4 Tips for Planning a Tile Layout

Tile layout is an easy DIY project, which many homeowners opt for when remodeling their homes. Replacing old flooring with tiles is a task that can add value and beauty to a house. If you are planning to undertake this task, consider some tips for planning your tile layout, in order to achieve a professional result. Proper tile layout will give you the chance to complete the task fast, in a hassle-free way.

1. Measuring

The first thing you need to do is measure the floor or the walls you are tiling. It's important is to measure properly, calculating for the shelves, windows, or anything that is in the way. Proper measurement is the cornerstone of a successful and professional-looking result. Before measuring, determine the width of the space or grout between the tiles and add to the size of your tiles. This will greatly help esthetically when you finish with evenly sized tiles around the perimeter of the room. If you do not include the grout in your initial plan, the entire task might fail.

2. Installing the Tiles on a Smooth Surface

Whether you are installing floor tiles or wall tiles, you need to ensure an even and smooth surface. You will most likely find edges and dips, so plan ahead and consider the tile layout based on the surface and the obstacles you will have.

3. Starting at the Middle

Contrary to what most people believe, when installing tiles, you should never start from the wall corners. In a large living or dining room, for instance, the tile layout could start from the middle of the space, and continue following a square pattern. In a bathroom, however, where the tiles will be around a vanity, a toilet, a shower, and a bathtub, you'll have to more carefully consider how the tiles will be centered, and it would also probably determine the size of tiles to be used. That will save you from possible alignment mistakes and prevent laying narrow or tiny pieces of tile near one side of the room. You should always tile the wall borders last because in some cases, walls might not be straight and completely parallel to each other.

4. Draw the Layout

Most people do not actually design the layout on the floor or walls, but that is something that will help you tremendously. Take chalk and draw the tile design on the floor or wall to give you a complete idea of how your project will look when you are done. Moreover, drawing the layout will give you the chance to fix any possible mistakes you made while measuring. Draw the design of the tiles and count them so that you know how many you need. Of course, you will need to buy a few more just in case, but you will avoid costly mistakes.

5. Cut Carefully

One of the most common mistakes people make is that they cut the tiles too early. You need to cut the tiles only when you are ready to install them. You can check the initial layout and see how you want the corner cuts to be. Or, you can decide to increase or decrease the grout size so that you can finagle the measurements.

6. Plan According to Space

One of the best things you can do is plan the tile layout according to the room you are tiling. If the layout is correct, you can make even a really small room appear larger. Use smaller tiles in a tiny space, and large tiles in a spacious room, to add to the optical impression with your tile layout.