Decorating
Decorating: 12 Ways to Add Style With Patterned Tiles
Forget statement wallpapers and bright paints, decorative tiles could be the perfect addition to liven up your space
From encaustic and cement to ceramic and porcelain, patterned tiles of all kinds are enjoying a surge in popularity. And this classic design element is being put to all sorts of new uses, from wall treatments to fireplace surrounds; tiled bathrooms and splashbacks are getting a fresh look, too. Here are a dozen ways to put beautiful, eclectic tiles to work all around the house.
Play with patchwork
A happy mixture 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.
Tile, Patchwork in Beige, Armatile.
A happy mixture 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.
Tile, Patchwork in Beige, Armatile.
Install an indoor-outdoor wall
Tiles continue from the wall of this 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.
Tiles continue from the wall of this 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.
Create a focal point
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.
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.
Make a grand entrance
Tiles are an excellent, sturdy choice for the hallway – they hold up well to heavy traffic – and there are endless patterns and colour choices available. Remember that tiled floors can be slippery when wet, so use a door mat with a rubber underside to prevent slips.
Tiles are an excellent, sturdy choice for the hallway – they hold up well to heavy traffic – and there are endless patterns and colour choices available. Remember that tiled floors can be slippery when wet, so use a door mat with a rubber underside to prevent slips.
Go for a graphic workspace
Create a crisp backdrop for getting work done with a cool, modern geometric tile on the floor of the 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 tile, Refin.
Create a crisp backdrop for getting work done with a cool, modern geometric tile on the floor of the 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 tile, Refin.
Install a quirky shower wall
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 enclosure. To create a cohesive finish, Fellman used red grout between each of the red tiles. To make this look your own, commission a bespoke piece.
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 enclosure. To create a cohesive finish, Fellman used red grout between each of the red tiles. To make this look your own, commission a bespoke piece.
Spice up a splashback
Patterned tiles in a warm colour palette make a richer and more interesting backdrop for cooking than solid-hued tiles ever could. Increase the warm, cosy feeling by installing rustic wood floating shelves over the tiles.
Discover how to crank up the style in your first kitchen
Patterned tiles in a warm colour palette make a richer and more interesting backdrop for cooking than solid-hued tiles ever could. Increase the warm, cosy feeling by installing rustic wood floating shelves over the tiles.
Discover how to crank up the style in your first kitchen
Jazz up a bathroom
Repeating the same graphic black and white patterned tile on the floor and walls of the bathroom creates a fresh, modern look that would work especially well in a small city bathroom. In the space shown here, the expanse of black and white tiles is broken only by a complementary pattern in a smaller scale on the shower floor.
Tiles, Fez, Granada Tile.
Find out how to make sense of bathroom design jargon
Repeating the same graphic black and white patterned tile on the floor and walls of the bathroom creates a fresh, modern look that would work especially well in a small city bathroom. In the space shown here, the expanse of black and white tiles is broken only by a complementary pattern in a smaller scale on the shower floor.
Tiles, Fez, Granada Tile.
Find out how to make sense of bathroom design jargon
Perk up a patio
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. A fake stag head sculpture is a quirky addition, but if this is not to your style, try accenting your tiled patio with a bubbling wall fountain instead.
Beirutiful Circle handmade tiles, designed by What Architecture and 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. A fake stag head sculpture is a quirky addition, but if this is not to your style, try accenting your tiled patio with a bubbling wall fountain instead.
Beirutiful Circle handmade tiles, designed by What Architecture and made by Al Andalous, Morocco.
Opt for subtle colours
A repeating pattern in neutral shades is calm and soothing. Try this in the bathroom for a spa-like vibe or in the bedroom paired with floaty white curtains and all-white bed linen.
Tiles, Villa Lagoon, Granada Tile.
A repeating pattern in neutral shades is calm and soothing. Try this in the bathroom for a spa-like vibe or in the bedroom paired with floaty white curtains and all-white bed linen.
Tiles, Villa Lagoon, Granada Tile.
Create a feature wall
Move over, wallpaper statement walls, and make room for tiles. Cool, colourful and packed with personality, a tiled feature wall can become the focal point of the house. Here, a wall is clad in custom-made tiles with a Moroccan-inspired pattern.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of patterned tiles? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Move over, wallpaper statement walls, and make room for tiles. Cool, colourful and packed with personality, a tiled feature wall can become the focal point of the house. Here, a wall is clad in custom-made tiles with a Moroccan-inspired pattern.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of patterned tiles? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
If you already have a tiled fireplace (or one 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, natural wood mantlepiece and midcentury planter come together to create a soothing, organic-modern look.