Product & Design Trends min read

Let’s Talk Tile Patterns: For Floors, Walls, and Everything in Between

We all know tile is one of the hardest-working surfaces in a space—but it’s also one of the most expressive. Whether you’re designing with ceramic wall tile, porcelain floor tile or glass mosaics, the layout you choose can completely shift how a room feels. Tile patterns give you a chance to dial up the personality and make the space feel intentional. Here are a few tile pattern ideas to get your creativity flowing.

May 31, 2025

Classic Tile Patterns, Fresh Perspective

Horizontal brick (aka running bond):

Horizontal tile patterns are still a go-to for a reason. This classic tile pattern is clean, timeless, and works well in almost any setting. On walls, it gives you that recognizable subway tile look. On floors, it creates structure and visual flow without feeling too formal.

Swatches™ ceramic wall tile in a horizontal brick pattern

Staggered Brick (aka offset)

Staggered brick is similar to horizontal brick, except that the tiles overlap the tile above by at least one-quarter instead of half, creating a softer, more natural look.

Glass Blox™ glass tiles in a staggered brick pattern

Offset Plank: The Go-To for Wood-Look

An offset plank pattern is a natural fit for wood-look porcelain tile, like our Rural Retreat™ and Nest™. A 25% to 35% offset creates a realistic hardwood appearance while minimizing lippage. (Lippage refers to the difference in elevation between two adjacent tiles that are installed on the floor or wall. When tiles are longer than 15 inches, there is a higher possibility that they are not completely flat. Crossville® recommends an offset of no greater than 33% for tiles 15 inches or more.)

Rural Retreat wood-look porcelain tile installed at a 25% offset.

Nest wood-look porcelain tile installed at a 33% offset on the floor and a horizontal stack pattern on the wall.

Horizontal Stack

One of the easiest subway tile patterns to install is the stacked bond pattern (also called straight set or straight lay). Same-size tiles are aligned in evenly stacked rows to create a minimalist pattern that gives spaces an orderly look and contemporary edge.

Color Perspectives™ wall tile in a vertical stack pattern

Vertical Stack and Vertical Brick

Want height? Go vertical. These tile layouts stretch the eye upward and work beautifully with ceramic or porcelain tile in modern bathrooms, kitchens, or entryways.

Color Perspectives™ wall tile in a vertical stack pattern.

Color by Numbers porcelain wall tile in a vertical brick (also called vertical running bond) pattern.

Diagonal Staggered

Not your typical layout—and that’s the point. This angular pattern adds energy and movement to both floors and accent walls. Perfect if you’re after something less expected.

Retro Active 2.0™ porcelain tile in a diagonal staggered pattern.

Patterns with Shapes

Cursive™ and Snippet™ Ceramic Wall Tile Collections

Feeling creative? These customizable wall tile collections are all about mixing shapes, sizes, and trending colors. Whether it’s Cursive’s circles and half-moons or Snippet’s soft geometrics, both offer pattern visualizers that help you explore layouts before installation. You can play with combinations to create a tile pattern that’s 100% your own.

Explore the Cursive wall tile collection.

Discover the Snippet wall tile collection.

Parquet Patterns

Also known as a crosshatch pattern or finger blocks pattern, a parquet pattern is a multi-directional woven pattern, meaning the tiles run in both directions equally.

Snippet wall tile in a parquet or crosshatch pattern.

Nest wood-look porcelain wall tile in a parquet pattern.

Double the Style with Two-Tile Patterns

Combining just two tile patterns can unlock a world of creative potential. Whether you’re pairing contrasting shapes, sizes, or finishes, two-tile patterns offer a versatile and visually striking way to personalize any space. From subtle pairings that add depth to bold layouts that demand attention, these dynamic duos create truly one-of-a-kind installations.

Here, the Snippet wall tile is installed in a horizontal brick layout, with each piece featuring a directional surface graphic in a stacked arrangement. The result? A layered look that’s both structured and visually unexpected. The possibilities are endless when combining two tile patterns!

