Geometric & shapes

Imported tiles come in square, rectangular, hexagon and diamond shapes, 3D and embossed, in sizes from 6x6 in to 2x4 ft slabs; uses include feature wall, backsplashes and semi-wet outdoor areas.

Charcoal or black grout on light tiles makes a graphic effect for subway, hexagon, mosaic, herringbone and chequerboard layouts.

Patterns for driveways: geometric (two neutral shades), chequered (grey-charcoal, beige-brown, sand-terracotta), diagonal, grid with concrete-look tiles, bordered, stone-look, brick-look, and interlocking.

Marble layouts: straight for clean architecture; diagonal, checkerboard, borders and geometric inlays add traditional character.

Textured wall options: metallic, ribbed glass, glazed ripple, digital print, slabs, Kit-Kat, hexagon and border tiles framing mirrors or vanities.

Moroccan pattern families: honeycomb/hexagon, fleur-de-lis, floral arcs, Tastir star, jaali lattice, mix-and-match black-white, floral grid.

Geometric Athangudi is more minimal and modern than Anapakshi, with centred motifs that form larger patterns when four tiles meet, and interlocking continuous border tiles.

Oblique-cut wood planks can be laid in chevron or arrow patterns for an interlocking-hardwood look.

Hexagonal tiles suit bathroom floors or walls, especially in pastels with a complementing grout; individual hexagon designs on a bigger multi-hex tile need less grouting.

Hexagon tiles of about 6 in x 7 in in many colours can be laid as a rainbow accent behind the WC or in an ombre of one colour from dark to light.

Concept styles: geometric (Scandinavian, minimal), floral (suits Indian homes and ages well), abstract jewel-tone (wallpaper look, stronger with coloured grout), mosaic-grid (2x1 panels with faux grout lines), metallic, and embossed (3D).

Octagonal-style kitchen floors come in 12x12, 16x16 and 2x2 ft, in terracotta, indigo, grey and emerald, with a small insert tile tying four large tiles; Indian-made versions start at about Rs 80 per sq ft.

In a kitchen, use geometric tile as a backsplash feature with plain cabinets and worktop on either side.

In hallways and entrances let a geometric pattern run to a natural stop such as a threshold or doorway rather than fading out mid-floor.

Test the pattern under the room's actual lighting and prove one surface works before extending it.

Use one patterned or zellige-look surface in the kitchen and plain everywhere else; competing with a patterned countertop or cabinet ruins the effect.

Mosaic sheets on flexible mesh follow curves; penny rounds, mini squares and micro hexagons suit tight curves, while regular hexagons do not bend well.

Mosaic works best in focused zones: shower niche, panel behind basin, kitchen backsplash strip, pooja area and entryway.

Smaller hexagons give a closely spaced pattern, larger ones make each shape visible; keep mixed colours simple.

Keep other surfaces simple around arabesque tile so the pattern does not compete.

Small-format, mosaic and hexagon kitchen tiles add grout lines that improve grip and hide minor stains; large tiles look cleaner with fewer joints and suit spacious kitchens.

Popular 3D hall designs: fluted lines, geometric waves, layered cubes, stone textures, floral reliefs, brick patterns and carved-look panels; pick one that suits furniture, flooring and palette.

Confine bold patterns (herringbone, chevron, Moroccan, mosaic) to one feature or shower wall in a small bathroom.

Light octagonal tiles with similar-colour grout suit compact bathroom floors; blue or light green Moroccan tiles in matt finish work on floors if used carefully.

Trending mosaic colours: earthy neutrals, terracotta/clay, aqua and seafoam, charcoal/graphite, and metallic gold, copper or brass used only as small accents.

If mixing mosaic patterns in one room keep one dominant and the second as a highlight.

Scale the pattern to room size: large checkerboards or bold geometrics for spacious rooms, small florals or fine lines in compact zones.

Balance bold geometric outdoor tiles with neutral tiles to prevent visual overload on terrace walls, balcony partitions and garden seating corners.

Vertical layouts make a bathroom look taller, horizontal look wider; herringbone or diagonal patterns add a modern look.

Geometric and lattice jali patterns are the safest and most functional; floral works in small sections; Mughal styles suit smaller heritage touches.

Put bold-patterned GVT on just one wall (behind vanity or shower) and keep other walls and floor neutral.

Textured finishes (pebble, ripple) add grip, borders in contrasting colour make pool edges visible, and gradient blues add depth.

Mosaic or small-scale patterned tiles suit accent walls and awkward corners of small balconies.

Use mosaic or patterned tiles only in feature spots (wall sections, fountain backdrops, borders), balanced with plain tiles, to avoid clutter.

Balance geometric bedroom floors with subtle decor, contrasting walls such as grey against deep blue or cream against olive.

Herringbone layouts make narrow bathrooms look wider; tonal mosaics (beige, sage, charcoal) suit niches, shower floors and vanity backs.

Entrance floors take a stronger geometric border with a simple centre tile.

Herringbone blue tiles elongate the bathroom; mosaic suits niches, borders and backsplashes; glass tiles brighten showers.

Smaller octagon tiles on the shower floor give better grip because the grout lines work in your favour and water drains easily.

Use octagon tiles as a feature wall behind the vanity to give the bathroom a focal point; keep the rest of the bathroom simple.

Test dark and light grout before committing: dark grout highlights octagon geometry and contrast, light grout blends the pattern and feels softer.

Use mosaic, Moroccan, geometric or printed tiles on one selected area (behind the hob, under open shelves, a breakfast corner), not the whole kitchen; keep cabinets plain.

Use hexagon Moroccan patterns to separate wet and dry bathroom zones or kitchen from lounge.

Pre-assembled 2x1 geometric panels (herringbone, stack bond, fish scale, hexagon) mimic subway patterns but install as a panel, saving the effort of grouting each small tile; available glossy and matt, in metallic shades too.

Hexagon backsplash tiles lay in a honeycomb pattern and can be laid horizontally or vertically; botanical, rustic and picket-fence variants exist.

Fish-scale teal or green tiles pair with butcher-block style countertops for a natural element.

Octagonal-pattern tiles suit bigger balconies and verandas, come in jewel tones, terracotta and light grey, and the centre tiles can be mixed to set the colour theme.

Picket (elongated hexagon) subways, being extra long, give better coverage and distinctive intersections.

A white hexagon floor with a bolder blue wall tile or slab is a simple pairing for bold bathrooms.

A 1x1 ft parking tile with printed lines of four or nine smaller tiles looks like many tiles but is faster to lay.

2x1 ft preformed geometric tiles with printed layout (herringbone, stack bond, beehive, brick) give the pattern without laying individual tiles and cut grouting effort, time and cost.

Fake grout lines are printed, so only the outer edges are grouted.

1x1 and 2x1 geometric tiles with printed grooves look like many small tiles grouted separately but need less grouting, cost less, and the fake grooves collect less dust; suited to kitchens, sink backsplashes and powder rooms.