Decorating
12 Ways to Wow With Patterned Tiles
Use colourful and eclectic tile motifs to add interest to flooring, walls and fireplaces
Patterned tiles of all kinds, from encaustic and cement to ceramic and porcelain, are enjoying a surge in popularity. This is thanks in large part to the ‘desert wanderer’ trend, which has seen revival of tribal crafts, patterns and motifs in homewares including beni ourain rugs, woven wall-hangings and, of course, Moroccan-influenced feature tiles. These classic design elements are being put to all sorts of new uses, including wall treatments and fireplace surrounds – and tiled bathrooms and kitchen splashbacks are getting a fresh look too. Here are a dozen ways to put beautiful, eclectic patterned tiles to work all around your house.
2. Indoor-outdoor wall
The tiles continue from the wall of this master bedroom right through to a patio outside a set of large sliding glass doors. Repeating the same tile pattern indoors and out enhances flow and can make a small room feel more expansive.
Stickybeak of the Week: Tin Tiles Transform a Bachelor’s Bedroom
The tiles continue from the wall of this master bedroom right through to a patio outside a set of large sliding glass doors. Repeating the same tile pattern indoors and out enhances flow and can make a small room feel more expansive.
Stickybeak of the Week: Tin Tiles Transform a Bachelor’s Bedroom
3. Grand entrance
Tiles can make an excellent, sturdy choice for the entryway – it holds up well to heavy traffic, and the colourful choices available can make a rug optional. Tile floors can be slippery when wet, so be sure to lay out an absorbent rug and rug pad on rainy days to prevent slips.
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Tiles can make an excellent, sturdy choice for the entryway – it holds up well to heavy traffic, and the colourful choices available can make a rug optional. Tile floors can be slippery when wet, so be sure to lay out an absorbent rug and rug pad on rainy days to prevent slips.
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4. Patchwork kitchen
A happy jumble of colour and pattern on the floor works beautifully to warm up the kitchen, a room that can sometimes run the risk of feeling too sterile. The porcelain tiles shown here have digitally-printed patterns designed to be applied randomly for a unique patchwork look. Amp up the charm even more with a vintage-style fridge in aqua blue.
Patchwork tiles in beige: Armatile
A happy jumble of colour and pattern on the floor works beautifully to warm up the kitchen, a room that can sometimes run the risk of feeling too sterile. The porcelain tiles shown here have digitally-printed patterns designed to be applied randomly for a unique patchwork look. Amp up the charm even more with a vintage-style fridge in aqua blue.
Patchwork tiles in beige: Armatile
5. Graphic workspace
Create a crisp backdrop for getting work done with cool, modern geometric tiles on the floor of your home office. Surrounded by all-white shelving and furnishings, it makes for a pulled-together look that’s chic enough to host client meetings.
Frame Collection ceramic tiles: Refin
Create a crisp backdrop for getting work done with cool, modern geometric tiles on the floor of your home office. Surrounded by all-white shelving and furnishings, it makes for a pulled-together look that’s chic enough to host client meetings.
Frame Collection ceramic tiles: Refin
6. Quilt-inspired shower stall
Homeowner Lori Morris has a passion for quilts. So during her home renovation, interior designer Suzan Fellman drew inspiration from a classic quilting pattern, known as the chimney sweep, to tile the shower stall. (For a blended look, Fellman used red grout between each of the red tiles.)
To make this look your own, browse through coffee-table books on quilts or peruse your own treasured heirlooms to find a pattern you love.
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Homeowner Lori Morris has a passion for quilts. So during her home renovation, interior designer Suzan Fellman drew inspiration from a classic quilting pattern, known as the chimney sweep, to tile the shower stall. (For a blended look, Fellman used red grout between each of the red tiles.)
To make this look your own, browse through coffee-table books on quilts or peruse your own treasured heirlooms to find a pattern you love.
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7. Colourful tile splashback
Patterned tiles in a warm colour palette make a richer and more interesting backdrop to cooking projects than solid-hued tiles ever could. Increase the warm, homey feeling by installing a few grainy-wood floating shelves over the tiles to store frequently-used kitchen tools.
