Popular Tile Pattern Layouts to Spruce Up Your Space

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Plus, learn how to choose the right tile pattern for your space

Co-authored by Schannon Yodice and Samantha Fulton, BA

Last Updated: August 14, 2026 Fact Checked

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Tile Patterns

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Tile Shapes

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Choosing Your Tile Pattern

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Are you preparing to redecorate and feeling overwhelmed about choosing tile patterns? We’re here to help. Tile patterns can be confusing, but don’t fret. We’ve put together this guide to explain the most popular tile patterns and what they’re best for. Plus, we’ll cover tile shapes and how to choose a tile pattern. Keep reading to discover the perfect tile pattern for your dream renovation!

Common Tile Patterns

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Herringbone: Elongates small spaces, good for backsplashes & accent walls
1/3 Offset: Aesthetically pleasing, good for kitchens & bathrooms
Vertical Straight Stack: Makes ceilings seem higher, good for accent walls
Square Grid: Versatile & customizable, works in most spaces
Hexagon: Unique & bold, good for backsplashes

Section 1 of 3:

15 Popular Tile Pattern Layouts

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Herringbone This is a sophisticated pattern with timeless elegance. The herringbone pattern features interlocking, rectangular tiles and can create a great accent for your space. Plus, it can have an elongating effect in small or narrow spaces. This pattern can go straight up and down, or you can opt for a horizontal variation.^{[1]
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- Best for: Backsplashes, accent walls, shower walls
- Tile shape: Subway/rectangle tile (Keep reading to learn more about tile shapes!)
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Brick Joint Also known as running bond or staggered, this is a classic tile pattern. As its name implies, brick joint tile mimics the pattern of brick walls. In a typical brick joint pattern, each tile begins at the midpoint of the tile below it.^{[2]
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- Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, hallway floors
- Tile shape: Subway/rectangle tile
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1/3 Offset This is a popular variation of the brick joint tile pattern. Rather than centering the edge of each tile on the one beneath it, the edge is shifted to align with the first 1/3 of the tile below it. The 1/3 offset is often preferred by designers because of the added aesthetic appeal that comes from following the artistic “rule of thirds” (off-center subjects are more visually interesting).^{[3]
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- Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms
- Tile shape: Subway/rectangle tile
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Chevron Chevron is similar to the herringbone pattern, but the tile edges meet at a 45° angle rather than interlocking at 90° angles. This pattern creates the classic zigzag pattern and can have an elongating effect on small spaces. To add extra texture, you can even alternate the colors of the chevron stripes!^{[4]
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- Best for: Statement flooring, backsplashes, narrow hallway floors
- Tile shape: Subway/rectangle tile
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Basketweave Also called woven stone, the basketweave pattern uses interlocking patterns to give a sense of extra depth. The intricate geometrical pattern makes this a standout pattern and offers a fun optical illusion effect. Plus, the complex grid of grout lines makes this pattern naturally slip resistant.^{[5]
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- Best for: Bathrooms, backsplashes, showers
- Tile shape: Subway/rectangle tiles and square tiles
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Horizontal Straight Stack This tile pattern has a chic, modern vibe because of its straight, uniform rows. The horizontal straight stack pattern is perfect for a minimalistic aesthetic and can visually expand a room. It also offers a calm and uncluttered appearance, which allows other design choices in a room to stand out.^{[6]
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- Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces
- Tile shape: Subway/rectangle tile
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Vertical Straight Stack The vertical straight stack pattern is a variation of the horizontal straight stack. Rather than the tiles running in horizontal rows, they form uniform columns. Similar to the horizontal pattern, this offers a chic and clean appearance. Plus, the vertical lines pull the eye upward, which gives the illusion of extra height in rooms with low ceilings.^{[7]
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- Best for: Shower walls, backsplashes, accent walls
- Tile shape: Subway/rectangle tile
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Square Grid The square grid is a simple pattern with lots of opportunity for personalization. Whether you choose fun patterns or colors for your square grid or you keep it simple monochrome, this popular layout is a great option. The simplicity also makes it an easier pattern to install.^{[8]
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- Best for: Small or large spaces (highly versatile)
- Tile shape: Square tile
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Checkerboard This is a fun variation of the square grid. The checkerboard pattern is still a square grid layout, but it features alternating tile colors to resemble, you guessed it, a checkerboard. This can be a great way to add an elegant, vintage vibe to your space. Checkerboard tiles are often black and white, but don’t be afraid to mix it up with bright and bold colors!^{[9]
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- Best for: Small or large spaces (highly versatile)
- Tile shape: Square tile
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Diamond Also called the diagonal tile pattern, this layout is similar to the square grid. The only difference is that instead of being a straight-stacked grid, the tiles are laid diagonally, making them resemble diamonds rather than squares. This pattern can offer a dynamic appearance and make a space seem larger than it actually is.^{[10]
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- Best for: Backsplashes, small rooms, entryways
- Tile shape: Square tile
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Square Brick Joint This is a spin on the classic brick joint pattern, using square tiles rather than subway/rectangle ones. Like the classic offset brick joint, this features tiles where the edge of each tile lines up with the midpoint of the tile below it.^{[11]
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Research source} The square brick joint can make rooms appear larger, while adding a fun, rustic vibe.
- Best for: Backsplashes, high-traffic entryways
- Tile shape: Square tile
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Cobblestone This tile pattern combines different tile shapes to mimic the historic look of roads and walkways. The cobblestone pattern gives an elegant, European vibe to a space. This textured pattern can also add extra character and charm to an otherwise flat space.
- Best for: Entryways, mudrooms, sunrooms, large kitchens
- Tile shape: Square tile and subway/rectangle tile
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Versailles Also known as the French pattern, this classy pattern uses four different tile sizes in an interlocking pattern. These tiles are typically 8x8, 8x16, 16x16, and 16x24 inches (20.32x20.32, 20.32x40.64, 40.64x40.64, and 40.64x60.96 cm).^{[12]
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Research source} This combination of tiles gives a sophisticated look while also creating a sense of depth and movement. The Versailles tile layout is the perfect eye-catching and versatile pattern.
- Best for: Accent flooring, backsplashes, entryways
- Tile shape: Square tile and subway/rectangle tile
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Windmill The windmill pattern takes a similar approach as the basketweave. However, this pattern features four rectangular tiles centered around a small square tile. This unique pattern gives you plenty of opportunity to customize it to be as bold or as subdued as you want! It’s a great way to add some texture to a space, but beware that it can be time-consuming to actually lay out.^{[13]
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- Best for: Bathrooms, kitchens, accent walls, entryways
- Tile shape: Subway/rectangle tile and square tile
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Hexagon The hexagon pattern is a timeless, trendy tile pattern. If you’re looking for something a little different to draw your guests’ attention, this pattern is a great option. These tiles come together to form a honeycomb pattern and are a fun way to add a little extra flair to a space. There’s lots of room for customization with sizes and colors to suit any aesthetic.^{[14]
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- Best for: Backsplashes, accent walls, accent flooring
- Tile shape: Hexagon tile

