What tile pattern makes a small room look bigger?

A straight or diagonal grid of large-format tile is the classic trick. Fewer grout lines and tiles laid on the diagonal both draw the eye across the longest dimension, which makes a small room read as larger. Busy patterns like small-tile herringbone tend to do the opposite in a tight space.

Which tile pattern wastes the least tile?

A straight grid wastes the least — usually about 10% — because the cuts only happen along two edges. Diagonal, herringbone, and chevron layouts cut into every perimeter tile and often at angles, so they typically need 15% or more. You can see the difference for your room in the calculator.

Is herringbone a good pattern for a large floor?

Yes. Herringbone has a lot of visual movement, so it fills a large open floor without looking empty or repetitive. The trade-off is more cuts and more waste, so budget around 15% extra tile and expect a longer install.

What's the best pattern for a long narrow hallway?

Running planks or rectangular tiles across the width (short side along the length of travel) can make a narrow hallway feel wider, while running them lengthwise emphasises the length. Pick based on which effect you want — there's no single right answer.

Best Tile Patterns by Room Size (Small, Medium & Large)

Quick answer: In a small room, large-format tile in a straight or diagonal grid makes the space feel bigger. In a medium room, you have the most freedom — running bond, diagonal, or a modest herringbone all work. In a large open floor, patterns with movement like herringbone and chevron stop the space looking flat, but budget 15%+ waste for the extra cuts.

The “best” tile pattern isn’t really about taste alone — the size and shape of the room pushes you toward some layouts and away from others. A pattern that looks stunning across a big kitchen can make a cloakroom feel cramped, and a layout that’s cheap to install in a square room can waste a fortune in tile in a long corridor. Here’s how to match the pattern to the space, and what each choice does to your tile count.

Small rooms: keep it calm, go large

In a small bathroom, entryway, or cloakroom, the instinct is often to use small tiles — but that usually backfires. More tiles mean more grout lines, and all those lines chop the floor up visually and make it feel smaller. The opposite move works better: fewer, larger tiles in a simple grid, or the same tiles turned 45° on the diagonal to lead the eye to the far corners.

Best bets: straight grid, diagonal grid, large-format tile.
Go easy on: small-tile herringbone and busy mosaics on the floor.
Waste: ~10% for a straight grid, ~15% for diagonal.

For a deeper look at this trade-off, see our guide on the best tile size for a small bathroom.

Medium rooms: your options open up

A typical kitchen, family bathroom, or bedroom is the sweet spot — big enough that a pattern can breathe, small enough that you don’t need masses of movement to fill it. Running bond (brick offset) is a safe, timeless choice that hides minor subfloor unevenness. Diagonal adds interest without much extra cost. A one-third offset on plank tile reads as modern and expensive without being fussy.

Best bets: running bond, diagonal, one-third offset plank.
Waste: ~10% for running bond, ~15% for diagonal or herringbone.

Large open floors: give them movement

Big, open-plan floors are where a plain grid can start to look like a car park — acres of identical squares with nothing for the eye to do. This is where herringbone and chevron earn their keep: the zig-zag carries your eye across the room and makes a large space feel designed rather than just covered. The cost is real, though. Angled patterns cut into every perimeter tile, often twice, so your waste climbs.

Best bets: herringbone, chevron, large-format grid with tight grout.
Waste: 15% or more — herringbone and chevron are the hungriest layouts.

Waste by pattern, at a glance

Pattern	Typical waste	Feels best in
Straight / grid	10%	Small rooms, modern spaces
Running bond / brick	10%	Any size; very forgiving
Diagonal (45°)	15%	Small–medium rooms
Herringbone	15%+	Medium–large floors
Chevron	15%+	Large open floors, feature areas

These are starting points — your exact waste depends on how your tile size divides into your room. The tile calculator adjusts the waste figure for the pattern you pick, and our tile layout patterns guide shows all eight common layouts side by side.

A quick rule of thumb

When in doubt: simpler patterns and larger tiles in small rooms, patterns with movement and tighter grout in big rooms, and always a slightly bigger waste allowance the more angles your layout has. Pick the pattern first, then run your numbers — see how much extra tile to buy once you’ve decided.