Tile Layout Patterns: Stone Tile Layout Guide
Quick answerTile layout patterns such as straight, offset, herringbone, hexagon and French (Versailles) each change how a stone floor or wall looks; plan from the room's center, dry-lay first and keep joints tidy and consistent.
The right tile layout patterns make natural stone look intentional. The same tile can feel classic, modern or rustic depending on how you lay it. This guide covers common stone tile layout patterns, from straight and offset to herringbone, hexagon and French (Versailles), plus simple steps for how to lay marble and travertine tile. Ready to explore? See our stone tile patterns hub.
Popular Tile Layout Patterns
Layout is the order and direction you set tile in. These are the most common, with stone ideas for each:
- Straight (stacked): tiles line up in a grid. Clean and modern with 24x24 tile or 12x12 tile.
- Offset (brick): each row shifts, like brickwork. Great for 12x24 tile and marble subway tile.
- Diagonal: tiles set at 45 degrees make a small room feel larger. Try 18x18 tile.
- Herringbone: a zigzag pattern with real movement. See herringbone mosaics and our herringbone guide.
- Checkerboard: alternating light and dark squares. See checkerboard tiles and the checkerboard guide.
- French (Versailles): mixed sizes in a repeating set. More below.
French Pattern Tile Layout
A French pattern tile layout, also called a Versailles pattern layout or Roman pattern, combines several tile sizes in one repeating design. It gives floors, patios and entries a timeless, old-world look, and travertine is the classic stone. A French pattern layout tile set arrives as a mix of sizes, and the pattern repeats across the area, so the installer follows the set's layout. Shop Versailles pattern tile or Versailles mosaics, and see Philadelphia travertine, Latravonya travertine and Valerenga travertine for French pattern travertine layouts. For smaller spaces, read the Mini-Versailles guide.
Tips for a French Pattern Floor
- Order from one lot so tones match across the pattern. See the same-lot guarantee.
- Dry-lay a few sets first to see how the pattern repeats.
- Ask your installer how the pattern should meet the walls and doorways.
Hexagon Tile Layout
Hexagon tile layout patterns include the classic honeycomb, where every hex touches six neighbors, and the alternating look made by mixing two colors or stones. Small hexagons make a soft, vintage floor; large ones feel bold and modern. Browse hexagon mosaics, Oriental White and Bianco Carrara. Plan the edges first, because hexagons need cuts at walls.
Mosaic Tile Layout
Mosaic tile layout is simpler than it looks because mosaics come on mesh-backed sheets that you set like larger tiles. Keep the joints between sheets the same as the joints inside each sheet so the pattern reads as continuous. Explore all mosaics, marble mosaics, travertine mosaics, basketweave, penny round and chevron. For how mosaics differ from field tile, read field tile vs mosaic and the mosaic marble tile guide.
12x24 Floor Tile Layout
The 12x24 rectangle is flexible. Stack it for a clean grid, offset it for a brick look, or set it in herringbone for movement. For stone, many installers prefer a smaller offset than the common half-and-half, to keep slight tile variation from looking uneven. Check with your installer for the best choice for your stone. Shop 12x24 natural stone tile.
How to Lay Marble Tile
Here is a simple overview of how to lay marble tile on a floor. Your installer sets the details, and our installation guide goes deeper.
- Prepare the surface. The floor must be clean, flat and solid.
- Find the center and snap guide lines. Start the layout from the middle of the room.
- Dry-lay. Place tiles without adhesive to check cuts at the walls.
- Mix tiles from several boxes. This blends natural variation.
- Set with the right mortar. See the mortar and thinset guide.
- Grout and seal. See the grout guide and how to seal marble tile.
Shop marble floor tile and read the marble floor guide.
How to Lay Marble Tile on a Wall
Wall tile starts from a level line, not the floor, because floors are rarely perfectly level. Set a ledger board, work upward from it, and use proper mortar for the weight of the stone. In showers and other wet areas, natural stone needs sealing and a proper waterproofing system, so follow your installer. See wall tiles and marble subway tile.
