Rectangular Tiles & Mosaics

Rectangular Tiles and Mosaics

The rectangle is the shape most tile projects lean on. That long-side proportion is what lets you run a brick offset, a herringbone, or a stacked vertical wall, and the format alone changes how big a room feels. Here you'll find everything with a rectangular footprint, from 3x6 tumbled travertine subway and 6x12 natural terracotta to marble, basalt, limestone, porcelain, and zellige-look ceramic.

Scale changes the whole look

A 3x6 reads classic and a little busy in a good way. A 6x12 or 3x12 plank looks calmer and more modern with fewer grout lines. Longer, narrower planks stretch a room out, while a squarer rectangle feels grounded. The terracotta brings handmade warmth, and honed marble keeps things crisp.

Ways to lay it

• Running bond, offset by half, is the timeless subway look.
• A vertical stack raises the eye and modernizes the same tile.
• Herringbone and chevron are directional and high impact.

If you already know you want the timeless look, jump to our subway backsplash. For the balanced, symmetrical version, see square tiles and mosaics.