Interior design fans will know that even as trends come and go, tile remains a top versatile decor element that can breathe life into any space in a home, especially if you go beyond tile’s go-to spot on a bathroom floor. And as much as we love tried-and-true subway tile, with so many unique color schemes and patterns to choose from, there’s nothing like a vibrant tile design to showcase your personality in a space.

Whether you’re looking to refresh a kitchen backsplash or add some flair to your entryway, we’ve got you covered. We reached out to tile experts from Tucson, AZ, all the way to Markham, ON, for unique tile ideas that you can incorporate into your home interior. Here’s how to mix things up and create a one-of-a-kind look in your home.

Tile ideas you can use in your kitchen

1) Blessed with a cooking island? Decorate it with the same mosaic tiles as used on your kitchen wall. Give your kitchen a “wow” factor by using the same mosaics on your cooking island as used on your kitchen wall. We suggest Kit Kat mosaics since these small tiles will be easy to process. Make sure to place them vertically if your island has round edges. –The Mosaic Factory

2) Create a stunning contrast in your kitchen with a backsplash laid of bright, hand-painted geometric patterned ceramic tiles over a countertop of mirror-polished black granite tiles. The reflection of the tiles on top of the granite will bring tremendous life to your cooking space. –Mosaic Blues

3) Don’t be afraid to go bold in your kitchen by using tile as large-scale art. Tiles that create a pattern or scene on your backsplash add a surprising element that is both delightful and unexpected. Also, if you’re working with high ceilings, be sure to continue the tile to the underside of the ceiling. –Ann Gottlieb Design

4) Use decorative tiles on walls, countertops, and built-in cabinetry. Mix and match various designs and colors, including contrasting grout options. Relief tiles give an additional visual “punch,” even if the colors are similar and subtly different. –New York Tilemakers

5) Give your basic subway tile a unique twist by installing it in a vertical stack as opposed to the traditional offset pattern. This tile stacking pattern creates the illusion of height in any space and adds a modern twist to a classic tile. –Elkins + Co Interiors

6) Tiling the face of your island makes for a unique and eye-catching feature. A simple but often overlooked area in the kitchen is the island. Add a pattern or a pop of color to your island and make your kitchen like no other. –Coast Tile & Marble Supply

Incorporate these tile ideas in your home’s living areas

7) Use reflective tiles to open up a small space. Glossy or reflective tiles – think glazed ceramics or polished glass – amplify the natural light in a room, making even a cozy downstairs powder room feel bigger and airier. Use mirror tiles under your cabinets to create a reflective backsplash and open up a small kitchen, or glass subway tiles in a narrow shower to bring in light and make it feel more spacious. –Tile Club

8) Turn the standard subway layout into a herringbone pattern or go with a vertical or stacked layout for a more modern feel. Think outside the box when it comes to the layout of your tile to create a unique and fun look. These tile ideas are simple ways to create your own pattern without paying the price of more intricate patterned tiles. –Willaby Way

9) Use remnant slabs to create custom tiles that showcase the natural patterns of stone. Infuse the natural swirling patterns of stone into your tile project with the help of your local stone fabricator. Simply source leftover pieces of stone from larger slab projects and cut those remnants in such a way that your tiles match the prominent stone veins throughout your mural. Sustainable, cost-efficient, and truly one-of-kind. –Adamo Stone Design

10) Use decorative ceiling tiles to create a beautiful ceiling. With decorative ceiling tiles, you have the freedom to select your preference from many designs, patterns, and colors. Fire Rated Faux, Copper, Faux Silver, Faux Antique Copper, Faux Antique Silver, and Faux Patina Copper will create a stunning ceiling. Glue them together with overlapping edges or install them in a grid suspended ceiling by inserting the tiles beneath existing acoustic ceiling tiles. –Ceiling Tiles By Us

11) Large format tiles give the illusion of a more spacious room. Plus, the concurrent use of natural and slip-resistant finishes of the same tile creates a continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces. Including the pool and garden with customized copings, stair treads, wall caps, and more fabricated from pavers of the same graphic can instantly transform even a small space into a well-coordinated oasis. Look for product lines that have indoor and outdoor finishes and pavers and copings that can be customized to fit your design needs. –Pera Tile

12) Use tiles to add a pop of color and pattern to your stair risers. There are several ways to make your statement with your risers. Tiles can last more than a lifetime and can be a way to mark your legacy. We can create custom coordinated color stories that include trims to finish the edges cleanly, or if you are on a budget, you can pick from our in-stock collection and mix and match them to fit your needs. –Ceramic Concepts

13) Create a serene spa-like shower in your home with the use of wood porcelain for the walls. Not only is this affordable, but this look also creates a maintenance-free shower due to wood porcelain having the ability to be cleaned with any product on the market. Pair this with a marble mosaic for the floor and inside your niche, and your look is complete. –LMP Home

14) If you’re unsure where to start when giving an organic and natural look to your rooms, let the floors and walls be your starting point to set the background. Choose a wood-look porcelain tile that appeals most to you, your style, and decor, and start embracing natural beauty in your home. A design blending calming hues of blue and shades of white and beige tiles, whether it’s a combination of patterned and plain or completely plain, can open up the space and enhance a calm and relaxing home with a stunning contemporary look. –Tile Trader

Take advantage of outdoor living with these tile ideas

15) Use tile remnants to create functional mosaic art for your home or patio. Gently break leftover tiles from the backside with the light tap of a hammer. Then, arrange a design for a side table, a plant stand, or even an accent for a cement wall. From there, adhere the remnants with thinset, then grout the mosaic after the thinset is dry. Your creative pieces will add subtle harmony to your home decor. –Mosaics by Andrea Edmundson

16) Create a feeling of ultimate luxury with an outdoor shower. Outdoor showers are a great addition to the alfresco lifestyle. In fact, it encourages even more of it. For a few brief moments, it transports you to a more exotic locale than your own backyard. –Clay Imports

17) Install colorful aquatic safety surfacing tiles on your pool deck to add slip-resistance and cushioning paired with the ability to create bold patterns and designs. Create color gradients out of geometric shapes for a unique and visually interesting look. Consider using this design approach for safer and more vibrant bathroom surfaces as well. –Life Floor

Ready to make a statement? Use tiles as accents

18) Tile your ceiling to make a statement. With different shapes, sizes, textures, colors, and color blends, you can create a focal point no one would expect. -ARTO

19) If you want to incorporate mosaic into your space but don’t want it to be overwhelming or costly, get creative with accents and borders. It’s a perfect way to add a splash of color and texture to places like bathroom walls, shower area niches, and swimming pools. Mosaic borders can be anywhere between 2 to 24 inches wide. –MEC Artworks

20) There are two words you need to know if you’re looking to elevate a room in your home: accent wall. Whether it’s glazed picket tile or colorful terrazzo, decking out a single wall with a beautiful handmade tile is the perfect way to liven up and enrich a space. –Eso Surfaces

21) Make sure to check different styles and materials for your accent wall. Doing your due diligence and checking out the different styles, patterns, and materials will reassure you in getting the result you’ll like best in your space. –Joseph & Sons Mosaic

22) Be your own designer. Think outside of the box and beyond standard prefabricated patterns and layouts, and consider creating a custom design that sets the tone for the whole space. If you have a favorite photo, textile, or pattern in mind, Artaic can help you create something uniquely yours by transforming any image into a highly personal and custom tile mosaic. –Artaic

Originally published by Redfin