Contemporary Kitchen Tile Options To Consider
Patterned tiles in a warm colour palette make a richer and more interesting backdrop to cooking projects than solid-hued tiles ever could. Increase the warm, homey feeling by installing a few grainy-wood floating shelves over the tiles to store frequently-used kitchen tools.
Contemporary Kitchen Tile Options To Consider
8. Black and white bathroom
Repeating the same graphic black-and-white patterned tiles on the floor and walls of the bath creates a fresh, modern look that would work especially well in a small urban bathroom. In the space shown here, the expanse of black and white tile is broken only by a complementary pattern in a smaller scale on the shower floor.
Tiles in ‘Fez’: Granada Tile
Repeating the same graphic black-and-white patterned tiles on the floor and walls of the bath creates a fresh, modern look that would work especially well in a small urban bathroom. In the space shown here, the expanse of black and white tile is broken only by a complementary pattern in a smaller scale on the shower floor.
Tiles in ‘Fez’: Granada Tile
9. Patio perk-up
Why settle for ho-hum flooring in a tiny space when you can make a statement with pretty tiles instead? Bringing the tiles partially up the wall makes this petite patio feel more spacious.
The fake stag head sculpture is quirky, but if it’s not your style, try accenting your tiled patio with a burbling wall fountain instead.
Beirutiful Circle handmade tiles: designed by What_architecture, made by Al Andalous, Morocco
Why settle for ho-hum flooring in a tiny space when you can make a statement with pretty tiles instead? Bringing the tiles partially up the wall makes this petite patio feel more spacious.
The fake stag head sculpture is quirky, but if it’s not your style, try accenting your tiled patio with a burbling wall fountain instead.
Beirutiful Circle handmade tiles: designed by What_architecture, made by Al Andalous, Morocco
10. Neutral cement tile floor
A repeating white pattern on neutral cement tiles is soothing and beachy – in a fresh and modern, not over-the-top way. Try this in the bathroom for a spa-like vibe, in the bedroom paired with floaty white curtains and an all-white bed, or anywhere relaxation is on the menu.
A repeating white pattern on neutral cement tiles is soothing and beachy – in a fresh and modern, not over-the-top way. Try this in the bathroom for a spa-like vibe, in the bedroom paired with floaty white curtains and an all-white bed, or anywhere relaxation is on the menu.
11. Tile accent wall
Move over wallpapered statement walls, and make room for tiles. Cool, colourful and packed with personality, a tiled accent wall can become the focal point of the house. Here, an entry wall is clad in custom-made tiles with a Moroccan-inspired pattern.
Lift Walls and More With Dramatic Shapes and Standout Patterns
Move over wallpapered statement walls, and make room for tiles. Cool, colourful and packed with personality, a tiled accent wall can become the focal point of the house. Here, an entry wall is clad in custom-made tiles with a Moroccan-inspired pattern.
Lift Walls and More With Dramatic Shapes and Standout Patterns
12. Mantel makeover
If you already have a tiled mantel (or a mantel with no adornment at all) putting in fresh tiles is a relatively small job that can completely transform the look and feel of your space. Here, blue patterned tiles, raw wood mantel top and mid-century planter come together to create a soothing, organic-yet-modern look.
Tell us
Are you a fan of patterned tiles? Show us how you’ve used them by posting a photo in the Comments section.
More
Browse more statement tile for inspiration
If you already have a tiled mantel (or a mantel with no adornment at all) putting in fresh tiles is a relatively small job that can completely transform the look and feel of your space. Here, blue patterned tiles, raw wood mantel top and mid-century planter come together to create a soothing, organic-yet-modern look.
Tell us
Are you a fan of patterned tiles? Show us how you’ve used them by posting a photo in the Comments section.
More
Browse more statement tile for inspiration
A clean-lined fireplace that goes right up to the ceiling can make the perfect canvas for playing with tile patterns. Choose just one favourite pattern, or mix and match designs. This application was inspired by the bold colours and patterns of tiles seen in Spain.
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