We love it when tiles are used in creative ways here at Tile Mountain because there’s almost no shortage of possibilities when it comes to combining and laying the things. One of the big trends we’re seeing lately involves creating what looks like a rug with a patterned tile at the centre surrounded by another coordinating tile.
This inspiring look works equally well both inside and out, and this post shares a few inspiring ideas for coordinating your tiles to create a rug-like effect in your home.
Why Create a Rug Effect with Floor Tiles?
If you’ve not considered mixing and matching your floor tiles in the past, you may be wondering what the benefit of this effect is. Just like an area rug will help delineate and zone various areas in your home, a central patterned floor tile will do the same, drawing your eye to a particular area for seating, entertaining or anything else.
Unlike area rugs which are generally only available in specific sizes, you can get creative, making your floor tile ‘rug’ as large or as small as you need, allowing you plenty of flexibility to get creative with no limitations.
How Easy Is It to Create?
The easiest way to create this effect is to look out for patterned tiles that come with coordinated plain tiles within the same range. This means that the type, thickness and colours will easily combine, making the job as effortless as if you’d used the same tile across the whole floor.
If you are mixing and matching across different ranges, then you may need to allow for adjustments between tiles to ensure you have a completely flush finish when the job is complete so pay attention to the technical aspects of the tiles you choose from the thickness to whether or not they need sealing and more.
Creating an Outdoor Rug Effect With Floor Tiles
Hanoi Star Blue Floor Tiles combined with Hanoi Grey Floor Tiles | Tile Mountain
Whether you have a small patio or a large alfresco entertaining area, creating an outdoor rug with tiles can be adapted to just about any size space. These Hanoi Star Blue Tiles create a wonderful way to visually create a vibrant seating area. Surround them with Hanoi Grey Floor Tiles or Hanoi White Floor Tiles for a Mediterranean-inspired courtyard effect.
Looking for something more subtle? Our Concretia Grey Outdoor Slabs provide a more traditional look in a patchwork style, perfect for contemporary or period properties. Zone out areas for eating, entertaining and more in different areas of your patio by simply mixing and matching with plain slabs for a stylish outdoor space.
Creating an Indoor Rug Effect With Floor Tiles
Moments Beige Mix Floor Tiles | Tile Mountain
Indoors, our Moments Beige Mix Floor Tiles create a wonderful patchwork ‘rug’ to zone the living area in this open-plan space. Because these tiles can be used both on floors as well as walls, you can create a coordinated look by using the same tiles in the kitchen. Combined with wood-effect floor tiles, the final effect is a warm creative space, perfect for busy family life.
Hanoi Cube Grey Floor Tiles combined with Hanoi White Floor Tiles | Tile Mountain
Of course, the effect can easily be reversed as seen in the inspiring kitchen-diner above where a plain tile (our Hanoi White Floor Tile) is used for the ‘rug’ effect while the Hanoi Cube Grey Floor Tiles surround it, creating a thoroughly contemporary look with a graphic punch.
Is this a look you love? Be sure to check out our full range of floor tiles here and remember to take advantage of our free cut sample service so you can mix and match the perfect combination!
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As a multi-award winning interior design content creator, Kimberly Duran is an Interior Design-obsessed American ex-pat, who chronicles her decorating journey and dispenses interior design advice in her personal blog, Swoon Worthy. When she’s not helplessly drooling over all the latest trends in design, she’s adding things to the imaginary ‘shopping basket’ in her head, she likes to get messy tackling DIY projects with her partner in crime, Wayne, stalking eBay for vintage bargains and filling her home with her favourite neutral – gold.