Tile laying patterns

You’ve chosen your tile but now you need to decide which layout to use when arranging them on your wall or floor.

Getting Started

With there being a number of different ways to lay your tiles, it can be difficult to choose, especially as the layout will make a dramatic difference to the feel of the your tiles and the overall look of the room.

All you’ll need is a little patience, concentration and time to lay out the design carefully and you'll find that these patterns are easy to tile.

Important note- before you start to tile. Make sure all the tiles used have the same batch code/numbers so there is no variation in colour or size.

Straight - Stack Bond

The most common tiling pattern is to stack bond your tiles. The tiles are laid in straight lines so the grout lines end up like a grid.

The best way to lay large tiles as this helps to make small rooms feel bigger and creates a sleek effect, with fewer grout lines. For a bit of interest and to help the walls look taller, turn them on their vertical.

Diagonal or diamond

Diagonal or diamond is similar to the straight pattern except the tiles are laid on a 45-degree angle, turning square tiles into diamonds.

If the tiles are being laid in a diamond pattern, there will be more cutting involved and you will need to allow extra for cuts and breakages.

Herringbone

Perfect for hallways or outdoor paths, as the “V” in the pattern acts like arrows pointing you in the right direction, the herringbone pattern is achieved by laying rectangular tiles in a zig-zag pattern.

Herringbone pattern is perfect for adding interest and impact to a small space. Customarily seen on wooden parquet floors, the arrow effect of the pattern draws the eye up and down, turning the space into a feature.

Basket Weave

three tiles version

two tiles version

Using rectangular tiles, the basket weave pattern has two or three tiles laid next to each other to form a square depending on the length of the tiles being used. The following pair of tiles are laid at 90 degrees to the first and so on. The horizontal and vertical tiles then alternate on following rows. This gives the impression that the tiles are woven over and under each other like a basket.

Brick bond

Use square or rectangular tiles that are laid like bricks in a wall. The end of each tile is lined up with the centre of the tiles that are both directly above and below it. This creates a staggered pattern.

Brickwork layout is a favourite as it's simple but creates a stunning design that complements any style. Brick bond works perfectly with metro tiles especially when combined with a contrasting grout colour.