Ideas for Tile Floor Marble Patterns

Grid/Staggered

• The grid pattern is just that -- a grid, with each tile lining up with the ones above, below and to either side of it. This pattern is equally effective with large grout lines, as with Saltillo tiles, as it is with the nearly invisible grout lines used with glossy marble tiles. The staggered pattern involves offsetting alternate rows by a predetermined amount, usually one-half to one-third the width of the tile. These patterns are easiest to install, with minimal tile cutting, and provide a neutral flooring pattern for rooms with visual interest elsewhere.

Diamond

• The diamond pattern turns square tiles on the diagonal, beginning each row and column with alternating whole and half tiles. This pattern works best with small to medium grout lines because large lines add an extra pattern to the floor and can look too busy. The diamond pattern accommodates both large and small tiles and can visually stretch the look of the floor and room. This pattern provides visual interest in rooms with otherwise sedate decor but can be a bit too much in rooms with riotous color and line.

Mix and Match

• Mixing and matching tile is a fun way to add a touch of custom design and works especially well in small spaces with somewhat casual, eclectic decor. Mix tile colors, materials, sizes and even shapes to create a pleasing design but expect and plan for medium grout lines. Unless the tiles are exactly the same except for color, you are unlikely to match them well enough for a consistently thin grout line. This pattern can provide an accent or border to a grid pattern or can cover the entire floor. But lay out the design before you lay down the thinset to avoid surprises.

Mosaic

• Mosaics provide an ambitious project for the truly confident but they can look fantastic if done well. The most basic mosaics use broken tiles in a random pattern to create an overall picture, or you can go the traditional route and hand-lay thousands of tiny square tiles to create a work of art reminiscent of Pompeii. Old-style mosaics look best in tumbled or unpolished marble tile, but brightly colored broken polished marble can make a fun, casual statement. Keep the grout lines as small as possible and experiment with adding non-tile materials such as broken mirror pieces, rounded pebbles and even coins as accent pieces.