Herringbone vs Straight Plank Laminate: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Choosing a laminate floor isn't just about colour. The pattern — the way the boards are laid — does more heavy lifting in a room than people expect. Herringbone and straight plank are the two laminate layouts UK homeowners come back to again and again, and although they can use the exact same colour and finish, they create completely different rooms.
This guide compares herringbone vs straight plank laminate across cost, fitting time, room suitability, lighting, resale appeal and waste — so you can pick the one that's actually right for your space, not just the one that looks good on Pinterest.
The quick answer
If you want a calm, contemporary look that fits any room and any budget, go with wide straight-plank laminate. If you want a feature in its own right — a floor that draws the eye the second someone walks in — choose herringbone. Most other differences (durability, water resistance, lifespan) come down to the quality of the board, not the pattern. A premium 12mm herringbone and a premium 12mm straight plank from the same range will wear the same way.
What is herringbone laminate?
Herringbone is a parquet-style pattern made from shorter rectangular planks laid at 90° angles to each other, forming a zig-zag of interlocking "Vs". It's been around since 16th-century French chateaux but has had a huge UK revival over the last five years, especially in 12mm thicknesses with a deep V-groove like our 12V Herringbone Premium range.
What is straight plank laminate?
Straight plank — also called "single plank" or "long board" — is the layout you probably picture when you think of laminate. Boards run lengthways along a wall in long, parallel rows. Modern UK ranges favour wider boards (190–240mm) and longer lengths (up to 1,380mm) for a more luxurious feel that doesn't shout laminate.
1. Visual impact
Herringbone is unapologetically decorative. Even in a beige scheme it creates rhythm and shadow lines that catch the eye. It pairs especially well with period features (deep skirtings, panelled doors) and with very minimal modern interiors that need a single point of texture.
Straight plank is a background floor — and that's a compliment. It lets your sofa, your art, your kitchen island be the star. Wider boards make small rooms feel bigger because there are fewer joints to interrupt the eye.
If you can't decide, order a sample tile of each in the same colour and lay them on the floor of the room you're planning. The difference is dramatic and instant.
2. Cost
Herringbone laminate is typically 15–30% more expensive per m² than the equivalent straight plank, for two reasons: each board is cut shorter (more pieces per pack) and the manufacturing tolerances are tighter so the pattern locks together cleanly.
Fitting also costs more — see point 4 below.
That said, "more expensive" still means laminate. A premium 12mm herringbone in 2026 lands in roughly the same price band as a mid-range engineered oak straight plank, and a fraction of the cost of solid parquet. Check the laminate collection for current per-m² pricing and the spring sale.
3. Room suitability
| Room | Herringbone | Straight plank |
|---|---|---|
| Small living room (under 12 m²) | Risky — pattern can feel busy | Excellent — widens visually |
| Open-plan kitchen-diner | Excellent — zones the space | Excellent — flows well |
| Narrow hallway | Excellent — pattern hides length | Lay across width to widen |
| Bedroom | Optional — depends on style | Calmer choice |
| Bathroom / utility | Avoid laminate; use LVT | Avoid laminate; use LVT |
| Stairs | Specialist fit only | Standard with nosings |
A common mistake: laying herringbone in a small, square room. The pattern needs room to read. In a 3m × 3m bedroom it can feel restless. Save it for the room you spend most time in.
4. Fitting time and difficulty
Straight plank is one of the easiest floors a competent DIYer can lay. A 20 m² living room takes a confident first-timer a long afternoon. Click-lock systems on 12mm boards align quickly and most cuts are simple straight cuts.
Herringbone is roughly 2× slower to fit and is rarely a true beginner job. The pattern relies on perfect 90° relationships between every board, so the starter row has to be laid with a string line and a square. Most fitters charge a premium of £8–£15 per m² extra for herringbone over straight plank. Budget for that when you compare price tags. Our installation guide walks through both methods.
5. Waste and offcuts
Straight plank typically generates 5–10% waste in a standard room. Order an extra 8% for safety and you'll usually have a board or two left over for future repairs.
Herringbone generates 10–15% waste because the pattern terminates against every wall at a diagonal. Order 12–15% extra. The good news: any leftover packs can be re-used by a fitter to repair scratches or replace a damaged section years later, which is harder with discontinued ranges.
6. Underfloor heating
Both patterns work with electric and water-based underfloor heating, provided you choose a board rated for it (check the technical sheet — Accent's 12mm herringbone and straight plank are both UFH compatible). Always use the recommended underlay and let the boards acclimatise in the room for 48 hours before fitting.
7. Resale and rental appeal
UK estate agents we've spoken with consistently say a quality laminate in either pattern adds perceived value to a home in the £250k–£750k bracket compared to tired carpet. Herringbone scores slightly higher for "wow factor" in marketing photography, while straight plank is safer for landlords because it's universally tasteful — and easier to source replacement boards down the line.
If you're flipping or letting, straight plank is the lower-risk pick. If you're staying put for ten years, choose the pattern you'll enjoy living with.
8. The colour question
Both patterns work in every shade Accent stocks — grey, dark, light, natural. A few rules of thumb:
- Herringbone in dark walnut — dramatic, period-friendly, hides scuffs
- Herringbone in light natural oak — Scandinavian, brightens north-facing rooms
- Straight plank in grey — modern, gallery-like, demands clean skirting
- Straight plank in natural — the safest, most resaleable choice
For more on matching colour to room aspect, see our companion guide Choose Your Perfect Shade.
FAQs
Is herringbone laminate harder to clean than straight plank? No. Both have the same surface and the same routine (dry sweep + occasional damp mop with a laminate-safe cleaner). Herringbone has more grout-style joints visually, but they're sealed click joints — not grout — so dirt doesn't collect in them.
Can I lay herringbone laminate myself? Yes, if you're patient and have laid a floor before. Set aside roughly double the time you'd give straight plank, buy a long aluminium straight edge, and watch the Accent installation guide before you start.
Will herringbone date? The herringbone pattern is centuries old, so it doesn't really "date". What dates is colour and finish: very orange oak from the 90s now looks tired. Stick to a balanced natural or muted grey and your floor will still look current in 15 years.
How many free samples can I order? Up to four. Order them here — they ship free across the UK.
What to do next
- Decide pattern: are you treating the floor as a feature (herringbone) or a backdrop (straight plank)?
- Decide colour using a sample, in the room, at the time of day you use the room most.
- Use the per-m² price plus fitting estimate above to compare like-for-like.
- Place your order with the Accent price-match promise and next-working-day UK delivery.
Order your free samples → /collections/samples