Located in Brooklyn, NY, Bay Ridge Carpet & Linoleum Corp brings full service flooring expertise right to your doorstep. Serving homeowners across Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx, our family owned business makes upgrading your home convenient with our shop at home mobile showroom service.
New York City apartments have a personality all their own. Whether you live in a classic pre-war brownstone in Park Slope or a sleek high-rise loft in Manhattan, your choice of flooring sets the tone for your entire living space. If you want to bring timeless sophistication, visual movement, and upscale architectural interest to your home, patterned wood floors are an unbeatable choice.
Among the most sought after flooring patterns today are Herringbone and Chevron. While both layouts use angular wood planks to create striking geometric designs, each delivers a distinct aesthetic mood. Choosing the right pattern can completely transform the feel of your apartment.
Understanding the difference between herringbone and chevron
Although people often confuse these two classic patterns, the secret to telling them apart lies in how the individual planks meet at the seam.
The classic herringbone pattern
Herringbone consists of rectangular planks cut at straight 90 degree angles. The planks are laid in a staggered zig-zag layout, where the end of one board meets the side of another. This creates a woven, rich texture that echoes old world European elegance. It is a fantastic option if you want to ground your living room or foyer with traditional warmth.
The sleek chevron layout
Chevron planks are cut at precise 45 or 60 degree angles at the ends. When fitted together, they meet end to end to form a continuous, sharp "V" shape. This creates clean, long directional lines running through your space, giving the room a crisp, modern rhythm that feels energetic and structured.
Why patterned hardwood works so well in NYC apartments
Living in the city often means making the most of unique room dimensions. Patterned hardwood offers several design advantages tailored to urban living.
First, angled lines create an optical illusion of expansive space. The directional arrows of a chevron pattern lead the eye forward, making narrower rooms or hallways feel instantly longer. Similarly, the open weave of herringbone draws attention outward, opening up cozy living quarters.
Additionally, these patterns bring unmatched depth to open floor plans. If you have an open concept layout, patterned wood helps define distinct living and dining zones without needing physical room dividers.
Choosing the right material and alternatives for your lifestyle
Solid wood offers timeless appeal and long-term durability, but engineered wood is often ideal for NYC buildings due to fluctuating humidity levels. If you love the look of patterned wood but need enhanced moisture protection or easy maintenance for kids and pets, modern flooring options have expanded significantly.
Today, high quality luxury vinyl and premium laminate products capture authentic wood grain textures and offer herringbone plank options, delivering gorgeous visual appeal along with water resistance.
Partnering with local flooring experts for seamless installation
Installing patterned floors requires meticulous planning, precise measuring, and expert craftsmanship to ensure lines align perfectly across every threshold. For over four decades, our team at Bay Ridge Carpet & Linoleum Corp has helped local homeowners select and install stunning surfaces crafted for NYC living.
Our experienced flooring company manages every detail, from personalized design consultation to careful subfloor preparation and residential installation. To explore samples in your own home's natural lighting, reach out to us today to schedule your complimentary estimate.
