Herringbone metro tiles - on trend or to avoid?

13 January, 2017

So we're all familiar with (and some of us even cherish) herringbone parquet, but now herringbone metro tiles - for splashbacks, feature walls, shower tiling - are cropping up here and there in homes on Houzz. What do you make of the classic herringbone pattern taking to walls in a material other than wood?

Emperors Gate, South Kensington, London · More Info

Sarah Richardson Design · More Info

Are you firmly of the opinion that herringbone should remain on the floor, or is it such a versatile, timeless pattern that you warm to and welcome its new incarnations?

Vote in the poll and get opinionated on the topic below!

On trend!

To avoid!

Other - share below!

Comments (17)

Bromptons
if everyone else is doing it do not follow the trend - be original, use colour, and a fine line of patterned tiles, and/or texture.
14 January, 2017
maddiemo
They look to busy to me and remind me of those optical illusions that fry your brains if you look at them for too long.
15 January, 2017
Dawn
I personally love the look of white metro tiles with grey grout. However, it seems like everyone is doing it which is not necessarily bad. It is a backdrop after all and the decorative elements can then be added. Change up is easy with such a 'neutral' background. I am not certain about the bathroom. I'm not really liking the dark tiles but then I'm not a 'modernist'. The tiles in the kitchen look fresh and fun. I think that it's personal taste. But I'd go for it in both rooms with the lighter tile.
15 January, 2017
maggieandrichard
I dislike metro tiles. They are the sort of tiles that I would imagine were in mens' urinals. Not for me.
15 January, 2017
Emma Schoolderman
I love the grey herringbone, but the white tiles are too small for me and the small size makes it look too busy. I think they need to be longer to see the herringbone effect.
15 January, 2017last modified: 19 January, 2017
Coco Nuts
Metro tiles have been done to death.Move on.
15 January, 2017
Jennifer Kepler
maggieandrichard - we have a 100 year + old house with some metro tiles, where they are they look appropriate but hubby and I call them prison tiles- as we agree with you

as for on trend or to avoid- they are definitely on trend and thus to avoid because next year the look will be dated
18 January, 2017last modified: 19 January, 2017
PRO
Original Style
Metro tiles are very versatile but also extremely popular. If you want to be slightly more original, choose the kit kat (longer, thinner) format instead. The herrigbone pattern looks fantastic with those. Explore other tiling suggestions if you think herrigbone looks too busy.
Daisy Satin Half Tiles · More Info

Chancel Grey Large Brick · More Info
19 January, 2017
PRO
mosaicsbypost.com
love herringbone
19 January, 2017
PRO
Paul Hodgkiss Designs
Always on trend for me
19 January, 2017
PRO
Mark Wray Architects
Really like the different ways herringbone patterns are being used. We recently used a herringbone pattern for timber cladding.
19 January, 2017
PRO
REMEB
Planning on bringing wood herringbone up the side of a kitchen island. Just waiting for the right client who wants to try something different.
19 January, 2017
sukiharrison
I agree with MaggieandRichard metro tiles look like urinal tiles and also remind me of grubby underground tube stations !!!!
19 January, 2017
PRO
Porcellana Tile Studio
While the metro tile
remains popular we are increasingly seeing the use of thinner and longer versions
of the brick format which creates a more sophisticated and elegant look
27 January, 2017
PRO
Philip Kelsey Fine Kitchens & Interiors
An unusual twist on a well loved classic style.
27 January, 2017
Sasha R
May look cool if every so often there was a random patterned/coloured tile... other than that... yawn!
27 January, 2017
PRO
Estwall ceramic services
A timeless classic always gives the wow factor
27 January, 2017

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