Ease of Installation

• Dennis Hourany of Fine Home Building recommends laying tile straight in a square room for its ease of installation. He suggests measuring the room's walls before you decide on a straight installation to make sure the walls are parallel. He adds, "If you find things are seriously out of whack and will cause many small tiles or unsightly cuts, you may consider installing the tile on a diagonal."
  
  

Aesthetic Appeal

• Steve Jordan of Old House Journal magazine notes the pros and cons of a diagonal layout. He says, "Though a diagonal plan is a bit more demanding for laying out and for cutting materials, it tends to be more interesting and makes the room appear larger." Tile laid on the diagonal visually widens a long, narrow space.
  
  

Bottom Line

• Designers agree that the decision comes down to personal preference. The experts at Tile City recommend you try out the layout, whether straight or diagonal, before putting down adhesive. They advise you to "spend as much time as you need to and make sure that you are happy with the final layout."