Not all luxury interiors require extravagant furniture, vibrant colors, or large-scale decoration. It may just be the flooring that makes the greatest impact.
August 20, 2026
One option that can create such an effect is herringbone flooring. The unique pattern it brings into your interior may make an average space elegant.
Unlike regular straight planks, herringbone gives a feeling of movement on the floor, while remaining timeless.
What Is Herringbone Flooring?
This type of flooring refers to the formation of rectangular wood planks into a V pattern or zigzag. It is formed not by aligning planks in one direction but by placing each plank at an angle.
Thus, the herringbone floor easily grabs attention without asking for it.
Though this pattern has been used in European interiors for many years, it still works well in contemporary houses. Herringbone can be used with modern furniture, traditional decor, minimalistic design, or even luxury interiors.
At Relative Floors + Walls, our collections offer different ways to bring this classic pattern into a space. The Chico collection takes inspiration from European paving stones, translating that influence into herringbone and other distinctive patterns. The Sumo collection can also be installed in a herringbone format, offering another expression of the pattern with its own material character and aesthetic.
Herringbone Flooring for Modern Canadian Homes
Modern homes in Canada would love herringbone flooring because of its classic design and finishes.
For instance, Relative Floors + Walls Chico collection brings a classic herringbone design to life in a narrow format, creating a more refined and intricate pattern. Its slim planks are particularly well suited to smaller rooms, hallways, and spaces where you want to introduce visual movement and character without making the floor feel too bold or busy. Chico comes in several colors such as Beige, Charcoal, Chocolate, Comet, Doe Skin, Medium Grey, Nevada, Pewter, Spice, and Terracotta.
As a result, the homeowner can choose either the lighter color combination or the darker one.
Herringbone Flooring in Luxury Living Rooms, Dining Rooms, Entryways, and Hallways
Herringbone flooring is considered an elegant choice for various spaces in one’s home. For instance, when installed in a living room, it gives a very strong complementary touch to modern sofas, wooden furniture, and a neutral interior. In the dining room, it goes along well with a dining table and lighting fixtures. The same can be said about entryways and hallways. The herringbone flooring adds a stylish touch to these transitional zones in one’s home.
However, one should be careful when choosing herringbone flooring for entryways, as Canadian entryways are covered with snow, salt, and other elements in winter, so maintenance can feel difficult.
Final Thoughts
Herringbone flooring is one of the easiest ways to add elegance and character to a luxury interior. It is an easy fit for contemporary Canadian houses as it was once in classical interiors. It can be used in living rooms, dining areas, bedrooms, or even elegantly constructed passageways, becoming one of the prominent attractions.
For a perfect design, select an appropriate color, scale, wood texture, and pattern combination. This will create a luxury look while avoiding overstatement in the design.
FAQs
What is herringbone flooring?
This type of flooring refers to the formation of rectangular wood planks into a V pattern or zigzag. It is formed not by aligning planks in one direction but by placing each plank at an angle.
Is herringbone flooring suitable for modern Canadian homes?
Yes, modern homes in Canada would love herringbone flooring because of its classic design and finishes. Relative FW collection can help create a classic herringbone design with a more sophisticated and urban feel in Canadian homes.
Which rooms look best with herringbone flooring?
Herringbone flooring is considered an elegant choice for various spaces in one’s home. For instance, when installed in a living room, it gives a very strong complementary touch to modern sofas, wooden furniture, and a neutral interior. In the dining room, it goes along well with a dining table and lighting fixtures. The same can be said about entryways and hallways.
What wood species are ideal for herringbone flooring?
There are different types of wood depending on the colors and grains that one requires. White oak can be considered a good material as it matches well with different architectural styles, whether contemporary or traditional.
Does herringbone flooring make a room appear larger?
Not necessarily. Herringbone flooring is great at creating a distinct visual effect on the floors, but it does not automatically make a room look larger.









