Hi, if you don't want to make a feature out of it, such as brick pattern, just have them in line and use a matching grout. I always lay the long side of the tiles along the short side of the room, as the room looks wider that way. Do I make myself understood, not sure how to explain it. If the long lines follow the long side of the room, the room will appear longer and narrower, which I personally don't like. By laying them perpendicular you get a squarer, more spacious look. Another trick, if your room is very small, use the floor tiles as a skirting board, 100 mm up the wall. Optical illusion, works a treat! Also try to have as few cut tiles as possible and generally work from the centre line of the room, either being the middle of your tile or the grout line. It's nice if you can avoid slithers along the walls. Cheers, Andrea Janssen

Could you advise on how to have as few cut tiles as possible? We are tiling family room. The room is 7.34 m x 5.15. Tile size is 1m x50 cm.

Don't do it this way, wish I could rip them all up.

Hi jtoot222

Assuming you enter at the short side I would lay the tiles along the 7340 wall at both end tiles 420mm and all others 500 mm. The other direction you start at both sides with 557 mm tiles and then 4 rows of 1m. That way the cut tiles have a good size and the room will appear more square.

BUT, there are 2 aspects I would take into consideration when designing the layout: 1. where is your furniture (an area where you can fudge (hide small cut tiles) IF you have several entries and are particular about starting at the entry with a full tile. This is only advisable if you are sure the cut edge is permanently hidden from view!

AND 2. the main entry / vista into the room. If it's NOT along the short wall, i.e. you don't mainly look into the longer depth of your room, then you might prefer laying the tiles in the other direction. (670 , 6 x 1000, 670 along long wall & 257, 9 x 500, 257 along short wall). I personally prefer to look at tiles perpendicular/ cross-ways, which by the way, might be the reason why the next 'houzzer' doesn't like his tiles in the long hallway. They enhance the length.

If you are unsure send me a floor plan with furniture lay out, glad to advise.

Thanks for advice. I thought all tiles that are around perimeter of room would need to be cut. This room has two entry points and was originally carpet. Subfloor is concrete slab. Carpet has been removed and metal angle strip will be fitted under tile at entry from dining room. This strip will be halfway under door so tiles are not visible when door is closed, and existing carpet not visible when door is closed and you are then standing in family room. This means tiles on that wall need to be cut, as do tiles at other end. We do not want a cut tile at this entry point because a much neater finish if machine edge not cut edge will butt uo to trim. On right hand side we have double sliding door to outside alfresco. This door is recessed about 80mm so this wall also needs cut tiles. Most houses I have seen have all tiles around perimeter cut. Think you can get a better balance and avoid small slithers or rats tails at edges, and also have less wastage as offcut from one side can be used at opposite end and still have machine or factory finish on edge. Will be getting a aalified tiler to install, so will go on tilers advice.

Tilers are great at knowing where to cut the tiles etc..they'd be able to advise you..

I agree with the stretcher bond or brick pattern because if your lines are not perfectly straight it will not be as noticable. Get a professional to lay them if you haven't tiled before. They could end up drummy or cracking :(

Thank you debex, I think they look boring, first time I have had tiles laid that way. Wish I had done that brick look of rayanm89 or at least some sort of border.

debraewood, I think your tiles have a lovely clean uncluttered look that will never date. You have an absolutely gorgeous home!

debex, not sure if you can see my ideas book where I have a couple of photos of my home. I can add more photos to that ideas book if need be. Thank you, I love my home with maybe the exception of my tiles which you have made me look at with a different point of view.