A Guide to Artistic Tile Patterns and Layouts

Tile is hardwearing enough to serve as functional flooring, but it’s also an artistic medium that lets homeowners and designers get creative. Here are a few tile layout patterns that push the boundaries of traditional design.

A variation on the herringbone pattern, this layout uses more minor “helper” tiles to elongate the larger squares. This is an excellent pattern for wood-look ceramic planks, as it helps them look more authentic.

Grid

The good old grid layout is still strong, often considered the most basic tile pattern. The bare-bones simplicity of this layout is excellent for modern looks and will minimize the number of cuts you’ll have to make in your tiles. It can also create more exciting tile patterns, like a harlequin layout pattern that adds texture to your space and makes rooms feel bigger.

You can also take a grid tile pattern and orient them vertically to emphasize the height of your walls and make spaces feel more spacious. This is especially good for smaller bathrooms and works well with rectangular tiles. Another variation on this grid pattern is truncating your square tiles’ corners to create a hexagon or octagon dot layout. This look adds a hint of vintage style that’s incredibly chic, and combining slightly contrasting tile colors to define the zigzags will create an even more sophisticated look.

You can also turn a grid pattern into a pinwheel layout by aligning two adjacent rows of tiles on one side and creating a pinwheel effect. The resulting design is more playful than it looks and works exceptionally well with geometric tiles.

Herringbone

Herringbone is a classic pattern currently enjoying a resurgence in the design world. It is a versatile look that can create a floor, backsplash, or a one-of-a-kind feature wall in your home.

Another fun variation on the herringbone pattern is to mix it with a chevron tile layout. This creates a beautiful, directional look that evokes a sense of movement and dynamism in nature.

This can be done by creating a herringbone tile pattern in alternating colors. This is a great way to add color and create a unique layout to make your space stand out.

Another option is to go dark with your herringbone tiles. A herringbone tile pattern in a dark gray or navy can add an element of sophistication and elegance to any room. This look also works well if trying to elongate a narrow room by drawing the eye around the space and creating the illusion of additional width. Regardless of which direction you choose with your herringbone tile layout, laying out the entire pattern before making any cuts is essential. This will give you a good idea of your final product and help you plan accordingly.

Basketweave

Basketweave is a secondary type of textile weaving that utilizes groups of warp and weft threads interlaced to form a simple crisscross pattern. This type of fabric commands a vintage appearance that will brighten up any room. Many designers use this fabric for drapes as it can be used to create a variety of window treatments and other types of upholstered projects. It can also be used as decorative pieces since it has a classy look that instantly catches people’s attention.

This fabric is also perfect for household decorations because it can be easily cleaned and maintained. Regular washing with cool water and mild soap will help keep the material in good condition.

This timeless pattern can be created by Artistic Tile layouts in your home. Try using it for your backsplash, shower, or feature wall. Mix it with other patterned tile options to create a unique design.

Diamond

Laying a diamond tile pattern creates a mesmerizing visual effect that can make your floors or walls look wider. This layout is perfect for small spaces that require a little help stretching their sightlines, and it also works well on backsplashes.

This layout looks especially beautiful with wood-look porcelain tiles, like the Rovere Gris seen here. It’s a great choice to create an earthy, rustic feel, and it can be easily blended with other styles.

Another way to add a stylish twist to your tiles is to turn them on an angle. This trick makes them look more dynamic and gives a sense of movement to your design. Hexagonal shapes can create a vintage look that suits a monochromatic palette, while diamond shapes evoke Renaissance harlequin for a fun and quirky aesthetic. This pattern is particularly effective with smaller tiles, requiring minimal cutting, and is easy to lay. You can even make it more eye-catching by adding a picture frame accent around the edges.

Divisible

A divisible tile pattern allows you to incorporate more shapes into your design. This style creates a more complex geometric look that still looks simple and elegant. It’s great for adding interest to any room.

The Chevron tile layout is an eye-catching design option that works well on floors and walls. This pattern can be created by laying tiles at right angles into zigzag formations or using a preformed chevron mosaic. Some tiles are cut into angled styles to make this layout even easier.

This tile pattern makes any room feel more extensive and open when paired with a herringbone insert. It also adds balance to longer sightlines in rooms with many straight edges. To create this design, stagger the offsets of each row. If you need the math skills to figure out how to do this, some online calculators can do it for you. Then, use a ruler and graph paper to plan your layout before beginning your project. This will ensure that your tiles are evenly sized and fit together correctly.

*This is a collaboration post