Types of Tile Shapes: Guide to Patterns, Uses, and Selection

Tiles Come In A Wide Range Of Shapes That Dramatically Influence Visual Style, Functionality, And Installation Complexity. This Guide Explains Common And Specialty Types Of Tile Shapes, Their Best Uses, Design Effects, And Practical Considerations To Help Select The Right Tile For Floors, Walls, Backsplashes, And Outdoor Applications.

Tile Shape	Typical Use	Design Effect
Square	Floors, Walls	Classic, Symmetrical
Rectangle (Plank/Subway)	Floors, Backsplashes	Elongates Space, Modern
Hexagon	Floors, Showers	Geometric, Visual Interest
Penny Round	Bathrooms, Accents	Textured, Retro
Herringbone/Chevron	Feature Floors, Walls	Dynamic Movement

Square Tiles: The Foundational Shape

Square Tiles Represent One Of The Most Versatile Types Of Tile Shapes, Available In Sizes From 1 Inch Mosaics To 24 Inch Slabs. They Offer Predictable Layouts And Simple Grouting Patterns, Making Them Ideal For Both DIY Projects And Professional Installations.

Square Tiles Work Well On Floors And Walls, And They Pair Easily With Borders Or Accent Strips. They Provide A Strong Grid That Can Support Complex Patterns When Combined With Differently Sized Or Colored Tiles.

Rectangle And Plank Tiles: Subway, Wood-Look, And Elongated Styles

Rectangular Tiles Include Subways And Plank Formats That Mimic Hardwood Boards. These Types Of Tile Shapes Can Be Laid Straight, Staggered, Or In Angled Patterns To Change Perception Of Space.

Long Plank Tiles Are Particularly Useful On Narrow Rooms Because They Lengthen Visual Flow. Subway Tiles Remain A Timeless Choice For Backsplashes And Showers With Classic Or Contemporary Looks.

Hexagon Tiles: Modern Geometry

Hexagon Tiles Offer A Bold Geometric Language That Can Be Scaled From Tiny Mosaics To Large Field Tiles. They Create A Honeycomb Pattern That Adds Texture Without Overwhelming A Space.

Hexagons Work Well On Floors, Feature Walls, And As Shower Bases. Larger Hexagons Create A Cleaner, More Minimal Aesthetic, While Smaller Hexes Provide Retro Or Intricate Visual Interest.

Round And Penny Tiles: Curves And Texture

Penny Round Tiles And Larger Circular Variations Bring Soft Curves Into A Hard-Surfaced Environment. These Types Of Tile Shapes Excel For Shower Floors, Accent Walls, And Backsplashes Where Slip Resistance And Grip Are Important.

Because Round Tiles Require More Grout Lines, They Produce A Textured Surface That Can Be Both Decorative And Functional, Especially In Wet Areas.

Herringbone And Chevron: Directional Movement

Herringbone And Chevron Are Patterned Layouts Rather Than Single Shapes, But they rely on rectangular or plank tiles to produce distinct directional effects. These patterns create Dynamic Movement And Add A High-End Custom Look To Floors And Walls.

Herringbone Often Uses Staggered Rectangles For A Zigzag Effect, While Chevron Has Cut Ends That Form Continuous V-Shapes. Both Patterns Increase Installation Complexity And Waste.

Diamond, Rhombus, And Parquet-Like Shapes

Diamond And Rhombus Tiles Offer Angular Visual Interest That Breaks From Orthogonal Grids. These Types Of Tile Shapes Are Popular For Feature Floors, Entryways, And Accent Inlays.

When Combined With Square Or Rectangular Tiles, Diamonds Can Create Illusions Of Movement Or Add A Distinctive Geometric Motif To Traditional Spaces.

Fish Scale And Scallop Tiles: Organic Curves

Fish Scale (Or Scallop) Tiles Add An Organic, Water-Inspired Texture To Walls And Backsplashes. Their Repeating Curved Edges Create A Soft, Layered Look That Works Well In Bathrooms And Coastal Interiors.

These Shapes Often Appear In Ceramic Or Porcelain And Can Be Glazed In A Variety Of Finishes To Enhance Color Depth And Light Reflection.

Octagon And Dot Patterns: Classic Mixes

Octagon Tiles Paired With Small Square “Dot” Insets Create A Timeless Mosaic Pattern Frequently Seen In Historic Homes. This Combination Is A Good Example Of How Different Tile Shapes Work Together To Produce Classic Designs.

Octagon-and-dot Floors Provide Durable, Slip-Resistant Surfaces Suitable For Kitchens, Bathrooms, And Mudrooms While Maintaining Elegant Visual Interest.

Mosaic Tiles: Mixed Shapes And Small-Scale Detail

Mosaic Sheets Combine Many Types Of Tile Shapes—including squares, hexes, and penny rounds—mounted to mesh backing for Easier Installation. Mosaics Allow Complex Patterns And Intricate Colorwork In Small Areas.

Mosaic Sheets Simplify Layout And Cutting, Making Detailed Patterns Feasible For DIYers And Professionals Alike, Especially On Curved Or Irregular Surfaces.

Elongated And Plank-Like Shapes For Large-Format Looks

Elongated Tiles Mimic The Look Of Wood Planks And Are Available In Ceramic, Porcelain, And Natural Stone. These Types Of Tile Shapes Are Engineered To Provide Seamless Transitions Between Rooms And Modern, Minimal Grout Lines.

Large-Format Planks Reduce Visible Grout, Create Flow In Open Plans, And Can Be Laid In Straight, Staggered, Or Patterned Layouts To Enhance Visual Cohesion.

