July 29, 2025
Herringbone Floors: Design & Installation Tips
by Annie Graybill
Herringbone floors are a timeless design statement that bring elegance and character to any home. Their versatility complements a wide range of architectural styles — from clean modern spaces to more traditional interiors. Whether you're using herringbone planks to define a single room, like a foyer or dining area, or installing them throughout an entire level, the result is always striking. To ensure a seamless installation, there are a few important details to plan for if you are going to DIY or to discuss with your contractor.
Prep & Installation
- A flat subfloor is key: Herringbone requires an exceptionally flat subfloor. Irregularities can throw off the pattern and cause issues with alignment.
- Moisture check: Subfloors (especially concrete) should be dry and within acceptable moisture levels. We recommend using a glue with a built-in moisture barrier, like Bona R851 or Bostik Greenforce.
- Transitions: If your herringbone planks will meet other flooring you will want to account for height differences, you can use an Overlap Reducer or ramp up the herringbone so it is flush where it meets the other flooring.
- Pre-finished floors: Skip the hassle & expense of a traditional sand-and-finish herringbone. Some of the only prefinished, square-edged herringbone floors around, Sisu and Old Town put the strength in your hands to create a timeless herringbone floor. With herringbone, details are everything. Our square edges are precisely engineered to give the same look typically reserved for high-end, custom installations.
Design
- Room Centering: Herringbone patterns are often centered in a room or aligned with a focal point (like a fireplace or large window). Poor alignment can make the space look off-balance.
- Pattern Orientation: Decide whether you want the pattern to run parallel to the longest wall, at a 45° angle, or aligned to a feature in the room.
- Border or No Border: Some installations include a border (a “frame”) to cleanly transition into walls or adjoining rooms.
- Alternate Planks: Embrace the beauty of wood and mix and match their natural variations. Made of real wood, no two planks are alike, but will vary slightly in tone. We like to mix and match, alternating between a slighter lighter and slighter dark plank.
More Reading:
- Eye Scandi Favorites: Why We Love Herringbone
- How to Choose & Install Herringbone Wood Floors
- Project Spotlight: Herringbone Floors for a Hygge Inspired Shop
