Make the Wall the Conversation
Pattern is one of the easiest ways to turn a tiled wall into a genuine focal point, but the most successful patterned walls aren't necessarily the busiest.
The trick is to give the pattern a purpose.
A geometric tile can emphasise the proportions of a wall. A traditional-inspired design can introduce character into a contemporary room. A small decorative tile can create a concentrated moment of detail behind a basin, cooker or fireplace.
Pattern can also be created through installation, rather than the tile itself.
A simple metro tile laid in a herringbone arrangement has a completely different energy from the same tile installed in a traditional brick bond. Vertical stacking can emphasise height, while a horizontal layout can make a wall feel broader.
This gives you enormous flexibility. You don't always need to find a tile with an elaborate printed pattern to create something distinctive.
Colour matters too. A patterned tile in two closely related tones can feel sophisticated and understated, while stronger contrast produces something much more graphic.
The surrounding room should ultimately determine how far you take it. If your furniture and fittings are already expressive, a quieter pattern may be enough. If the rest of the room is deliberately minimal, the tiled wall can afford to become much more adventurous.
Design thought: Before choosing a patterned tile, decide what you want the pattern to do to the room.
