Victorian & geometric floors

Victorian floors, laid the traditional way

Victorian and geometric floors for hallways, front paths, porches and bathrooms, in London and across the UK.

Victorian geometric hallway floor in red, black and blue, with a border that follows a curved bay

Our approach

Centred, border unbroken

A Victorian floor only works when the pattern is centred and the border runs unbroken. We measure the room, mark centre lines by laser and dry-lay the key pieces first, so cuts fall where nobody sees them.

We lay loose tiles one by one, mesh-backed sheets, or bespoke numbered sheets from London Mosaic, hand-assembled to fit your room with a clear film on top. The base comes first: solid, flat and, outside, drained.

Hallways, porches, front paths and steps
Tile rugs, borders and fireplace hearths
Loose tiles, mesh-backed or bespoke numbered sheets
Laser setting-out from the centre lines
Grey adhesive and grout for a crisp pattern
Cleaning, sealing and aftercare advice

Finished Victorian geometric hallway floor with a star pattern and plain border

Setting out a Victorian star pattern from the centre line, before fixing

Fireplace hearth tiled in a blue, grey and white geometric pattern

The tradition

A very British floor

Victorian tiled floors began with Herbert Minton of Stoke-on-Trent, whose tiles went into the Palace of Westminster. By the 1890s they were in ordinary homes across Britain, and many are still there. We lay them the same way: tiles set close, the pattern centred.

Portfolio

Victorian and geometric floors

Every photo on this page is our own work. Tap any photo to see it larger.

Victorian geometric tile rug with blue and white border and a black surround, in a porch

Victorian geometric floor being laid tile by tile from the setting-out lines

Victorian star-pattern hallway floor laid, before the border is finished

Laser and spirit level used to set out a Victorian star-pattern floor

Victorian front path in black and white octagon and dot tiles with a sawtooth border

Victorian porch floor in black and white tiles between red front doors

Black and white chequerboard path with a Victorian border

Black and white chequerboard hallway floor with a black border

Wide view of a black and white chequerboard hallway with a black border

Chequerboard hallway being set out from a straight line, in progress

White octagon and black dot Victorian hallway floor with a grey border

Hallway floor in a tumbling block pattern of grey, white and black tiles

Narrow hallway with a Victorian star-pattern runner and plain border

Bathroom floor in white hexagon mosaic with a Victorian-style black border and a freestanding bath

Pair of sculpted gold glass mosaic loungers

Mosaic installation

Glass, stone and metallic mosaic on flat and curved surfaces.

Herringbone marble shower wall with long niche and chequerboard floor

Marble & natural stone

Marble, travertine, slate and terracotta, sealed properly.

Green and terrazzo bathroom with backlit mirror

Bathroom renovations

Complete bathrooms, from strip-out to final coat of paint.

FAQ

Questions clients ask

Straight answers. For anything specific to your project, call 07842 424614 or send an enquiry.

What is the difference between geometric and encaustic tiles?

Geometric tiles are plain, one colour all the way through, cut in shapes such as triangles and lozenges. Encaustic tiles have a pattern inlaid in coloured clay. Many Victorian floors use both together.

Can you lay a Victorian floor outside, on a front path?

Yes. The path needs a reinforced concrete or screed base, fully cured and laid to a fall so rainwater runs away from the house. We check the base first and advise what is needed.

How do I look after a Victorian floor?

Sweep or vacuum regularly and mop with warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner. Avoid bleach, vinegar, acid cleaners and scouring pads. Where the tiles need it, the floor is sealed with a breathable impregnating sealer and resealed every few years in busy areas. Never use varnish or a plastic-style coating, as it can trap damp under the floor.

Can you match or extend an existing Victorian floor?

Yes. We can lay new tiles to match the pattern and colours of an existing floor, for example when a hallway runs into a new extension.

Do you work outside London?

Yes. Most of our work is in London, but we travel across the UK for specialist mosaic and Victorian floor projects.