Hexagon Tiles:Styling and Maintenance Tips for Australian Homeowners

Banner showing hexagon tiles in a pattern with Australian home

Chances are, you have probably noticed that hexagon tiles are taking up a notch in Australian interior designs. These six-sided designs have taken Aussie homes by storm, adding unique character and visual appeal that traditional rectangular tiles simply cannot compete with.

According to The Met Museum, this beautiful hexagonal tile comes from 15th-century Egypt. Besides its visual appeal, in practice, the hexagon tiles shape allows it to fit together perfectly in complex, repeating patterns. It is often also seen in the architecture throughout the Islamic world and in Egypt. For example, to decorate walls or floors in mosques, palaces or other important buildings in Egypt. It showcases a small but fascinating window into the art and design of mediaeval Egypt.

Peter Yusuf - May 26, 2025

The Magic of the Hexagon Pattern

The hexagonal tiling pattern is not just eye-catching; it is one of nature’s most efficient designs (just ask the bees!). This geometric tiling shape can make small spaces appear larger.

The hexagon pattern works brilliantly for contemporary living and traditional heritage homes. It is one of the most versatile design elements available today.

Types of Hexagon Tiles to Consider

Before you start with your tiling project, let’s quickly take a look at the main types of hexagon tiles which is available in the Sydney or Australian market.

Porcelain Hexagon Tiles

Porcelain is known as a ceramic’s tougher big brother. It is technically a type of ceramic, but way more heavy-duty. Because it is denser, less porous than regular ceramic and water-resistant.

It is perfect for Sydney’s crazy weather swings! That is why porcelain hexagon tiles should be your go-to choice. These hexagonal tiles are built to last and won’t let you down, even in high-traffic areas or steamy bathrooms. Porcelain hexagon tiles are available in everything from crisp whites to dramatic blacks, with many options for matte, glossy or textured finishes.

Ideal for: high-traffic areas like entryways or as hexagon kitchen tiles.

Ceramic Hexagon Tiles

A bit lighter on the wallet than porcelain, ceramic hexagon tiles still offer fantastic durability and style. As mentioned above, they are a bit more porous than porcelain.

Ideal for: bathroom feature walls or kitchen splashbacks.

Mosaic Hexagon Tiles

Mosaic hexagonal tiles, on the other hand, are often made from glass, ceramic, or stone. This means that they offer design flexibility, as they can be made from different materials to give a distinctive look as per the need. These gorgeous, smaller hexagonal tiling can transform ordinary spaces into artwork.

Ideal for: Shower niches or as a hexagon splashback in the kitchen.

Natural Stone Hexagon Tiles

For homeowners, natural stone tiles have been a main ingredient in interior design for homes for centuries. They are famous for their lasting durability, natural beauty and, of course, their versatility, making them a top choice for rustic to modern minimalist looks. While many homeowners gravitate towards marble floor tiles for their timeless appeal, each stone option offers distinctive benefits like marble, granite, travertine, or sandstone.

Idea for: High-traffic areas as hexagon kitchen tiles and entryways. However, for spaces where moisture can be heavy, like bathrooms, water-resistant tiles might be a better choice.

Hexagon Tiles Design Tips Room by Room

Kitchen Brilliance

Use these tiles as hexagon kitchen tiles. For splashbacks, consider contrasting grout to make the hexagonal pattern pop. For instance, black hexagons with white grout create a dramatic effect, while white hexagon tiles with grey grout offer a more subtle but equally sophisticated look.

For a modern home, try extending your hexagon splashback from the benchtop to the ceiling behind open shelving. It creates a stunning feature wall that adds depth and interest to your culinary space.

Bathroom Applications

In bathrooms, hexagon bathroom tiles can transform an ordinary space into a luxurious one. For example, you can pair larger hexagon floor tiles with smaller ones in the shower for a distinctive look. The honeycomb pattern also works great in bathrooms, allowing you to define the shower area from the vanity space.

For a timeless look that won’t date, white hexagon tiles with dark grout in the shower create a striking feature that is also practical for hiding any potential mould in grout lines. It is a common challenge for bathrooms in Sydney, considering our humidity.

Fantastic Hexagon floor tiles

When it comes to floors, hexagon floor tiles offer endless possibilities. Large-format hexagons in neutral tones create a sophisticated foundation for any room, while smaller tiles can be arranged in gradient patterns for a truly bespoke look.

For hallways and entryways, consider the durability of porcelain hexagon floor tiles in darker tones that won’t show every speck of dirt from the kids’ footy boots or the dog’s paws after a backyard dig!

The Designer’s Secret: Mixing Tile Shapes While Maintaining Colour Harmony

Joanna Gaines’s work was featured in Housedigest website. She is one of the well-known American interior designers and a co-creator with Chip Gaines. She has mastered the art of the all-white bathroom and her approach offers brilliant insights for using hexagon tiles effectively. Gaines uses a clever way to mix different tile shapes within the same space. For example, combining hexagons with rectangles encourages visual interest without overwhelming the design. Likewise, he ways of using marble hexagon tiles alongside classic subway tiles or rectangular tiles show how hexagonal tiles can work as both a feature element and part of a consistent design plan.

This mixing technique works particularly well in Australian bathrooms, where you want to create space, maybe using white hexagon tiles for the shower feature wall while incorporating rectangular tiles for the main wall areas. The key is maintaining a consistent colour palette (like staying within whites and creams) while letting the different shapes create the visual drama.

Maintaining Your Hexagon Tiles

Let’s be honest, while hexagon tiles look amazing, all those grout lines can seem like a cleaning nightmare. Here are some top maintenance tips to keep your hexagonal tiles looking fresh:

Seal properly from the start: If you have gone with natural stone hexagons or opted for light-coloured grout, professional sealing is non-negotiable.
Regular gentle cleaning: A microfiber mop with a pH-neutral cleaner is your best mate for hexagon floor tiles. Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage grout over time.
Tackle grout lines: An old toothbrush and a paste of baking soda and water work wonders on stubborn grout stains, much kinder than bleach-based products.
Annual resealing: For high-traffic areas, consider resealing grout annually to prevent moisture penetration and staining.

Why Royal Tiles Is Your Best Bet for Hexagon Tiles

Royal Tiles showroom boasts Sydney’s largest collection of hexagon tiles in every material, size and colour imaginable. From sleek grey or black hexagon tiles for a dramatic kitchen hexagon splashback to delicate mosaic hexagon patterns for a luxury bathroom feature, we have got you covered.

Our team of tile experts can help you navigate the hexagon tiling trend, offering practical advice on everything from material selection to pattern layout. And as 2024’s “Business of the Year” award winners at the Cumberland City Local Business Awards, you can trust that you are in good hands!

If you are in Central Sydney or around areas like The Rocks or Circular Quay, you are not far from us! With over 30 years of experience, award-winning service and a showroom packed with options. We are proud to be the top choice for tile flooring in Sydney, trusted by homeowners, DIY renovators and builders. Visit a Royal Tiles showroom today, contact us, or browse our tiles online. The best hexagonal tiles are closer than you think!

Peter Yusuf

Peter Yusuf is a seasoned Sales and Business Development Manager at Royal Tiles in Sydney, Australia, with a proven track record of success in the global architectural and interior design sectors. With over a decade of experience, he possesses a rich understanding of tile selection and design that has helped countless clients transform their spaces. Peter's expertise spans a wide array of materials and styles, positioning him as a trusted authority in the tile industry.

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Hexagon Tiles:
Styling and Maintenance Tips for Australian Homeowners