Your Guide To Tile Layout Patterns

You’ve decided on a colour scheme, chosen your tiles, but how do you decide which layout will work best? From simple to elaborate, our Tile&BathCo experts have put together the most popular tile patterns to inspire you to create the tile look you want.

Linear/Straight

The simplest of tile patterns, the straight design is an extremely popular choice because of its clean and contemporary look, ability to cerate the illusion of depth and its ability to work well with most styles of décor. It’s also a simple style to lay, which makes it an ideal choice for first-time tilers.

Diamond/Diagonal

An ideal choice to create the illusion of width in narrower rooms and spaces, diamond layout is ideal for both walls and floors. Another easy to fit pattern, the diamond or diagonal style also works well as a border in bathrooms, kitchens and hallways alongside other primary tile patterns.

Running/Brick Bond

An incredibly popular and versatile pattern – the running bond is ideal for both floors and walls, and can be used to create a traditional or contemporary style look depending on the tiles you choose and the complementary décor. The pattern has the ability to create the illusion of width in a space, and, when paired with a contrasting grout colour, can bring a stylish and contemporary look to the room.

Herringbone

A traditionally popular choice for hallways, herringbone’s recent rise in popularity has seen this zig zag pattern make a big impact in kitchens, bathrooms, conservatories and home offices, too. An ideal pattern for creating the illusion of space in smaller rooms, herringbone also has the ability to add plenty of character to simpler style tiles. A little trickier to fit than the above layouts, this style may require some previous experience or the help of a professional fitter to maximise the finished look.

Basket Weave

Named after its basket-like appearance, this woven style pattern sees blocks of tiles lined up vertically and horizontally to create contrasting squares that create the look of a woven basket. Ideal for smaller style tiles and brick-effect tiles that will line up nicely, this pattern translates to both walls and floors, but looks most effective in smaller areas.

Windmill

With an appearance that looks like a turning windmill, this style uses four rectangular tiles to form the shape of a large square with a smaller square tile in the middle. Hugely adaptable, you can make this your own by using a different coloured centre tile, or choose two contrasting shades to show-off the pattern’s details. Pretty and intricate in nature, the windmill layout is ideal for making spaces look bigger and works well on floors, splashbacks and borders.

Modular

Almost always used on floors and outdoor areas, the modular (or Varsailles) is bursting with both versatility and visual appeal. Though its style appears to be random – even borderline chaotic – the tiles are in fact fitted together in a clever, repeat puzzle-like design. It works well with both very small and very large style tiles and can look great as a splashback, border or wet wall. It’s one of the most difficult patterns to install and will require an experienced fitter, the finished result creates a real wow factor in a room.

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