How to Maximise Light, Space, and Style with Herringbone Floors
- Alba Flooring
- Jun 10
- 7 min read
From room-enhancing patterns to oak tones that complement natural light. Discover how herringbone parquet transforms interiors with Alba’s expert craftsmanship leading the way.
Designing a beautiful, functional home often begins with the floor. As one of the most impactful surfaces in any interior, flooring has the power to enhance space, reflect light, and define style. Among the many choices available today, herringbone flooring stands out for its timeless appeal and transformative potential. In homes across South London — from Sutton to Beckenham and Wimbledon to Croydon — homeowners are choosing herringbone floors to create elegant, light-filled living environments that are both stylish and practical.
At Alba Flooring, we are proud to be South London’s trusted specialists in engineered herringbone wood flooring and parquet flooring installation. With decades of experience and a deep understanding of what makes flooring functional, beautiful and long-lasting, we help our clients make the most of every room in their home.
Looking to transform your space with premium wooden flooring and tiles?
Our team at Alba Flooring is here to help.
What is Herringbone Flooring?
Herringbone is a distinctive parquet pattern that involves laying rectangular wooden blocks in a staggered zigzag formation. The result is a dynamic floor that creates movement, rhythm, and a sense of flow within a space. Originating from Roman road-building techniques and popularised in European interiors during the 17th century, herringbone remains one of the most sought-after flooring styles today.
Available in both solid wood and engineered formats, herringbone flooring is now more versatile and accessible than ever before. At Alba Flooring, our engineered herringbone boards combine the visual richness of real hardwood with the structural stability needed for modern homes, including compatibility with underfloor heating.
How Herringbone Enhances Light
Maximising natural light is a key goal for many homeowners in South London, particularly in traditional terraced homes and period properties where light may be limited. Herringbone flooring reflects light beautifully thanks to its alternating grain direction and multi-angled layout. This helps bounce sunlight across the room, creating a brighter and more inviting atmosphere.
In recent projects in West Wickham and Bickley, we used light-toned oak herringbone boards to lift north-facing rooms, transforming darker corners into airy, usable spaces. A whitewashed herringbone wood floor can further amplify natural brightness, particularly in smaller homes or flats in areas like Surbiton or Forest Hill.
Explore Our Cinematic Tile Showroom in Croydon
We recommend visiting our cinematic showroom at 574 Wickham Road, Shirley, CR0 8DN, where you can see over 100 flooring styles in person.
Walk-in customers enjoy 10% off* our entire range, including wood, laminate, tile and parquet flooring options.
*T&Cs apply.
Creating a Sense of Space with Herringbone
In compact city homes, maximising space is essential. Herringbone flooring contributes to this in subtle but powerful ways. The continuous V-pattern draws the eye along its directional path, creating the illusion of longer, wider rooms. This makes it ideal for narrow hallways, compact kitchens, or living areas with irregular layouts.
We recently installed engineered oak herringbone flooring in a Croydon townhouse where the layout presented design challenges. The pattern provided flow between rooms and visually opened up tight corners, helping the space feel larger and more coherent. Our clients were delighted not only with the aesthetic results but also with the sense of spaciousness the flooring brought to their home.
Elevating Your Style
Herringbone flooring adds instant character to interiors. Whether you're renovating a period home in Wimbledon or decorating a new flat in Beckenham, the pattern introduces texture and design without overwhelming a space. The style works equally well in modern minimalist settings and traditional homes, offering flexibility for future redecoration.
At Alba Flooring, our curated selection includes smoked oak finishes, distressed antique looks, brushed UV oiled boards and custom hues to suit any design palette. We work with leading suppliers such as Ted Wood, Amtico Flooring, Woodpecker, and Tuscania Ceramiche to ensure every board meets our quality and durability standards.
Latest Projects Across South London
Our herringbone installations have transformed homes across South-West London:
In Bickley, we fitted a whitewashed engineered herringbone floor in a ground-floor open plan space to maximise natural light.
In Beckenham, we used smoked oak herringbone flooring to add warmth and sophistication to a contemporary kitchen-diner.
In Sutton, engineered oak boards were laid throughout a modern flat, enhancing flow between rooms.
In West Wickham, distressed herringbone flooring helped create a soft, rustic atmosphere in a newly converted loft.
Each of these projects reflects our focus on blending visual impact with long-term functionality.
Choosing the Right Finish for Light and Space
Finish and tone play a vital role in how flooring affects the ambience of a room. Lighter finishes such as pale oak or whitewashed wood can brighten darker interiors and create a calming, airy effect. Mid-tone browns provide warmth and balance, while darker hues add richness and depth but require more light to avoid making a space feel closed in.
Maintenance and Longevity
A herringbone floor is an investment, and like any quality product, it benefits from care and maintenance. At Alba Flooring, we offer practical advice and professional aftercare for all installations. Sweeping regularly with a soft brush and cleaning with wood-specific products helps maintain the finish. Our team can also carry out parquet floor sanding and repair, or offer complete parquet flooring restoration services when required.
Engineered boards are especially well-suited to family homes and commercial spaces in South London, thanks to their resilience against temperature changes and humidity. Their layered construction makes them less prone to warping, which is particularly useful in homes with fluctuating heating or foot traffic.
Why Choose Alba Flooring?
