Herringbone tiles have always had a timeless charm, but in 2025, they are taking centre stage in modern interior design. Whether you’re refreshing a kitchen splashback, upgrading your bathroom, or creating a feature wall in the living room, herringbone offers a perfect blend of elegance, texture, and movement. With new colours, materials, and layout variations emerging this year, homeowners and designers are rediscovering how versatile this classic pattern can be.
If you’re planning a renovation or looking for fresh design inspiration, this guide explores the top herringbone tile ideas for 2025, along with styling tips, trending colours, and practical pros and cons.
What Are Herringbone Tiles?
Herringbone tiles are arranged in a distinctive V-shaped, zigzag pattern that resembles the skeleton of a herring fish—hence the name. Traditionally used in wooden parquet flooring, the pattern has evolved with time and is now one of the most popular tile layouts in contemporary homes.
What makes herringbone so appealing is its ability to bring movement to a space without overwhelming it. The directional layout draws the eye across the room, creating a sense of flow and visual interest. Whether installed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, herringbone tiles introduce a designer-style finish that elevates even the simplest spaces.
See more: Subway Tiles in Modern Interiors: Combining Tradition with Innovation
Why Herringbone Tiles Are Trending in 2025
2025 has seen a major shift toward textured, high-impact design styles, and herringbone fits perfectly into this movement. Here’s why the pattern is more popular than ever:
1. A Modern Twist on a Classic Look
Homeowners are looking for ways to incorporate timeless design elements without feeling outdated. Herringbone adds classic structure but feels fresh in modern colours like matte sage, charcoal, clay terracotta, and dusty neutrals.
2. Works Beautifully in Small Spaces
Herringbone creates an illusion of length or height depending on orientation, making it ideal for small bathrooms, narrow kitchens, and compact laundry spaces.
3. Compatible With All Materials
From stone and hardwood to porcelain and glass, the pattern adapts beautifully to materials and finishes. 2025 tile collections heavily feature herringbone formats due to high demand.
4. Adds Movement and Texture
Minimalist homes often need subtle textural elements. Herringbone tiles add a sense of movement that instantly energises flat or plain surfaces.
5. Easy to Customise
With micro herringbone, wide-plank herringbone, double herringbone, and mixed-material designs rising in popularity, homeowners can tailor the pattern to match their unique style.
Top Herringbone Tile Design Ideas for 2025
✨ Kitchen Herringbone Tile Ideas
1. Herringbone Splashbacks with Glossy Subway Tiles
Classic white subway tiles arranged in a herringbone pattern remain a favourite. In 2025, designers are leaning toward high-gloss or pearl-finish tiles to add light reflection and a clean, luxe feel. The pattern instantly turns a simple splashback into a feature.
2. Matte Stone Herringbone for Minimalist Kitchens
Matte porcelain tiles that mimic limestone or concrete bring an earthy, contemporary look. Pair them with timber cabinetry or black fixtures for a balanced, warm aesthetic.
3. Colour-Rich Herringbone for Bold Kitchens
Rich, saturated colours like forest green, navy blue, and burnt copper are trending. Installed in a herringbone layout, these tones add visual drama without taking over the space.
4. Metallic Accents for Modern Homes
Metallic herringbone mosaics—especially brushed gold and stainless steel—are being used on rangehood backdrops and feature walls. They offer a modern, industrial edge with a luxe twist.
✨ Bathroom Herringbone Tile Ideas
1. Full Herringbone Feature Walls
Running the pattern from floor to ceiling creates a spa-like, high-end feel. Soft greys, marble-effect tiles, and pastel hues are particularly popular.
2. Herringbone Shower Niche Inlays
A small shower niche lined with herringbone tiles creates a stunning focal point. Contrasting colours—like white walls with charcoal herringbone—add depth.
3. Floor-to-Wall Continuity
Using the same herringbone tile on both the floor and partial wall creates seamless continuity. It’s a top 2025 trend for minimalist and Scandinavian-style bathrooms.
4. Micro Herringbone Mosaics
Tiny mosaic herringbone tiles are gaining popularity for their delicate texture. Perfect for bathrooms, they look premium and offer a handcrafted feel.
✨ Living Room & General Space Ideas
1. Herringbone Timber-Look Porcelain Floors
Timber-look porcelain tiles arranged in herringbone give you the warmth of wood with the durability of tile. This trend is massive in 2025 due to its low maintenance and timeless elegance.
2. Statement Fireplace Surrounds
A herringbone tile border around a fireplace adds luxury and architectural interest. Textured stone and handmade ceramic tiles are common choices.
3. Feature Walls with Oversized Tiles
Oversized herringbone tiles create a bold, modern statement. These are especially effective in living rooms, entryways, and open-plan spaces.
4. Two-Tone Herringbone Patterns
Designers are mixing two similar tones—think stone grey and warm taupe—for a subtle but artistic effect.
Popular Herringbone Patterns, Materials & Colours for 2025
⭐ Trending Patterns
- Standard herringbone
- Diagonal herringbone
- Double herringbone
- Broken herringbone
- Micro herringbone mosaic
- Oversized wide-plank herringbone
⭐ Popular Materials
- Porcelain tiles
- Marble & marble-effect tiles
- Timber-look tiles
- Handmade ceramic tiles
- Glass mosaics
- Stone (travertine, limestone, slate)
⭐ Trending Colours
- White, cream, and sandy neutrals
- Sage green, olive, and eucalyptus tones
- Terracotta and clay-inspired colours
- Navy, marine blue, and charcoal
- Pearl greys and matte black
- Metallic bronze and brushed gold
Pros and Cons of Herringbone Tiles
✔ Pros
- Timeless and stylish
- Makes small spaces feel larger
- Adds movement and visual interest
- Works with all interior styles
- Comes in a wide range of materials
✘ Cons
- Installation can be more time-consuming
- Requires precise layout and measurements
- Can be slightly more expensive due to labour
- Not all patterns suit every material thickness
Despite these drawbacks, most homeowners consider herringbone worth the investment for the elegance and value it adds.
Styling Tips for Using Herringbone Tiles in 2025
- Keep grout subtle: Light grout blends well for a sophisticated look, while contrasting grout highlights the pattern.
- Use herringbone as a feature: One herringbone wall or floor can elevate the entire room without overwhelming it.
- Match tones to your theme: Soft colours suit minimal and coastal interiors; bold tones suit industrial or modern homes.
- Experiment with direction: Vertical herringbone elongates walls, while horizontal patterns widen rooms.
- Balance with simple elements: Because herringbone is visually dynamic, pair it with clean lines and neutral décor for harmony.
