Undeniably timeless, the Herringbone Tile pattern effortlessly elevates your space. This classic pattern adds texture and a woven veneer to you space, adding substance and quality. Today we’re walking you through some of our favorite herringbone tile ideas for your backsplash, floors, walls, and more.
We're showing you six of the best ways to feature a herringbone pattern with inspiration from some of today's top designers.
Brick Shown: Klamath (discontinued; for a similar look, try Joshua Tree) // Design + Image: Emily Starr Alfano
What is a Herringbone Tile Pattern?
A herringbone tile pattern uses rectangular tiles arranged to meet perpendicularly at the ends to create a v shape. You can lay herringbone at 90 or 45 degree angles depending on how one chooses to orient it from the base edge. Both patterns feature a V shape aesthetic but the 90 degree pattern is slightly more straightforward, requiring fewer custom cuts along base of the pattern.
Herringbone vs Chevron
Let's clear up the difference between a chevron pattern and a herringbone pattern. Both bring interest and charm to tile installations, but the herringbone pattern is more economical to install as it requires no cutting. A herringbone pattern is simply a rectangular shape, while each individual piece of a chevron pattern is cut at an angle using tile cutters.
Since herringbone doesn’t require every tile to be custom cut, you can save time by ordering it sheeted in either 2x4 or 1x4 mosaic tile shapes. Not only does sheeted tile speed up installation, it offers peace of mind that your pattern will hang correctly without imperfections.
Here are 6 ways to feature a Herringbone Tile Pattern.
1. White Herringbone Backsplash Tile
An all-over herringbone backsplash design in white with light-colored grout is crisp, clean, and is the perfect way to combine classic and modern styles. Whether in a white kitchen or bathroom, a herringbone tile pattern gives a space an elegant focal point of interior design.
Learn the 6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Tile Backsplash
This contemporary coastal home features herringbone kitchen backsplash tile to add a decorative finish to a space as great for entertaining as it is for cooking.
Brick Shown: 2.5 x 8 in Olympic // Design: El Encanto Design and Construction Services
Tile Shown: 2x8 in Calcite// Sarah Sherman Samuel, Emily Farnham Architecture // Photo: Tessa Neustadt
2. Herringbone Goes Bold
For a twist on this classic pattern, use a saturated color like a bold Blue or Green--
Tile Shown: 2x8 tiles in Azul // Design: Kelly Mindell // Image: Jeff Mindell
Tile Shown: 6" Hexagon and 2x6 in Evergreen // Design: Claire Thomas
For an even bolder look when ceramic or porcelain tiles just won't do, consider a glass herringbone pattern like this dramatic glass bathroom in bold Blue Jay matte glass tile.
Tile Shown: 2x12 in Blue Jay Matte, 4x12 in Blue Jay Matte and 1x1 in Blue Jay Matte // Design: Ginny Macdonald
3. Herringbone in Commercial Design
From building exteriors to hotels to office kitchens, Herringbone is a versatile pattern that pairs beautifully across a wide range of applications, styles, and products. Our glazed thin Brick, Ceramic Tile, and Glass can all be arranged into Herringbone to match any aesthetic.
Give your guests an unforgettable vacation experience with design details they can't miss like this outdoor brick herringbone shower tile.
Brick Shown: Columbia Plateau and Great Plains (discontinued, for a similar look try Big Horn) // Design: Janice Camp for The Nomadic Hotel // Photos: Andres Garcia Lachner
Brick Shown: San Gabriel // Design: Sara Combs and Rich Combs for the Posada Inn // Margaret Austin Photography
Creating areas that employees feel good in leads to higher satisfaction and productivity. An ombre herringbone backsplash transforms this office kitchen into a space that workers will want to linger in to share ideas or a bite to eat.
Tile Shown: 4x8 in Adriatic Sea, Lake Tahoe, Waikiki, and Glacier Bay // Design: AP&I Design for Cisco
Come for the cocktails and stay for the ambiance. A stunning black herringbone floor helps this restaurant offer patrons a place they'll want to come back to night after night.
Tile shown: Raven Matte 3x12 // Design: Punch Architecture // Photo: Mark Mediana Photo
4. Herringbone Floor Tile
Playing with scale is fun and adds an architectural detail that will elevate your kitchen design. Here the 6x12 herringbone pattern on the floor is a perfect partner for the smaller 2.5x8 brick tile on the backsplash. The monochrome colorway keeps the kitchen soothing and calm while blending natural stone like marble, herringbone tile, and brick.
Tile Shown: Glazed Brick in Olympic and Gypsum 6x12 // Design: Anne Sage and Studio McGee// Photos: Monica Wang Photography
The trend these days is to get innovative with a patterned floor. Choose your own blend from our hundreds of colors, and create a space that is spirited and exclusively yours.
Tile Shown: 2x8 in Adriatic Sea // Design: Benni Amadi Interiors and Courtney Springer Interiors // Photo: Christopher Stark Photography
Brick Shown: Cascade // Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel
5. Herringbone Wall Tile
Rows of layered "L's" or “V’s” lead the eye upward, giving the illusion of length and height to surfaces.
Tile Shown: Amalfi Coast Matte 3x12// Design: TVL Creative // Photo: Rinse Studios
Tile Shown: 2x6 in Mist
6. Herringbone Accents
Herringbone accents can add dimension to classic-inspired tile installations. Consider adding it as a decorative element to stovetop backsplashes or as a one-of-a-kind tile rug. You can also frame it with handmade Tile Trim in a matching color for the perfect finishing touch.
Tile shown: Moonshine 2x4, 1x6, and 3x6
Tile Shown: 3x12 in French Linen, 2x4 in Mist // Design: Linda Nguyen // Photo: Doodiebearz Photography
Tile Shown: 3x6 in Calcite Gloss
If you're loving these herringbone looks, hop over to our Tile, Glass, or Brick pages to pick out the tile that works for your herringbone pattern. Need some help? Simply call, chat, or fill out our Design Assistance Form and one of our talented Design Consultants will get back to you shortly. There's no herringbone they haven't seen.