Tile Laying Patterns Guide

When selecting tiles for a project, the tiling pattern you choose is just as important as the tile itself.

At Parkside, we carry tiles suited to every laying pattern, from the timeless appeal of a classic brick bond to the bold geometry of a Versailles layout.

Browse the patterns below to find the right fit for your space, your tile and your vision.

Or, for any help with selecting a tile or laying pattern for a commercial project, please get in touch

Arabesque (Lantern)

Arabesque tiles, sometimes referred to as lantern tiles, feature a pointed oval shape with curved sides that interlock to create an intricate, lattice-like surface. The format draws on Moorish and Mediterranean design traditions and brings a sense of craftsmanship and detail that is difficult to achieve with standard rectangular or square formats.

Arabesque tiles are most commonly used on walls, particularly in bathrooms, kitchen splashbacks and decorative alcoves. They suit maximalist, bohemian and globally influenced interior schemes and are frequently paired with complementary geometric patterns elsewhere in the space. The format is available in both plain colourways and decorative encaustic-effect finishes, giving considerable flexibility in how traditional or contemporary the finished result feels.

Basketweave

The basketweave pattern uses small rectangular tiles arranged in alternating horizontal and vertical pairs around a central square tile, mimicking the appearance of woven material. It is a classic pattern with strong associations with Victorian and Edwardian interiors, frequently seen in original period hallways and bathrooms across the UK.

The pattern is experiencing renewed interest as part of the broader trend for heritage and maximalist interior design. It works well in traditional settings and adds a layer of detail and craftsmanship to a space that simpler patterns cannot achieve. Basketweave is predominantly used on floors, particularly in smaller rooms where the intricacy of the pattern can be fully appreciated.

Brick Bond (Offset or Running Bond)

The brick bond pattern is one of the most widely used tile layouts in the UK, taking its name from the way bricks are laid in traditional construction. Each row of tiles is offset by half a tile length from the row above, creating a staggered joint that adds movement and visual interest to the surface.

This pattern suits a broad range of settings, from classic kitchen splashbacks and bathroom walls to floor applications in both residential and commercial spaces. It works especially well with rectangular tiles and metro-style formats, helping to emphasise the elongated shape of the tile.

A practical point to be aware of: tile manufacturers and industry bodies generally recommend limiting the offset to one third rather than the traditional half when working with larger format tiles. This reduces the risk of lippage, where the edges of adjacent tiles sit at slightly different heights, which becomes more pronounced over longer tile lengths.

Chevron

Chevron is closely related to herringbone but uses tiles that are cut at an angle at each end, so the points of adjacent tiles meet precisely to form a continuous V shape rather than a staggered join. The result is a cleaner, more geometric version of the herringbone look.

Because chevron tiles require angled cuts along their lengths, they are typically manufactured specifically for this pattern rather than being cut from standard rectangular tiles. This makes the tile selection process slightly different, as you will need to source tiles designed for chevron laying rather than adapting a standard format.

Chevron works well in both floor and wall applications and suits contemporary, boutique and high-end residential settings. As with herringbone, installation requires skill and care and the pattern is generally better suited to experienced tilers.

Diagonal (Diamond) Pattern

Laying square tiles at a 45-degree angle to the walls creates a diagonal or diamond pattern that transforms the feel of a room without requiring any specialist tile format. The rotated orientation draws the eye across the space rather than along its length or width, which can make a narrow or awkward room feel broader and more balanced.

The diagonal pattern is a particularly useful tool in smaller rooms and hallways where a standard straight lay might emphasise the room's proportions in an unflattering way. It does increase the number of cuts required along the perimeter of the room, so additional tile allowance should be factored into the specification.

Double Herringbone

A variation on standard herringbone where two tiles are laid side by side at each angle rather than one, creating a bolder and more substantial version of the classic pattern. Suits wider plank formats and larger floor areas where a single tile herringbone might feel too fine in scale relative to the room.

Fish Scale (distinct from Ogee)

While often used interchangeably with ogee, true fish scale tiles have a more symmetrical semicircular top edge rather than the S-curve of an ogee, creating a slightly different finished pattern. The effect is cleaner and more uniform than ogee and suits both contemporary and coastal-inspired interior schemes.

Herringbone

Herringbone is one of the most distinctive and enduringly popular tile laying patterns, characterised by rectangular tiles set at 90-degree angles to one another to create a repeating V-shaped or arrow-like motif. The result is a dynamic, textured surface that adds considerable visual depth to a room.

Originally associated with traditional and period interiors, herringbone has seen a significant resurgence in contemporary design in recent years and is now widely used across kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and living spaces. It works particularly well with metro tiles, wood-effect planks and narrow brick-format tiles.

