The same tile can look classic, modern or bold depending on how it is laid. A white 3 x 12 in subway tile in a 1/2 running bond feels timeless, stacked vertically it feels modern, and in herringbone it becomes the feature of the room. Choosing a pattern is also a practical decision: some layouts need more cuts, more labor and more extra tile, and some do not suit every tile size.
Here are the patterns we install most often in Orange County homes, what each one needs, and how pros plan a layout so the room looks right from the doorway.
Straight lay (grid)
Square or rectangular tiles in straight rows and columns, with every joint lined up. Clean, calm and the easiest layout to install. It suits large squares, modern bathrooms and floors that flow into other rooms. Because every joint lines up in both directions, any size difference between tiles shows, so rectified tile and careful spacing pay off. Plan about 10% extra.
Stacked bond
Rectangular tiles stacked straight, horizontally or vertically, with the joints lined up. A very modern look for subway, long wall tiles and narrow formats such as 2 x 8 in or 2 x 12 in. Vertical stacking makes a low ceiling feel taller, and horizontal stacking makes a narrow room feel wider.
Running bond (brick pattern)
Each row is shifted so the joints of one row fall between the joints of the rows above and below.
- 1/2 offset: the classic subway and brick look. Each joint sits exactly in the center of the tile above. It is the right choice for short tiles such as subway, handmade and zellige-style tiles.
- 1/3 offset: for rectangular tiles with a side longer than 18 in, such as 12 x 24 in and 24 x 48 in, the standard calls for an offset of no more than 1/3 of the tile length unless the maker says otherwise. Long tiles can have a slight curve from firing, and a 1/2 offset puts the high center of one tile beside the ends of the next.
A clean running bond depends on consistency. Pros snap reference lines, keep every offset the same and check that the joints of every second row line up perfectly. A wandering offset is the first thing a trained eye notices. Read large and long tile without lippage for more on long tiles.
Herringbone
Rectangles set at right angles in a zigzag, where the end of each tile meets the side of the next. Very popular for wood-look floors, entries and kitchen backsplashes. It can run straight along the room or at 45 degrees for a more classic look. Herringbone needs a precise starting line, because any error grows across the floor, and it creates many cuts at the edges. Plan about 15% extra tile and more labor time.
Narrow tiles, such as 2 x 8 in on walls or 6 x 24 in and 8 x 36 in wood-look planks on floors, work best. Very wide tiles make the zigzag feel heavy.
Chevron
Similar to herringbone, but the tile ends are cut at an angle so the pattern forms clean, continuous points. It usually comes as special chevron-shaped tiles, because cutting regular tiles to the angle on site is slow and wasteful. The result is a bold, graphic look that suits feature walls, backsplashes and shower walls.
Diagonal
Square tiles turned 45 degrees to the walls. A diagonal layout can make a small room feel wider and hides walls that are not quite square. It needs cuts on every edge, so add about 15% extra.
Basketweave, Versailles and other classics
- Basketweave: pairs of rectangles alternating direction, often in marble mosaic on bathroom floors.
- Versailles (French pattern): a repeating mix of squares and rectangles in several sizes, usually in stone or stone-look tile. It is ordered as a set so the sizes come in the right proportions.
- Pinwheel or hopscotch: a large square framed by smaller squares, a soft traditional look for floors.
How pros plan a layout
- Start with the focal point: the wall you see from the doorway, the vanity wall, the range wall or the shower back wall.
- Find the center lines of the room or wall, then dry-lay a row in each direction to see where the cuts land.
- Shift the starting line so cuts at doorways and visible walls are at least half a tile. Thin slivers look like mistakes and break easily.
- Keep full tiles where the eye goes first, and put cuts under cabinets, behind the toilet and along back walls.
- Line up wall and floor joints where the two meet, and center tile on niches, windows and the shower valve where you can.
- For floors that run through several rooms, keep one continuous layout line through the doorways.
Pattern and extra tile
Pattern affects how much tile you order. As a rule of thumb, plan about 10% extra for a straight lay, about 15% for diagonal, herringbone and large tiles, and about 5% for mosaics. Our ordering guide explains the math, and the calculator on each product page lets you set the extra percentage. Order everything from one batch.
Common questions
- Which pattern makes a small bathroom look bigger? A straight lay or 1/3 offset with large tiles and a matching grout, or a diagonal on the floor. See small bathroom tile ideas.
- Can any tile be laid in herringbone? Rectangles work best, at least twice as long as they are wide, and narrow planks give the classic look. Squares cannot form a herringbone.
- Does grout color change the pattern? A lot. A contrasting grout draws the pattern, a matching grout makes it quiet. Read the grout color guide.
Need help?
We plan every layout before installation so the cuts fall in the right places. Browse subway tile and marble look tile and send us your idea.
