If you have a good idea of what you want and just need someone with the correct design software, you might want to try your local Interior Design school.

The store where I purchased my tile provided me a scale drawing. I asked detailed questions about layout, where joints and cuts would be, how edges would be finished. All was reflected in the drawing which I made copies of and made sure GC and tilers all had.

Thank you both! I do have a good idea of what I’d like and was just hoping to see it drawn out vs just in my head. :)

One of the three tile places I checked with said they’re willing to do a rendering but only for their own tile (meaning the subway tile I’m purchasing from a different store can’t be included in the rendering). I think this is better than nothing but I’ll keep digging around — I like the idea of using a local student so I’ll see if I can post on Next Door. :)

There is no good software devoted to do tile layouts. It’s tedious and clunky to do it with design software not specifically designed for tile. Plus, the math is often wrong by the time the site conditions affect the grout width. The best way to get a layout, is to get the tile on site, and lay it out yourself. And NOT going with ridiculously small grout lines in that layout. It’s the rare job site that is level and flat enough to make that happen. It’s always an extra charge to make that flatness happens too.

I'm not familiar with any design software but I use PowerPoint a lot with my work so that was what I used to do the tile layout. It is mostly math though to properly scale the tiles, also don't forget the grout size in your layout. If you are still deciding on what tile size to use and do not have the tiles yet, another thing I did was cut out paper to the desired tile size and taped them on the wall to see what looks better. I ordered tiles from FireClay and they also did renderings for me to help me decide what tile size/layout to go with.

What size tile are you using? I have been reading that large format tile (like 12x24) should not have offsets more than 1/3 because of lippage. That would limit the patterns you can use. If there are installation instructions for your particular tile, it may address layout limitations.

I'll have to ask the designer who has done layouts for me. She is amazingly accurate and the tile layout has always ended up being about 99.5% as shown in the diagrams. It also helps to use very good general contractors and tile installers!

I didn't think to pre-approve my tile with the installer prior to ordering so thanks for the tip! And @chispa, if your designer would be willing to assist with the layout, that would be TREMENDOUS! I'd owe you a drink for that favor! =D

I’ve done this for clients who couldn’t visualize. An hourly charge only, because it takes a huge amount of time to do. The average person doesn’t want to pay the rate to have that done.

Give us some info and pics of the tile and see if you get some help here I will sya large tiles no actual fancy pattern is the way to go in showers your architect is not the person to ask about this.

Spend the extra 1K on a better quality tile professional, and several meetings with them to talk layouts and do mockups. Even that has its time limits. Narrow down your ideas on the front end. And increase your budget to match your ideas.