7 Textured Tile Designs That Bring a New Dimension to Any Surface
Innovations in tile design have led to some exciting textured tile designs. It can transform an ordinary wall into a work of abstract art. The textural relief of tiles can provide a visual impact that intrigues the senses and give the room a one-of-a-kind style statement. What is really nice about textural tiles is that you don't have to imagine a design yourself, you let the tile do the design work for you. Once put on a wall in a mass formation, it takes on its own artistic character, which can range from rustic, like rough brickwork, to shiny modern, with mixed media tiles that include anything from glass to mirror mosaics. Also, it's important to note that not all textured designs rely solely on the material surface of the tile itself. You can get even grander effects using by incorporating innovative tile layouts, differences in tones, and mixed materials. If you haven't taken a look at the myriad of possibilities you have with textured tile, take a look at these seven examples to help inspire you to bring a new dimension to your next tiling project.
#1 Cut and Layered Dimensional Tile
The water jet has made it possible to cut stone in curves, but also in layers. The precise cuts made with this modern instrument, can then be layered to create a 3-dimensional effect on each individual tile. Here is an example from the Dimensione collection.
Dimensional Tile - View Details>>
#2 Lustrous Glass Tiles
There are certain glass collections that are more than just smooth subway tiles. The Glow collection allows you to create natural or artistic scenes with a dimpled surface that creates multiple reflections when exposed to the light. Here is a river scene captured in glass as a backdrop for the stove.
Glass Mosaics - View Details>>
Another way to create a textured tile relief with subway glass tiles is to glaze some of them to produce a rougher, matte, surface and then mix and match them with the shiny glass subway tiles.
#3 Raised Dimensional Tile
Raised effects on a tile, whether ceramic or stone, can create unusual textural reliefs that draw the eye towards them. They can be used to accentuate the gridlines and borders of a tile project, like in this example:
Floral Mosaic Tile - View Details>>
#4 Etched Stone
Etching with precise laser cutting produces a surface that is more interesting than just flat stone, however not as deeply cut as the dimensional tiles cut with a water jet. The etching can also produce different color variations in the tile which heighten the dramatic effect of etching. In the Barroque collection, this etching process is exploited to the maximum to produce intricate designs and dramatic color contrasts that are striking to look at and appreciate.
Bathroom Backsplash Tile - View Details>>
#5 That Brick Look and Feel
Hand laid bricks had a textural effect on a wall because they often weren't exactly flat against each other. Much like a cobblestone street, manually laid down, would not be perfectly even and thus more charming, a brick wall that is somewhat raised in spots and also contrasting with the colors of the adjoining bricks which creates a dimensional look that is not strictly limited by the tile chosen. Thus, the texture is more a function of the layout and tile tones than the brick itself. Although, most people do choose a soft stone or ceramic surface to get that textural feel in the brick tiles themselves. Here is an example of limestone bricks on a wall that have some "popping out" visually for color tone variations in an enchanting manner. 
Limestone Tile - View Details>>
#6 Stacked Stone
Similarly, when tiles are stacked vertically instead of flat against the wall, in uneven lines, this creates another dimensional effect. You can often see this type of rustic visual layering in areas around a pool or in hallways or sitting area. Add to dimensional layering effect, the variations in tone in the tile material, like you have naturally with ledger, and the resulting wall can truly be a work of art.
Dimensional Tile - View Details>>
#7 Mixed Media
Another way to get a dimensional textured effect is to mix smooth with shiny using mixed media. It's the same idea of mixing subway glass subway tiles that are shiny with glazed glass subway tiles that have a rougher appearance, which is a trend that is growing now. In the Glitz collection, stonemasons have a mixture of mirrored pieces and stone that produce a textured effect.
Glass Mosaic Tile - View Details>>