Herringbone is the distinctive V-shape pattern constructed from rectangles, named after its resemblance to the arrangement of bones in the herring fish!
The pattern is commonly used in tiling, mosaics, masonry and textiles.
Herringbone woven fabric, perhaps best known as twill or tweed, is famously used for country attire. As such, it’s earned a reputation as a classic, English heritage pattern.
Herringbone is a popular choice with homeowners at the moment. However, the usage is far from stuffy and formal. Forget the dull greens, greys and browns of countryside clothing.
You’ll find the pattern in an array of stylish and modern colours, including contemporary pale pastels and bold, fun hues.
Looking for a little inspiration? Here’s how you can use this season’s trendiest pattern in your home:
In the dining room:
Add a little decoration to your dining table with this set of coasters and placemats from TheHumbleCut.co.uk. The design features a herringbone pattern in bold inky blue shades.
Fun fact: the designer created the original herringbone motif by carving the design out of a potato. You’ll find a coordinating cutting board, tea towel, tray and apron on her website.
In the kitchen:
A herringbone-tiled kitchen splashback will marry beautiful style with practical functionality. For a modern look, choose rectangular tiles in on-trend pastel shades.
In your bathroom:
Planning to renovate your bathroom? Consider arranging your tiles in the herringbone pattern. This is the perfect way to pep up a blank wall. We love the fabulous marble-effect tiles pictured below (and the pink wallpaper, which is very on-trend). Image credit: Norsu Interiors (Norsu.com.au)
Alternatively, dress your bathroom with herringbone printed accessories. We love this bright, colourful shower curtain from Tracie Andrews at Juniqe.co.uk.
We also think these colourful peshtemal towels will look striking in any bathroom. The towels are traditionally used in Turkish baths. Not only do they look fun, but they’re very absorbent and they dry quickly. They also take up less space than a traditional towel, which is perfect if you are short on storage.
They can be purchased from Bathstyle at ETSY.com in a variety of colours, from bold and bright to subtle and subdued. There’s a shade to match every bathroom.
In the Living Room:
Planning to refresh the living room? If so, Herringbone wallpaper is the obvious choice. Use it to create a striking feature wall. The teal-coloured watercolour wallpaper pictured below is from Wallpaperie at ETSY.com
Not everybody has the funds to re-paper the room (and redecorating is not an option for those renting, either.) Dressing your sofa with trendy herringbone-patterned throws and cushions is a good alternative. We love the organic cotton throw by CoxandCox.co.uk pictured below.
The blanket features an oversized blanket stitch detail on the edge. The company also stocks a coordinating cushion.
In any room:
Herringbone flooring will add drama and interest to any room in your home. We love this fantastic laminate flooring, the blend of colours really make a statement and adds warmth and stylish touch to the bedroom.
New flooring out of the question? MelodyMaison.co.uk stocks this lovely monochrome rug (below) in a herringbone design. It’s woven from a cotton-mix fabric and comes in three sizes, small, medium and large. Perfect for adding a touch of pattern to an otherwise bland space.
Credit for featured images: Wallpaperie at ETSY.com