How to Install Tile in a Diamond Pattern

If you are remodeling a kitchen or bathroom and you want to install tiles in a diamond pattern, choosing your tiles correctly is paramount to the type of wall you are installing them on.

Step 1 – Measuring

For whole wall tiling, begin by locating the center point of the area to be tiled. It is common practice to actually lay the first course of tiles in the middle of the wall. You will need to measure the height of the wall and find the exact center point.  

Step 2 – Marking the Wall

Use a level to draw a horizontal line across the entire wall using the center point as your mark. Draw a vertical line from top to bottom, passing exactly through the center point. You should end up with a ‘+’ drawing on your wall. Use the square edge against all four quarters of the ‘+’ and make sure they are exactly 90 degrees and level.

Step 3 – Make a Dry Run

You will need to do a dry run of tiles across the wall horizontally to ensure that you end up with the same amount of cut tile on either edge and again on the top and bottom of the wall.

Step 4 – Placing the First Course

Butter some tile adhesive onto the ‘+’ area and leave a very tiny gap for the pencil mark to stay visible. Next, take one tile and holding it with the diagonal point facing up and lay it on the adhesive a tad below the center point. Line the pointed edges of the tile up exactly with the perpendicular line so that it remains true to your vertical mark.

Step 5 – Continuing

Place another tile along the bottom right edge of the first tile and place a spacer in between the two. Add another spacer above the second tile and place a third tile along the top right edge. You should have three tiles in a ‘V’ shape with the tops of the ‘V’ both just a tad from the horizontal line. Take your level and make sure your  tiles are still straight.

Step 6 – Pattern Creation

Repeat Step 5, but this time lay the tiles to the left of the first tile. You should end up with a ‘W' shape.

Step 7 - Direction

Complete the course from center to right and center to left, leveling your tiles after placing each two tiles down. Your first course should have a jagged structure to them. You will now have a half tile space left on either side. We will discuss this later.

Step 8 – Second Course

Place the next course of tiles below the first course making sure you add spacers and check the level after every course. Then continue working down the wall until you can no longer fit a whole tile.

Step 9 – Work Upward

Working upward from the first course line of tiles, complete the steps 5 through 8 until you cannot lay a whole tile in the space left.

Step 10 – Cutting Edges

Use the tile cutter to snip the tiles for the smaller half tile areas and fill in all the gaps around the edges. Try to create as few wasted tiles as you can to cut down on costs.

Step 11 - Grouting

Once the tiles have totally set, you can proceed to grout your tiles for a fine neat finish.