Which direction to run tile in the bathroom? (2024)

FAQs

Which direction to run tile in the bathroom? ›

running tile the long way visually narrows and lengthens the bathroom resulting in a closed-in "galley feeling". Running across will visually widen the bathroom - making it appear more open - not excessively long and narrow.

Laying tile from the perimeter and working inwards is a commonly recommended method for achieving a professional-looking tile floor. This approach allows you to make any necessary adjustments as you go and ensures that the tiles are evenly spaced and aligned.

If you want to make a wide wall without much height feel taller, you might opt for a vertical layout. And if you want to widen a small space, a horizontal layout could help. Another element to consider is creativity. Horizontal tiles may be more suitable for a traditional or classic look.

The ideal way to lay your flooring: room and light

As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance. If there are several doors and windows, then opt for the direction that's the easiest to install.

Diagonal and Diamond Arrangement

That being said, we'd often recommend laying tiles in a diagonal or diamond arrangement when trying to make a small room look bigger. Not only do diagonal or diamond tile patterns help create a statement feature wall, but they will also help break up any harsh lines.

The golden rule is, try as much as possible to avoid small pieces of tile, or, try to keep them hidden. The same basic idea applies to the vertical lines of your job. Try to minimise any small cuts. It is best to start with a centre line and mark along your wall where each vertical joint will occur.

Always tile from the centre line of a wall or floor – so that any cut pieces end up at the sides of the room, and are the same size. This will give you a symmetrical and professional finish. To help mark out your tile rows, use a tile gauge (a length of wood with the length of your tiles marked onto it).

Flooring Direction: Parallel

This classic direction is the traditional choice for most installations. It's also great for smaller spaces as it can add a new dimension of depth.

Install Floor-To-Ceiling Tile

Installing the bathroom wall tiles from floor to ceiling can help achieve an airier and larger space. It tends to create an illusion of a taller space - hence, making those small, cramped bathrooms look enlarged.

Is it better to use small or large tiles in a small bathroom? ›

Large-format tiles also need less grout, less time to install, and require less maintenance. Using smaller tiles, such as mosaics, will give you lots of grout lines, which can give the bathroom walls a grid-like appearance that can promote the feeling of being boxed in – making your bathroom feel smaller still.

Vertical stacked tile is the more contemporary option because it alters two of traditional subway tile's characteristics (its offset and direction). Those looking for a trendy design are in good hands with stacked vertical subway tile. Vertical stacked subway tile draws the eye upward and can visually elongate a space.

Diagonal Pattern

The diagonal tile pattern creates a dynamic look that makes any small space appear larger than it is. It is one of the best floor tile patterns for small areas, such as entryways, halls, and bathrooms.

The short answer to the question "should toilet sit on top of tile?" is simple—if you've opted for ceramic tiles, then you should tile them under the toilet, if you've opted for vinyl tiles on the other hand, then you should go with tiling them around the toilet.

12×24 Tile Patterns. All large format tiles (large hexagon tile are an exception) can be installed in a straight-lay pattern where the edges all match up. However, with rectangular tiles, such as 12×24's, it's quite common to install them in an offset pattern.

If you want to save cost on materials and time cutting, you'll want to lay them in the direction that follows the longer dimension of the room. This way, you'll only need to cut planks that meet the shorter-length walls. Following the direction of the longer-length walls in the room help to make it feel more open.