Hey guys! Another fun, crowdsourcedĀ interiors post today… This time all about tiles!
Thank you soooo much to all of you that weighed in on our colour palette question. I just loved hearing all your ideas and suggestions and found it so so fun to work on these ideas together. We’re full steam ahead with the colours that we chose, and everything is coming along really really fast. Excitement! Now. Let’s talkĀ tiles.
Designing the bathroom was one of the most exciting parts for me when it came to our renovation, it just felt like bathrooms can be such lovely and indulgent places, so long as you can get the design features right. One of the most important design features is the tiles, which require a lot of thought because they cover almost all surfaces, are difficult to replace and are scarily expensive. Initially, I have to admit I dreamt big, having fallen in love with the handmade square cement tiles I saw a lot in Spain last year… But once we put a price on them a little piece of me died inside… Man are they expensive! Ben, ever the solution finder, was quick to point out that we could create something interesting and unique using simple tiles, we just had to think a bit laterally! From experience, he knew that a simple rectangular subway tile can be laid in so many different ways, so that’s what we went for!
We chose these simple subwayĀ tiles from Tile Cloud – a white gloss with a subtle pattern that gives them a handmade feel without the associated cost, and now just have to decide how to lay them! And that’s where you guys come in, to help us choose a tile pattern.
A few tile pattern ideas for you
Bored of rectangular tiles? Don’t be! Thanks to Ben I now know that there are soooo many ways to lay them that are anything but boring. To show you what we mean, we’ve put together this diagram so you can see just how many options there are. Different patterns are suited to different decor, so know that we are going for a minimalist feel but with a bit of personality. Sounds cryptic I know! Below I’ve share some various inspirations for the various tile pattern options.
Help Us Choose A Tile Pattern
Inspiration
Vertical Brickwork
Ok so I have to say I do love a vertical subway tile, to me, it makes the space feel bigger and accentuates the height of the ceiling. It also has a more modern feel because I think it’s a bit less common than some of the other patterns.
Basketweave
Basketweave grabs your attention more than some of the other patterns, and who doesn’t love a basket after all?! It could be a little too detailed depending on the other design elements of the space. But I like this one!
Horizontal Grid
The clean look and feel of horizontal grid appeals, particularly if you take into account the fact that the tiles we chose have a subtle texture that will give the whole look a bit more of an organic feel.
Offset
This is the most common subway tile pattern, and while it is clean and simple, it doesn’t have a huge wow factor for me – even though it’s something that will always look great and never date!
Vertical Grid
Vertical grid is something I have noticed being done in some of my favourite designs, once again it accentuates the height of the ceilings, and also has a really modern feel.
Herringbone
Finally, another design I like a lot. But similar to the basket weave it has a bit more detail which may work in some bathrooms and not in others.
To say I was excited about the arrival of our tiles was an understatement! You know you’re growing up when these sorts of things excite you.
Question
Ok so which tile pattern are you into? We do have an idea in mind (which helped us guide the tile choice) but that said I not completely set on it and would dearly love to hear what you think!
This post is in collaboration with Tile Coud. Infographic by Natalie Ong. Inspiration images from: Caitlin Wilson, Lonny Magazine, Amber Interiors, Yellow Trace, Little Green Notebook.
I am definitely into the heringbone or the offset in this look. The vertical brickwork feels like a public restroom to me.
xx,
http://www.thedecemberdame.com
For me it is the same! I’m also into the heringbone but I love the offset, too!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Great!
I am all about that Herringbone!! Can’t wait to put it into my bathroom reno!!
Mel xx || Loads of Lifestyle
I’m excited for you! x
I love subway tiles, they have such a clean and simple look. I think I would go with the offset pattern, it looks the most calm and stylish to me!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Good shout! Thanks love x
I love herringbone on floors and vertical on walls. Sounds like a fun puzzle! Good luck!
xx Jenelle
http://www.inspiringwit.com
Totally right!
I love the herringbone pattern!
I really like the offset one, but all the others look so good too.
http://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
I would go with off set or herringbone because both look great! X
http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
Thank you!
Basketweave! I absolutely love the way it looks in those inspo images and even just lying on the floor!
xxCaroline
http://www.whenwear.com
I know right!
Soo into the basketweave – so funky! Though I could see how the vertical might be better suited for big spans of tiles/full rooms.
