a journey through tile shapes, names, and patterns

exploring classic tile shapes

spend time anywhere in europe or the middle east, and you’re likely to see certain tile shapes over and over again. namely: squares, rectangles, small rounds, and hexagons. octagons are another common shape, paired with small diamonds, or bouchons.

square tiles have most famously been used to create checkerboard patterns, such as those found in castillo de chapultepec in mexico city. (it’s flush with sprawling marble floors of black, white, and pink.) look closely at the many intricate mosaics in ancient buildings across rome, and you’ll find that those, too, are made up of square tiles — albeit thousands of tiny ones.

rectangular tiles offer similar versatility, gracing subway station walls in iconic running bond layouts and parisian floors in eye-catching herringbone patterns. meanwhile, hexagonal tiles create a honeycomb effect, and octagonal tiles achieve a look that’s both elegant and traditional.

unique tile shapes and trends

classic tile shapes are, well, classic for a reason. but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a little adventurous. (in fact, we encourage it.)

stars and crosses are another common, if less expected, combination that you’ll find in both terracotta and cement. and if combining different shapes is your thing: you might be into timeless circle and losange options as well.

there are plenty of unique tile shapes that stand out on their own, too. take diamonds, ovals, and scallops. or the more intricate lantern. and the most unexpected: tile shapes that emerge when a third-generation terracotta tile maker taps a leading architect and designer to create something entirely new. (read: fornace brioni + cristina celestino.)

iconic tile names and origins

beyond shapes, you can probably already think of a few different tiles made iconic by their names. subway, zellige, encaustic cement, and penny tiles are just a few of them.

subway tile

originating from the early 20th century new york city subway system, these rectangular tiles are known for their clean, simple lines and glossy finish. they have become a classic choice for kitchens and bathrooms, whether glazed a classic white or a more moody color.

zellige tile

handmade from clay and characterized by its colorful glazes, zellige tile has been used for centuries in moroccan architecture, adorning walls, fountains, and floors. the word “zellige” is derived from the arabic word “zalaja” meaning “to slide.” this is a reference to the tile’s signature smooth, glazed surface.

encaustic cement tile

first popularized in victorian-era england, encaustic cement tiles are made using a process that involves inlaying multiple pigments into the tile to create patterns. this process perfected by artisans in catalonia, spain was similar to the encaustic process for clay tile pioneered by herbert minton in the 1830s, hence the name.

penny rounds

named for their small, round shape resembling coins, penny tiles or rounds gained popularity in the early 20th century. they are often used in bathrooms to lend a classic yet timeless aesthetic.

popular tile patterns

we could write a lengthy article about popular tiles patterns — in fact, we already have. let’s explore some of the most timeless layouts out there.

grid

we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the simplest pattern of all: the grid. with its simplicity comes the opportunity to experiment with color and pattern (unless you decide that less really is more here).

stacked

swap the square tiles in a grid for rectangular tiles, and you have a stacked layout. the beauty of this pattern is that you can create a different effect depending on the size of rectangular tile you go for — and you can go horizontal or vertical.

running bond

also known as an offset or staggered layout, running bond is the classic brick pattern most often used for subway tiles. in this layout, tiles are laid with the end of each tile in the middle of the tile above and below it.

herringbone

a herringbone pattern is made up of rectangular tiles laid at 45 degrees, with the tiles meeting at straight edges to form a zigzag pattern. the angle of the herringbone is always 90 degrees, as straight edges are placed against one other.

chevron

not to be confused with herringbone, a chevron pattern uses tiles whose edges are cut to meet flush with the next pattern. the visual effect is similar, but you’ll get long, unbroken grout lines.

exploring creative possibilities

with so many factors at play in the world of tile — size, shape, color, layout — this is your opportunity to let your creativity run wild.

mixing and matching

whatever your style, mixing and matching tile is an absolute yes. this could mean playing with bundles of tiles that work seamlessly together, or seeing how a checkerboard pattern fits into your space. it could also mean pairing materials, with luxe stone on the wall and bright cement floor tile down below.

balancing scale and proportion

don’t forget that playing with scale is another option at your disposal. we’ve seen countless bathrooms pair tiny mosaic tiles with large field tiles of marble or limestone, and with beautiful results.

our only “rule” here is this: it’s your home and your tile — do what you want.