Picking the perfect tile can be overwhelming, and choosing how to lay and style your tiles can be even more so. With a little planning and creativity you can turn your new tiled wall into a feature for your space. This article will show you a handful of ways to create interesting tile designs without too much effort or money lost.
A New Orientation
Subway tiles are an extremely versatile and cost-effective tile option with a wide range of sizes and endless colours. One of the best features of the subway tile (and other plank or brick shaped tiles) is its range of laying patterns that create an array of styling options. From herringbone (see full height 90 degree herringbone below) to geometric and stacked, each pattern suits different aesthetics and design outcomes. Altering the orientation of your tiles can create interest without breaking the bank (although some will come with a higher laying cost from your tiler).
Image from Mandarin Stone
Image from Mandarin Stone
Below are a few different ways to lay subway tiles which all have a very different aesthetic and spatial impact. If you really wanted to make an impact you could combine two patterns in the same space - for example using a different option in a niche or as a feature wall.
Image from The Kitchen Design Centre
Rough Around the Edges
Smooth tiles with perfectly rectified edges and minimal grout are a popular and attractive option, creating a clean resort-like look and minimising cleaning (especially in showers or as splashbacks). However, rustic imperfection is making a comeback with texture creating interest, a sense of habitability and a laid-back aesthetic (perfect for coastal designs). Rustic tiles can be any shape, size or colour - smaller tiles are particularly impactful in smaller areas such as splashbacks and medium size tiles are perfect for feature walls.
Image from Zara Home
Image from Tiles of Ezra
Colour Your Grout
When choosing grout the biggest consideration tends to be whether to match your tile colour or contrast it with a darker or lighter grout. We often don’t contemplate using coloured grouts but they offer a new layer of design and aesthetic choice when tiling - they can enhance a basic tile layout or enforce a particular colour combination used throughout your space.
If you are hesitant to utilise coloured grouts, pick a more subtle shade, like the light salmon pink used below (and remember the general rule of thumb with grout is to pick 1-2 shades darker than how you want it to look dried).
Image from Living Ceramics
Image from Seasons In Colour
Our interior designer Kate has a passion for solving problems, creating incredible spaces, and sharing her design tips and tricks.