Specialty And Custom Shapes: Tessellations And Designer Cuts

Manufacturers And Fabricators Produce Specialty Shapes Like Arabesque, Clover, Or Custom Tessellations That Offer Unique Character. These shapes often require professional installation and careful planning.

Custom Shapes Allow For Brand Signature Looks In Commercial Spaces Or High-End Residential Projects; however, they increase cost and installation time. Designers Use These Shapes To Create Bespoke Patterns.

Material Considerations For Different Shapes

Tile Shape Choices Should Be Aligned With Material: Porcelain And Ceramic Handle Complex Shapes And High-Volume Production Well, While Natural Stone May Be Limited In Intricate Profiles Due To Fragility And Cost.

Glazed Surfaces Reflect Light Differently Across Shapes; matte or textured finishes work better for slip resistance on complex-shaped floor patterns.

Installation Tips And Layout Considerations

Complex Shapes And Patterns Require Extra Planning For Layout, Edge Cuts, And Grout Considerations. Always Dry-Lay Or Use Full-Size Templates To Verify Pattern Fit And Minimize Waste Before Setting Tile With Thinset Or Mortar.

Consider Movement Joints, Substrate Flatness, And Tile Orientation Relative To Entryways And Natural Sightlines To Ensure The Pattern Reads Correctly In The Finished Space.

Grout Lines, Spacing, And Visual Impact

Grout Width And Color Can Alter How Tile Shape Reads: Narrow, Matching Grout Minimizes Pattern Lines, While Contrasting Grout Emphasizes Geometry. For Small Or Highly Detailed Shapes, Use Smaller Grout Lines To Preserve Pattern Integrity.

Uniform Spacing Is Critical With Geometric Shapes Like Hexagons Or Fish Scales To Prevent Visual Distortion Across A Field.

Maintenance And Durability By Shape

Tiles With Many Small Pieces Or Tight Grout Patterns (Like Pennies And Mosaics) Require More Grout Maintenance And Cleaning. Larger Shapes Tend To Be Easier To Clean And Maintain Over Time.

Slip Resistance Also Varies By Shape And Surface Texture; small-format tiles often offer better traction because of increased grout area, making them suitable for wet environments.

Cost Factors Associated With Shape Selection

Tile Cost Depends On Material, Size, And Complexity Of Shape. Specialty Shapes And Custom Cuts Raise Manufacturing And Installation Costs. Factor In Wastage For Diagonal Or Angled Patterns, Which Can Add 10–25% More Material Needs.

Labor Costs Increase For Patterns Requiring More Cutting Or Time-Consuming Layouts, Such As Herringbone, Chevron, And Complex Tessellations.

Design Strategies For Small Versus Large Spaces

In Small Rooms, Smaller Tiles And Detailed Shapes Can Create Texture Without Overwhelming Proportions, But Too Many Lines May Make A Space Feel Busy. Conversely, large-format tiles or elongated planks can visually expand a small room by reducing grout interruptions.

For Large Open Areas, Pattern Repetition Using Geometric Shapes Like Hexagons Or Large Squares Maintains Visual Coherence. Strategic Accent Bands Or Borders Help To Anchor The Space.

Accessibility And Code Considerations

Certain Shapes And Grout Patterns Influence Slip Resistance Metrics That Are Considered For ADA Or Building Code Compliance. Areas Requiring Higher Traction Should Favor Small-Format Tiles Or Textured Finishes To Improve Safety.

Consult Local Code Or A Professional For Wet-Location Requirements And Recommended Tile Slip Resistance Ratings When Choosing Floor Shapes For Public Or Commercial Spaces.

Choosing The Right Shape: A Practical Selection Guide

Match Tile Shape To Room Function, Scale, And Desired Visual Effect. Ask: Does The Space Need To Feel Bigger, Warmer, Or More Dynamic? Select Rectangular Planks For Length, Hexagons For Geometry, And Scallop Shapes For Softness.

Also Consider Installation Budget, Maintenance Capacity, And Long-Term Design Trends To Ensure The Selected Shape Remains Appropriate Over Time.

Tools, Cutting, And Fabrication For Complex Shapes

Complex Shapes Often Require Waterjet Cutting Or Custom Molds For Natural Stone And Porcelain. Static Tile Saws And Wet Saws With Specialty Blades Can Handle Most Common Shapes But Detailed Tessellations May Need Professional Fabrication.

Ensure Installers Use Proper Tools To Avoid Chipping, Especially On Curved Or Thin Profiles; Precision Cutting Reduces Wasted Material And Ensures Pattern Continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tile Shapes

How Do Tile Shapes Affect Perceived Room Size?

Elongated Planks Or Large-Format Tiles Minimize Grout Lines And Create A Sense Of Continuity, Making Rooms Appear Larger. Small-Scale Patterns Break Up Surface Area And Tend To Make Spaces Feel Cozier.

Are Some Shapes Better For Sloped Or Curved Surfaces?

Small Mosaic Sheets And Penny Rounds Conform Easily To Curves And Slopes, Making Them Ideal For Shower Floors, Rounded Bar Fronts, And Custom Inlays.

Is It More Expensive To Install Unique Tile Shapes?

Yes. Unique Shapes Often Increase Material Waste, Require More Labor, And May Need Special Tools Or Fabrication, Which Raises Installation Costs.

Resources For Further Research And Professional Help

Consult Manufacturer Data Sheets For Specific Shape Availability, Technical Details, And Recommended Grout Widths. Professional Tilers Or Tile Contractors Provide Site-Specific Advice On Layout, Substrate Prep, And Cost Estimates.

Design Publications And Trade Associations Offer Case Studies On Pattern Use And Long-Term Maintenance Impacts For Different Types Of Tile Shapes.