Interior designer Emma Sims Hilditch reveals imaginative ways with wall tiles

'There is such an array of wonderful designs available when it comes to wall tiles, but pattern and color aren’t the only ways to be creative,' says Emma. 'In a recent photoshoot at my home we saw an opportunity to be playful with where we positioned the tiles, creating characterful and unique spaces throughout the interior.'

Here, Emma shares her ideas for tiling a wall – and other surfaces – imaginatively.

Interior Designer

Interior Designer

Emma Sims-Hilditch

Founded in 2009, the Sims Hilditch design practice has become one of the most trusted and respected in the industry. Its couture approach combines interior architecture, interior design and procurement management within one concept-to-completion, fully bespoke service. Creative Founder, Emma Sims-Hilditch is passionate about her belief that good design can transform not only how people live but also how they feel. By creating characterful, beautiful and intelligent interiors, Emma and the Sims Hilditch team empowers clients to radically improve the quality of their lives.

1. Using tiles on an outdoor dining table

Outdoor dining ideas need a pep up? 

'One of the most intriguing ways to be creative with tiles is to style a table top using a chequerboard pattern. This is a great way to add color to a home whilst keeping it practical for cleaning,' says Emma.

'Alternatively, for outdoor spaces, tiling a table can be an unexpected addition to an English garden. Here, we used the Marlborough Tiles Ana tile in a muted green colorway, paired with a plain white design. This pleasingly gentle scheme is soft and natural, meaning that it doesn’t jar with the surrounding landscape.'

2. Using tiles to create cohesion in a bathroom

Bathroom tile ideas needn't be limited to expected surfaces.

'When considering the tiling of an ensuite, the mind immediately jumps to a shower or the backsplash of the bath. To me, thinking about other more practical spaces such as windowsills can be a good opportunity to use wall tiles within a home – particularly for mullion windows with deep sills,' says Emma. 

'To thread the color scheme from one space to another, try tiling a vanity or console using the same colorway. These are simple additions which make a big difference to an interior. When you insert something into a room which is unexpected or not usually there, it naturally draws the eye and in this case – brings a welcoming warmth to the space.'

3. Using tile pattern to create a statement backsplash

Kitchen tile ideas usually include the kitchen backsplash, but how can you create one that really draws the eye?

'Within a kitchen, one would often tile a backsplash behind a cooker to protect the space from spillages. In a recent photoshoot, we played with pattern behind the cooker to create an interesting layout that would become a statement within the room,' says Emma. 

'The first was a powder blue block design, framed by a plain border. In my Wiltshire home, we chose a column style in charcoal. This is a more cost effective option (using more plain tiles than patterned) which still creates impact.'