Plank vs Patterned Flooring: Which Style Suits Your Home Best?

Choosing new flooring involves more than picking a colour you like. The layout you choose has a huge impact on how a room feels, how large it appears and how well the floor performs over time. Two broad options dominate most decisions: traditional plank flooring and patterned styles such as herringbone, chevron, tiles and Versailles panels.

Both approaches work across a range of materials, including solid wood, engineered wood, luxury vinyl tile and laminate. Each combination brings different benefits, costs and practical considerations. Understanding these differences helps you make a confident decision that suits your home, lifestyle and budget.

This guide compares plank and patterned flooring styles in detail, looking at visual impact, suitability by room and how each style performs in different materials.

What Is Plank Flooring?

Plank flooring uses long boards laid parallel to one another, usually running in the same direction throughout a room. It is the most familiar and widely used flooring layout.

Planks can vary in width and length, from narrow traditional boards to wide contemporary planks designed to show off natural grain and texture. The simplicity of the layout makes it suitable for almost any interior style, from period properties to modern open plan spaces.

Visual impact of plank flooring

Plank floors create a calm, uninterrupted look. They emphasise length and flow, making rooms feel more open and less visually busy. Wide planks, in particular, suit modern interiors and larger spaces, while narrower planks work well in older properties where proportions are smaller.

Because the pattern does not compete for attention, plank flooring allows furniture, artwork and architectural features to stand out.

What Is Patterned Flooring?

Patterned flooring refers to layouts where boards or tiles are arranged in repeating designs rather than straight lines. The most popular styles include herringbone, chevron, tiled layouts and Versailles panels.

These patterns add character and movement to a space, often becoming a focal point in their own right.

Herringbone flooring

Herringbone uses rectangular blocks laid at right angles to create a broken zigzag pattern. It is timeless and versatile, working well in both classic and contemporary interiors.

Chevron flooring

Chevron boards are cut at an angle so the ends meet neatly to form a continuous V shape. The result is a more uniform and directional pattern than herringbone, often associated with modern and luxury interiors.

Tiled layouts

Wood or wood effect floors can also be laid in square or rectangular tile patterns. These layouts suit contemporary spaces and work particularly well with LVT flooring and laminate products.

Versailles panels

Versailles panels are intricate square patterns inspired by traditional French parquet floors. They add instant heritage character and suit large rooms where the pattern has space to breathe.

Plank vs Patterned Flooring: Visual Comparison

The most obvious difference between plank and patterned flooring is visual impact.

Plank flooring feels understated and balanced. It creates a backdrop rather than a statement. This makes it ideal if you prefer a clean look or plan to change furniture and decor over time.

Patterned flooring is more decorative. It adds texture, rhythm and interest to a room. In many homes, a patterned floor becomes a design feature that defines the space.

As a general rule, plank flooring suits minimal, open or multifunctional areas, while patterned flooring works best where you want to add personality or highlight a specific room.

How Flooring Material Affects Your Choice

The material you choose plays a major role in how plank and patterned layouts perform. Some materials are better suited to certain styles due to stability, thickness and installation requirements.

Solid Wood Flooring: Plank vs Patterned

Solid wood flooring is made from a single piece of timber. It offers natural beauty and longevity but reacts to changes in temperature and humidity.

Solid wood planks

Plank layouts are the most common choice for solid wood. The long boards allow natural expansion and contraction along their length, reducing stress on the floor.

Solid wood planks suit living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms where conditions remain relatively stable.

Solid wood patterned flooring

Patterned layouts in solid wood are possible but require more care. Herringbone and parquet styles use smaller blocks, which can move independently. This increases the risk of gapping or movement if conditions are not well controlled.

Solid wood patterns work best in well insulated homes with stable indoor climates and professional installation.

Engineered Wood Flooring: Plank vs Patterned

Engineered wood consists of a real wood top layer bonded to multiple layers of plywood or timber beneath. This construction improves stability and makes engineered wood more versatile than solid wood.

Engineered wood planks

Plank engineered flooring combines the look of solid wood with improved resistance to movement. It works well in open plan spaces, upstairs rooms and even areas with underfloor heating.

Engineered wood patterns

Engineered wood is ideal for herringbone, chevron and Versailles panels. The layered construction reduces expansion and contraction, making patterned layouts more reliable.

For homeowners wanting a classic patterned floor with fewer concerns about movement, engineered wood is often the best choice.

LVT Flooring: Plank vs Patterned

Luxury vinyl tile is a synthetic flooring designed to replicate wood or stone. It is highly stable, water resistant and suitable for almost any room.

LVT plank flooring

LVT planks offer a practical alternative to wood in kitchens, hallways and bathrooms. The plank format mimics timber boards while offering excellent durability and low maintenance.

LVT patterned flooring

Patterned layouts are one of LVT’s biggest strengths. Herringbone, chevron and tiled effects are easy to achieve due to precise manufacturing and click or glue down systems.

LVT patterns are ideal where you want a decorative look without the maintenance concerns of real wood.

Laminate Flooring: Plank vs Patterned

Laminate flooring uses a photographic layer beneath a protective surface to replicate wood or tile.

Laminate planks

Plank laminate floors are affordable, durable and quick to install. They suit living areas, bedrooms and rental properties where value and practicality matter.

Laminate patterned flooring

Patterned laminate options are increasingly available, including herringbone styles. However, patterns are usually limited by board size and design repetition.

Laminate patterns work well for achieving a stylish look on a budget, though they may not offer the same depth or realism as engineered wood or LVT.

Room by Room Considerations

Choosing between plank and patterned flooring often depends on where the floor will be installed.

Living rooms and dining rooms

Plank flooring creates a relaxed, open feel, especially in large spaces. Patterned floors such as herringbone or chevron add elegance and suit formal or design led interiors.

Hallways

Patterned flooring works particularly well in hallways, drawing the eye through the space and adding interest to narrow areas. Engineered wood and LVT are popular choices here.

Kitchens

LVT plank or patterned floors perform best due to moisture resistance. Herringbone LVT adds style without compromising practicality.

Bedrooms

Plank flooring tends to suit bedrooms due to its calm appearance. Engineered wood or laminate planks create warmth and comfort.

Cost and Installation Differences

Plank flooring is generally quicker and more affordable to install. Fewer cuts and simpler layouts reduce labour time.

Patterned flooring requires more precision, planning and waste. Chevron and Versailles patterns, in particular, increase installation costs due to complexity.

Material choice also affects cost. Engineered wood patterns usually sit at a higher price point, while LVT and laminate patterns offer more budget friendly alternatives.

Maintenance and Longevity

Plank and patterned floors require similar maintenance within the same material category.

Solid and engineered wood benefit from regular cleaning and occasional refinishing. LVT and laminate require minimal upkeep and resist staining and moisture.

Patterned floors can show wear differently, as traffic spreads across multiple directions rather than a single grain line. This can sometimes help disguise wear over time.

Which Flooring Style Is Right for You?

Choose plank flooring if you want a timeless, versatile look that works across most rooms and interiors. It suits open plan living, modern homes and spaces where flexibility matters.

Choose patterned flooring if you want character, design impact and a sense of craftsmanship. It works best in feature rooms, hallways and homes where flooring plays a central role in the overall design.

By considering both style and material together, you can create a floor that not only looks right on day one but continues to perform for years to come.