Marie Flanigan wants you to embrace tile beyond flooring with these unconventional ways to use tile in your home

If you're currently pondering over fun design decisions for your home or remodel, tile is going to be a big part of the conversation.

But while the most obvious use is for flooring and of course for practical reasons in the bathroom, this year we're seeing a rise in the use of tile in much more unconventional ways. And the experts agree.

Sharing her most creative tile ideas, Marie Flanigan – interior designer and founder of Marie Flanigan Interiors – has shared a video on Instagram encouraging you to think outside the box with some unexpected ways to use tile. Here's what she had to say.

How To Embrace Tile Beyond Flooring

From accent walls to fireplace surrounds, tile is being reimagined as a stylish design element that brings texture, color, and design know-how to spaces beyond the kitchen and bathroom.

1. Consider unexpected tile placement

In her video, Marie explains that 'tile is making such a comeback – and I'm not just talking about floors – think walls, vanities, countertops, island countertops, we're seeing it used everywhere.'

While tiles are traditionally reserved for floors, Flanigan suggests considering more unexpected placements to make a design statement.

Don’t be afraid to explore beyond the obvious. Tile can be applied to walls, ceilings, and furniture, or even used as trims or borders for a hint of color or pattern. For instance, tiling an accent wall or fireplace wall can instantly elevate the space, creating a focal point that adds a pop of texture. This works particularly well if you're using something glossy and reflective, like the zellige tiles seen above from Mosaic Factory.

Whether you opt for neutral, large format tiles to add a subtle texture or choose a more intricate pattern with smaller, decorative tiles, the impact is hard to recreate with any other material.

In the comments, Flanigan fans were quick to express their concerns over her suggestion of a tiled kitchen or island countertops. A divisive choice, the idea of grout lines on a countertop of any functionality can feel like a big upkeep but the results can be undeniably beautiful.

'A lot of times this look can have little of a '70s feel, but there are some ways to keep it feeling fresh and modern,' she continues.

2. Look to handmade, organic tile materials

Whether it's hand-glazed ceramics, natural stone, or reclaimed terracotta, Flanigan encourages homeowners to explore handmade, organic tile materials to bring warmth, character, and individuality to their spaces.

'I like to keep my selections in a reclaimed, organic, or hand-formed material, that is what is going to keep the application feeling soft and textural,' she explains.

Handmade tiles are particularly appealing because no two are exactly the same. Each tile has its own unique variation in tone, texture, and imperfections resulting in a look that's full of movement.

3. Have fun with pattern play

'I like to have fun with laying the patterns – we're having so much fun with pattern play, with grout lines and different grid patterns,' Marie says. 'Changing the orientation of the tile to either create a basket weave or plaid or even stripes around the shower.

Some of the biggest tile trends in 2024 have also gone beyond the conventional and are focussed instead on placement. From the stripe tile layout trend to the classic checkerboard, more playful tile combinations can add a fresh, modern twist to your space. Vertical striped tiles can elongate a shower wall giving the illusion of height, while horizontal stripes make a room feel more expansive and a plaid pattern will feel timeless and comforting.

'The skies are the limit, have fun with it.'

As Marie Flanigan has shown, embracing tile beyond flooring opens up a world of creative possibilities for your home decor. From unconventional placements to bold patterns, tiles can transform even the most ordinary spaces into something unexpected.