The Secret to OOAK Design is this Unexpected Tile Trend

“When I remodel my home, I want a total cookie cutter kitchen,” said no one ever. With so much fun and amazing tile on the market these days, it’s easier than ever to create dynamic and pattern-packed spaces. And where you once had little control over the design, the trend now is toward customization — playing with the layout to create unique designs. There are limitless ways to go, and companies now offer tile that’s configurable in multiple ways. Overwhelmed by the endless possibilities? Don’t be. Here are ideas to help inspire a design that’s all you.

Above, Clé Tile’s Smink pattern, here used to create a circular pattern on a kitchen counter. It’s unique and unexpected.

Above, Sophie Burke Design used different tile in bands across this bathroom floor in a West Vancouver residence. The progression across the floor makes things interesting, but the simple geometry and muted palette keeps everything cohesive.

In less linear fashion, this bathroom seen on Country Living twists and turns its tiles to get a unique pattern. There about three different types of tile used here but, once again, the simple color palette reins it all in.

Steve Baldini does some really interesting things with the floor tile in his kitchens. Above, one patterned tile forms a border around the main tile pattern in the middle.

And here he used both plain and patterned tile in rectangular sections. The white gives the eye a rest…and almost looks like a walkway.

If you’re unsure how to mix patterns, take a cue from Academy Tiles, who shows a couple of different options for these jade green hexagonal tiles, from Basazza’s Hayon Collection.

If ye be brave enough, Mutina’s aptly named Puzzle collection, designed by Barber & Osgerby, lets you futz and fiddle until you find the perfect design for your space.

The Hôtel Molitor Paris had a lot of real estate to work with when designing their spa. They went all in with large swathes of tile, laid both vertically (on the walls) and at an angle on the floor. It’s a masterstroke of pattern mixing, but maybe slightly harder to pull off at home.

When in doubt, there’s always the patchwork approach above, where almost no two tiles are alike. These bold and vibrant handmade beauties are from Arttiles, and are a pleasant eyeful. The nice thing here is that there’s really no wrong answer.

Obsessed with tile? So are we. Find many more tile stories here.