Wide Planks and Herringbone Floors: Why Austin Homeowners Are Choosing Both

Why Wide Planks Change the Feel of a Room

Have you ever walked into a home and immediately noticed the floors? Chances are they were either strikingly wide or arranged in a distinctive pattern. It's not accidental. Wide planks — anything seven inches or wider — create a sense of openness and flow that narrow strips simply can't replicate. Fewer seams means the eye travels farther across the room without interruption, which makes spaces feel larger and more cohesive.

In Austin, wide-plank hardwood is dominating showrooms right now. Homeowners in Tarrytown, Rollingwood, and the Barton Hills area are choosing 7-, 8-, and even 9-inch planks for their main living areas. Paired with matte or wire-brushed finishes, they whisper old-world craftsmanship without the noise of high gloss. The result is a floor that feels intentional — like someone thought carefully about every square foot of the space.

Herringbone and Chevron: Not Just for Mansions Anymore

For years, herringbone and chevron patterns were associated with high-end custom builds and European-inspired interiors. The labor involved was significant, and the material waste from cutting planks at precise angles added to the cost. That's changed considerably.

Manufacturers are now producing boards with tongues and grooves cut specifically for herringbone and chevron layouts, which reduces installation time and minimizes waste. The patterns are still more labor-intensive than a standard straight lay, but they're no longer out of reach for most Austin homeowners. We're installing herringbone in formal living rooms in West Lake Hills, in open-plan kitchens in Cedar Park, and in master bedrooms across Georgetown.

Chevron's pointed angles give modern farmhouses a contemporary twist that herringbone's more traditional look doesn't quite achieve. Both patterns work beautifully in warm honey and caramel tones, which is exactly where the color market is right now.

The Real Estate Angle: Do These Floors Add Value?

Short answer: yes, but not in the way most people think. Wide planks and patterned floors don't add a specific dollar amount to your home's value — appraisers don't work that way. What they do is make your home more memorable and more desirable to the buyers who are already interested.

In a competitive Austin market where buyers are seeing dozens of homes, a herringbone entry or a wide-plank living room is the kind of detail that makes people stop scrolling through listing photos. It creates an emotional response that a standard straight-lay floor doesn't. Agents in our area consistently tell us that homes with distinctive flooring sell faster and with fewer concessions.

If you're planning to sell within the next three to five years, the investment in a quality wide-plank or patterned floor typically pays for itself. If you're staying long-term, you get to enjoy it every day.

What to Know Before You Commit

A few practical notes before you go all-in on a herringbone or wide-plank project. First, your subfloor needs to be level — more so than with a standard installation. Any variation in the subfloor is amplified by wide planks and geometric patterns. We always assess the subfloor before we quote a patterned installation, and we'll tell you upfront if there's prep work involved.

Second, the furniture layout matters. Herringbone looks best when the pattern has room to breathe — it can feel busy in a small room packed with furniture. In an open-plan living area or a wide hallway, it's spectacular.

Third, not every wood species works equally well in these patterns. European white oak is the top choice right now because it's stable, takes stain beautifully, and has a grain that complements both herringbone and chevron. American walnut is a close second for homeowners who want a darker, moodier look.

If you're in Austin or anywhere in Central Texas and you're thinking about a wide-plank or patterned floor, come talk to us. We'll walk you through the options, show you samples in your space, and give you a straight answer on what's realistic for your budget and your subfloor.