Patterns are just better together–but we know pairing different patterns in the same space can be intimidating, so we’re here to help. From balanced to bold, we're sharing our tips on how to design a space that hits all the right angles with the perfect pattern blend.
Tile: 6x6 Azo Green Gloss, Madder Red Gloss, & Gesso Gloss, 8x8 Tumbleweed
Consider Proportions
Likely the most important thing to consider when combining patterns is proportions. When you're tiling both the walls and the floors of a space, it's important that they work together visually to keep the space feeling cohesive and the use of patterns intentional.
For example, the large scale of our 3x9 Ceramic Tile cladding the walls of this laundry room beautifully complements 8” Hexagon Tile on the floor. Pairing Field Tile in a timeless offset pattern with classic hexagons is another foolproof way to play with pattern.
The bathroom below uses Field Tile as a visual break between the Escher pattern that’s on both the floors and the niche. Proportionally, the lighter-feeling Small Diamonds are at eye level which allows for the Large Diamond in a bold blue to really stand out.
Tile: Small Diamond Calcite, 4x8 Calcite, Large Diamond Nautical | Design: Clara Jung | Image: Colin Price Photography
Boutique hotel Noble + Proper uses a clever trick to ensure the patterns are proportional in this kitchen: by placing the same 4x4 Ceramic Tile that’s used on the backsplash in between larger 8x8s on the floor, it creates a look that’s both cohesive and gorgeously unconventional.
Tile: 4x4 Ivory, 8x8 Vintage Leather | Design: Handsome Salt | Image: Jenny Siegwart
In some situations you might want or need to use two patterns on the floor, such as in a bathroom where the shower pan requires smaller tile sizes. House of Hamburger’s bathroom below illustrates how pulling a color from the main bathroom floor can easily tie two different patterns together.
Tile: 6x6 Halite & Cardamom, 4x4 Halite, 2x2 Halite & Cardamom, 2x6 Cardamom | Design + Image: House of Hamburger
Mirror Shapes
For contrasting tile colors, mirroring motifs can help to visually tie your space together.
This bathroom below uses a star shape to tie two bold patterns on the floor and wall together. Another tip: if you want to use a more intricate pattern on both the walls and floors, consider using a white tile on the wall and a color on the floor to create balance.
Tile: Mini Star & Cross Tusk, Starburst Peacock motif | Design: In Honor of Design | Image: Rustic White Photography
The Brownstone Boys’ mermaid-inspired bathroom is a masterclass in pattern play, with the hexagonal floor in two sizes tying the space together visually. Notice how the smaller white Hexagon Tiles echo the ombre blue shower pan of a slightly larger Hexagon, which seamlessly leads up to an Ogee Drop shower.
Tile: 2” Hexagon & 3x6 White Wash, 4” Hexagon & Ogee Drop Adriatic Sea, Caribbean, Crater Lake, Lake Tahoe, Moonshine | Design: The Brownstone Boys | Image: Nick Glimenakis
This sophisticated bathroom features contrasting warm and cool-toned tiles, but the sinuous patterns from Ogee Drop and our Handpainted Ginkgo Tile tie the two elements together beautifully.
Tile: Paseo Peacock, Ginkgo White motif | Image: Sage & Palo | Installer: Terence McMahon Construction
Create Contrast
If one of your tile patterns is a standout, balance it with a subtle complementing pattern with the added benefit of spotlighting the bold counterpart.
A handpainted shower niche is the perfect way to add a pop of color and a contrasting pattern to your bathroom. In the shower below, the Brownstone Boys used classic blue and white field tile to balance out the intricate niche in a matching colorway.
Tile: 4x8 White Wash, 8x8 Blue Velvet, Valencia custom motif | Design: The Brownstone Boys | Image: Nick Glimenakis
Another way to create contrast on the same surface is to use different tiles as a floor border, as demonstrated by Jean Stoffer’s north porch. Checkered field tile is bordered by complementing Handpainted Tile with black accents for an elevated effect.
