Tile Flooring Ideas to Separate Different Tiles

Tiles of the Same Size

• If you have square tiles, you can lay them side-by-side in a brickwork style so the seam between two tiles lines up with the center of the tile underneath. Create a checkerboard pattern if you have two colors of tiles, or rotate the tiles by 90 degrees and make a diamond pattern. Instead of using square tiles, consider using rectangular tiles that are half the height of a square tile but have the same width. Using rectangular tiles, you can create a corridor pattern with a line of tiles lined up vertically followed by a row of tiles lined up horizontally. To make a basket weave pattern, line up two rectangular tiles vertically followed by two aligned horizontally. Continue this alignment so the tile sets keep alternating.

Two Sizes

• Separate tiles with those of a different size. For example, pair a large square tile with a smaller square tile that is a quarter of its size or pair rectangular tiles with square tiles. To create a steppingstone pattern, use a large square tile and five smaller squares that are a quarter of its size. Lay two of the smaller tiles on the right side of the square and two on the lower side of the tile. Lay the last small tile next to the lower right corner of the large tile, in the open space. You can create a lacework pattern by using a rectangular tile and a square tile that is the same size as half the rectangular tile. Place the rectangular tile next to the square tile and continue to alternate the two.

Three Sizes

• When using three sizes of tile to create a pattern, multiples of one tile size should equal the same size of the largest tile. For example, if you have one large square tile, two rectangular tiles or four smaller square tiles laid together should be the same size of the large square. To create a soldiered pattern, place a small square tile next to the left upper half of the large tile. Then, place a rectangular tile under the small square tile. Next to the portion of the rectangle that juts out past the large square, place another small square tile, followed by another rectangular tile. Continue laying two more sets of small square and rectangular tiles around the perimeter of the large square tile.

Borders

• Separate plain tiles with decorative borders using smaller tiles. Create an alternating border with rectangular and square tiles, laying them in an alternating fashion around the plainer tile work. To create a pinwheel border, line the perimeter of a small square tile with four rectangular tiles that are twice the square tile’s length. Place two rows of tiles in a pinwheel pattern.