As interior designers, patterns pop up all over the place, especially in tile. When choosing tile, layout is just as important as the type, size, and color, and also affects the look and feel of a room. It can be tricky to keep track of the many different pattern options for laying tile, so we’ve created this guide to share a few of the most popular layouts and differentiating factors between the different patterns. We even threw in a few of our own design suggestions!
Arabesque
Arabesque tile has ornate intertwining lines.
- Gives your space an elegant and refined look
- Ornamental and create movement
- Offers a touch of femininity for balance
PINWHEEL
The pinwheel pattern uses a smaller square tile at each corner of a larger square to mimic the look of a spinning wheel.
- Also known as hopscotch
- Creates movement in a room
HERRINGBONE
Herringbone is made up of equal-size, rectangle pieces, arranged in a staggered zig-zag pattern.
- Any size rectangle can be used for this pattern
- Herringbone pattern a great way to add interest to a room
- Herringbone works well in both traditional and contemporary design
- Works well for both backsplash and flooring
Chevron
Chevron is an inverted V pattern, with each side meeting at the point without interruption.
- Gives your design a stylish finish
- Creates movement
- Also known as zig-zag
OFFSET BRICK
In the offset brick pattern each tile starts at the center of the tile below it.
- Also known as running bond
- Can be used with any size rectangle or square tile
- Strong, traditional look
1/3 OFFSET
1/3 offset is similar to offset, however each tile offsets the tile below it by one third of its length instead of one half.
- Creates a softer, more contemporary look
- Very little waste and easy to use your cut pieces from one row to start the next row
GRID
In the grid pattern each tile is set in a straight line to create a look that’s simple and clean.
- It's also known as stacked
- It works well with any size tile
- It keeps your space looking simple and modern
WINDMILL
This pattern uses a mix of square and rectangular tiles, the rectangular tile form a frame around the central square tile.
- Pre-made mosaics are a great option to speed up the installation process
- Use a square tile and grout in a contrasting color to help the pattern stand out
- Good pattern for a shower or border
Basketweave
In the basketweave pattern, the tiles used resemble the over-under stitching motion of a woven basket.
- Most often used with two rectangle tiles laid next to each other to form a square
Stacked
Tiles are stacked vertically or horizontally.
- Modern/mid century modern look
- Easy to turn 90 degrees for a different look
- Stacking vertically helps make your walls appear taller
- Clean and simple
Versailles
This pattern uses a combination of square and rectangular tile to create a puzzle-like, repeating design.
- Creates an elegant look
- Great way to draw attention to a floor
- Creates a random, varied appearance
- You'll need a product specifically designed with this pattern in mind
Diamond
The Diamond pattern uses square tiles laid on a 45-degree angle to create a diamond effect.
- This pattern helps make a small room appear larger
- If your walls aren't perfectly square, a diamond pattern layout helps hide imperfections
- Setting tiles diagonal increases the number of cut you have to make during installation
SCALLOPED / FAN
This pattern features a mosaic look with a curved edge.
- The 1920's Art Deco era popularized this pattern
- Creates movement
- Works great to pair with other tile
If choosing the right tile pattern and layout still sounds overwhelming, don't worry! That is where we can come in. Schedule an appointment with us and we'd be happy to help you pick the perfect design, select the right products for your lifestyle, and answer any other design questions for your space. Want to learn more about tile? Read our Material of the Month: Tile blog to help you navigate all the different styles and kinds to make the best decision for your space.