The pattern does require more careful planning and a higher degree of precision during installation. There will also be more cuts involved than with a straight or brick bond layout, which can increase both material wastage and fitting time. Budgeting for around ten to fifteen percent additional tiles is advisable when specifying a herringbone layout.

Hexagon

Hexagon tiles have become one of the most recognisable tile formats in contemporary interior design and the pattern they create is determined by the tile shape itself rather than the laying method. Six-sided tiles interlock naturally to form a honeycomb surface that adds geometric interest and a strong design statement to both walls and floors.

Hexagon tiles are available in a wide range of sizes, from small mosaic-scale formats that work well in shower enclosures and splashbacks to larger floor hexagons that make an impact in hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. The pattern suits both traditional and modern interiors depending on the finish and colourway chosen. Encaustic-effect hexagons with patterned surfaces sit comfortably in heritage and maximalist schemes, while plain porcelain hexagons in neutral tones work well in contemporary and Scandi-influenced spaces.

Grout colour plays a particularly important role with hexagon tiles. A contrasting grout emphasises the geometric pattern and makes the honeycomb effect a deliberate feature, while a tone-on-tone approach creates a subtler, more textural result.

Hopscotch

A combination of one large square tile surrounded by smaller square tiles of a contrasting colour or finish, creating a repeating block pattern. Associated with traditional and Victorian-influenced interiors, hopscotch works well in hallways and kitchens where a degree of pattern and visual interest is part of the design brief.

Penny Round

Penny round tiles are small circular mosaic tiles, typically mounted on mesh backing sheets, that create a uniform pattern of touching circles across the tiled surface. The format takes its name from the resemblance to coins laid flat, and the finished effect has strong associations with vintage, retro and early twentieth century commercial interiors.

Penny rounds are most commonly used in bathrooms, shower enclosures and as floor insets or border details. Their small scale makes them well suited to curved surfaces and awkward areas where larger format tiles would be difficult to cut and fit neatly. The high grout-to-tile ratio that results from the circular format means grout colour selection is especially important, as it becomes a dominant visual element of the finished surface.

Stacked Horizontal

Clean lines and a contemporary feel make the stacked horizontal one of the most popular laying patterns for modern interiors. Tiles are laid in a simple grid, with each row sitting directly above the last and vertical joints running straight through from top to bottom. The result is a structured, ordered look that lets the tile itself take centre stage.

As stacked horizonal tile patterns are straightforward to set out and cut, it also tends to reduce waste and keep installation time down, which is worth bearing in mind if you are working to a budget.

Stacked Vertical (Column Bond)

The same principle as a standard brick bond but rotated 90 degrees, so the offset runs vertically rather than horizontally. Used predominantly on walls to add height to a space and suits narrow rectangular and metro formats particularly well. A column bond layout is a straightforward way to make a room with low ceilings feel taller without changing the tile itself.

Straight Lay (Grid Pattern)

The straight lay, sometimes called a grid or stacked pattern, is the most straightforward approach to tile installation. Tiles are laid in uniform rows with all joints running in the same direction, both horizontally and vertically, creating a clean grid across the surface.

This pattern works well in contemporary and minimalist interiors where simplicity is part of the design intent. It is also a practical choice for large format tiles, as it keeps the layout symmetrical and avoids the need for complex cuts. One consideration worth noting is that the continuous grout lines can draw attention to any unevenness in the substrate, so surface preparation is particularly important when using this pattern.

Zellige

Zellige tiles originate from the Moroccan craft tradition and are hand-cut from clay that has been glazed with a characteristically uneven, reflective surface. Rather than forming a distinct laying pattern, zellige tiles are typically laid in a straight or brick bond layout, with the visual interest coming entirely from the variation in the tile surface itself. Each tile differs slightly in colour, reflectivity and surface texture, creating a living, shimmering effect that machine-made tiles cannot replicate.

Zellige has moved firmly into the mainstream of UK interior design over the past several years and is now widely used in residential kitchens and bathrooms as well as in hospitality and boutique retail settings. The format suits both traditional and contemporary schemes depending on the colourway and pairs well with natural materials such as wood, rattan and stone.

Parkside - Bring Your Project To Life With Our Tile Services

Parkside supplies tiles to architects and designers for commercial projects across many different industries, from luxury retail to transport hubs.

We hope that our tile laying pattern guide has given you ideas for your next architectural or design project. Even more inspiration awaits over on our projects page, where you can view our tiles installed right across the UK.

On our website, you can also view our vast range of tiles and order free samples of your chosen range.

As tile experts, we also offer a range of technical services, such as pendulum testing to determine the slip resistance of your tiles.

If we can be of any further assistance, please get in touch or give us a call on 0116 276 2532.