Timeless Tile Design Ideas to Inspire You

Whether you're teaming up with an interior designer or taking the reins on your home makeover, every homeowner should ask themselves two key questions: What is the purpose of this space, and how do I want my family and guests to feel when they step inside?

The materials and styles you choose can transform a room's atmosphere, and whether you're aiming for a tranquil bathroom, a creative office space, or a bold kitchen, tile does just that. For instance, marble lends a fresh, modern vibe, while porcelain tiles that mimic natural wood offer warmth and coziness. Bold patterns on your floors or walls create intimate, inviting spaces, perfect for family gatherings or quiet nights in.

Tile should also be top of mind if you're looking for a durable, stylish solution. From high-traffic mudroom updates to bedroom refreshes, tile offers a timeless appeal that will never go out of style.

Aside from their versatile design aesthetics, tile and stone are incredibly durable and easy to clean, making them ideal for busy families. Porcelain tiles, in particular, are stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, and water-resistant, standing up to the messes of daily life.

Plus, they're safe for kids and pets, as they don't require harsh chemicals to keep them looking their best. With tile, you can let your family live freely, knowing your floors and walls will stay stunning for years.

So, as you plan your next home project, consider these timeless tile designs, which blend style, durability, and practicality and are perfect for any space in your home.

Geometric Floor Tiles

Heksa Black Porcelain by Emser Tile

To kick things off, consider geometric floor tiles. These are a versatile and stylish option for any space, known for their eye-catching patterns and shapes that bring a dynamic visual element to your floors. Geometric tiles come in various materials, most commonly porcelain and ceramic. Porcelain tiles are particularly popular due to their durability, low porosity, and moisture resistance, making them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. Ceramic tiles offer similar aesthetic appeal but with a slightly different texture and feel.

Here are a few examples of popular geometric tile patterns:

• Hexagonal Tiles: Hexagonal or "honeycomb" tiles can create a modern and eye-catching effect, mainly when used in varying shades or colours. They work well in large and small spaces, adding a unique geometric touch to your tile floors and walls.
• Diagonal Layout: Placing square tiles diagonally can make a room feel wider and more open. This simple tile pattern alteration to the traditional square layout adds dynamism and visual interest.

Colourful Backsplash Tiles

Mesmerist in Mystique Rectangle by Daltile

Accent walls and backsplashes are great ways to get creative with tiles. Because your backsplash is a relatively small space, you can splurge on accent tiles that will make your kitchens and bathrooms shine. Whether you love marble tile in a herringbone pattern or want to add texture with natural stone, a stunning backsplash can take a boring space and turn it into a show-stopper!

Subway tiles are the perfect example of timeless backsplash tile. They come in various colour palettes and create a clean and classic look. Usually available in 3x6-inch tiles, subway tiles are typically laid in an offset grid pattern, like bricks in a wall, but they can also be customized in vertical offset or herringbone patterns.

Patterned Floor Tiles

Memoire in Petal Black by Daltile

Patterned floor tiles feature specific designs, motifs, or repeating patterns on their surface. They are used to create a decorative floor covering that can add a unique visual appeal to a room. From an elegant scroll pattern like the one above to bold colours and floral patterns, patterned floor tiles can make a statement in your home and make your floor tile the focal point of the room. When choosing a flooring pattern, it's essential to consider the size of the room, the overall style of your home, and the maintenance requirements of the flooring material. Professional installation is often recommended for more complex patterns to ensure a high-quality tile floor.

Wood Look Tiles

Hollywood in Oak by Emser Tile

New technologies offer highly realistic wood floor tile designs, providing broader options for areas where real wood products cannot perform, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Wood-look tile flooring offers the same natural look as hardwood flooring but is more scratch-resistant and often easier to maintain than wood floors in an active living space.

Wood-look tile can be installed like classic hardwood planks or in herringbone, chevron, and basket weave patterns.

• Herringbone Pattern: This classic tile pattern is created by placing rectangular tiles at right angles, forming a zigzag pattern. It's often used with wood or wood-look tiles but can also be effective with stone or ceramic floor tiles. This tile pattern adds a sense of movement and can make a room appear larger.
• Chevron Pattern: Similar to herringbone, a chevron tile pattern creates a zigzag, but the ends of the tiles are cut at an angle to meet point-to-point, creating a seamless zigzag. This pattern gives a sophisticated and contemporary look to a tile floor.
• Basket Weave Pattern: This subtle pattern creates the illusion of a woven basket. It's achieved by laying rectangular tiles in a square formation, with each square orientated 90 degrees to the next. It's an excellent choice for a classic, timeless tile floor.
• Random or Mixed Plank Widths: Wood or wood-look tiles of varying widths can create a rustic and more natural look for your tile floors. This tile pattern is excellent for adding character to a room.

