How To Choose The Perfect Tile Pattern

How To Choose The Perfect Tile Pattern

Sep 20th 2019

When it comes to choosing tile for your home renovation, the options can seem endless... and frankly overwhelming.

Not to worry! As we mentioned last week, choosing the perfect tile really comes down to two simple decisions:

-Picking a Tile Color

-Picking a Tile Pattern

Shown Above (left to right): Cobham in Slate Gray, Hiser in Light Gray, Bloom in Julep Crackle, Bloom in Sky Blue Crackle

If you haven't seen our post about Picking a Tile Color, you may want to go back and start there. Today we're talking all about: 

How To Pick Your Tile Pattern

Do you like subway tile? A decorative niche over the stove? A full patterned backsplash? We'll go over some popular options, plus highlight reasons why that option might be right for you. Let's get started!

1. Subway Tile Backsplash

We know some of you might vomit all over your laptop if you see one more subway tile backsplash. We get it. However, in our humble opinion, subway tile is a classic choice for a timeless kitchen backsplash or shower surround. 

If you'd like something a little more adventurous than a plain white subway tile, try adding some color like this client did:

Shown Above: 3x6" Handmade Subway Tile in Light Blue Watercolor

Or for extra character, you could try a crackle glaze as shown below: 

Shown Above: 3x6" Handmade Subway Tile in Julep Crackle

Even better, add some Pearl Liner Trim between each row of subway tiles for an elegant, unique look:

Shown Above: Subway Tile in New Satin White With Pearl Liner Trim in Glossy White

Reasons A Subway Tile Backsplash Might Be For You...

  • It's simple & classic

  • It's budget-friendly

SHOP SUBWAY TILE

2. Decorative Tile Insert

This is a smart option especially if you want to incorporate some decorative tile but not too much. A niche over the stove is a great place to add some pattern, plus it gives you somewhere to store your stuff!

Shown Above: Bloom Handmade Tile (in niche) with 3x6" Handmade Subway Tile, all in Sky Blue Crackle

The same goes for a niche in a shower surround:

Shown Above: Two-Color Hiser in Slate Gray & Black Watercolor and Hiser in Glossy White

Or, if you have a flat wall above your stove you could try one of our Precut Decorative Inserts to make installation a cinch.

Shown Above: Bloom Handmade Tile Insert with Small Channel Liner and 3x6" Subway Tile, all in Deep Blue Crackle

Reasons A Decorative Tile Insert Might Be For You...

  • It creates a focal point design-wise

  • It adds a little bit of pattern but not too much

  • It's budget-friendly

SHOP DECORATIVE TILE INSERTS

3. Handmade Tile Border

This option also allows you to incorporate a little bit of pattern without breaking the bank. Plus, an added bonus is that the horizontal nature of the border makes your kitchen or bathroom look wider and longer. Perfect for making small spaces look bigger!

Here's an example of our Handmade Tile Border showing our Cobham pattern:

Shown Above: Cobham Handmade Tile Border with Scalloped Chair Rail Trim and 3x6" Subway Tile, all in Light Brown Watercolor

We love how this client used a custom 4.25 x 4.25" border for a simple yet classic look. (Call for pricing)

Shown Above: Custom 4.25x4.25" Border (call for pricing) with Pencil Liner and 3x6" Handmade Subway Tile, all in Julep Crackle

Reasons A Handmade Tile Border Might Be For You...

  • You want your space to look larger

  • It adds a little bit of pattern but not too much

  • It's budget-friendly

SHOP HANDMADE TILE BORDERS

4. Decorative Patterned Tile

In our opinion, a full decorative tile backsplash or shower surround is the holy grail of home design! It's luxurious, unique, and the reason we started designing tile in the first place.

This client chose our Two-Color Brocade tile for the backsplash of their beach house getaway:

Shown Above: Two-Color Brocade Handmade Tile in Satin Silver & Light Gray

We love the cozy style of this English cottage kitchen featuring our Bloom tile on the backsplash:

Shown Above: Bloom Handmade Tile in FC Cream Crackle

Patterned tile looks great in the bathroom too! This powder room tile accent wall shows our Two-Color Bloom pattern:

Shown Above: Two-Color Bloom Handmade Tile in Light Gray & Satin Silver

Reasons Decorative Patterned Tile Might Be For You...

  • You want your kitchen or bathroom to feel luxurious, unique and timeless

  • You want all the neighbors to be jealous. Just kidding! Kind of ;)

  • It makes your heart go pitter patter

SHOP DECORATIVE PATTERNED TILE

There you have it - our top designer tips for picking the perfect tile pattern! Need help making a final decision? Call us! We love talking about renovation projects. Ready for samples? You can find those here:

Did you know we also have a FREE eBook? It has even more design tips for picking the perfect tile: