Highlighter tiles: what they are and where to use them
A highlighter tile is the patterned tile in a wall of plain ones: a band, a panel or a strip that draws the eye. Used well it makes a wall look designed; used everywhere it makes it busy. Here is how to place them.
In Indian tile shops, a highlighter is the decorative tile used among plain base tiles to highlight part of a wall. It is usually a pattern, a texture or a bolder colour that goes with the base tile, so the two read as one wall.
Where to place highlighter tiles
| Room | Where | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | A band at eye level, or a vertical strip behind the basin or in the shower | Keep the rest of the wall in a plain base tile |
| Kitchen | The backsplash band between the platform and the cabinets | One row of pattern can be enough |
| Living room | A panel behind the TV or the sofa | Frame the panel with plain tiles or paint |
| Pooja room | Behind and around the idol | Use a devotional design as the highlighter |
| Elevation | A column up the front, or a panel beside the door | Stone and brick looks age best outdoors |
How many highlighter tiles
A highlighter should cover a small part of the wall, roughly one tile in five or fewer. One band, one panel or one strip per wall is the rule; three bands on one wall stop being a highlight.
Matching the base tile
- Pick the highlighter first, then a base tile in one of its colours.
- Keep the same size for both, so the joints line up.
- On a stone or brick look, a plain tile in the same colour reads as part of the same wall.
Designs that work as highlighters
Patchwork and pattern designs make clear bands and panels:
Moroccan patterns are classic highlighters in kitchens and bathrooms:
Mistakes to avoid
- A band at an awkward height. Set it at eye level, or line it up with the basin, the platform or the mirror.
- Highlighters on every wall. Choose one wall.
- Starting the layout from a corner. Start from the centre of the band, so the cut pieces at both ends match.
Room by room: bathroom, kitchen, living room and pooja room.
