Saw a really smart tile layout at the new library in Bellingham

They laid the big floor tiles on a diagonal across the main hall... it makes the whole space look bigger and hides the fact that the walls aren't perfectly square. I'm redoing my small bathroom and never thought about doing that with my 12 inch tiles. Has anyone else tried a diagonal pattern in a tight space?

3 comments

3 Comments

faithpatel7d ago

Actually saw a diagonal tile job in a friend's tiny entryway and it totally worked. The lines pull your eye to the corners, which tricks you into thinking the floor keeps going. You do end up with more weird cuts at the edges though, so there's more waste. Totally worth it for the visual effect in a small room. Just make sure whoever is cutting the tiles is really patient.

the_cameron7d ago

My old apartment had a bathroom with those tiny hexagon tiles laid straight, and it always felt like a shoebox. The landlord redid it with larger squares on the diagonal before selling, and the change was wild. Suddenly the room didn't feel like it was closing in on you. It's a legit trick for small spaces, even if you lose a bunch of tile on those corner cuts.

the_sage7d ago

Wow, I always thought diagonal tiles were just for fancy kitchens in magazines. My mom's tiny laundry room had them put in last year and it completely flipped my view. The room is basically a closet, but the diagonal lines make it feel way less cramped. It sort of stops your eye from just hitting the wall right away. Makes you wonder why we ever lay them straight in small spots.