Choosing flooring - is herringbone going to date really quickly?

[ohhellmytoe]

I'm choosing a flooring for the downstairs of my house. I'm settled on LVT - can't afford wood nor do I want the commitment of caring for it.

I really like the herringbone laying pattern but it seems to be everywhere right now. I'm worried it's going to date badly, and it's not something I want to re-do in a few years. I considered a basket weave but again that is going to be too expensive.

Would you go for straight lay (which I'm less keen on) or herringbone (which is probably going to have had its day very soon!)?

I had this conundrum too, and went for a straight board. If your house is contemporaneous with herringbone (mid century? 30s?) I think it‘s fine, but otherwise I think it will date.

It’s already looking like last years trend. I wouldn’t.

Herringbone is a classic pattern so long term I don’t think it will date. It may look busy though depending on what else is in the room. So that might put me off.

@justanotherneighinparadise

Herringbone is a classic pattern so long term I don’t think it will date. It may look busy though depending on what else is in the room. So that might put me off.

I agree with this.

I agree it's a classic pattern, but it seems to be one of those things that everyone is doing right now (along with wood panelling) which has the effect of dating things very quickly!

But those things only date in the short term, over a longer period they then come back round abd suddenly you’re back on trend without doing anything

What? The two houses in my family I know with gorgeous herringbone wood floors, one is from the 1910s/20s and one from the 1970s...so either it’s already dated, or it’s a standard classic pattern! There’s only so many ways you can lay flooring. Don’t let any thoughts about trends influence your decisions for your home, it’s your home, not an Instagram profile. Do what you like because you like it, not because it is/isn’t on trend/“dated”.

Herringbone will always look interesting.. planks will always look boring
If you go for lvt herringbone try and get th thinner longer strips, the fat boards just look wrong in herringbone pattern
I think 600mm by 100mm is about right

I think it depends on the house, it would look great in my fathers house, its got big rooms and built around 1900, it would look busy and 'fake in my house, small rooms and less than 30 years old.

I love the herringbone look but have gone for a straight lay. Main reason being cost. There is a lot of wastage with herringbone.

I love herring bone, I think its a classic look that doesn't age. However, we live in a older house, approx 1900's with cornicing, so like Gwendoline has said, it might depend on your house age.

Hope not, had herringbone vinyl put in my bathroom yesterday!

Iwans eyeing up someone's herringbone floor ten years ago (it was reclaimed and put in their 3bed semi) so either I was way ahead of trends or it's a timeless classic.

Proper Herringbone is expensive and hard to fit and looks beautiful and I don’t think it will ever date. What may date is herringbone-like designs - chunky boards, the big tiles, colours like grey and green etc.

I am saving up to have this is my 1930s house because I love it . I think it’s a classic in the right house .

The oak herringbone has been in my house for 100 years, so yes probably been in and out of fashion plenty of times since it was installed.

Carpet. Not particularly on trend. So shouldn't date anytime soon!

There’s another alternative - straight planks, but laid on the diagonal? I went for this having coveted herringbone, but the increase in cost being far too much. I get lots of nice comments on the diagonal, and am pleased with the compromise.

This kind of thing (not my house - a Google image!)

I never thought that diagonal planks could be so divisive but that just looks so wrong to me - I’d have to rip the floor up immediately if I bought a house with them. I probably wouldn’t even view the house if I saw that picture. Just something to keep in mind, unless you’re in your forever home.

We're looking at large board herringbone LVT throughout the whole of downstairs. We can't settle on a single direction that will look good in all the rooms. Farmhouse though so whilst we're modernising, it'll still look in keeping.x

Herringbone is definitely a classic. Love it. Agree with the narrow planks.

What could date it is the colour and material. Classic herringbone is natural wood. So a modern interpretation of that may well date. Am thinking tiles but especially colour effects.

It is more expensive to lay than straight boards because of increased labour and wastage. You might also need board a designed for herringbone not straight lay.