Herringbone tile has been around for centuries — you can find it in Roman mosaics and Victorian-era floors — and it keeps coming back because it solves a genuine design problem: how to create movement and visual interest using a simple rectangular tile. In a bathroom, that problem is especially pressing. Most bathrooms are small, rectangular rooms with a lot of competing elements. Herringbone gives the floor or wall something to say without the commitment of patterned or multicolored tile.
Here’s how to think about herringbone in a bathroom context — where to use it, which materials to choose, and a few things designers wish clients knew before they started.
What Makes Herringbone Different
The herringbone pattern is named for its resemblance to a fish skeleton — rectangular tiles laid at 45-degree angles in alternating directions, creating a continuous V-shaped or zigzag effect. What makes it visually interesting is the direction change: as you follow a row of tiles, the angle reverses, which creates movement and draws the eye forward (or side to side, depending on orientation).
This directional quality is why herringbone works so well in hallways and small bathrooms — the pattern makes the space feel longer or wider, depending on how it’s oriented. In a narrow bathroom, running herringbone perpendicular to the length of the room can add perceived width.
Floor vs. Wall: Where Herringbone Works Best
Herringbone on the Floor
The floor is the classic application. Herringbone floors have centuries of history precisely because they work — the pattern is durable, visually satisfying, and holds up as the room around it changes over time. In a bathroom, herringbone floors feel simultaneously traditional and current, which makes them a safe long-term investment.
For primary bathrooms, consider running herringbone through the full floor area, including the shower floor (with a mosaic or pebble tile version in the wet zone for drainage). Coordinating the patterns creates cohesion without monotony.
Herringbone on the Wall
Wall herringbone is where things get more visually interesting. A herringbone pattern behind a vanity or on a shower accent wall reads as deliberately graphic — it’s recognizably a design choice rather than a neutral background. This is a good thing if you want the wall to be a focal point; something to be aware of if you want the fixtures to be the star.
Vertical herringbone (with the V-pattern oriented to point up) on shower walls is a particularly strong option — the upward direction draws the eye toward the ceiling and makes the shower feel taller. This is especially useful in bathrooms with standard 8-foot ceilings.
Designer’s Note
Herringbone orientation is an underappreciated design decision. Most people default to a 45-degree diagonal from the room’s center, but you can also lay herringbone parallel to the room’s longest wall (horizontal orientation) or perpendicular to it. Each reads differently — try sketching all three before committing.
Best Tile Materials for Herringbone
Subway Tile (2×4 or 3×6)
The most common herringbone material. Subway tile in a herringbone pattern is classic for a reason: the white glossy surface contrasts against grout lines to make the pattern clearly legible, and the proportions (2:1 ratio) are ideal for the herringbone geometry. It’s also the most affordable starting point.
Marble & Natural Stone
Marble herringbone is the high end of this trend. The veining in natural marble adds a layer of visual movement on top of the pattern, which creates incredible depth. Carrara marble in a 2×4 herringbone on a bathroom floor is a combination that has remained aspirational for generations. Maintenance-wise, natural stone requires sealing and more care than porcelain — plan for that upfront.
Matte Porcelain
For a more contemporary version, matte porcelain in larger herringbone formats (4×8 or 6×12) delivers a cleaner, more graphic look. The absence of sheen makes the pattern the focus rather than the surface quality. This works especially well in modern or minimalist bathrooms.
Encaustic & Patterned Cement Tile
Using patterned tile in a herringbone layout adds two layers of visual interest simultaneously — pattern within pattern. This is a bold move that works best on floors in rooms where the rest of the design is relatively restrained. Our guide to handmade and artisan tile covers encaustic options in more detail.
The Grout Decision
Grout makes or breaks herringbone. Here’s how to think about it:
- Matching grout (same tone as tile): The pattern is present but subtle — the room feels cohesive and calm. Best for spaces where you want elegance without drama.
- Contrasting grout (dark grout on light tile or light grout on dark tile): The pattern becomes a feature — graphic, bold, clearly intentional. Best when herringbone is the design statement you’re building the room around.
- Unsanded vs. sanded grout: Use unsanded grout for joints under 1/8 inch; sanded for larger joints. Most herringbone patterns use narrow joints, so unsanded is often appropriate — confirm with your tile installer.
For color guidance, the National Tile Contractors Association publishes installation standards that include grout selection guidelines — worth referencing for a major bathroom project.
Installation Considerations
Herringbone is a more demanding installation than straight-set tile. The 45-degree angles mean that every cut at the room’s edges and transitions requires precise math and skilled cutting. Expect to pay roughly 15–25% more in labor than a standard grid layout.
The substrate must be absolutely level and flat — herringbone highlights imperfections in a way that straight-set tile does not. If you’re doing a bathroom remodel and the subfloor isn’t ideal, address that before tile selection, not after.
Tile Work in Central Washington
D. Marie Interiors provides full-service design for bathroom remodels across Wenatchee, Yakima, Ellensburg, the Tri-Cities, and Central Washington communities. If you’re planning a tile project, we can help you navigate material selection, pattern orientation, and coordination with your contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Herringbone Tile
What is herringbone tile?
Herringbone tile is a pattern where rectangular tiles are laid at 45-degree angles in alternating directions, creating a V-shaped or zigzag effect. The pattern creates movement and visual interest while using standard rectangular tile in a variety of sizes and materials.
Is herringbone tile hard to install?
Herringbone installation is more complex than straight lay because every tile must be set at a precise angle and edge cuts require careful planning. It typically adds 15–25% to labor costs versus a straight-set pattern. For a bathroom floor or shower wall, it’s worth hiring an experienced tile setter who has done herringbone work before.
What size tile works best for herringbone?
Classic herringbone uses tiles with a 2:1 ratio — most commonly 2×4, 3×6, or 4×8 inches. Larger format versions (4×12 or 6×12) create a bolder, more dramatic look. Very small tiles (1×2 mosaic) create a fine-grained texture that works beautifully as a shower floor or accent strip.
What grout color should I use with herringbone tile?
Grout color dramatically affects how herringbone reads in a room. Matching grout (same tone as the tile) creates a subtle, elegant look where the pattern recedes. Contrasting grout — dark with light tile or vice versa — makes the herringbone pattern pop visually and become a design statement.
Can herringbone tile be used on bathroom walls?
Absolutely. Herringbone works beautifully on shower walls, backsplash areas behind vanities, and as a feature accent wall. On walls, the pattern reads as more graphic and deliberately decorative. Vertical herringbone in a shower is particularly effective — it draws the eye upward and makes the space feel taller.