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Since I’m using 12×24 inch tiles (found at the same store I found my dark laminate, Floor & Decor Outlets), it just makes sense to have a staggered pattern on the floor. For the moment, I haven’t yet convinced myself whether I want to put them parallel to the tub or parallel to the door. I think the tub direction may be easier to install (and let’s face it, easier is almost always better when you’re DIYing alone), but I’m not quite there yet. Feel free to give your own opinions. Would you choose the tub (the direction you see in the pic above), or the door (where I was standing when I took this picture)? Keep in mind that the vanity and toilet are going back against the right wall where they were before. (*Update: New picture included to give you a better visual):
For one, I’ll need to saw underneath the door jambs again, just like I had waaaay back when the laminate floors were first installed (if you’re new around this site, read this post afterward to get caught up). Only this time, I’ll just use a hand saw rather than an electrical jamb saw (though it’s plenty of fun to use).
There are just a few other things to take care of, but I couldn’t wait any longer to do a dry fit. And another thing I learned? There really isn’t much to dry fit in a bathroom this small!
*UPDATE: To answer a few questions I’ve been asked:
- The direction of the laminate in the hallway (which is what is on the other side of the door frame) is running parallel to the door frame, so perpendicular to the direction of the tile you see in the picture above.
- The direction that causes the least number of cuts is likely going the direction of the tub. Easier!
Hard to say, because both ways would look good. What direction is the flooring outside the bathroom going in? Or is it carpet?
It's the upstairs hallway with the laminate floors falling parallel to the door frame (so opposite of the tile's direction in the pic).
I like the way that they're laid out in the picture, and I don't think you need to stay in the same direction as the floor outside the room in the hall. The floor colours are completely different it breaks it up anyway!
I say do it in the tub direction, like you have it. That's my vote! Can't wait to see it when you've got it done.
I would go with parallel to the tub. It will look better than having cut pieces along the tub edge because that is the only place in the bathroom where you will actually see your cuts (because there is not trim to hide them).
One note though. You should do a 1/3 offset pattern with tiles that size. Large format tile making a cupping shape so the center will be lower than the sides especially the short ends. When you put the lowest part of the tile right next to the heights part of two tiles in the next row it's very hard not to get lippage. We just laid large format tile and had a heck of a time with lippage and we were just using a diamond pattern. I explained some of the tips a tile pro gave us on large format tile here:
http://threeacres.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/and-we-have-tile/
HTH!
I agree with the other commenters, run the tiles parallel to the tub. That's the side you'll see the most since the other walls are at least partially blocked from view by the toilet and vanity, so you should try to avoid cut edges there. Plus I think it will make the room look larger in that orientation.
keep in mind that the direction the length of the tile is running will accentuate the length of the floor (same idea that horizontal stripes make people look wider). Perhaps run the tile perpendicular to the longer wall to accentuate the shorter wall?
parallel to the tub would be my vote.