Herringbone Kitchen Tiles: Splashback and Floor Guide for UK Kitchens

Herringbone kitchen tiles are rectangular wall or floor tiles laid at right angles to each other in a broken zigzag. They are most often used on a kitchen splashback or a kitchen floor. The pattern works with any rectangle. Slim 4:1 metro tiles such as 70x280mm and 75x300mm give the classic splashback look. Longer 5:1 click planks and 2:1 porcelain tiles suit floors. Herringbone needs more cuts than a straight layout, so order about 15% extra tile, or 20% for a small splashback with sockets and a window reveal.

The table below gives the short answers first. The rest of this guide covers sizes, real UK prices, grout, layout direction and fitting.

Prices checked on 30 September 2026. Sale prices can change, so the product page always shows the current price.

What are herringbone kitchen tiles?

Herringbone kitchen tiles are rectangles set in pairs, where the end of one tile meets the long side of the next at 90°. The repeat forms rows of V shapes that look like the bones of a fish, which is where the name comes from. The Romans laid bricks this way in walls and floors and called it opus spicatum. Wood parquet then carried the pattern into European homes for centuries.

In a modern kitchen, "herringbone" describes a layout, not a special tile. A standard metro tile becomes a herringbone tile the moment it is laid in this pattern. Four parts define every herringbone surface:

• Tile: a rectangle, usually 2:1 to 5:1 long-to-wide.
• Joint: the grout line, 2mm for pressed-edge ceramic metro.
• V point: the spot where two tiles meet at the tip of each zigzag.
• Spine: the straight line that the V points follow, either up the wall or along it.

How is herringbone different from chevron and a straight metro layout?

Herringbone uses square-ended tiles, and at the tip of each V one tile runs past the end of the other. Chevron uses tiles with angled ends that meet point to point in one clean V. Brick bond (the standard metro layout) lays the same tiles straight, with each row shifted by half a tile.

Tiles Paradise's metro tiles and SPC herringbone planks are all square-ended. They lay in herringbone, not chevron.

What is the difference between 90° and 45° herringbone?

In 90° herringbone, every tile sits square to the walls and the zigzag runs from corner to corner. In 45° herringbone, the same tiles turn 45°, so the V points stack in a straight spine. Most kitchen splashbacks use 45° herringbone because the spine can be centred on a hob or sink. 90° herringbone gives a busier, woven look and suits floors and feature walls.

What is double herringbone?

Double herringbone lays two tiles side by side and treats them as one unit. A pair of 70x280mm tiles acts like one 140x280mm block, which gives a chunkier 2:1 pattern. It also halves the number of V points, so it reads calmer on a long run of worktop.

Which tile size works best for a herringbone kitchen splashback?

A 4:1 metro tile, such as 70x280mm or 75x300mm, works best on most UK kitchen splashbacks. Its slim shape makes a fine, even zigzag across the usual 450–600mm band between worktop and wall units. The length-to-width ratio changes the look more than the actual size does.

Smaller splashbacks suit smaller tiles. A narrow 70mm tile fits more complete V shapes between a worktop and a window sill. A 300x600mm tile would be cut into so many pieces on a 450mm-high splashback that the pattern would be lost.

Which Tiles Paradise tiles can you lay in herringbone?

Tiles Paradise sells two metro wall tile ranges for herringbone splashbacks and one SPC herringbone floor range. Rectangular 30x60cm porcelain tiles can also be laid in herringbone on a floor. All prices below are per square metre.

Herringbone metro wall tiles for splashbacks

Both metro tile ranges are gloss glazed ceramic and wall-use only. Savela is the slimmer 70x280mm tile and gives a finer zigzag. Marena is the standard 75x300mm size that most metro trims and layout guides assume. Both have pressed (non-rectified) edges, so each tile needs a 2mm joint.

Coloured glazes vary slightly from tile to tile. In herringbone, that variation adds depth, but only if you mix tiles from several boxes as you go. Taking all tiles from one box at a time can leave a visible band of one shade.

