Tiling Pattern Ideas
- This is the standard layout for square floor tiles of any size, but that doesn't mean you can't have some fun with it. Alternate square tiles in two different colors to make a checkerboard pattern. Or use a different color of tile around the border of the room, perhaps adding a square "rug'' of differently colored tile in the middle.
For something that will really grab attention, go with a solid color throughout most of the floor, but intersperse it with random tiles of different colors. - This variation on the grid pattern uses the same standard square tiles, but turns them at a diagonal to the surrounding walls, so they form a diamond pattern instead of a square grid. Lay it out on the floor the same way as a square grid, dividing the room into four sections and laying the tiles from the middle, except instead of drawing a big "plus'' sign from mid-wall to mid-wall, you'll be drawing a big X from corner to corner. Expect to use about 20 percent more tiles with this method because of the diagonal cuts necessary against the walls.
- The classic staggered look of a brick building can work on your floor as well. Lay the tiles in straight rows, but instead of lining up the seams, make the side seams in every other row meet at the middle of the tiles above and below. Using rectangular tiles will add to the effect, but you can use square ones as well. This method will use about the same number of tiles as a grid pattern.
- Mosaics are very small tiles--generally about 1-inch square--that are mounted prespaced on sheets of mesh so large areas can be laid at once. You just cut away sections of the mesh to get the correct configuration of tiles. Buy multiple colors of tile, and cut the sections to form designs or words out of the different colors. Depending on how artistic you are, this method can be used to create murals on your floors or walls.