How to Design Floor Tile
When designing a tiled floor, you have seemingly endless options to choose from. You can lay the same tile throughout, alternate between different colors or even cut your own pattern into the floor. Designing floor tile can be a very creative process, resulting in a décor that is perfectly suited to your individual tastes. The following steps will help you design your own tile pattern with plenty of room for customization. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Paper
- Pencil
- Ceramic tile
- Micro cutter
- Tile nipper
- Tile spacers
Instructions
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1
Measure the room that you will be tiling. Select a size for your tiles, and create a scale drawing of the floor you will be working on with a grid indicating the tiles. Include any fixtures that you will need to tile around, such as a kitchen island or bathroom sink. Allow for 1/8 inch between tiles for the grout. To reflect this on your grid, increase the length and width of each tile by 1/8 inch (to scale) and add 1/8 inch around the walls and fixtures.
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2
Draw a design or pattern onto the grid. A very simple design may consist of a colored rectangle bordered by narrower, patterned tiles. For a more intricate design, create a a star or diamond shape with the tiles. If you incorporate a lot of diagonal lines, make them meet at a point where two pieces of tile come together. This will make the shapes easier to cut.
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3
Lay out the base tiles that will cover the area around your design or shape. If you have a repeating pattern or design, work with one small section at a time. Carefully draw a line on the tiles indicating where they will be cut to make room for the shape you have drawn.
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4
Score the tiles with a micro cutter on the line you have drawn. Then, use a tile nipper to break off the tile. Repeat this process for the interior tiles that will form the design as well. Use tile spacers to leave 1/8 inch for the grout line between tile pieces.
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5
Lay the tile pieces out carefully on the floor. Make sure that they fit together neatly with the tile spacers, indicating 1/8 inch allowance for grout on all sides. Trim the tiles as needed until they create the desired design.
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6
Repeat Steps 3 through 5 for each repeated design throughout the floor plan. When you have measured, cut and checked each section of your floor tile design, you are ready to begin the installation of your custom floor.
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Tips & Warnings
Explore a variety of patterns and designs before settling on one, to make sure that you have found the best look for your flooring.
