Celebrate Rectangular Tile

By Becky Clarke, Houzz

Rectangular tiles are everywhere now and available in many colors and sizes. You can use them in several different layouts, including stack bond, where the tiles are placed on top of each other in columns to create a rectangular grid. These beautifully neat, contemporary designs can be used in so many ways, there’s bound to be something that inspires you.

MiCasa, original photo on Houzz

1. Make a feature wall. Large-format tiles on one wall make a wonderful, eye-catching feature. The tiles here create dramatic dark columns behind a mirror and draw the eye across this attractive part of the room.

The window wall is tiled with lighter tiles in the same layout to give a cohesive look. However, the matching grout allows this wall to fade into the background as a quiet contrast to the dark side. When creating this look, make sure the two different-colored tiles are the same size, or it will look untidy. Many companies produce the same tile in a variety of colors, so pick two from the same range for a pair that will definitely work together.

Origin - Bifolding Doors, Windows & Blinds, original photo on Houzz

2. Line up tiles on floors and walls. By using the same tiles on walls and floors, you can create a clean, calm space. The stack bond layout here means the flow of color and grout lines run along the floor, up a step, over a raised platform then perfectly up the wall behind the bath. This gives a lovely movement across the room.

The look is strong and confident, and the finish is balanced with an unusually shaped free-standing bath. By keeping hardware smooth, uncluttered and simple, the tiles are allowed to be the feature, without becoming overpowering.

Scheer & Co., original photo on Houzz

3. Mix it up. This just shows what you can do with a simple plain white tile. Stack bond tiles cover the bulk of this bath area, but some are laid vertically to add a quirky touch and make the space more unusual.

The effect is very easy to achieve, as long as you get the right tile. For this to work, check that three tiles stacked horizontally are the right width to fit with one tile laid vertically. If they don’t quite fit, you will end up having to adjust spacing, and the grout lines will not be a uniform width — this will look clumsy rather than sleek.

4. Tile from countertop to wall cabinet. Tiling the visible wall space between cabinets in a kitchen creates a completely practical surface. Tiles are easy to wipe down and won’t get stained by splashes as you cook spaghetti Bolognese.

These tiles echo the design of the handleless cabinet fronts, and since they are small, you can fit several in each column. This makes the space above the countertop look generous. It’s an effective way to create flow across a wall, as the tiles also form the cooker backsplash. The line is undisturbed and makes the most of a compact space.

5. Fit tiles in unusual areas. Tiling walls in rooms other than bathrooms or kitchens is becoming hot interior news, as it adds drama and texture in a way that’s impossible to achieve with paint or wallpaper. Living areas such as a dining room look amazing with tiles — the texture and color introduced here makes an eye-catching feature with floating shelves drawing a viewer’s attention even further.

This is a great way to zone an area in an open-plan room too, as it anchors a dining space. It would work equally well to cozy up a living area around a sofa.

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