Patterned Hexagon Tile: 3 Ways to Create Style

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

Last week, I shared 3 Ways to Create Style with Plain Hexagon Tile. This week, I play with pattern on this powerful six-sided polygon. Here are three ways patterned hexagon tiles provide a stylish look using both ceramic and cement tiles - all available from Avente Tile.

Our journey of creating style with hexagon tiles continues. 

Hexagon Style Tip #1: Use patterned cement tile in a hexagon format for a subtle design flair. At first glance, the pattern addict would say, "I've seen this pattern. That's not a Hexagon!" But take a closer look, and among the Escher-like tessellations, you'll see the hexagon outline in the grout line.

Patterned hexagon tiles add subtle design flair

Not only is the pattern playful, so is the tile shape and format; but, in a subtle way that draws attention by making you look twice. If you have trouble seeing the pattern, here's a view of the same tile placed together without any cuts.

Patterned hexagon tiles work well in rooms with odd angles or if the walls aren't square.

Design trick: Use a patterned hexagon tile for rooms that aren't square or rectangular, badly out of plumb or odd-shaped. The pattern and hexagon shape, when run to the edge of the room, hide all of the problems you'd have when using square or rectangular tile.

Hexagon Style Tip #2. Emphasize the hexagon shape with outline patterns. Using cement tile from our Mission patterns, you can show your love for this shapely, equal-sided polygon by using three contrasting or complimentary colors that outline or frame the hexagon shape. Here's an 8-inch format in three colors.

Emphasize the hexagon shape with outline patterns like this.

The design flexibility of cement tiles means you get to pick the color for a unique design that speaks to you. Consider blue, green and aqua for a bathroom. Choose red, orange and yellow for a bright, warm patio or sunroom, or opt for a more neutral palette, such as the one shown above for a wall.

Hexagon Style Tip #3. Create a mosaic with hexagon tile. The flexibility of tile and the geometry of a hexagon work well with creative designs. You can create one-of-a-kind mosaics for the floor or wall using either cement and ceramic tile.

Life of Riley by Artist Thimo Pimental is a modular mosaic hexagon cement tile.

Colorful hexagon tiles by David Shipley create one-of-a-kind mosaics.

Moreover, thanks to the inherit advantages of geometry, patterned hexagon tiles can be create subtle or bold designs, or a playful yet sophisticated mosaic. At Avente Tile, we offer both encaustic cement tile and glazed ceramic tile designs that work on floors and walls, indoors and out. Want to explore more hexagon style and design options? Can't find the hexagon style that you want? Let us know what you need for your project, and we'll schedule a free design consultation to show you how we can help!

3 Ways to Create Style with Plain Hexagon Tile

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

With it's classic six-sided shape, the hexagon is gaining and maintaining it's elegant prowess in design circles (pun intended) once again. Here are three ways plain hexagon tiles lead to an overall stylish look. Our style guide below uses both ceramic, porcelain, and cement tiles - all available from Avente Tile.

Hexagon Style Tip #1. Create a simple pattern with plain hexagon tile in two or three colors.  The hexagon format was common in the 1920s. These small-format "penny hexagons" or the penny hex in white was typically used for kitchen and bath floors. It gained some notoriety again in the 1960s, and now, it is once again is a design staple that provides interest without being over-used.

Penny-sized hexagon tiles, popular in the 1920s, were typically used as flooring in the kitchen and bath.

A simple repeating pattern in black and white works great with hexagon tiles. Stylistic floral patterns and simple borders can also be used with this fun, interlocking shape.

Hexagon Style Tip #2. Use hexagon tile with hand-painted glazes or cement tile in the same color. Sound boring? Not really, use an interesting glaze that exhibits variation from tile to tile. Or, use hand-painted glazes or cement tile to achieve the look you're after. The natural variation in color provides an absolutely stunning look that hides dirt, provides a sense of texture or depth, and lots of interest. It's also a more straight-forward design approach for the DIY group.

Arabesque Hexagon Spanish Pavers in Cotto Dark, all in the same color, can create a rustic look similar to this.

Hexagon tile looks great with hand-painted glazes. The variation of hand-applied glazes create a look that exudes depth, texture and interest.

Hexagon Saltillo tiles provide rustic charm with the natural color variations found in terracotta.

Hexagon Style Tip #3. Blend ceramic tile glaze colors or cement tile colors and texture to unique, one-of-kind designs. Feeling creative? Like to work with colors? Then this option is perfect for you. Create a colorful mosaic of hexagon tiles using three to five colors, then choose a size to accommodate the scale of the space.

6" Arabesque Hexagon Spanish Paver Tile in Normandy Cream and Vintage texture

Hexagonal cement tile from our Arabesque cement tile collection. Pictured above is a blend of red and brown tiles, our Duoro Blend, with a Vintage texture

It's easy to see why this classic shape never falls from grace. Hexagon tile, or hex tiles, are just a great way to add both style and grace to any design.

Next week get's really fun! I'll show you three ways to create style with patterned hexagon tile. Patterned  hexagon tiles can be very playful - the hexagon pattern can almost disappear or form truly unique modular mosaic patterns. If you haven't seen patterned hexagon tile at play, I think you'll be surprised!