, check out these herringbone decor ideas for your home.
Herringbone floors
Photo by The Nielsen Group Inc
Herringbone tile is a perfect fit for floors in your kitchen, bathroom, or even a wine cellar. “In a large, more monochromatic installation, like the wood floors of large room, it can have a modern feel, while giving the space a sense of refinement/elegance—without being too pretentious, because of its timeless nature,” Miller says.
The distinctive pattern isn’t only functional: It makes the floor a piece of artwork. To give it an even more modern look, Funt suggests a hardwood herringbone pattern that’s been stained in driftwood gray, or a pale white oak color that’s been waxed or oiled, for an industrial vibe.
Herringbone backsplash
Move over, subway tile! Arranging kitchen tiles in a W pattern is a hot look for kitchen backsplashes.
If most of your kitchen is white, Funt offers this style tip: Make one concession to the all-white theme, with a dark-colored or gray glass herringbone tile for the backsplash. “The contrast adds a bit of shine and contrast to the space,” she says.
Herringbone bathroom
Photo by Dyer Grimes Architecture
Take your shower tile to the next level with a bathroom tile your guests will rave about. Whether you’re using ceramic, concrete, or even stone, the repeating pattern will set your place apart.
You don’t have to take over the entire bathroom with herringbone to make a statement, either. Funt suggests using a simple marble on the floor and shower of your master bath, but adding a “mat” of herringbone in the floor—perhaps just 2-foot by 4-foot in front of the vanity, to give a high-end look to the room.
Herringbone accent wall
An accent wall can take a neutral room to new heights, and the herringbone pattern is designed to be eye-catching. Try a natural wood look for a rustic feel, or go all-white to match the rest of the decor, with a small twist to make things a bit more fun.
Rather than taking over a whole wall, you can also use it in a small nook or alcove, Miller suggests. This can be particularly effective “because of the density of the texture created from the pattern,” he notes.
Herringbone rugs, pillows, and other furnishings
If you’re not sure you’re ready to commit to the herringbone trend long term, skip expensive tile and opt for replaceable decor, such as a statement rug. If you end up loving it, you can always add more!
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