How to lay a herringbone tile pattern

The first step in laying a herringbone pattern is to find the centre point of the wall. Measure the length of the wall and mark the halfway point.

Lay the next tile at a 90^o angle to the first tile. Place spacers in between the tiles. Continue laying the tiles in this pattern, until you need to cut your first tiles.

Mark on the edge of the tiles where they need to be cut. Put the next tile and spacers in place. Mark on this tile where it needs to be cut. Use the square or a ruler to draw lines on the tiles where they need cutting. Scribble on the tile to indicate what is waste.

Use the tile cutter to cut the tiles to the correct length. Then sandpaper the edges where they've been cut. 

Put the cut tiles in place on the cardboard. Number them in the order that you're going to lay them. This will make it easier to remember the order when you stick them on the wall.

Mix up the tile mastic in a bucket with water, until it is the consistency of toothpaste. Don't make too much mastic to start with.

Line up the corner of the first tile with the halfway mark and stick the tile to the wall. Then put the second tile in place, putting spacers in-between them. Place the third tile in place, with spacers between the other tiles. To make sure the tiles are bedded in, give them a push and slight wiggle to help the mastic stick. Continue laying full tiles until you need to cut some more tiles. 

If you only need to make a small cut to a tile, use an angle grinder. Put on your safety equipment and place the tile on a saw horse. Hold it firmly and trim the tile. Sandpaper it to make the edge smooth.

Measure from the corner of the tile to the benchtop and deduct 1.5mm off that for the grout line and spacers. Mark the distance on the tile. Set the set square to 45^o and mark the line on the tile.

Use the tile cutter to cut the tile. Sandpaper the cut edge to make it smooth. Put glue on the back of the tile and place it on the wall with spacers between it and the other tiles.

Measure from the wall to one edge of the power point. And from the wall to the other edge of the power point. Write those measurements down. Measure from the benchtop to the bottom edge of the power point and then the top edge of the power point.

Place a full tile over the power point, with no glue on it. Mark the four measurements onto the tile. Take the tile off the wall. Use the set square to mark where the tile needs cutting.

Use the tile cutter to cut the two edges of the tile. Save these offcuts. Use the angle grinder to cut out the rest of the tile. When using the angle grinder to cut out a hole in a tile, cut it smaller than necessary, just to be safe.

Sandpaper the tile's cut edges. Check that it fits around the power point. Put glue on the back of the tile and stick it to the wall. Glue into place the two offcuts from the tile. Place spacers between the tiles.

As you start to lay the tiles up the wall, they may start to sag. Use masking tape to hold them in position until they set.

Measure from the edge of the tile to one edge of the pipe. Then measure from the edge of the tile to the other side of the pipe. Mark those measurements on the tile. Draw a semi-circle linking the two marks. Repeat this process for the other tiles that will go around the pipes.

Put on your safety equipment and use the angle grinder to cut out the holes in the tiles. Sandpaper the rough edges. If you don't want to use the angle grinder you can use a pair of tile nippers to cut out the holes.