Your Design Guide to Herringbone Carpet
Herringbone is a classic design that adds a touch of sophistication and visual intrigue when incorporated into your home. It has a classic, timeless design while complementing modern interiors and withstanding the test of time. Herringbone carpets and rugs can bring a luxurious feel into your home, but you need to understand this pattern and use it correctly to get the full impact.
To help you understand herringbone carpets better, we’ve collated this helpful guide, answering everything you need to know. We’ll cover:
- What is herringbone?
- Why is herringbone carpet popular?
- What material are herringbone rugs and carpets made from?
- Which direction should herringbone go?
- How do you deal with herringbone on stairs?
- Does a herringbone carpet go with a herringbone border?
- Does herringbone carpet make a room look bigger or smaller?
What is herringbone?
Herringbone is the pattern of the carpet. It is a unique zig-zagged design that resembles the structure of a herring fish’s bones. This sophisticated pattern brings visual intrigue, while remaining subtler than stripes or checks, and is a traditional and timeless choice.
Why is herringbone carpet popular?
The intricate pattern of herringbone brings visual intrigue into your home, adding texture and a sophisticated pattern. The timeless style means it can withstand decor changes and it adds a sense of symmetry and direction to your home. By introducing a herringbone carpet, your home will have a classic feel whilst keeping up with the latest trends.
What material are herringbone rugs and carpets made from?
Typically, classic herringbone rugs and carpets are made from natural fibres like wool, sisal, seagrass and jute. Wool is a popular choice because it is soft underfoot, durable and has naturally insulating properties to keep your home feeling warm and cosy. Wool carpets and rugs give your home a luxurious feel, creating a sacred space for you to unwind and recharge with loved ones.
Which direction should herringbone go?
The herringbone pattern should always follow a focal point. It is usually best laid parallel to the longest wall, with the chevrons pointing in the direction of the window. This can make the room appear bigger because of the illusion of movement within the pattern. Additionally, having the pattern follow the direction of natural light can give a harmonious and even feel throughout the room.
How do you deal with herringbone on stairs?
Much like if you are laying herringbone carpet in a room, if you are introducing it to a staircase carpet or runner, the same rules should apply. Herringbone should be installed in the direction of the foot traffic so the points of the chevrons should point up, and down the stairs, parallel to the longest wall.
Herringbone stair runners or hallway rugs can give your home a luxurious feel and make a classy statement to guests entering your home. Combining style with functionality, herringbone stair runners and rugs are a sophisticated way to introduce patterns and texture into your home.
Does a herringbone carpet go with a herringbone border?
Adding a border to your herringbone rug or carpet can add impact, however, you need to be considerate of the border pattern you choose. Pairing a herringbone rug or carpet with a herringbone border can look too busy and the patterns could clash if they’re different sizes and colours.
Adding a block-coloured border to your herringbone carpet or rug can create a clean finish and frame your rug with sophistication and finesse.
Does herringbone carpet make a room look bigger or smaller?
If you have low ceilings or a narrow room, herringbone carpet or rugs can make the space appear larger, as the chevron pattern can create the illusion that a room is wider or longer than it actually is. This is great if you want to make small spaces feel larger than they are because the pattern draws the eye outwards, creating the illusion of a larger space.
Overall, herringbone carpet is an excellent choice if you want to combine classic sophistication with modern design influence. It can give your space a timeless feel and even make it appear larger. Find your own herringbone carpet now or create a bespoke herringbone rug or runner using our rug builder.