Top 10 Most Popular Tile Patterns for Floors and Walls Right Now
The way a tile is laid can change a room as much as the tile itself. The same plain rectangle reads classic in one layout and sharp and modern in another. If you are planning a bathroom, kitchen or open living space, the pattern you pick sets the mood before the colour or finish even registers. That makes layout one of the first decisions worth getting right.
So what is the most popular tile pattern right now? Across Australian renovations, herringbone leads, with vertical stacking and chevron close behind. Below are the ten layouts our customers ask for most, and where each one earns its place.
What is the most popular tile pattern right now?
Herringbone has held the top spot for a while, and for good reason. The angled, interlocking lay adds movement without shouting for attention, and it suits everything from a heritage terrace to a fresh new build. It pairs beautifully with subway tiles on a splashback and with timber-look planks across a floor. If you want one pattern that rarely dates, this is the safe pick.
The 10 tile patterns trending in Australian homes
-
Herringbone: Rectangles set at 45 or 90 degrees for a woven, directional look. A favourite for splashbacks, feature walls and hallway floors.
-
Vertical stack: Tiles stacked straight up in clean columns. It draws the eye upward and makes a low ceiling feel taller.
-
Chevron: Tiles cut on an angle so the ends meet in a continuous V. Sharper and more tailored than herringbone.
-
Straight stack (grid): Square or rectangular tiles aligned edge to edge. Quiet, calm and ideal for large-format tiles and minimal rooms.
-
Brick bond: The classic offset where each row shifts by half a tile. The everyday choice for subway splashbacks and laundries.
-
Basketweave: Pairs of tiles woven over and under for a soft, retro feel. Lovely in a powder room or entry.
-
Hexagon: Six-sided tiles that lock together with honeycomb geometry. Strong on floors, playful on walls.
-
Penny round: Small circular mosaics that hug curves and shower bases, with plenty of grout lines for grip.
-
Terrazzo look: Speckled chips scattered through the tile face, so one surface does all the pattern work for you.
-
Moroccan and patterned tiles: Bold, repeating motifs that turn a floor or feature wall into the centrepiece of the room.
Design tip: let one pattern lead per room. A busy floor pairs best with a calm wall, and the other way around.
Floor or wall? Matching the pattern to the surface
Some layouts earn their keep underfoot, others shine at eye level.
-
Best for floors: herringbone, hexagon, straight stack and terrazzo handle foot traffic and read well across a wide area.
-
Best for walls: vertical stack, chevron and penny round add height and detail without crowding a smaller space.
-
Works on both: brick bond and Moroccan patterns shift easily from splashback to floor, which helps tie a room together.
Grout colour matters just as much as the layout. A matching grout softens a pattern and lets the tile shape blend in. A contrasting grout sharpens the lines and makes the layout the hero of the wall or floor.
Choosing the right pattern for your project
Start with the feeling you want. Calm and roomy points to a straight stack or large format. Characterful and warm leans toward basketweave, Moroccan or terrazzo. Then think about scale: small mosaics suit compact wet areas, while big planks and slabs flatter open kitchens and living zones.
It also helps to think a step ahead. A bold patterned floor can look fantastic on moving-in day, then feel busy once furniture and rugs go in. Pairing one statement surface with quieter tiles around it keeps the room balanced for the long run.
Our team works with renovators, builders and designers across Australia every week, so we see which patterns hold up and which ones date fast. If you are weighing up two layouts, send through your room dimensions and a photo, and we will talk you through how each one will sit in your space.
Ready to plan your tiles? Get in touch with the Desino team and we will help you choose a pattern that fits your space and your budget.