As one of South London’s most trusted flooring specialists, Alba Flooring provides end-to-end solutions for herringbone flooring installation. Based in Shirley, Croydon, we offer expert advice, professional fitting, and a commitment to service that sets us apart.
Our clients choose us for:
Superior materials, sourced from leading industry suppliers.
Expert fitting teams with years of installation experience.
A wide range of styles and finishes, tailored to each project.
Friendly, personal service at every stage.
We don’t just lay floors – we help you design spaces that feel bigger, brighter, and more beautiful.
What Clients Say About Alba Flooring
We pride ourselves on delivering consistently outstanding results.
But don’t just take our word for it:
I had an excellent experience with Alba Flooring. I’m very pleased with the end result and wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.
Residential Customer Testimonial - David F., Shirley
Fabulous!!. Perfect job. Right price. Efficient. I strongly recomend Alba flooring. Alba had undone the bad job done by others in my flat, and replaced with a perfect finish. Thanks Tony & Ornella. X Carmen
Commercial Customer Testimonial - Carmen F., Croydon
I had been looking for a while for good quality, modern flooring and came across Alba Flooring. I have had so many compliments on my new flooring. I would definitely recommend, a very personable service!
Trade Customer Testimonial - Cara W., West Wickham
Discover our full range of premium wooden flooring and tiles, suitable for both residential and commercial spaces.
High-quality materials. Timeless finishes. Expert advice.
Your Guide to Choosing the Right Wood Flooring
Whether you're updating a single room or undertaking a full property refurbishment, selecting the right type of wood flooring can significantly enhance the style, comfort, and value of your home. At Alba Flooring, we help homeowners across London make informed decisions with expert advice, premium products, and flawless installation.
Solid Wood vs Engineered Wood Flooring:
Solid Wood Flooring
Crafted from a single piece of hardwood such as oak, walnut, or maple, solid wood flooring offers unmatched durability, natural beauty, and the ability to be sanded and refinished multiple times. It’s a perfect choice for living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms where timeless appeal and longevity matter.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood features a real hardwood veneer layered over a high-performance plywood or fibreboard core. This structure provides excellent stability, making it ideal for moisture-prone areas like kitchens, conservatories, and basements. Engineered wood flooring combines the elegance of solid wood with added resilience and versatility.
Popular Wood Floor Finishes
Choosing the right finish can dramatically influence the overall look and feel of your space. Alba Flooring offers a wide selection of finishes to suit every interior style:
Lacquered – Smooth, glossy, and easy to clean; ideal for modern homes.
Brushed & Oiled – Highlights the wood’s natural grain and texture for a rustic effect.
UV Oiled – A contemporary matte finish with enhanced durability.
Distressed – Adds a vintage, lived-in character perfect for period properties.
Whitewashed – Lightens up your interiors, great for Scandinavian-inspired design schemes.
Professional Wood Flooring Installation Methods
The right installation method is crucial to the longevity and performance of your wood flooring. At Alba Flooring, we assess your subfloor, room function, and flooring type before recommending the best approach:
Floating Floor Installation – Quick and efficient; perfect for engineered wood and laminate floors.
Glue-Down Installation – Offers maximum stability and acoustic insulation; ideal for busy households and commercial spaces.
Nail-Down Installation – Traditional method for solid wood flooring, providing a robust and long-lasting fit.
Popular Design Trends for 2025
Biophilic and wellness-inspired flooring choices
Sustainable hardwood and reclaimed timber
Modular and smart flooring systems
Customisable parquet and chevron patterns
Need guidance choosing the perfect wood floor?
Call our expert design team on 02087775958 for free advice and personalised recommendations.
Or alternatively, email us at sales@albaflooring.co.uk.
Wooden Floor Restoration and Repairs
Don’t replace what you can restore. Alba Flooring offers affordable wooden floor sanding and refinishing services to bring tired floors back to life. From minor scratch repairs to full surface re-oiling, our expert floor fitters work across areas including:
Croydon
Crystal Palace
Mitcham
Norbury
Bromley
Thornton Heath
Sustainable Flooring for Modern Living
In response to growing demand for eco-friendly materials, Alba Flooring offers a wide selection of sustainable hardwood floors sourced from responsibly managed forests. Our reclaimed wood flooring options combine timeless charm with environmental responsibility. From smoked oak to brushed finishes, each board tells a story while reducing your carbon footprint.
Visit Our South London Showroom
Conveniently located in Shirley, Croydon, our newly refurbished showroom is easily accessible from:
Norwood
Purley
Addiscombe
Selsdon
South Norwood
Penge
Upper Norwood
Here, you can explore:
Luxury vinyl tile suppliers in London
High-end ceramic tiles from Tuscania Ceramiche
Classic and contemporary wood flooring styles
Whether you’re looking for flooring design panels for a bespoke project or professional hardwood flooring installation in London, our showroom is the perfect place to begin your journey.
Let’s Talk About Your Flooring Project
Every space has a story – and the right flooring helps tell it. Whether it’s parquet flooring for commercial use, engineered boards for a home office, or laminate flooring with an antique finish, Alba Flooring combines style and service in perfect measure. Our recent projects across South London stand as testament to our commitment to quality.
To learn more about how we can help with your next flooring upgrade, get in touch with our expert team or visit our Croydon showroom today.
Walk in and receive 10% off your purchase – terms and conditions apply.*
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