The art of the layout: Timeless patterns for metro tiles

When it comes to designing with handmade tiles, the beauty lies not just in their surface but in the way they’re laid. It is often the smallest decisions that leave the most lasting impression.

Our metro tiles, and especially our Vintage collection, offer endless potential to play with colour, pattern, and layout. Whether you’re drawn to soft tonal schemes or want to make a subtle statement, our styling ideas provide plenty of inspiration.

Below, we explore some of the most enduring and expressive ways to lay your tiles, each offering a distinct aesthetic while honouring the timeless quality of craftsmanship.

Stripes with Soul

Laying tiles in horizontal or vertical stripes creates a subtle rhythm and sense of movement. Whether alternating tones in restrained contrast or staying within a single colour family, striped layouts feel both contemporary and classic. 

A vertical arrangement can elongate a wall and draw the eye upward, while a horizontal band of colour can define a space with elegant clarity. With the Vintage collection’s softly toned glazes, this approach feels fresh yet timeless.

Brick Bond

Perhaps the most familiar of layouts, the classic brick bond, or offset, pattern remains a perennial favourite.

Evocative of traditional masonry, this design sees each row staggered by half a tile, producing a strong, grounded rhythm. 

When laid in subtle tones like Taffeta or Lace, it exudes a quiet elegance, perfect for kitchens, fireplaces, or hallways with heritage character.

Stacked

Clean-lined and contemporary, the stacked layout arranges tiles in precise rows, either vertically or horizontally. 

While more structured in appearance, it can still feel soft and artisanal when paired with the gentle imperfections of the Vintage glaze. 

This arrangement is ideal for modern bathrooms or as a backdrop to open shelving, allowing the surface texture of each tile to take centre stage.

Basket Weave

A nod to classic parquetry, the basket weave pattern introduces a touch of vintage formality. Typically created with small rectangular tiles, this layout interlocks pairs of horizontal and vertical tiles in a woven motif. 

The result is quietly decorative, offering visual intrigue without overpowering a space. In muted hues like Organza or Tulle, it brings an understated sophistication to floors and splashbacks alike.

Stepladder Style

The Stepladder pattern offers a gently playful twist on the brick bond. 

Each tile row shifts slightly upward, creating an ascending rhythm that adds movement and a subtle sense of direction. 

This layout brings a delicate dynamism to a space, particularly when used with tonal shades such as Velvet or Lace.

It is an ideal choice for feature walls or tiled alcoves where one wishes to add character without overwhelming the room. The overall effect is both considered and quietly expressive.
 

Herringbone Elegance

The Herringbone pattern is a design steeped in heritage, long associated with fine parquet flooring and classical masonry. When applied to handmade tiles, it brings a sense of movement and sophistication to a surface, with each tile angled precisely to create a flowing, interlocking motif. 

In the soft, tonal glazes of the Vintage collection, the effect is both dynamic and understated, perfect for adding interest to a kitchen splashback, bathroom wall, or even an alcove. It’s a layout that feels at once architectural and ornamental, ideal for those seeking to introduce subtle complexity into their space.

Final Thoughts

The beauty of handmade tiles lies not only in their materials but in the thoughtful way they are displayed. These layout patterns, timeless in origin yet endlessly adaptable, allow the individuality of each tile to shine, transforming walls and surfaces into crafted works of design.

With the Vintage collection, every installation becomes a testament to enduring style, subtle artistry, and the refined charm of things made slowly, and made well.