Tile: 6x6 Iron Ore & Pyrite, 1x6 Sheeted & 3x9 Basalt, Chicago Grey motif | Design: Jean Stoffer Design | Image: Stoffer Photography Interiors
Lean into your inspiration to create contrasting patterns, as Emily Vallely-Pertzborn did in her Art Deco-inspired bathroom. Black-accented wainscot leads to an Escher pattern on the floor, with a tight color story and intentional design focus that blends the patterns together beautifully.
Tile: Large Diamond Tusk, Basalt & Seedling, 4x4 Tusk | Design: Emily Vallely | Image: Madison Kim-Poppen
Drawn to a more subtle pattern-mixing look? The kitchen backsplash below masterfully combines patterns and provides subtle contrast by pairing Subway Tile with Handpainted Sintra Tile in the same colorway.
Tile: 2x6 Carbon, Sintra Dark motif | Design: Magali Sonterre | Image: Erin Feinblatt
Try Pattern-Friendly Tile
Designed for endless pattern play, the Block Shop x Fireclay Tile Handpainted Collection offers an array of complementary patterns to make it easy (and fun!) for you to design a one-of-a-kind installation. Even better? 5% of proceeds from this collection are donated to Create Peace to support community art education.
Take this graphic kitchen, featuring a blend of Field Tile and Dot Dash 7 from the Block Shop x Fireclay collection, where playful energy thrums under the surface of a serene grey-and-white scheme.
Tile: 4x4 Feldspar, Dolomite, Dot Dash 7 custom motif | Design: Natalie Myers, Veneer Designs | Image: Jessica Alexander | Installer: Lion Builder
The bathroom below proves that pastel colors can be just as impactful as their vivid counterparts with help from Block Shop x Fireclay’s Squiggle Tile.
Tile: 4x4 Tumbleweed, Squiggle Plein Aire motif | Design: Kim Wolfe | Image: Joseph Bradshaw
Rae Rockwell had fun playing with our Dot Dash pattern in her Jellystone Lodge, leading to an unforgettable fireplace hearth that looks good and is made for good!
Tile: Dot Dash 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 Charcoal motif | Design: Rae Rockwell | Image: S. Cole Kiburz
If you prefer something less graphic and more soothing, the Roundabout tiles from Block Shop x Fireclay will be right up your alley. The spa bathroom below features rounded corners and lines that wind down the shower wall and across the floor to create a state of tranquility.
Tile: Roundabout 2 & 4 Fresco motif, 4x4 Jade & Oyster Shell
Go for it!
Patterns should be an extension of your personal style–and if you’re drawn to unique designs, going bold with a pattern can be a lot of fun! Here are a few of our favorite spaces that struck the right balance with their bold patterns.
We love the way Claire Thomas used two Field Tile patterns–parquet and straight-set– balanced out with a soft color story in her Kitchy Kitchen cabin’s bright bathroom.
Tile: 3x9 Daisy & Sea Glass | Design: Claire Thomas | Image: Stephanie Todaro Photography
Detroit Achievement Academy makes students’ water breaks fun with this drinking fountain wall featuring blue Brick in a playful horizontal-to-vertical pattern.
Brick: Appalachian Norman | Design: A Green Haus | Image: Stylish Detroit | Installer: Detroit Achievement Academy
This bold bathroom's 90-degree herringbone walls are tied together by a unifying pink color scheme. If you're going for a lot of pattern, a visual break of a neutral tile like this floor can be grounding for the space.
Tile: 3x8 Mesa, Painted Sky & Adobe, 6x12 Halite | Design: Jen Pinkston | Image: Katie Jameson
Inspired by a trip to Paris, Erin Zubot designed the bathroom of her dreams with a Mosaic Tile floor and shower featuring a complementing Picket pattern.
J’adore! The House That Lars Built’s kitchenette is layered like a decadent cake with rows of handmade tile patterns creating a one-of-a-kind backsplash that’s anything but forgettable.
Tile: 3x6 Tusk & Caribbean, 2x6 Evening Glow & Sea Green, 2x8 Evening Glow, 3x12 Tusk & Daffodil, Dot Dash 7 custom motif | Design + Image: The House that Lars Built
Get (Free!) Help From the Pros
Want to play with patterns but aren't sure where to start? Fill out the simple form below and one of our talented Design Consultants will be in touch shortly to help you design your perfect pattern.