Herringbone & Chevron Tiles Sydney Guide

Modern Sydney kitchen with light timber-look herringbone floor tiles and white cabinetry.

Peter Yusuf - Dec 01, 2025

You know that feeling when you are scrolling through renovation inspos on Instagram and you stop instantly on a bathroom with that floor? The one with the zigzag tiles that somehow makes the whole space look twice as expensive?

That is either herringbone tiles or chevron doing its thing. We have sorted everything you need to know about these two tile patterns and how to choose the right one. In addition, you can also have a look at how to style herringbone in detail.

What Is Herringbone Tile Pattern?

Herringbone is a zigzag pattern where rectangular tiles meet at right angles, creating a lovely broken, staggered effect. Picture a fish skeleton (hence “herring” bone) or those classic parquetry floors your gran probably had.

The Herringbone Look

What makes herringbone tiles special is that imperfect, almost handmade quality. Each tile butts up against the side of the next one at 90 degrees, creating little offsets that catch the light differently throughout the day.

It is the pattern you see in heritage Sydney terraces that has somehow ended up looking completely at home in brand new Bondi apartments.

Where to Use Herringbone Tiles in Sydney Homes

Bathroom floors in narrow terrace bathrooms, where you need visual interest.
Kitchen splashbacks behind the stove (especially with white subway tiles).
Hallway feature floors in Federation and Victorian homes.
Laundries and powder rooms that need personality.
Covered outdoor areas in inner-west courtyards.

The beauty of herringbone is it works with practically any tile shape: subway tiles, timber-look planks, even skinny brick-style formats. Because it has that heritage vibe baked in, it suits Sydney’s mix of old and new architecture without trying too hard.

What Is Chevron Tile Pattern?

Chevron is herringbone’s sharper, more precise cousin. Instead of rectangular tiles meeting at corners, you are working with tiles cut at perfect 45-degree angles on both ends.

When they come together, they form a seamless, continuous V-shape with no breaks, no offsets, just clean geometric lines running across your space.

The Chevron Timber Look

It is definitely the boldest choice. Where herringbone whispers “timeless elegance,” chevron shouts “I hired an interior designer and I am not sorry about it.”

The continuous zigzag creates serious visual flow. Point it toward your windows and suddenly your room feels longer. Run it across a wide space and you are adding drama without cluttering up the design.

Where to Use Chevron Tiles in Sydney Homes

Open-plan living areas in new builds around Ryde and Castle Hill.
Statement bathroom floors in luxury renovations (Vaucluse, Double Bay).
Feature walls behind beds in converted warehouse apartments.
High-end kitchen floors where everything else is deliberately minimal.
Boutique retail fit-outs (you have seen this at trendy Surry Hills cafes).

Herringbone vs Chevron: Quick Comparison Table

Which Tile Pattern Should You Choose for Your Sydney Home?

This is where you need to be honest about your space and style.

Choose Herringbone Tiles If:

You Have a Heritage Sydney Home

Federation terraces, Victorian cottages, Californian bungalows: these homes want a pattern that respects their bones. Herringbone has that same timeless craftsmanship and will not look out of place.

Your Space Is Smaller

Most inner-city Sydney apartments and terraces are not exactly sprawling. Herringbone makes a 3-square-meter bathroom feel considered rather than cramped.

You Want Coastal or Scandi Style

That relaxed look that is all over the Northern Beaches and lower North Shore? Herringbone adds texture without heaviness. It plays nicely with white walls, blonde timber and natural stone tile textures.

You Want a Safe but Not Boring Choice

Herringbone is a proven pattern that will not date or feel like you tried too hard. It is a good choice that will look right in five years and beyond.

Choose Chevron Tiles If:

You Are Working With a Modern Build

Contemporary renovation where clean lines and bold choices are part of the brief? New apartments in Barangaroo or Zetland? Chevron gets it.

You Have Proper Space

Open-plan living areas, large en-suites, or those enviable combined kitchen-dining rooms in newer Sydney suburbs. Chevron needs room to create its impact. In smaller spaces, it can feel overwhelming.

Your Design Is Minimal Everywhere Else

If your walls are white, your joinery is handleless and your furniture is carefully curated, chevron brings the drama without adding clutter. Let the floor do the talking.

You Want That Luxury Hotel Vibe

Chevron timber look reads expensive because, well, it kind of is. But if you are doing a high-end bathroom renovation and want that “stepping into a day spa” feeling, this is your pattern.

Installation Tips: What Sydney Homeowners Need to Know

Both patterns will cost you more than standard tiles. That is just physics and labour. Here is what you are actually signing up for.

Herringbone Installation in Sydney

Most experienced residential tilers can handle herringbone tiles. You are looking at extra time for:

Measuring and planning the pattern flow.
Cutting-edge pieces to maintain the pattern.
Working around obstacles (Sydney terrace bathrooms with their weird pipes and odd corners).

Budget: An extra 25 to 30% on top of standard tiling quotes.

Example: For a typical bathroom, that might mean $2,500 to $3,000 instead of $2,000.

Timeline: Standard bathroom retile takes 3 days; herringbone pushes that to 4 or 5 days.

Chevron Installation in Sydney

This is where you need to find someone who has genuinely done chevron tiles before and done it well. Those angled cuts need to be precise or the whole pattern falls apart.

Budget: Expect 40 to 50% extra on labour, plus additional tile wastage.

