Chevron patterns make rooms look larger, with their long straight lines, while herringbone creates a more intimate feel. A given space may need to look larger or smaller depending upon not only its empirical size, but also its intended use, furnishings, colour, tonal value (lightness or darkness), and, of course, the preferences and tastes of its owner(s). Both patterns have been astonishingly enduring because both are beautiful and highly useful.