Quick answer: The four main tile layout patterns are straight lay (10% waste), brick/offset (10%), diagonal 45° (15%), and herringbone (20%). Your pattern choice affects not just aesthetics — it directly determines how many tiles and boxes to buy.
The tile pattern you choose affects cost, installation time, and the visual proportions of your room. A diagonal layout can make a narrow room appear wider. Herringbone adds movement and visual interest to plain rectangular tiles. But both patterns require meaningfully more tile than a straight lay — and that needs to be factored into your order before you head to the store.
The four main tile layout patterns
Straight lay (grid)
10% waste factor
Tiles run parallel to the walls in a regular grid. The most common, most forgiving, and most cost-effective layout. Because rows align, cut pieces from one side of the room can often be reused on the opposite side — minimizing waste.
Best for: any roomBest tile sizes: allDIY difficulty: easy
Brick / offset (running bond)
10% waste factor
Alternating rows are offset by 50% — like traditional brick. Especially popular with rectangular tiles (6×12", 12×24") where it gives a natural, organic feel. Also commonly used for subway tile wall applications. Waste is similar to straight lay since the offset cut from one row fits the start of the next.
Best for: rectangular tilesBest sizes: 6×12", 12×24"DIY difficulty: easy
Diagonal (45° / diamond)
15% waste factor
Tiles set at 45° to the walls, creating a diamond pattern. Visually dynamic — makes narrow rooms appear wider and short rooms appear longer by drawing the eye along the diagonal axis. The trade-off: every perimeter tile must be cut at a 45° angle, creating large triangular offcuts that can't be reused. Always add 15% waste minimum.
Best for: small bathrooms, foyersBest sizes: square tilesDIY difficulty: moderate
Herringbone
20% waste factor
The most visually striking pattern — alternating tiles set perpendicular to each other in a V-shaped zig-zag. The word comes from the resemblance to the bones of a herring fish. Because tiles interlock at multiple angles, edge tiles require complex cuts from both ends, generating the most waste of any pattern. Always budget 20% extra, and have extra tiles on hand for the installer to work with.
Best for: kitchens, hallwaysBest sizes: 3×6", 6×12"DIY difficulty: advanced
Straight lay is by far the most popular — it's easy to install, minimizes waste, and works with any tile size or room shape. The brick/running bond pattern is a close second, especially popular with subway tile and any rectangular format. Herringbone is the most requested "statement" pattern for kitchens and hallways.
At minimum 15% extra for a diagonal (45°) layout. This is because every tile along the perimeter walls needs to be cut at a 45° angle, and the triangular offcuts are too small to use elsewhere. In rooms with many angles, alcoves, or obstacles, bump this up to 20%.
Tiles with a 1:2 ratio — like 3×6", 4×8", or 6×12" — look most authentic in herringbone. These proportions create the tight V-shape that defines the classic pattern. Square tiles can technically work, but the pattern looks more like a checkerboard. Very large tiles (18×18 or bigger) are impractical for herringbone as the weight and edge cuts make installation extremely difficult.
Not meaningfully — both use about 10% waste. In the brick pattern, the cut piece from the end of one row fits exactly at the beginning of the next row. As long as tiles are cut carefully, very little is wasted. The 10% buffer handles the occasional bad cut and perimeter edge pieces.
Yes, but it requires careful planning. A common approach: large format tiles (24×24") on the main floor with a border of smaller tiles (4×4" or 2×2" mosaic) near the walls. The key is to plan the layout on paper first, ensure grout lines align where the tile sizes meet, and account for each size separately in your tile count.
Calculate your tile count by pattern
Pick your layout pattern, enter your room dimensions, and get tiles, boxes, grout bags, and a complete supply list.