If you’re interested in learning more about herringbone tile patterns or just looking for inspiration, you’ve come to the right place! From DIY enthusiasts to interior design aficionados, continue reading to unlock endless creativity and remodeling inspiration for every nook and cranny.
We're diving deep into the world of herringbone tile – from its quirky origins to its versatile applications. Get ready to discover how this tile pattern can jazz up everything from floors to backsplashes and beyond.
Get to know which design is right for you with the Mercury Mosaics tile guide.
What Is Herringbone Tile Pattern?
Herringbone tile, known for its iconic zigzag pattern reminiscent of fishbones, gained popularity in the early 20th century and continues to captivate interior design enthusiasts today.
Available in various sizes ranging from small mosaics to large rectangles, this pattern is perfect for any project big or small. We love seeing this tried and true pattern create stunning backsplashes in kitchens, elegant tile floors in bathrooms, and eye-catching shower walls.
With its timeless appeal and a wide array of applications, herringbone tile remains a favorite choice for adding charm and sophistication to any interior setting.
Herringbone Tile vs. Chevron Tile
Upon first glance, chevron and herringbone tiles are almost indistinguishable. Both tile patterns feature a zigzag design, but the distinction lies in their arrangement. A chevron tile pattern features a continuous V-shape while a herringbone tile pattern offers a staggered, broken zigzag design.
Herringbone Tile vs. Subway Tile
Here at Mercury Mosaics, we like to describe the herringbone pattern as a twist on classic subway tile. A herringbone layout is just one of many patterns that you can use with subway tile. Herringbone features a zigzag pattern, resembling the bones of a fish, adding dynamic movement to interior spaces.
In contrast, subway tile is rectangular and laid in a clean, stacked, or staggered fashion, offering a classic, timeless look. While both are versatile options, herringbone tile lends a more playful and visually engaging aesthetic, while the subway tile exudes simplicity and sophistication.
Is Herringbone Timeless?
Herringbone tile's timeless allure stems from its classic yet versatile design, seamlessly blending with various interior styles including Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, Bohemian, and much more. We've found that everyone universally loves this contemporary twist on the classic subway tile.
To maintain its timeless appeal, we suggest opting for neutral colors like white, gray, or beige. Accents or furnishings can effortlessly complement these hues to ensure your herringbone tile remains stylish for years to come.
From floor to ceiling, find inspiration from Mercury Mosaics gallery of handmade tiles to brighten any space.
18 Herringbone Tile Pattern Ideas
Herringbone tile is on the up and up in the design world and we couldn't be more excited to show off some of our fan-favorite styles. Perfect for a bar backsplash, entryway floor, or kitchen backsplash, these 18 herringbone tile pattern ideas will have you swooning.
1. Boho Chic Herringbone Backsplash
Photography and Interior Design: Pencil Shavings Studio
There’s no denying the allure of herringbone tile with a glossy green glaze to achieve the perfect bohemian chic look. Pencil Shavings Studio hit the ball out of the park with this gorgeous herringbone kitchen backsplash by making it the star of the show. One of the many things we admire about this kitchen renovation is the use of bold colors and tile patterns while keeping it classy with a bright white surround and gold accents.
2. Scandinavian Chic Shower Wall
Photography and Interior Design: @joineryanddesignco
This statement backsplash is proof that all-white shower tile patterns can be just as impactful as colorful designs. This client used our popular white glaze to achieve this herringbone shower tile pattern in a unique Scandinavian chic look. The subtle shifts in shade with this high variation glaze color create a dynamic play of light and shadow that will turn your daily routine into a whimsical dance of playfulness and charm.
3. Landscape Inspired Kitchenette Backsplash
Photography: Gaffer Photography
Although we love a standard herringbone design, Studio BV took this kitchenette to the next level by creating a custom landscape-inspired backsplash for Flagstone Foods. Our talented Tile Artisans have perfected this custom-cutting technique that mimics an abstract mountain-like landscape. This custom design adds dimension and movement to the space while still staying on trend with the herringbone pattern.
Still not sure which design is right for you? Take our personal style quiz to find out.
4. Home Bar Backsplash
2”x6” Herringbone Tile: Bluegrass, Navy, Rainforest, Steel, Denim, Blue Opal, Grey, White, and Deco White.
Interior Design: Construction2Style
Photography: K Solberg Photography
This herringbone wall tile basement bar backsplash perfectly embodies the essence of a dark and moody interior: a striking mosaic, captivating herringbone pattern, and rich, dramatic hues. One thing we love about this example of a moody tiled space is the use of color. With nearly 10 glazes, the diverse palette enhances the sophistication of the area. This bar backsplash is proof that moody interiors can embrace a spectrum of colors while maintaining their dramatic impact.