Marble Tile Spacing
Marble is usually set with narrow, even joints. A tight joint shows off the stone, but it needs tiles that are cut accurately and set carefully, and your installer will choose the spacing for your tile and grout. Use consistent spacers throughout.
How to Lay Travertine Tile and Pavers
Travertine is set much like marble, with one extra step if it has natural holes. Filled travertine has its holes already filled, while unfilled travertine is usually filled with grout during installation. Learn more in filled vs unfilled travertine. Shop travertine floor tile and tumbled travertine, and see the tumbled travertine guide.
How to Lay Travertine Pavers Outdoors
Travertine paving and pavers outdoors need a well-prepared, properly drained base that matches the use, such as a patio or pool deck. Ask a pro about the base and joints for your climate. See travertine pavers and pool coping, outdoor stone and the travertine sealing guide.
Plan Your Layout Before You Order
Check your quantities with the tile calculator, then send your plan to our quantity and layout review. Order samples to see the pattern and color: any 5 samples are $25 and ship free via shop sample tiles. Need a pro? Contact us. Related reading: natural stone floor tile, stone tile cutting guide and the Stone Encyclopedia.
Common questions
What are the most popular tile layout patterns?
The most common are straight (stacked), offset (brick), diagonal, herringbone, checkerboard, hexagon and French (Versailles). Each changes the look of the same tile.
What is a French pattern tile layout?
A French pattern, also called a Versailles or Roman pattern, uses several tile sizes in a repeating set. It creates an old-world look and is most often done in travertine.
Is a Versailles pattern the same as a French pattern?
In stone tile the two names are used for the same idea: a repeating mix of sizes. The exact sizes and set vary by stone, so check the product page.
What is the best French pattern travertine layout?
The layout follows the set's repeating pattern. Order from one lot, dry-lay a few sets to see the repeat, and ask your installer how the pattern should meet walls and doorways.
What is the best hexagon tile layout?
The classic is a honeycomb with every hexagon touching six neighbors. You can also alternate two colors for a patterned look. Plan the wall edges first because hexagons need cuts.
What are good hexagon tile layout patterns?
Try a solid honeycomb, alternating colors or stones, or a border of hexagons in a field of plain tile. Small hexagons feel vintage and large ones feel modern.
How do you lay mosaic tile?
Mosaic comes on mesh-backed sheets, so you set it like larger tile. Keep the joints between sheets the same as the joints inside each sheet so the pattern flows.
What is the best 12x24 floor tile layout?
You can stack it, offset it or set it in herringbone. For natural stone, installers often use a smaller offset than half-and-half, so ask yours for the best choice.
How do I lay marble tile on a floor?
Prepare a clean, flat surface, snap lines from the room's center, dry-lay to check cuts, mix tiles from several boxes, set with the right mortar, then grout and seal. Your installer handles the details.
How do I lay marble tile on a wall?
Start from a level line, not the floor, and work upward from a ledger board. Use mortar suited to the weight of the stone. In wet areas, add sealing and a proper waterproofing system.
What spacing should I use for marble tile?
Marble is usually set with narrow, even joints and consistent spacers. Your installer will choose the spacing based on your tile and grout.
How do I lay travertine tile?
Travertine is set much like marble. If the tile is unfilled, the natural holes are filled with grout during installation, and the floor is sealed afterward.
How do you lay travertine pavers or paving outdoors?
Pavers need a well-prepared, properly drained base suited to the use, such as a patio or pool deck. Ask a pro about the base and joints for your climate.
Which tile layout makes a small room look bigger?
A diagonal layout or a large-format tile with narrow joints can make a small room feel larger. Light stone colors also help.
Should I mix tiles from different boxes?
Yes. Natural stone varies in tone and veining, so mixing boxes blends the floor. Ordering from one lot helps the match.
Can you check my layout and quantities before I order?
Yes. Use our tile calculator, then send your plan to the quantity and layout review. Order samples first to see pattern and color.