Herringbone floor options: SPC click planks and 30x60cm porcelain

The SPC herringbone flooring in the Luxura range is a rigid, waterproof click floor with the underlay already attached. Each 640x128mm plank clicks to the next, so there is no adhesive, no grout and no curing time. Porcelain 30x60cm tiles give a harder, stone-look herringbone floor, but need adhesive, grout and more cutting. Metro wall tiles are not floor tiles and should never be laid on a kitchen floor.

Should herringbone run vertically or horizontally on a splashback?

A vertical spine suits a feature area behind a hob or up to an extractor, because the V points lead the eye upward. A horizontal spine suits a long, low run of worktop, because the pattern leads the eye along the room. Both layouts use the same tiles and the same amount of cutting.

Listed below are the placement rules that keep a herringbone splashback looking deliberate:

• Centre the pattern on the main focal point: the middle of the hob, extractor, sink or window.
• Line up the V points on that centre line, not on the edge of the worktop.
• Plan the edges so cut pieces at each end are equal in size.
• Stop at a clean line, such as the underside of the wall units or a straight trim, not halfway up a wall.
• Keep sockets in mind, because every socket adds small angled cuts.

What grout colour suits herringbone kitchen tiles?

Grout that contrasts with the tile makes every zigzag stand out. Grout that matches the tile softens the pattern into texture. Mid-grey grout is the most forgiving choice on a kitchen splashback because it hides cooking splashes better than white.

Dark grout on white tile, such as Mapei 114 Anthracite, gives the boldest result. It also shows every uneven joint, so it suits confident tilers. The tile grout range includes Mapei Ultracolor Plus in all of these shades. Mapei states that Ultracolor Plus is made for joints from 2mm to 20mm wide, so it suits the 2mm joint on pressed-edge metro.

How many tiles do you need for a herringbone splashback?

Multiply the splashback area in m² by 1.15, then round up to whole boxes. Use 1.20 instead if the splashback is under 3m² or has several sockets, corners or a window reveal. The extra covers the angled cuts at every edge of the pattern.

Here is a worked example for a common splashback. A 5m run of worktop with a 600mm-high splashback covers 3.0m².

The product pages suggest adding 10% for cuts and breakage. That figure suits a straight metro layout. Herringbone needs the higher 15–20% because every row ends in an angled cut. The free Tiles Paradise tile calculator works out the area for you; set the extra to 15% or 20% for herringbone.

How much do herringbone kitchen tiles cost in the UK?

A 3m² herringbone metro splashback costs about £135–£140 in materials at Tiles Paradise's current prices. That covers tiles, one bag of grout and one bag of adhesive. A 10m² SPC herringbone kitchen floor costs about £345 in flooring, with no adhesive or grout needed.

One 2kg bag of grout usually covers a 3m² metro splashback with 2mm joints, and one 20kg bag of adhesive covers it with room to spare. Check the coverage guide on each bag against your own tile and joint size.

Labour is the part that changes most with herringbone. Every edge tile needs an angled cut, and the pattern has to be checked against the centre line as it grows. Expect a tiler to quote more per m² for herringbone than for straight metro, so ask for a price for the pattern, not a standard wall rate.

Delivery also affects the total. At the time of writing, standard pallet delivery is £39.99 for orders of £100–£499 and free over £499 to the UK mainland.

How do you lay herringbone tiles on a kitchen splashback?

You lay a herringbone splashback from a centre line, starting one row above the worktop on a level batten. The steps below suit 45° herringbone with 70x280mm or 75x300mm metro tiles.