5. Neutral Ombre Vanity Backsplash
2”x6” Herringbone Tile: White, Deco White, and Grey
Photography and Interior Design: Joinery and Design Co.
An ombre design seamlessly transitions from one color to another, typically from light to dark shades. When it comes to tile, the versatility of an ombre pattern shines through. For this bathroom vanity, we worked closely with the clients to dream up a neutral glaze palette to create a herringbone tile backsplash that perfectly complemented the natural warm wood and champagne accents in the rest of the bathroom design.
6. Custom Tile Lettering
2”x6” Herringbone Tile: Custom Color with customer letting in Satin Black
Interior Design: Studio BV at The Coven
Photography: Gaffer Photography
Installation: Aurora Tile Works
If you are looking for even more personality and charm in your herringbone tile layout, consider adding custom tile lettering! From funky fonts to impressive landscape cuts, our Tile Artisans have gotten custom tile designs down to a science.
We love helping clients add their family name, favorite catchphrase, or motivational quote to their space with tile lettering. This custom, hand-cut mosaic featuring the phrase “Do the most good” is a sure showstopper. From the pale pink herringbone tile to the hand-drawn lettering, this installation is truly impressive.
7. Choosing the Correct Grout
Stacked 2”x6” Subway Tile, and Herringbone Tile: Satin Black, and Black
Photography: Sage E Imagery
Styling: Creekwood Hill
Grout plays a crucial role in herringbone pattern tile, contributing to both aesthetics and durability. Selecting the right grout color can either accentuate the pattern or create a seamless look. For herringbone layouts, contrasting grout lines can highlight the zigzag design, while matching grout can create a more cohesive appearance.
We adore how the client below chose two black glaze colors with different finishes for added dimension and highlighted the movement of the tile with a high-contrast grout color. This dramatic tiled home bar checks all the boxes in our book.
8. Farmhouse Rustic Chic
The herringbone layout in this farmhouse chic kitchen deserves a standing ovation for its rustic charm and high variation terracotta color. For this interior style, we love our burnt orange and rustic red glaze colors such as Cider, Burnt Sugar, and Amber.
These rustic tile colors lend an air of classic elegance while maintaining a cozy, lived-in feel. We suggest pairing it with natural wood accents, wrought iron fixtures, and vintage-inspired pieces for an authentic farmhouse vibe. Soft linens, botanical touches, and copper accents complete the look, offering the perfect blend of old-world charm and contemporary style.
Order one of our herringbone sample packs to experience the look and feel of Mercury Mosaics handmade artisan tiles.
9. Bright Ombre Cafe Tile
2”x6” Subway in Herringbone Tile: Deco White, Marshmallow, Light Grey, and Dandelion
The beauty of ombre tile is the ability to use any glaze colors that you vibe with. Our team of designers has perfected the seamless transition of ombre designs whether you are using neutral tones or bright yellows, greys, and whites such as the project below.
The Buttered Tin, located in Northeast Minneapolis, showcases a bright and fun custom-arranged ombre that plays off their company's branded colors. This bright ombre tile is the perfect backdrop for all things brunch. The 2"x6" Herringbone tile keeps the design timeless and compliments the rest of the space beautifully.
10. Bold Bohemian
Herringbone patterns are the perfect choice for a bold bohemian kitchen. In this project, we worked with interior designer Bari J to create this jewel-toned emerald kitchen backsplash. Bari, a color enthusiast and pattern extraordinaire, loves our handmade herringbone tile so much that she has used it in both of her home kitchen remodels.
Our green herringbone tile is perfect for any interior style however, when going for a boho look we recommend pairing the pattern with sleek black cabinetry and rustic natural wood floating shelves while tying in elegant brass and gold fixtures.
11. Double Herringbone Tile Pattern
The double herringbone tile pattern showcases a gorgeously geometric layout, where it arranges rectangular tiles in a herringbone pattern while each tile forms a smaller herringbone pattern within itself. This creates a dynamic design that adds depth and dimension to any space from traditional to modern.
This herringbone tile floor design often appears in bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways, adding a sense of elegance and sophistication. Similar to a regular herringbone pattern, we’ve seen colors across the board from classic options like white, gray, and beige for a timeless look and bolder hues for a more dramatic statement. Our Tile Artisans are experts when it comes to dreaming up new and exciting designs. We’d love to work with you to make the double herringbone tile pattern come to life!
12. Coastal Chic Getaway
Photography: Vicki Bartel
The Leslie Style hit a home run with this project back in 2016 and we are still mesmerized by her immaculate seaside style. Embracing coastal interior design, this herringbone tiled kitchen backsplash in blue opal, hand-painted in a mesmerizing blue opal glaze, brings the seaside to the indoors.
