Tile is sanitary, durable, and versatile. It’s also an art to arrange and a true talent to install properly. If you want your design to stand the test of time, start incorporating tile. 

 

Today, we’re rolling out a lineup of exceptional tile ideas. Use them for accent walls, flooring, and everything in between. From backsplash to bubble bath, here’s all the inspiration you need for your design. 

Chevron and herringbone tile layouts

Chevron and herringbone layouts are much more about character, motion, and emphasizing design than just choosing a material. And lest you think chevron patterns are a leftover trend from a decade or two ago, ancient Greek and Roman tilework featured these configurations.


A carefully arranged herringbone accent wall can coordinate with every other design element in a room. The floor tiles, cabinets, counter, and even the hardware all complement this one stunning feature.

Galley kitchen layouts direct the eye (and foot traffic) back and forth. But this offset chevron tile pulls focus from the narrow nature of that layout.

An angular chevron-patterned tile floor offers a clean (but never boring) appearance, especially when it expands on a neutral palette. The variance in each tile’s color, coupled with the durability of tile in general, means it could survive multiple remodels and updates. 

 

The logical flow of wide, horizontal tiles culminates in a herringbone accent wall that’s both sophisticated and spirited. 

 

Vertical tile layouts

Tilework may be classic, but vertical layouts put a contemporary spin on it. Additionally, they can make a space look taller, which is why it’s common to see them in shower stalls, niches, and other enclosures. 


Nothing brings retro back to the future like light-filtering glass blocks with bottle green tile. The height-enhancing vertical arrangement is an upgrade, while the overall design choices don’t erase an older home’s character. 

 

This textured accent wall adds motion as well as an intricate herringbone design. The larger format floor tiles guide the eye toward its dynamic waterfall effect. 

Shiny glaze and added height surprisingly make a cozier, more inviting kitchen when the hue and lighting are just right. Considered tile selection can add warmth and personality to a remodel in as little as one day.

Expertly applied white grout adds an intentional, structural feel to onyx-black tiles with gold veining. 

 

Horizontal tile layouts

Looking to expand a room? Before you knock that wall out, try horizontal tile. Vertical may add height, but horizontal layouts can help widen the space. Even when used in larger rooms, they add a flow, ease, and openness that feels on point. 

 

While larger horizontal tiles add a more organized, spaced-out appearance, it’s easy to keep the appearance cozy with warmer neutrals and earthier beiges. 

When you think “white matte backsplash,” you probably don’t anticipate the appeal of a three-dimensional tile. These slender horizontal tiles create a woven effect that builds upon the textural impact of a speckled granite countertop. 

The bathroom leverages tiles of multiple sizes and orientations. However, the larger-format horizontal tiles in the shower take the prize. The marble-effect look adds nature-inspired beauty to the surfaces all around.

 

Winner by a wide margin: High-style subway tile in offset layouts

Subway tiles are a popular, timeless choice. You’ll find them in both vertical and horizontal stacked layouts, but it’s the platinum standard in horizontal offset tile layouts.

Add character to modern kitchen designs by using subway tiles as a pop of color. It’s an efficient, high-value way to put your stamp on a room. 

Dark grout adds cool contrast and doesn’t show discoloration as quickly. This bathroom is an excellent example of how a tile accent wall can serve as the design foundation of an entire room.

These tiles coordinate flawlessly with the rest of the design. However, it draws from a wide range of neutrals and boasts a glossy finish, which enhances the room instead of simply blending in. 

Jewel-toned tiles with gold fixtures create dramatic ambience, making small bathrooms feel like an experience instead of a cramped space. The longer length of the tile adds an air of spaciousness, too. 

 

Unique, chic, and eye-catching patterns and shapes

Are patterned tiles out, or are they making a comeback? Decorative tiles and mosaics date back thousands of years. 

From florals and starbursts to painterly scrolling and checkerboard-inspired designs, every era offers a scheme that adds high visual interest to a room.

 

Who said patterned tiles have to be loud? These tiles are embossed with geometric shapes that add subtle, compatible dimension to an otherwise clean, spare design. 

 

Honeycomb or hexagonal mosaics add artisanal flair. Configurations featuring various shades of stone make tiny tiles look more organic and a lot less fussy.

Bricks aren’t the only clay product to employ for a fireplace facelift. Get a smooth, clean, heat-tolerant face and hearth with interesting tilework.  

Homeowners are understandably hesitant to add color and patterns to remodels. However, buyers are often attracted to features they haven’t seen anywhere else. 

 

Professional tilework takes your design to the next level

Choosing tile for your kitchen or bath remodel is a wise choice. However, from there, you have many more choices to make. Color, finish, custom cuts, layouts–not to mention setting it just right for maximum durability. 

The Designery specializes in custom cuts and careful installation, as well as providing a range of unique, exceptional, or perfectly coordinated pieces to pick from. Learn more about custom tile installation from The Designery and book your complimentary consultation today.