A bit of a tough pick right!
Herringbone all the way! (As shown in the right bathroom picture above). I just love the way they almost point like arrows. š
I totally see that! Thank you!
Herringbone!
Love the herringbone. We have subway tile in the regular offset pattern in our kitchen but we did herringbone over our stove area and we love it!
Shelley
Geneva, I love the basketweave. Offset is a great look too.
Have to say, the first that popped was the Herringbone, but I also really love the vertical and the vertical grid. You’re right, they really open up the room. Loving all the progress you’re making. Yay!
I know! It’s all so exciting!
I do love the herringbone, but I’ve heard it’s a nightmare to lay.
I love the Vertical design, I agree that it makes the room look larger, in my opinion the others are too “busy”. The Herringbone would make me dizzy…just saying…
Thank you for your advice!
herringbone or chevron and offset. hate the grid. looks like a high school gym shower.
I love the basketweave !
https://thefrenchiestblog.wordpress.com
Good choice! Thanks x
Just asking, but…is this a DIY project or are you getting a tile man into to do the job? As someone who has laid many a tile.. floors, showers, counters and kitchen walls, the first thing you have to consider if this is DIY, is how square are your walls. How level the floor and ceiling? Another thing to consider is this….the grout color. A much darker than the tile color grout will give definition to any mistakes and also accentuate the design, but at the same time,a slighty darker than tile color will be easier to keep looking clean than a pure white grout. I like a light pearl gray grout with white tiles myself. Not too light, and not too dark. If this is DIY, a good idea is to lay out the tiles on a flat surface measured out the same size at the back of the shower and try out all those wonderful configurations you’ve come up with to see what happens on the edges ( in reality the corners when doing the real shower) It might help you make a decision. While you’re down under trying to make tile decisions, funnily enough, I’m in Maine looking at tiles online for the bathrooms in our 200 YO house restoration and worrying about tiles and layouts too. lol I’d vote for the offset if you’re going DIY. Classic, timeless and won’t look dated in 10 years.
I love the grid – we have it in our shower (which has a glass pane and you can see into, like your sample pics) and get so many compliments. It looks scandinavian / simple / minimal to me. We have herringbone in our kitchen and it is great, but did take a long time and a talented tile person to lay. I love it, but I’m worried it will go out of style faster. We’ll see!
Good to know! Thank you!
Herringbone!
Offset is my personal favourite, but the vertical brickwork is a close second for me.
Noted! thank you so much!
I love the vertical grid the simplicity of it can’t be beat. It stays true to the end of time. The bottom line is what do you love you and your hub are the ones that have to live with it. That should be all that matters to you.
Aww Thanks so much!
I like the horizontal grid best – it seems the most elegant.
The vertical or horizontal grid look so minimalistic and clean. The offset would be easier for DIY. All of these 3 simple styles would be pretty timeless I think š canāt wait to see what you come up with!
It’s a tough choice! Thank you!
Iāve always been a sucker for herringbone but I do love the basket weave design!! šš½āØ
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!! x
I will also vote for the herringbone design, to put it simply is isn’t as boring as some of the others.
Herringbone for sure!!!
Love the herringbone, particularly the second pic, the one with the roof beams. However, unless you have a HUGE bathroom, I’d be the first to say that everything else in the bathroom has to be kept really simple ā¤
Thanks love!
I personally prefer a vertical offset or a herringbone composition. The patterns combined with a clean, simple base create texture without it being overpowering.
Thanks hun!
Herring bone definitely. But, basket weave was also stuck to my mind.
Tough choice hey?
I really really really like the herringbone, it adds a little bit of a tropical vibe to the bathroom š
I see that too! x
Offset or Herringbone are my favorite. I know that it can be more expensive in labor to do the herringbone, offset is more classic and for resale I think it would do well.
Thanks so much for the tip!
I love the herringbone!
Thanks my love!
vertical grid or herringbone!
Thanks love! x
Thank you!
I’m feeling the same too!
Thanks so much for the tip!
Oh that’s some great advice! Thank you!
Good to know! Thank you!
All great advice! Thanks so much!
Oh wow! I’m so happy to hear that! x
Good to know! Thank you so much! xx
Thank you so much! Glad you like it!
Good call, thank you for the tip!
Thanks so much!
Oh yes, it totally brings a timeless class to it!
Thank you!