Designing a Tile Layout

Design Tile Patterns on Graph Paper

One of the easiest methods for laying out a tile design is to use graph paper. Begin by measuring the length and width of the area in question. For small areas, simply give each square on the paper a designation, such as 2, 4 or 6” a piece. For very large areas, divide the number of squares in one direction on the graph paper into a number of inches of the layout in the same direction. This number will designate how many inches each square on the graph paper will represent.

Once the squares have a numerical measure assigned, begin by drawing the length and width of the space. Count of the number of squares on the graph paper that equal the size of the tile being used and begin playing with the layout. This is especially helpful for wall borders, chairrail heights and backsplash tile designs. Play with the height of the border, whether it will have tiles above and below it, a chairrail or molding on either end, and whether the tiles above and below are in the same pattern. Lay tiles below a border straight and above the border on an angle.

Designing a tile pattern can be done this way; sketching the tile sizes to scale, in the scaled space. Drawing out the design this way can help get a feel for the whole space.

Mark the Design with Blue Tape or Poster Board

For those homeowners who need more visual help, try marking the area to be tiled itself. For help laying a border or a chairrail height, place blue painter’s tape at various heights on the wall, or various increments in from the walls on the floor.
If trying to determine how the tiles should lay, try drawing them to scale on a piece of poster board, and either placing the whole board in place, or cutting the pieces out and playing around with the layout. Try laying the loose pieces at different angles and positions and stepping away from the space to get a feel for how it will look. Using poster board in a color approximate to the one chosen for the tile, will help increase this effect.

 

Ask for Loose Pieces

If the tile showroom has a large enough sample room, ask to borrow several pieces of the tile being considered, along with chair rails and moldings. Then use the actual tiles to lay out the pattern or the design in the space and see how it looks. If loose pieces are not available, find out what the return policy is, and purchase a box of tile. Many showrooms will allow for the return of full boxes of tile within 30 days. Some may charge a restocking fee for this service, so be sure to ask before going this route, especially if unsure if this is indeed the tile to be used.

This method works well if playing with different sizes of tile to see how a pattern will look, or if trying different layouts of the same tile. Try placing square tiles on the diagonal in the space, or stacking subway tiles on top of one another, rather than with a broken joint. Take the various sized pieces of a pattern and lay them in the space to see how the pattern will look.

Be sure to try to look at a placement for several days and be confident that it’s the correct one before laying the tiles. Leave blue tape or poster board up for several days to a week, or leave the loose tiles in an area that gets lots of changing light to see how they will look through the course of a day. It’s always better to wait a little longer and be sure of a layout, than to risk having it put in only to find out it’s not the layout imagined. Get creative with the tiles and the space, and start designing a new tile project today.

source: interior decorating 101

How to Tile a Small Area

Tiling a small floor area uses pretty much the same process as tiling a big floor, except it's a little easier. Instead of having to stretch a chalk snapline across the room and adjust the lines to be exactly perpendicular with one another, you can just use a level and square to get the layout right. Don't assume that just because it's a small space that you need to use small tiles. In fact, using large tiles in a small space lends a dramatic look to the project.             

Instructions

1. Measure the length of one wall, at the floor to be tiled, and put a mark in the middle of it. Do the same for the opposite wall. Lay your level across the floor between the two marks, and draw a straight line, cutting the area into two equal halves.

     2.  Measure for the middle of the line. Lay your square at the middle, and make a perpendicular

         line off the first line. Extend the second line to the two walls, using your square, so the area

         is  divided into four equal squares that meet in the middle.

     3.  Use your notched trowel to spread thinset mortar over the middle of the intersection of the two

         lines, covering enough to lay four tiles in the four corners where the two lines meet. Press the 

         four tiles into place, putting floor spacers between them.

     4.  Spread more mortar in all directions from the middle, building outward with the tiles, putting

          spacers between all of them. Cut the tiles at the edges of the space with your tile cutter to fit

          against the walls.

    5.  Let the tiles set overnight. Pull out the spacers.

    6. Grout the area by applying grout to the whole surface with a grout float, pressing it into the    

       spaces between the lines and squeezing it off the tile face. Use a damp sponge to wipe away the

       excess group.

Source:  Ehow

How to Design Wall Tile

Wall tiles are a versatile way to redecorate in a variety of styles. You can design a look with wall tiles that reflects the style of your home or your personal style. There are so many different styles and colors of ceramic, natural stone, artificial stone and custom-made wall tiles that the options to design wall tile are virtually unlimited.             

1) Create a Victorian look by using traditional 1-inch hexagonal white tiles to create a turn of the century kitchen or bath. Another option for a Victorian look is to use so-called "subway tiles." These tiles are shaped similarly to bricks, but the proportions are smaller. Install them in the traditional brick layers' pattern.

2) Create a southwestern look with terra cotta-colored tiles interspersed with decorative tiles or small border tiles featuring geometric designs. Installing regular ceramic wall tiles of any color with an occasional decorative tile painted with a southwestern theme also will give a southwestern feel to the design.

3) Create a classic old-world design with natural stone, such as marble or granite. You can combine them with each other or with ceramic tiles to achieve the look of elegance associated with old-world design styles. Install large tiles of natural stone on the wall or create a patchwork look with smaller tiles. The look of marble and granite can be achieved using manufactured stone, such as that which is used on kitchen counter tops. Marble and granite come in a wide array of colors and sizes to satisfy all decorating styles.

4) Install adhesive-backed ceramic tiles for design only, not as a waterproof wall covering. These adhesive-backed tiles are available in a wide range of colors, styles and types. They are easy to install, simply by peeling off the backing paper and sticking the tile to the wall. You can create an instant tile backing for a stove or sink with them.

5) Work with a ceramic artist to custom-design your own tiles. This is an affordable option if you want a few decorative tiles to use as accents installed with stock ceramic or stone tiles. Depending on the artist, you can design tiles which tell a story or evoke the feeling of a particular location or event. They can range in size from 1 square inch up to 2 square feet and still fit in the artist's regular firing kiln.

source: ehow