Circles, dots and penny tiles are rising rapidly in popularity with designers, tile manufacturers and homeowners alike. Their whimsical design, versatile use and bright colors offer homeowners a new choice in mosaic tile materials.
What is a Penny Tile?
Penny tile is the name given to any circular mosaic tile. Ranging in size from 3/4" to 3” and frequently mounted on sheets for easy installation, penny tiles are among the hottest designs in tile today.
While originally a retro tile shape the size of a penny and used primarily in bathroom floors during the 1920’s and 30’s, today’s penny tile encompasses many styles, materials and looks. Glass mosaics, ceramic tile mosaics and stone mosaics are all being produced in this hot, new shape.
Styles and Designs of Penny Tiles
While the retro tile size and design of penny tiles is still available from many manufacturers, tile designers have given the shape a whole new look. Ceramic mosaic tiles are available in one size of penny tile mounted on interlocking sheets, or in multiple sizes mounted together on one sheet.
Glaze color can vary from tile to tile, particularly in the retro tile series, giving the tiles not just a whimsical shape, but a great deal of movement as well. Custom mosaic manufacturers can produce penny tiles in multiple colors and sizes mounted together on one sheet. This allows a homeowner to customize the look of their bathroom, fireplace or kitchen design.
Some tile manufacturers, such as Oregon’s Pratt & Larson produce not only the circular tiles, but square and rectangular tiles into which they fit for a truly unique look. Look for rectangular borders with circular cut outs inside, into which the penny tiles will fit, or square tiles with cut outs in the corners or the middle to pop the circles into. This allows a homeowner to truly create a custom look.
Try covering a kitchen backsplash in multiple colors and sizes of penny tile. At the edges, where a bullnose tile would typically be required, mount a rectangular border with its edge glazed, and penny tiles inserted in the same colors as those used in the backsplash design. Or try using square tiles with occasional penny tiles cut into them along the countertops, and fill in the area behind the cooktop with a solid field of circles.
Glass tiles are also available in penny tile form. Circles of one size in frosted or glossy finishes are mounted together in sheets and borders. Iridescent glass in multiple sizes of circles can give a startlingly unique and beautiful effect. Some manufacturers of glass mosaics even take penny tiles one step further, and create oval tiles in sheets and borders.
Designing With Penny Tiles
Penny tiles can be used anywhere in the home to add a touch of color, fun or whimsy to a design. Try using old fashioned retro penny tiles on a bathroom floor, with subway tiles on the wall. Cut the sheets of the mosaic horizontally and use the pennies as a border on the walls as well. Create a more modern look by using glass penny tiles on the floor, with large format porcelain tiles on the walls.
For a children’s bathroom, use multiple sizes of brightly colored tiles on the floors, with occasionally penny tiles cut into the wall tiles at random intervals to create a playful effect. Finish off the look by using faucets and lights with circular glass knobs at the ends for a seamless appearance.
Modern looking backsplashes can be covered in a mix of penny tiles in multiple sizes and finishes to add a lot of color and movement to the space. Retro, Arts and Crafts style backsplashes can also be created by mixing loose penny tiles of varying sizes with square and rectangular tiles in a random, non-repeating pattern.
Penny tiles are available incorporated into borders of stone or glass, as well as ceramic and porcelain. Use them sparingly or all over a floor or wall to give a unique and playful look to any area of the home.
Sarabeth Asaff - Sarabeth Asaff is a freelance writer and artist with a passion for cooking and good food. Growing up in the kitchen of her Lebanese ...