Color Patterns: Add Personality to Classic Layouts

Sometimes, it’s not the tile shape that transforms a space—it’s the color. By using multiple hues in a familiar layout like staggered brick, you can turn a timeless pattern into something totally fresh and unexpected. Whether you’re working with bold contrasts or soft tonal shifts, color-driven patterns provide a smart and stylish way to infuse personality into any design.

Retro Active 2.0 porcelain tile in a staggered brick layout and a mix of soft and saturated hues creates a modern, pixel-like color pattern.

Floor Tile Patterns That Make an Impact

Grid or Diamond Grid Layouts

Minimalist and modern, straightforward grid and diamond grid floor tile patterns work especially well with large-format porcelain floor tiles. Grid layouts are great for letting texture or color shine.

Trajectory™ porcelain tile in grid layout.

Retro Active 2.0 porcelain tile in diamond grid pattern for a checkerboard effect.

Pinwheel (or hopscotch):

A playful layout using a smaller square tile within a larger one. It’s a smart way to introduce rhythm and break up solid spaces, particularly in powder rooms or laundry areas.

Shapes, Geometry & Going Off Script

Herringbone

This classic pattern works across the board—from ceramic walls and backsplashes to long porcelain hallway floors. It adds movement without being too busy.

Color Perspectives wall tile in a herringbone pattern.

Rural Retreat wood-look porcelain floor tile in a herringbone pattern.

Chevron

Bold and directional, chevron tile patterns create a sense of motion and sophistication. Use chevrons in long corridors or entryways for maximum impact. The chevron pattern is also ideal for creating walls and backsplashes that offer a dynamic, visually engaging look, subtly influencing the way a space feels.

Not sure how herringbone and chevron tile patterns differ? This side-by-side sketch shows the distinction: herringbone tiles meet at a staggered angle, while chevron tiles are cut to form perfect points. Both create directional flow, but with unique visual effects.

Basketweave

Basketweave tile patterns offer a vintage-inspired look that brings texture and charm. Often used with smaller mosaic tile formats, basketweave patterns are ideal for kitchen backsplashes and bathroom shower floors (the multiple grout lines in the basketweave design contribute to better traction.

Triangles and Multi-Directional Graphic Patterns

Shades 2.0™ Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile Collection

When our beloved Shades™ collection reemerged as Shades 2.0™ a couple of years ago, the 13 new colors were notable, a big story for this collection focused on the offering of a triangle shape and multi-directional, graphic-patterned accent tiles; both are absolute stand-out features.

Let’s Talk Triangles

With Shades’s 12” right triangle, designers can create stunning, geometric patterns, and installers won’t have the headache of cutting tile to achieve the desired looks. Imagine installing two triangle tiles together in contrasting or complementary colors; the configuration forms a 12” square yet offers an angular, visually interesting pattern. Use the triangles to form arrow-like patterns, chevrons, and more.

Shades Triangles

Play with Patterns

The multi-directional, graphic-patterned accent tile options of Shades 2.0 are adventurous, bold design elements that evoke a nearly tribal feel and are far from ordinary. Designers may choose to install the surface visuals’ patterns and soft striations in the same direction for a clean, continuous look or alternate directions to create a more varied, textural appearance.

Shades patterns

Visualization Tools to Support Your Designs

Not sure where to start? Crossville’s Cursive Pattern Visualizer and Snippet Pattern Builder let you test ideas and explore color, shape, and layout combinations in real time. They’re the perfect tools for designing tiled wall features that feel custom and cohesive.

Want more pattern inspiration?

Browse our Floor Patterns guide and Mosaic Patterns guide for layout ideas and installer-friendly diagrams.

Ready to Find Your Pattern?

Whether you’re designing a statement floor, a feature wall, or both, the right tile pattern brings your vision to life. And the best part? You don’t have to imagine it—you can experience it for yourself.

Order a free tile sample through Sample Express to see how your favorite layout looks and feels in person. From timeless classics to creative combinations, your perfect pattern is just a few tiles away. Ordering a tile sample is as simple as clicking a button — and samples are always free.