How to Mix and Match Tiles to Create Stunning Interior Spaces

With so many different tile materials, shapes, sizes, patterns, and colors available, the décor options are endless. But is it okay to use different kinds of tile like cement tile, ceramic tile, and Zellige tile throughout your home? How about in the same room? The short answer is, yes.

It’s perfectly fine to use our Nola Pink cement tile on a bathroom wall, Emerald Green Zellige tile in a basement bar, marble tile in the master bath, and Terrazzo tile in the laundry room. Different spaces in your home often call for different types of tiles. And mixing and matching tiles in the same room creates character.

Like any design element, there are a few things to consider before you start spreading your favorite tiles around. Follow these tile mixing and matching tips to achieve an aesthetically pleasing design and avoid a “busy” look.

Balance Tile Patterns and Sizes

Balancing tile patterns and sizes prevents busy or competing patterns.

For example, check out this stunning bathroom design from @housesevendesign. Riad Tile’s Casablanca Carrara 3 “x6” Subway tile on the shower wall pairs perfectly with the smaller 2″ Hexagon Mosaic on the floor. The classic marble subway blends beautifully with the vintage-style mosaic to create a timeless look.

Here’s another example from @4tinyarrows featuring three types of marble tile with our Casablanca Carrara Marble 6″x12″ on the shower wall, 2″ Hex Mosaic on the shower floor, and 5″ Hex Mosaic on the bathroom floor.

Pair Patterns and Solids

Another way to avoid a “busy” look is to pair tile patterns with solids. Patterns pop against a solid tile. A shower niche is one element that stands out if you do this.

In this design from @thefarmhouseproject, our Natural White Zellige tile surrounds a Delft-style mosaic from 1500s Holland from @regtsdelfttiles.

This bathroom design from @kkbinteriors uses our Trident Blue Cement tile on the floor contrasted with classic 4″x4″ Snow Zellige. The result is so fun.

Add Visual Interest with Tile Accents

Tile accents add visual interest and create focal points in your home. The fireplace, the front of a bar, a staircase or porch steps, and behind-wall shelves are just some of the many places you can create an eye-catching design with tile.

For example, our Zanzibar Black cement tile really sets off this nook design from @goeslinggroup. Notice how nicely it complements the black countertop while adding fun contrast to the wood shelves.

And here’s a bright, colorful, and eclectic space from @aboldnewhue. Riad’s Terrazzo Blush speckled tile adds a sunny dose of texture and charm to the front of this kitchen snack bar area.

Or you can use multiple cement tile patterns to kiss a boring staircase goodbye like @hgco_showroom did. We’re obsessed!

Restrict Your Color Palette

Multiple patterns or different tile types look and feel more cohesive if they share the same color palette. For instance, using classic white and gray tones of various tile patterns or materials creates a classic, elegant look.

This stunning bathroom design manages to look trendy and timeless all at once, with Riad’s 4″x4″ Snow Zellige tile on the shower wall and Casablanca Carrara Penny Round Mosaic lining the niche.

Use Scale to Maximize Space

Different-sized rooms accommodate different sizes of tile. To accentuate a larger space, use larger tiles. To make a small bathroom look bigger, use small floor tiles and keep the flooring colors cohesive with the tub and shower colors.

This magnificent example from @greybirchdesigns boasts large 6″x12″ Casablanca Carrara marble tile on the shower wall with 2″ Casablanca Carrara Hex Mosaic on the shower flower, offestting our Solid Black Hexagon cement tile. We’re getting all the luxurious feels with this one.

Follow these tips to incorporate multiple kinds of tile throughout your home and elevate your interior design scheme without creating competing, busy looks. Riad Tile is ready to help. Feel free to contact us at 972-914-9600 or HELLO@RIADTILE.COM with any questions.

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