Section 2 of 3:

Common Tile Shapes

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Square tiles are highly versatile and can suit a wide variety of interior design needs. They can work in small or large rooms, and there’s lots of opportunity for customization. Square tiles also create an aesthetically pleasing effect of visual continuity.
Subway tiles are a timeless classic. Gaining their name from their use in New York subway stations, subway tiles have been a popular choice since the early 1900s.^{[15]
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Research source} They’re usually used in patterns like the brick lay, 1/3 offset, and straight stack to give a room an enlarged appearance.
Hexagon tiles are perfect for daring decor choices. If you want something a bit more bold than the typical square or subway tile, the hexagon might be right for you. These tiles come together to create a honeycomb pattern and are a great way to add a dynamic, original vibe to your space.^{[16]
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Specialty Tile Still need more options? There are plenty of specialty tile shapes to add flair to your home. These are tiles with unique shapes that you’d use for projects like accent walls. If you need pops of fun patterns and colors, specialty tiles are an awesome way to achieve that. Here are some specialty tile shapes to choose from:
- Penny Round
- Arabesque
- Diamond
- Fan or Fish Scale
- Triangle
- Picket

Section 3 of 3:

How to Choose a Tile Pattern

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Set a budget. Different tile patterns require more labor, and some types of tiles are more expensive than others. Decide how much you want to spend on your project to help you figure out what tile patterns will be possible. This will also help you narrow down tile materials.
- For instance, labor for more complex patterns like the windmill or basketweave layouts can be more costly because they take longer to lay.
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Consider the size of the space. The size of the space is one of the most important factors for choosing a tile pattern. When chosen properly, tiles can make rooms look larger or improve the overall flow of a design. To achieve that, you have to consider the size of the space before making your decision.^{[17]
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- For example, if you’re working with a small space that you want to seem more spacious, you might choose a chevron or herringbone pattern. These patterns can elongate spaces.
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Consult an interior designer. If you’re having trouble narrowing down the right pattern, it could be helpful to ask for a second opinion. An interior designer will be able to suggest ideas you may not have thought of. If consulting a professional is out of your budget, consider asking a friend or family member who has an eye for patterns and design!
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Show off your personal aesthetic. After all, this is your space! If you have a specific aesthetic you want to achieve, take that into consideration when you make your decision. Maybe you want a more retro feel to your space—a pattern like checkerboard would be great for that. Or, maybe you want something chic and modern—you might give the horizontal or vertical straight stack pattern a try.
- Consider the function of different tile patterns, as well as the aesthetic. For example, some intricate patterns, like the Versailles layout, are naturally slip-resistant because of the grouting, so they’re perfect for bathrooms.
- Don’t be afraid to get creative with your color scheme. Fun colors are a great way to spruce up a tile pattern!