Mosaic Tiles

Vertuo Chevron Matte Mosaic in Stria Bravura by Daltile

Small, colourful mosaic tiles are a timeless choice for adding artistic flair and decorative elegance to any room. These tiles, available in a wide array of colours, shapes, and materials, can be used to create intricate patterns and custom designs that reflect your unique style. Whether you opt for a classic geometric pattern, a vibrant mosaic mural, or a subtle border accent, mosaic tiles offer endless possibilities for personalization. They are perfect for feature walls, backsplashes, and even flooring, where their intricate details can transform a simple surface into a stunning focal point. Additionally, mosaic tiles are crafted from glass, ceramic, stone, and even metal, each bringing its own texture and character to the design. Their versatility and enduring appeal make mosaic tiles a go-to option for anyone looking to infuse their space with creativity and timeless beauty.

Terrazzo Flooring

Terrazzo tiles are a classic choice for those looking to incorporate durability and visual appeal into their spaces. Originating as a composite material, terrazzo is made by embedding chips of marble, quartz, granite, or glass into a cement or epoxy binder, resulting in a distinctive speckled pattern that has become synonymous with luxury and timeless design. The beauty of terrazzo lies in its versatility; no two tiles are exactly alike, allowing you to create a truly unique and customized look for your floors or walls.

Available in a wide range of colours and finishes, terrazzo tiles can be tailored to suit any design aesthetic, from modern minimalism to retro chic. Their inherent durability makes them ideal for high-traffic areas, as they resist wear, stains, and moisture, ensuring your investment stands the test of time. Whether used as a statement floor in a grand entrance or as a subtle accent on a bathroom wall, terrazzo tiles effortlessly blend form and function, making them a timeless choice in tile design.

Natural Stone Tile

Marble Attache Lavish in Golden Reverie by Daltile

Natural stone floors are beautiful and durable. Their inherent qualities come naturally, and their beauty is truly one of a kind. Although your stone floor or wall may take slightly more maintenance than a porcelain or ceramic tile, it is a beautiful investment that will always stay in style and live on for years.

If you're looking for the versatility of natural stone without the high upkeep that it requires, think about opting for porcelain tiles. Porcelain can replicate the natural beauty of stone, such as travertine, offering the elegance of stone without the ongoing maintenance that natural stone demands.

A Few Other Things to Consider

One thing that makes tile so versatile is its ability to be installed in various ways. The same tile can be installed in a different pattern or grout colour to create an entirely new look.

Tile Size

Citizen Civilian Matte/Satin Porcelain by Emser Tile

1. Large Format Tiles: Whether you choose square tiles or rectangles, using larger tiles can make a space feel more expansive and open. These tile floors are particularly effective in modern, minimalist designs.
2. Border Tiles: Adding a border of different tiles can define a space or highlight a specific area. This can be done with contrasting colours, patterns, or tile types.
3. Accent Tiles: Using tiles with bold patterns or colours as accents within a more neutral floor design can add pops of visual interest.

Indoor to Outdoor Transition Tiles 

Brava Carbon Matte/Satin Porcelain by Emser Tile

Many homeowners enjoy spending time outdoors, and there's no reason you can't have beautiful flooring in your outdoor space. Porcelain and ceramic tile or stone flooring options work indoors and seamlessly transition to an outdoor space so that a continuous material can create a seamless look. 

Remember, when choosing new floor tiles, it can help to speak to tile experts to discuss which products are graded for outdoor use and understand cleaning recommendations. For example, a natural stone floor tile may change over time due to weather patterns, while an engineered stone floor tile or certain porcelain tiles will not.

Completing Your Look with Grout

Grout colour and size can significantly impact the overall appearance and design of your tile floor. The choice of grout colour and size plays a leading role in the overall design effect of tile flooring. It can dramatically change the look and feel of a space, highlight certain features of the tile floor, and contribute to the maintenance needs of the flooring. 

Shop for Tile at Carpet One

If you're seeking more tile inspiration and education, explore our blog for a wealth of ideas and read our guide for tips. Whether you're dreaming of a stunning tile backsplash or beautiful tile floors, our blog has the insights you need to spark your creativity. Ready to start your journey to a beautifully tiled home? Browse our flooring catalog to discover the perfect tile for your space, or visit your local Carpet One Floor & Home to see our selection in person and get expert advice.