Create Space-Defining Rug Designs with Tile Product Trends

Are you wondering how you might interpret rug designs in tile? That's what this article is about!

Forget about limiting yourself to a carpet or an area rug to define your space. Try tile rugs instead. They're easier to maintain, incredibly durable and with so many varieties of tile to choose from, you can create truly space-defining rug designs that are as subtle or striking as your heart desires.

In this article, we'll share with you the latest tile trend ideas for inspiring your very own space-defining tile rug designs, and two videos where Tile Outlets' Trend Ambassador, Kate Spencer, shares perspective.

Kate Shares Tile Product Trend Ideas for Creating Space-Defining Rug Designs

When it comes to creating tile rugs, the possibilities are endless! However, to help get you started we've identified the following four major tile trends, with two sub-trends.

Creative Tile Products Make for Unique Rug Designs

To bring to life how versatile tile is for rug designs, Kate shares tile rug design ideas based on the following trends:

• Mosaics
• Patterns
• Subtle Stone and Marble Inspired Looks
• Striking Decorative Tiles

Within the Mosaics trend, we'll include Pebbles.

Within the Patterns trend, we'll show you Wood Plank Tile.

Let's go through each in more detail.

1. Try Mosaics for Unique Rug Designs

Mosaics are a natural for creating rug designs. They come in a variety of different looks, shapes, colors, and sizes and, as long as they are durable enough for use on floors, will enable you to outline a space with a gorgeous design. Furthermore, mosaics come in easy-to-install sheets. An entry rug might take ten to fifteen sheets, for example.

>> See The Ultimate Guide to Mosaics

More specifically, a simple basketweave mosaic of white marble and black dots such as the example below can create a stunning rug design for your front space.

Look how this mosaic installed with a solid border around it makes it look like you are stepping onto a rug.

Note that it is bordered with wood flooring.

Here is an up-close look at this mosaic rug. The pattern makes it appear to have texture to it, but the mosaic is smooth.

Shop Mosaics at Tile Outlets

Many mosaic options can create this look.

For example, imagine an entry foyer tile rug with hexagons and patchwork patterns.

Or even a herringbone pattern.

The possibilities are endless!

>> Explore mosaic tile patterns at Tile Outlets.

Add Whimsy and Surprise with Pebbles

Pebble mosaics come in many different colors and shapes. Most wonderful about them is how they add an unexpected element to a rug design. Sometimes that's color, other times it's contrasting shape, texture, and whimsy.

In the image below you see a distinctive pebble tile rug that visually stops you in your tracks.

This is a Marmol pebble mosaic with bright blue colors to make the rug stand out in the room or entryway. This mosaic combines travertine and ceramic pieces to create this look.

This next image shows you a bathroom floor where pebble strips break up the floor pattern and define different sections of the bathroom.

Shop Pebbles at Tile Outlets

Pebbles come in a variety of combinations - with and without texture - including solid colors, mixed colors, and patterns.

As a result, you have the opportunity to add color and character to your porcelain floor space.

>> Explore Pebble Mosaics at Tile Outlets

>> See Learn About Pebble Mosaics on Suncoast View

2. Create Classic Rug Design Patterns in Stone or Marble

Stone and particularly marble are classics when it comes to tiled spaces. They are such classics, that you'll find the available in a number of tile categories such as mosaic, listello, field tiles, and even waterjet cut mosaics. The options are always endless.

These natural beauties are sure to help you define an elegant design for whichever space you have in mind.

As an example, check out the bathroom below and notice the gorgeous tile rug in the center of the room which echoes the one in the shower.

Image from Houzz

This rug design consists of marble mosaics installed in the floor and bordered with 2x2 marble/stone mosaics that echo the coordinated 2x2 mosaics on the wall above the sink and by the tub.

This is the kind of installation you might consider waterjet cut tile for.

Define a Space with Wood Plank Tile Patterns

Wood looks are extremely popular in today's home. Why not use wood plank tile to define a space?

In the images below, you see examples of planks positioned in different patterns to give the subtle illusion of a rug. You could mimic this look with other tiles and patterns.

Below you see a foyer where wood planks have been installed in a herringbone pattern and outlined in a straight lay format around the pattern.

It successfully breaks up and defines that entry space.

Take note of the two different wood look tiles and how you can have one wood look in an adjoining room and still tie it together.

Here's a close-up of the wood plank tile.

This next image proves that hallways don’t have to be boring!

Here you see wood plank tile installed in a diagonal pattern in this hallway. Notice how the tile in the adjoining rooms flows into the diagonal pattern helping to define both spaces.

These tile pattern truly define your walking path down these halls.

Shop Wood Planks at Tile Outlets

>> Explore Wood Plank Tile at Tile Outlets

3. Define the Borders of Your Rug Design with Subtle Stone Listellos

Another way to create a remarkable tile rug design is with stone listellos which are unique, subtle, and often highly decorative.

On floors, you can use these cool pieces to define a rug space in a room. Listellos come in different lengths. They are usually 3” to 6” in width which creates a fun border effect as you can see in the image below.

This tile rug is outlined with a stone listello. The glass or stone mosaic inserts within the rug pattern visually tie together the listello border and the diagonal pattern for an eye-catching effect.

Shop Listellos at Tile Outlets

>> Explore Stone Listellos at Tile Outlets

4. For Bold Statements, Try Striking Decorative Tile Rug Designs

Perhaps you're looking to make a much bolder statement. That's where decorative porcelain tile with striking graphic designs come in.

You can use these designs in all-over patterns or combined with solid field tile.

In the image below, the tile checkerboard pattern identifies a distinct space, especially in contrast to the wood tile section of the room.

In contrast, the space below consists entirely of decorative graphic patterned tiles which combine to form a geometric floor pattern.

As you can imagine these decorative tiles are much easier to maintain than a rug and highly durable even in a commercial environment.

>> See Talking Decorative Patterned Tile on Suncoast View

>> See Decorative Graphic Tile Designs in Porcelain from Tile Outlets of America

Explore Two Tile Rug Videos

Here are two videos relating to Tile Rugs.

The first is a short 0:58-minute video titled How to Create Tile Rugs with Tile:

The second is a 5-minute segment based on Kate Spencer's visit to Suncoast View:

More Tile Rug Resources

If you'd like to see more examples of tile rugs, check out How to Create a Tile Rug in Your Home.

Or, visit Tile Outlets of America to find the perfect tile selection to create the most eye-catching tile rugs.

What's Your Reaction to these Eye-catching, Space-defining Tile Rugs?

We'd love to hear! We'd also love to show you all the decorative designs we have to offer to make your space stand out.

Thanks for watching and learning about how to create your very own tile rug.

Kate

Note: This article was originally published on March 29, 2018, and has been updated.