Beyond Squares and Rectangles: 5 Tile Shapes Explained

A tiled floor may not always make you stop and look, but some do. Walk into a bathroom lined with hexagons, a kitchen backsplash with curved arabesque tiles, or a hallway with a chevron pattern running along the centre. Often, the tile shape catches your attention rather than the colour or material. Here, that shape refers to the actual form of the tile or mosaic piece itself, not a pattern printed on the surface.

An interior does not have to cover every surface in pattern. A wall, floor, or feature area can be enough to bring different tile shapes into the design. Moving beyond the square or rectangle introduces forms that change the way the tiles come together. Chevron tiles, for example, create a clear V-shaped pattern, while curved shapes create a different rhythm across the surface. The way each tile shape is positioned can change the pattern it creates.

Here are five tile shapes explained, with what gives each one its form and how the pieces come together in a space.

The Chevron Tile

A chevron tile has ends cut at an angle, usually at a 45-degree angle, so two tiles meet at a point to form the familiar V pattern. Unlike straight-cut tiles arranged in a zigzag, the angled ends create the V directly. Chevron tiles can be laid with the V pointing up or down, changing the direction of the pattern across the surface.

The pattern can add a strong geometric detail to a kitchen backsplash or bathroom wall, while the selected product determines where it can be used. It can also be found in different surface looks, from chevron marble tile to chevron wood effect tiles, without changing the angled layout. A chevron mosaic tile uses smaller pieces arranged to create the same V-shaped pattern across the surface.

Design tip: Keep the V shapes pointing in the same direction so the pattern follows the same direction across the surface.

The Arabesque Tile 

An arabesque tile has a curved outline that comes to a point at each end. Placing the tiles together creates a repeating pattern as the curves and points meet. An elongated arabesque tile uses a taller, narrower version of this form, changing the proportions of the pattern while keeping the curved outline.

An arabesque mosaic tile places several smaller pieces together on a sheet, allowing the curved edges to repeat across a larger area. An arabesque tile backsplash can bring the curved pattern to a kitchen wall. Similar wall applications can be used in bathrooms when the selected product is suitable for wall use. The way the tiles are arranged affects how closely the curves and points appear across the surface. Size, colour, and finish can then change how the overall pattern comes across without changing the shape itself.

Design tip: Keep the other walls and surfaces fairly simple so the arabesque pattern doesn't compete with too many other details.

The Fish Scale Tile 

Fish scale tiles have a rounded edge that narrows into a point, giving them the shape of a fish scale. They are also known as a fan-shaped tile because of their curved outline. The tiles can be laid with the pointed end facing either up or down, changing the direction of the pattern across the surface.

Fish tiles for bathroom walls can bring this curved shape into the space when the selected product is suitable for wall use. Fish tiles can also be used on kitchen backsplashes, shower walls, entryways, and other feature areas, depending on the product specifications. They can be used across a larger surface or kept to a smaller area, making the shape part of the overall design without covering the entire space.

Design tip: Try to keep the tiles facing the same way when laying them so the curves and points fall into place.

The Honeycomb Tile

A honeycomb tile is a hexagon with six sides. When the tiles are placed together, their edges connect to create a repeating pattern. Hexagonal tiles can be kept in one colour or combined in different shades, which changes the look of the pattern without changing the shape itself.

Honeycomb floor tiles can also look different depending on their size. Smaller hexagons make the pattern more closely spaced, while larger ones make each individual shape easier to see. A honeycomb tile for bathroom floors can be available in different sizes, depending on the selected product and where it is being used. A honeycomb backsplash can bring the hexagonal pattern to a kitchen wall, including through smaller mosaic sheets.

Design tip: If you mix colours, keep the arrangement simple so the hexagon pattern stays easy to follow.

The Kite Tile

A kite tile has four angled sides that meet to form its pointed ends. The pattern can look different depending on how the tiles are positioned, particularly where the pointed ends meet. Kite-shaped tiles can also be turned in different directions to form different geometric layouts.

The angled outline can also be used to break up a larger tiled area or highlight a smaller section within it. Different colours can be used within the layout to add variation without changing the shape of the tile. Since the edges meet at angles, the pattern also needs to be considered where the tiles reach the edges of the space.

Design tip: Plan the layout from the centre outward so the pattern sits neatly along the edges.

Choosing a Tile Shape for Your Space

The shape you choose can change how a tiled surface looks once the pieces are laid together. Think about the area you are working with and how much pattern you want to bring into it. The size of the space, the direction of the pattern, and the tile’s colour and finish can all change how the final layout comes across.

• Pattern: Geometric shape tiles can change the feel of a pattern through their edges and angles. Some create a more noticeable arrangement, while simpler shapes let the surface stay quieter. What stands out depends on the shape and how the tiles meet.
• Where to use it: Mosaic tile shapes can add that detail to a smaller part of the room, such as a backsplash or feature wall. You don't need the shape across every surface for it to become part of the design.
• How it is laid: Chevron tiles create a clear V-shaped pattern as they are placed together. Hexagonal tiles repeat differently, with their six sides meeting from one tile to the next. Change the direction of a shape, and the pattern can look different again.

Finding the Right Shape for Your Space

Tile shapes give you more ways to build a pattern than the familiar square or rectangle. The difference can come from the way edges meet, how a shape is repeated, or simply how the tiles are positioned across a surface. Looking at these details alongside the size, colour, and finish can help you understand how a particular shape will work with the rest of the design.

If you’re still deciding on a shape, seeing the options side by side can make the differences much easier to notice. You can browse the collection online or visit the MyTyles Experience Centre to see the available tile designs in person.