Where should you start tiling to avoid small edge cuts?

Explanation

Choose a clear reference

Look into the room from the entrance. Would you like the tiles centred on the doorway, a wide window or an exposed wall? Choose the feature that matters most to you.

Imagine a line running from the middle of the doorway across the room. Use it to position the tiles. Here, the « starting point » means their position on the plan, not necessarily where you will begin sticking them down.

Try two positions

First, put the centre of a tile on that line. Then try placing a grout joint there instead. A grout joint is the gap between two tiles. Keep the tile sizes and joint widths unchanged while comparing the two options.

Look at the pieces along each wall. Is a strip too narrow to cut easily? Move all the tiles on the plan and compare again. Also check doorways and obstacles, such as a column.

Check the whole room

A good border on one side can leave a narrow strip on the other. If a wall is at an angle, check the cut at both ends: its width will change along the wall.

Do not choose a layout only because it uses fewer tiles. The pieces should also look right and be practical to cut.

Try the positions in the tile layout planner. The automatic starting point is a suggestion to check. The beginner’s guide shows how moving the layout can change the edge pieces.

Concrete example

The doorway is in the middle of one wall, while fitted furniture hides the opposite wall. Compare a tile centred on the doorway with a joint centred in the same place. Less even-looking cuts behind the furniture may be acceptable, as long as the pieces can still be cut.