Common colors for this style include soft blues, greens, and whites, evoking the essence of the ocean. Sizes for this design range from small to medium but we prefer our 2”x6” subway tiles in a herringbone pattern to show off the range of hues from our stunning blue opal glaze color. People often pair this relaxed yet sophisticated vibe with natural textures, rattan accents, and ocean-inspired decor to create a cohesive coastal look.
13. Blooming Maximalist
Our first project with Bari J. was creating her stunning bold bohemian kitchen with our Herringbone pattern in emerald. It was with this project that we came to realize our vibrant, handmade tile paired with her blooming maximalist aesthetic was a match made in heaven. Because of her love for playful patterns, Bari chose our patina herringbone tile to adorn her kitchen walls for a second time.
If you fancy maximalism like Bari but want to keep it monochromatic, we recommend choosing a glaze color with a high variation. Patina has a stunning antique green finish that perfectly complements natural wood, champagne fixtures, and soft floral wallpaper. This glaze and pattern combination is a fan favorite, so much so that we have it in our ready to ship collection!
14. White Contemporary
Photography and Interior Design: Mayne Marketing
Herringbone in white is one of our most beloved combinations and for good reason. This high variation glaze color possesses a range of hues with warm undertones due to its red clay body shining through the hand-painted brush strokes.
We’ve seen this color in every shape and size from herringbone tiles in the kitchen to Moroccan Fish Scales in the shower. However, people often choose it with a herringbone pattern because the zig-zag pattern shows off the gorgeous range of hues that white naturally exhibits. This combo is perfect for a black-and-white contemporary style or dressed up with colorful surroundings and bright accents.
Learn how artisan-crafted, handmade ceramic tiles like the ones from Mercury Mosaics can outshine and outlast machine alternatives.
15. Full-Color Variation
This moody bohemian herringbone bathroom floor is still one of our all-time favorites. For this project, interior designer Emily Pueringer wanted the shape of the tile to flow from one side of the room to the other for her home office bathroom to open up the small space. We landed on a custom ombre design in our signature herringbone pattern consisting of four of our favorite bold glaze colors: satin black, navy, steel, and a custom color of Emily’s choosing.
With natural wooden accents, matte black hardware, white shiplap walls, and a sleek black clawfoot tub, ombre herringbone floor tile fits the vibe perfectly. Explore our wide color palette and tile shape options to figure out which combinations fit the style of your space!
16. Accent Stripe or Stove Splash
Photography: Chelsie Lopez Production.
Home remodeling and tile installation: Kinetic Design Build
Herringbone tiles in the kitchen go together like two peas in a pod. The thoughtful herringbone stove splash in white sandwiched in between subway tile on the sides makes this kitchen project a clean and modern twist on a classic design. In particular, this stove splash is one of our all-time favorites with an accent stripe drawing the eye up to the ceiling making the space appear larger. The appliances and cabinets continue the monochrome trend, matching the tile perfectly.
17. Tasteful and Trimmed
2”x6” Herringbone Tile: Everglades
Photography and Interior Design by @joineryanddesignco
Herringbone pattern shines in all shapes and tile sizes as well as all glaze colors. This specific dark green glaze is the perfect example of a classic herringbone application that adds to the natural coloring and texture of this space perfectly. We love how this homeowner opted for open shelving to showcase the gorgeous movement of the herringbone layout.
18. Monochrome Dream
2”x6” Herringbone Tile: Navy, Denim, and Custom Color
Interior Design: Fogarty Finger Architecture
Located within Dock 72 of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, this stylish herringbone bar backsplash seamlessly blends into its surroundings. Spanning 675,000 square feet, this historical building is all about cutting-edge office design, architecture, and technology.
The architecture firm we worked with, Fogarty Finger Architecture, opted for a monochromatic mixture of dark blue and green glaze colors proving that a sophisticated cocktail bar can have an array of colors rather than simply all black. Perfectly paired with gold accents, statement lighting, and concrete countertops, this herringbone tiled bar exudes sophistication in all aspects.
Timeless Modern Luxury: Explore Mercury Mosaics Ready to Ship Herringbone Tile
Herringbone tile patterns offer a timeless yet versatile solution for interior design enthusiasts and DIY aficionados alike. From its quirky origins to its wide range of applications, herringbone tile remains a favorite choice for adding charm and sophistication to any space, whether it's a kitchen backsplash, bathroom tile floor, shower wall, or a custom statement piece.
With dynamic movement and visual appeal, herringbone patterns can transform any room. As you've seen in this article, it blends seamlessly with numerous interior styles from farmhouse rustic chic, bold bohemian to contemporary designs in a variety of hues to make it your own.
When planning a home renovation or simply seeking inspiration, get to know the look and feel of this design with Mercury Mosaics herringbone tile sample pack. When you're ready to bring this timeless allure to your space, our ready to ship tiles can elevate your interior spaces with style and elegance.
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