The Definitive Guide to Tile Patterns

Many beautiful home renovations start with updating the tiles. Even if you’re building your home from the ground up, focusing on the tiles is a great way to set the mood and theme of your home.

But it’s more than just the tile you choose — how you lay your tiles can also have a big impact. We’ll show you all the different tile laying patterns and give you advice on choosing the right one for your space.

Tile laying patterns for floors and walls

There are dozens of ways to lay tiles. This list is pretty comprehensive, but you’re not limited to it!

Grid tile patterns Grid pattern tiles align in straight rows and columns. This classic arrangement works best with squares and rectangles and suits any room of the house in both traditional and contemporary spaces. You can create a checkerboard effect by alternating two contrasting colours.	Herringbone tile patterns Herringbone pattern tiles form a zigzag of rectangles laid at 90-degree angles to each other. Rectangular subway-style tiles create this dynamic pattern that draws the eye. This layout is great for feature walls, kitchen backsplashes and floors.
Square & subway tile patterns Square & subway pattern tiles combine different shapes in the same installation. Small squares and rectangles are laid next to, or on top of, the other. This pattern is usually seen on kitchen or bathroom walls. See our guide to tiling with square and subway tiles for the full picture.	Brick bond tile patterns Brick bond pattern tiles are a classic. They stagger the joints, so they fall at roughly the centre of the tiles above and below. Any square or rectangular tile can create this classic look. You can go bold by mixing and matching colours or stick to the same for a more subtle effect.
Horizontal-stacked tile patterns While brick bond patterns stagger the tiles, horizontal-stacked pattern tiles align same-size rectangular tiles horizontally and evenly. This pattern creates a modern feel suited for any wall or statement tile.	Vertical-stacked tile patterns Stacked vertical pattern tiles arrange rectangular tiles in straight columns with joints lined up horizontally. This orientation makes ceilings appear higher, which makes it ideal for backsplash walls and small bathrooms.
French tile patterns French pattern tiles use multiple tile sizes arranged in a repeating modular pattern. This layout mimics traditional French limestone floors and creates a natural, organic flow that suits larger indoor-outdoor spaces.	Basketweave tile patterns Basketweave pattern tiles create an interwoven look resembling woven fabric. You can change the tiles to rest differently on a diagonal plane or tilt the design so it runs parallel, focusing on the lines between each row of tiles.
Windmill tile patterns Windmill pattern tiles form a windmill shape with four smaller squares sliced in half diagonally to create right triangles. Contrasting colours highlight this pattern, but you can also opt to colour only a few pieces for a more unusual look. You normally see this pattern on floors, but it can work anywhere.	Pinwheel tile patterns Pinwheel pattern tiles are similar to windmills. In each larger square, four rectangles surround a different-coloured small central square. Usually, the centre will have a darker colour than the outside rectangles. These look best on floors in hallways, bathrooms and kitchens.
Stretcher bond tile patterns This pattern employs long subway-style tiles in a staggered, brick-like style. Stretcher bond pattern tiles work best on walls, especially in bathrooms. Lighter shades look best on the walls as they open the room up.	Cobblestone tile patterns If you want something outdoorsy, try out cobblestone pattern tiles. Each tile should be textured, and it can vary in shape and size. It’s worth noting that indoor cobblestone doesn’t work as well. This pattern looks best on patios and driveways.
English bond tile patterns English bond pattern tiles vary between a row of long tiles and one with short tiles. Since it is brick-like, it looks best as accent walls or in bathrooms. However, you can get away with more colours with English bond tiles than other brick-like patterns.	English cross bond tile patterns English cross bond pattern tiles are a lot like standard English bonds. However, the lines of short tiles will intersect periodically by replacing one of the long tiles. An even shorter tile next to the crossed set can push them in the correct position and keep everything aligned.
Diamond tile patterns Diamond pattern tiles set square tiles at a 45-degree angle to create diamond shapes. You can find them in solid shades, simple prints or with a textured look. This versatile pattern suits bathrooms, entryways and kitchens.	Mosaic tile patterns Mosaic pattern tiles are extremely versatile. If you are willing to push the design further, they’re a great way to change the look of a space and make it unique to you! Using mosaic tiles, you can make the individual squares small, large or even go with a completely different shape.

Subway tile layouts for bathrooms, kitchens and more

Subway tiles get their own section because they’ve become a super popular tile choice — and for good reason. These versatile tiles suit nearly any style, from Hamptons to Mediterranean. Today, you'll find subway tiles in many different sizes, colours, finishes and materials. Some have the classic 1x2 ratio, but this can get up to 1x5.

The pattern you choose can seriously affect how your subway tiles look. Here are the subway tile pattern options available:

• Square and subway
• Herringbone or double herringbone
• Vertical or horizontal
• Basketweave
• Cobblestone
• Stretcher bond
• English bond
• English cross bond

How to choose a wall or floor tile pattern for your next reno

With so many options for tile patterns, how do you choose? Sometimes, a smaller selection is better than a bigger one, so here’s how to narrow down your choices:

1. Think about room size

   Before you think about tiles and tile patterns, you’ll need to take into account the space you’re working with.

   In smaller spaces, simpler layouts like grids or stacked tiles work better. They help create the illusion of a more open space. Larger rooms feel spacious enough to handle more busy patterns like herringbone or mosaics.

2. Choose your tile shape and size

   Tile size and shape also affect which patterns work best. The smaller the tile, the more wiggle room you’ll have to play with the pattern. But certain tiles, like fish scales, can only really be installed horizontally or vertically.

3. Consider room functionality

   Where you lay your tile can also have an impact on the pattern you choose. Smaller tiles with more intricate patterns have more grout lines, which make them more likely to look dirty over time. This may not be a big deal on a bathroom wall, but high-traffic kitchen floors with plenty of grout lines mean more cleaning.

4. Think about visual flow

   The next thing to think about is what you want to achieve with the space. Vertical patterns can make ceilings seem higher, and horizontal patterns can make narrow rooms feel wider. Like clothes, choose patterns that flatter your room.

5. Try them out in person

   Grab some tile samples to see what you like! TileCloud offers design consultations to talk through your ideas, and then you can buy a few full-sized samples to be able to play around with different potential tile patterns at home.

6. Dry lay your tiles

   Once you’ve chosen and ordered your tiles, try out the patterns you’re thinking about before your tiler arrives. Get them out of the box and try a few ways before you settle on one. Also, consider the grout colour you would use for your tile pattern, as this will affect the overall look.

Find the perfect tiles for your home

Finding the right tile for your next renovation project is all about bringing the vision you have for the room to life. The right tiles can change the look of a space from coastal cool to farmhouse chic in the blink of an eye. Find the perfect tiles for your home today with fast delivery and expert design advice at TileCloud.