Timeline: Could stretch to 6 days for a bathroom.

Pro tip: Always ask your tiler to show you photos of previous chevron work. If they hesitate, find someone else.

If you are living through the renovation (most of us in Sydney are), factor in the extra days of chaos and noise.

How Sydney’s Light Affects Your Tile Pattern Choice

Here is something that matters more in Sydney than you would think: how our light affects these tile patterns.

Northern-Facing Rooms

That gorgeous all-day light? Both patterns will look incredible, but chevron especially loves consistent, bright light that shows off its precision and clean lines.

Southern-Facing or Low-Light Rooms

Herringbone actually works harder for you here. Those offsets and angles catch whatever light there is and create depth. The broken pattern reflects light in multiple directions throughout the day.

Room Size Considerations

Small Sydney Spaces (compact terraces, apartment bathrooms, galley kitchens):

Herringbone is often the smarter choice. It creates movement and interest without visually cutting up the floor into sections. Chevron in a 2-meter-wide bathroom can feel like too much pattern competing for attention.

Large Open Rooms (open-plan kitchen-living areas in newer suburbs):

Chevron timber look tiles come into their own. Run it lengthwise down a long room and you will amplify that sense of space. Use it to create zones in an open plan without needing walls or rugs.

Sydney Humidity and Tile Finishes

In bathrooms and laundries, both patterns work brilliantly but skip the high-gloss tiles. They show watermarks and can get slippery when wet.

Best finishes for Sydney homes:

Matte tiles
Textured finishes
Semi-gloss (if you must have some shine)

These look just as good and function better in our humid climate.

Using Herringbone and Chevron Tiles Outdoors in Sydney

Do not sleep on using these patterns outside. Sydney’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle basically demands it and both herringbone and chevron can look stunning in courtyards, on balconies, or around pools.

Chevron Tiles for Outdoor Spaces

Suits contemporary homes with clean-lined alfresco areas. Think Coogee penthouses or new builds in the Hills District, where the outdoor space is an extension of that modern interior.

Important: Make sure you are using slip-resistant tiles rated for external use. Our summer downpours are not playing around.

Herringbone Tiles for Outdoor Spaces

Feels more natural in established gardens, heritage courtyards, or anywhere you are mixing traditional architecture with outdoor living.

Inner-west terraces with those lovely sandstone walls? Herringbone brick or stone pavers create a beautiful flow from inside to out.

Outdoor Tile Requirements for Sydney

Both patterns need proper installation and tiles designed to handle Sydney’s weather:

UV exposure resistance
Temperature swing tolerance
Rain and moisture handling

Best choice: Porcelain tiles. They will not fade, crack, or get slippery when wet the way some materials do.

Choosing Tile Patterns: Herringbone vs Chevron

Contact Royal Tiles and we will help you figure out which tile pattern suits your Sydney home. Seeing tiles in person changes everything. The way light moves across the herringbone throughout the day. How Herringbone and Chevron in mosaic or chevron timber look tiles creates that sense of direction and flow. Whether the scale of the pattern works with your room size. You cannot figure this stuff out online.

We are at 255 Parramatta Rd, Auburn, just 25 to 35 minutes from the CBD. Our tile warehouse sydney can show you both patterns laid out properly so you can see the difference. Browse our tiles online to get some ideas, but these patterns really need to be seen at scale to understand how they will look in your space.

Royal Tiles helps homeowners throughout Bankstown, Central Coast, Alexandria and across NSW choose the right tile patterns. Search “tile shop near me” or “tile stores near me” and come see examples of both. Whether you are in Newtown, Chatswood, or anywhere in New South Wales, we will bring samples to your place and can even show you how different tiles look in each pattern.

Our team will walk you through both patterns with actual tiles in different formats, colours and finishes. You can see herringbone in subway tiles versus timber-look planks.

Contact us for a free consultation.
Let us help you pick the perfect pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does herringbone or chevron make a room look bigger?

Yes, they’reBoth can make a room feel larger, but differently. Herringbone adds interest without overwhelming small spaces. Chevron creates directional lines that elongate rooms. For most Sydney homes, herringbone is the safer choice for smaller areas.

2. Why do tilers hate herringbone?

They do not hate it; they just know it is tricky. It takes longer and requires careful planning around corners and obstacles. Experienced tilers actually enjoy the challenge. If your tiler seems reluctant, they might just lack experience with pattern work.

3. When not to do herringbone flooring?

Avoid herringbone in really tiny spaces with small tiles, where it will feel too busy. It also gets tricky in rooms with lots of odd corners or if you are going for a super sleek, minimal modern vibe. High-traffic commercial spots might show wear on the pattern edges faster too.

4. Is the herringbone pattern outdated?

Absolutely not. Herringbone is a classic that keeps appearing in brand new Sydney homes. It has been popular for hundreds of years because it is timeless, not trendy. Whether it is a heritage terrace or a new apartment, herringbone just works and will keep looking good for decades.

Peter Yusuf

Peter Yusuf is a seasoned Sales and Business Development Manager at Royal Tiles in Sydney, Australia, with a proven track record of success in the global architectural and interior design sectors. With over a decade of experience, he possesses a rich understanding of tile selection and design that has helped countless clients transform their spaces. Peter's expertise spans a wide array of materials and styles, positioning him as a trusted authority in the tile industry.

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