1. Prepare the wall. The surface must be flat, dry, clean and sound. Prime it if the adhesive maker asks for it.
2. Mark the centre line. Draw a plumb line through the middle of the hob, sink or window with a spirit level or laser.
3. Fix a level batten. Screw a straight timber batten just above the worktop. Worktops are rarely perfectly level, and the batten keeps the pattern true.
4. Dry-lay a few pairs. Lay three or four pairs on the worktop with 2mm spacers to check how the V points sit on the centre line.
5. Spread adhesive in small areas. Use a 6mm notched trowel and cover about 0.5m² at a time so the adhesive does not skin over.
6. Set the first V on the centre line. Work outward and upward, mixing tiles from several boxes and checking the V points against the plumb line every few rows.
7. Cut the edges. Mark each edge tile in place and cut it at 45°. Switch off power at the consumer unit before tiling around sockets.
8. Finish the bottom row. Remove the batten once the adhesive has set, then fit the cut row above the worktop.
9. Grout and seal the edge. Grout once the adhesive has cured, wipe the haze, then run silicone, not grout, along the worktop joint.

Can you use herringbone tiles on a kitchen floor?

Yes, herringbone works well on a kitchen floor when you use a floor-rated product. SPC click herringbone planks and 30x60cm porcelain floor tiles are both suitable. Metro wall tiles are not.

Run the spine of the herringbone along the length of a galley kitchen to make it feel longer. Run it across the room to make a narrow kitchen feel wider. In an open-plan space, point the spine towards the main view or the garden doors.

A floating SPC floor should not sit under fitted kitchen units. Heavy units pin a floating floor and stop it moving as it should. Fit the units first, then lay the floor up to the plinth line and leave the perimeter gap shown in the fitting instructions. Herringbone click planks usually come as left-hand and right-hand (A and B) boards, so check that both are in the pack before you start.

What else do people ask about herringbone kitchen tiles?

Is herringbone a good choice for a small kitchen?

Yes, herringbone suits a small kitchen when the tile is slim and the grout is tonal. A 70x280mm white or pale grey metro tile keeps the pattern fine, and matching grout stops it looking busy. Our guide to tile size, finish and layout for small kitchens covers how gloss and light colours help a compact room.

Can herringbone tiles go behind a gas hob?

Yes, glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles can both go behind a gas hob. Both are non-combustible and handle the heat of a domestic hob. Keep to the clearance distances in your hob maker's instructions. Our porcelain kitchen splashback heat and size guide explains the heat zone around a hob in more detail.

Is a herringbone splashback harder to keep clean?

A herringbone splashback has the same total length of grout per m² as a straight layout of the same tile, so it is no harder to clean. The difference is visual: angled joints show stains more than horizontal ones. Mid-grey grout and a quick wipe after cooking keep it looking fresh.

How long after grouting can you use the splashback?

Grout dries on the surface first and then cures more slowly underneath. A splashback should be protected from steam, heat and cleaning products until the grout maker's curing time has passed. Drying times depend on the grout type, the room temperature and the airflow. Our guide on how long grout takes to dry gives the timings for each stage.

Can SPC herringbone flooring go over underfloor heating?

SPC vinyl is often used with underfloor heating, but the floor surface temperature is usually capped at 27°C. Always check the specific product's fitting instructions before you lay it over any heating system. Our vinyl kitchen flooring and underfloor heating guide explains temperature limits and heating types.

Which slip rating does a porcelain herringbone kitchen floor need?

An R10 rating is a sensible minimum for a domestic kitchen floor, where spills of water and oil are common. The Portland 30x60cm range carries an R10 rating. Our guide to R10 and R11 non-slip kitchen floor tiles explains what each rating means underfoot.

Can you carry herringbone from the kitchen into other rooms?

Yes, a herringbone floor can continue from the kitchen into a hallway or utility room. A floating SPC floor may need an expansion profile at doorways or on long runs, so follow the fitting instructions. The pattern also works on bathroom walls and floors. Our herringbone bathroom floor and wall tile ideas show how the same layout works in a wet room.

Last thoughts on herringbone kitchen tiles

Herringbone kitchen tiles are a layout choice more than a product choice. A 4:1 metro tile gives the classic splashback, a 5:1 click plank gives a parquet-style floor, and a 2:1 porcelain tile gives a bold stone floor. The pattern looks its best when it is centred on the hob or sink, grouted with intent, and ordered with 15–20% extra tile for the cuts.