The short answer: choose herringbone for a decorative, characterful floor that makes a room feel considered and elegant, and choose wide planks for a calmer, more contemporary look that makes a space feel larger. Both are available in the same engineered oak, so the decision is about style and budget rather than quality.
| Herringbone | Wide plank | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Decorative, classic, high-impact | Clean, contemporary, understated |
| Best rooms | Reception rooms, hallways, dining rooms | Open-plan spaces, kitchens, whole floors |
| Feels | Rich and considered | Larger and calmer |
| Fitting | More labour (angled pattern) | Faster, straightforward |
| Relative cost | Higher | Lower per m² |
Herringbone suits period proportions and any space where you want the floor itself to be a feature. Wide planks suit modern interiors and large, continuous areas. If you love herringbone but have a tighter budget, using it in one hero room and planks elsewhere is a popular compromise.
Usually yes — both the material and the fitting cost more because of the angled pattern and the extra labour involved.
No. It is a centuries-old pattern that reads as timeless rather than trend-led, which is why it suits both period and modern homes.
Yes — a smaller-format herringbone can make a compact hallway feel intricate and elegant; just scale the block size to the room.
Yes — durability comes from the oak wear layer and finish, which are the same across both formats.
Explore the collections: Herringbone flooring and plank flooring, or browse all engineered oak flooring.
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