Looking for tile trends that give you more to work with than plain white squares? Think glossy green walls, soft checkerboard floors and a kitchen island covered in little rectangles.
These rooms have plenty of ideas worth saving, whether you love a quiet neutral or want a little more color.
You can keep things simple or go all out. Start with a favorite shade, then look at the shapes and layouts.
Tile ideas worth saving for your next project
glossy pale squares
We’re starting off strong with this pretty pale backsplash. I love the slight color changes between the squares and the way their glossy faces catch the light.
Try a long display shelf above your tiles like the one here. The paintings and little bowls give you something lovely to look at beyond the backsplash.
brown and cream diamonds
How gorgeous is this entryway? The brown and cream checkerboard sits on a diagonal, with a pale border around the edges.
Those dark, veined squares are my favorite part.
Keep your walls plain if you want to follow this look. There’s already plenty to love underfoot.
a fluted fireplace surround
Don’t want a colorful pattern but still want something a little different? This pale fluted fireplace surround is such pretty inspiration.
The narrow vertical ridges wrap around its rounded sides.
If you’re shopping for tile, look for a similar fluted design approved for your fireplace application. The photo shows the look, rather than confirming what the surround is made from.
soft gray checks
I love this gray checkerboard with the pale pink wall. The squares have a mottled look rather than a flat color, which is especially pretty beside the gray cabinets.
Read also: 20 Color Drenched Bedroom Ideas and Colorful Looks to Try
Try this softer pairing if black-and-white checks feel a little too bold for your laundry room.
large pale floor tiles
If you are looking for something simple, this one is for you. Large pale tiles cover the kitchen floor, with little gray and beige markings across them.
The brown cabinets and dark chairs look so good against that light background.
Read also: 20 New Heritage Bedroom Ideas With Pretty Patterns and Classic Details
terracotta-colored patio squares
This patio may just be one of my favorites here. I love the mix of orange, rust and golden-brown squares beneath the dining table.
For a similar outdoor setup, choose tiles rated for your conditions rather than picking by color alone. Add large planters around the edges if you like the leafy setting too.
glossy herringbone
The herringbone fans are going to love this! Instead of straight rows, these pale rectangular tiles zigzag across the backsplash.
Their rippled reflections look especially pretty beneath the cabinet lights.
Read also: 20 Built In Bookshelves Ideas for Reading Nooks and Pretty Storage
Pair yours with small gold-tone handles if you want to borrow another detail from this kitchen.
gray hexagon floors
Want a little pattern without adding another color? Try gray hexagons like these.
The light grout outlines each shape, with darker and lighter tiles scattered through the floor.
I love the simple white cabinets beside them. The little bench is a lovely extra touch.
beige and cream checks
This is another checkerboard idea, but it’s a little softer than the brown entryway above. The beige and cream squares look so pretty with the arched door and pale walls.
Save this one if you prefer a quieter color combination.
an olive tiled island
I am obsessed with this kitchen island. The olive-gray tiles cover the top and continue down the sides, with pale grout showing off every little rectangle.
If you want to try tile somewhere other than a backsplash, this is a fun place to start planning. I’d keep the surrounding counters simple, just like this.
vertical tiles and a glowing mirror
If your saved bathroom trends lean toward simple shapes, this one is worth a look. Pale rectangular tiles run vertically behind the rounded mirror and into the shower.
The black taps and drawer handles are my favorite little details. Try repeating one hardware color across your vanity to follow the same idea.
tiny tiles beneath the shower
Don’t want to go all out with color? No problem! This shower pairs a tiny pale floor pattern with larger gray-veined wall tiles.
I love that you can see the mix through the clear enclosure. Ask to see your floor and wall samples together before choosing a similar combination.
a green tiled arch
How cute is this arched shower? The green tiles cover the inside and continue around the opening, so you get that pretty color even when looking in from the room.
The little dark motifs on the pale floor are adorable too. I’d keep those if you want a patterned floor alongside your green walls.
a curved veined backsplash
This little sink corner is so pretty. I love the curved backsplash, gold-tone taps and pink flowers against the blue wall.
There aren’t visible tile joints here, so save this as surface-pairing inspiration rather than a tile layout. A pale veined tile could be your own way to bring a similar pattern beside blue paint.
pink mini squares
Calling all pink fans, this one is for you. Tiny pink squares wrap around the lower walls, with a deeper pink sink sitting in front of them.
I am obsessed with the matching pink wall above. Keep a dark mirror frame if you want that same little break from all the pink.
hexagons behind the shelves
If you love mixing shapes, there’s plenty to save here. A strip of gray and cream hexagons runs down the back of the shower, with white veined rectangles on either side.
The shelves sit across that patterned strip. Try keeping your accent tile in one defined area if you don’t want it covering every wall.
dark green and bold veining
I love this dark green room with its floral wall and round mirror. The pale vanity top has bold dark veining that looks gorgeous beneath the white bowl sink.
This image doesn’t show a clear tile layout, but the colors are worth saving. For your own tile pairing, try a pale veined design beside deep green paint.
Read also: 20 Smoky Blue Bedroom Ideas With Pretty Details Worth Saving
little flowers underfoot
How adorable are these little floor flowers? Gray hexagons make the motifs against a field of white, with a dotted border running around them.
The white rectangular wall tiles keep the rest simple. I especially love their raised trim beside the curved vanity and decorative drawer handles.
Read also: 20 New Heritage Decor Ideas With Florals, Checks and Collected Details
deep green shower walls
This green shower may just be my favorite color idea on the list. The glossy vertical tiles look gorgeous beside the large pale tiles outside the shower.
Try a slim gold-tone edge if you want to keep that little finishing detail. The ribbed screen adds another set of vertical lines without introducing a new pattern.
olive squares and a red niche
Last but definitely not least, we have this gorgeous olive-green bath surround. The squares continue across the walls, tub ledge and steps. I love the deep red niche!
If you want an unexpected color pairing, take inspiration from that red recess and the matching red fixtures. There’s no need to add another busy pattern here.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Isabella