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5 Unexpected Tile Ideas to Elevate Every Room

For too long, tile has been confined to the predictable surfaces of the bathroom floor and the kitchen backsplash. However, the most innovative designers are actively shattering those conventions, viewing tile as a versatile, artistic medium capable of defining the entire mood and structure of a space.

The close of the year is the perfect time to look around your home and commit to the beautiful, creative changes you’ve been considering. Starting with a bold tile design is the quickest way to achieve a high-impact, custom look that will define your home’s aesthetic for 2026. At A&E Tile and Marble, we pride ourselves on carrying the vast, high-quality inventory that fuels these ambitious designs. Read more below to find the inspiration you need to finish the year strong by planning your home’s next stunning transformation!

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As much as we design editors love wallpaper—a decorative element that adds visual interest to parts of the home where people may not necessarily be looking otherwise—there's an architectural detail we may love even more: tile. It's like wallpaper, but a little extra because it can live on way more surfaces than just the walls, and there's really no limit to the designs they can create. That said, we tend to see tiles in only one space: the bathroom.

It's true; most homes that utilize tile—whether in a traditional sense or a more adventurous way—keep them sequestered in the bathroom, but there's no real reason tiles can't venture into other rooms. In fact, when done correctly, tile application outside of an expected area, like a bathroom or pool, can be a great way to make a statement, add texture, and bring color to the scene. Ahead, we ask designers brave enough to lay tile in unexpected locations how to do it, where to do it, and more. Keep reading if you're feeling like you want to swap wood planks, wallpaper, or anything traditional for tiles.

When we think of tiles as part of a fireplace surround, we can't help but picture something like a Delft tile, but something like this, which is the genius of design firm Tanner Sammons, is quite out-of-the-box. "I was drawn to this tile's dimensional geometry because it feels simultaneously timeless and modern," says Tanner Morgan, the firm's co-founder. "The finish has a soft luster that catches natural light in a way that makes the wall feel alive throughout the day. Rather than serving as a background, it becomes an architectural feature."

If you are using tile to be more decorative than functional, let it shine and have its moment, as Morgan has done here. "A textured stone surface can redefine a fireplace surround, entryway, or even cabinetry detail. When used thoughtfully, tile and stone bring both permanence and personality," she adds.

Tiles in a hallway aren't so unorthodox that they look out of place, but they are often done in a much simpler and less noticeable manner. Here, designer Annie Anderson was keen on having this tile be the pièce de résistance of the narrow hallway, opting for a bold combination of tile and wood planks in a graphic pattern. "In this gallery space, as we call it, we knew we wanted to break up the wood that is in every other room in our home," she explains. "These floors are special because they are heated, making them particularly nice in the winter, and the stone patinas with age and wears very well."

Galeana Younger, founder of her namesake firm based in San Antonio, Texas, didn't have to worry about dealing with a difficult client for this tricky space because the client in question was her own mother. "She knew that she wanted to use Mexican tile, and in my opinion, the only way to do a 'real' Mexican kitchen was to use lots of different patterns," Younger suggests.

Since she'd be playing with color and pattern, Younger wanted to be strategic about placement so as not to overwhelm the senses. "The chevron design made sense on a larger wall, while the bird is highlighted above the range and sink. We thought of the smaller tiles as trim since they finished off the edges," Younger notes. "At first, the patterns may seem random, but once complete, the design tells a full story."

There are only so many places where a tile can be incorporated, but one that's perhaps the most unexpected is the staircase. When designer Ellen Kavanaugh was looking for a way to dress up a client's staircase, she turned to decorative tile to upgrade each riser. "In Mediterranean-style homes, adding decorative tiles to stair risers is a signature detail," she admits. "In this space, the daisy-patterned tile with pops of green and red is playful and serves to keep this space casual, warm, and inviting."

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Kavanaugh suggests treating tile like you would any other medium used to add texture to your space, so don't be afraid to go big. "You can have fun mixing tiles into the interior just like wallpaper- another layer of color and pattern to mix in," she adds.

In this elegant and colorful kitchen, interior designer Jaqui Seerman opted for a tile floor in a traditional and timeless manner: a checkerboard floor. It's classic for a reason, though: Tiled checkerboard has existed in some of the most beautiful kitchens for centuries, and it is showing no signs of going anywhere. Here, Seerman decided to celebrate it by making it the centerpiece of the space. "Checkerboard floors remain timeless, and tiled tabletops or cabinet faces can introduce a layer of artistry and whimsy to rooms typically grounded in wood or upholstery," she says. "Tile is the quiet hero of artisanal materials; versatile, expressive, and definitely not one to overlook."

Turn inspiration into installation! A truly elevated design starts with the quality and variety of the materials used in those unexpected applications. Visit our recommended showroom or chat with us today for ideas to find the bold patterns, unique textures, and high-quality tiles that will define your home’s aesthetic in 2026. Contact us today at (703) 772-1836 to check for custom tile and marble installation, and follow us on Instagram.

Reference: [ https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a69203997/how-to-use-tile-outside-the-bathroom/ ]