Essential Tips for Choosing the Perfect Residential Tile

Make a style statement in your home with a stunning floor, wall, or backsplash tile. Suitable for just about any space, tiled surfaces are durable, resistant, and easy to clean. A range of colors, textures, shapes, and sizes allow for both refined and playful styling.

But with a myriad of designs to choose from, picking the perfect tile can be a daunting task. Fret not, we’ve got you covered! These essential tips below will help narrow down your choices so you can make the right tile selection for your living space.

• Choose material to suit your needs

Tile comes in various materials: ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal, and natural stone. Each type has its unique benefits and brings tons of personality into your home. Overall, tiles are incredibly durable, hygienic, water- and stain-resistant, and easy to care for.

Consider the space you’re tiling and choose a suitable material. Upgrading garden pathway? Porcelain’s exceptional strength to endure extreme temperatures makes for a perfect choice. Revamping shower floors? Mosaic tiles’ many grout lines will provide better traction underfoot.

• Consider upkeep and maintenance

If you have a busy household, look into tile options that are easy to clean and maintain. The good news is that tiles generally require low care to continue serving you for years. They are hygienic and won’t harbor germs or allergens.

If you’re going for marble tiles, note that they demand more attention and care. Marble is a porous stone and needs regular sealing to enhance its moisture, stain, and scratch resistance. Take this into consideration when tiling wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

• Choose your preferred style

Tile design can set the tone for your home’s aesthetic. Take a moment to think about your desired style. Do you favor a classic, transitional, or contemporary aesthetic? Are you looking for tiles in intricate shapes or prefer something refined?

With innovative manufacturing techniques, ceramic and porcelain tiles can emulate natural products. There’s a variety to choose from including stone-effect, marble-effect, wood-effect, and terrazzo-effect tiles.

Wood-look tiles, for example, set a living room that exudes a warm, natural, homely ambiance. When used as a backsplash, stone-inspired tile ties well with wooden cabinetwork and wrought iron lighting to create a rustic kitchen setting.

• Make a statement with color

Tile comes in a dazzling range of hues; from bold and daring to subtle and subdued. While the choice of color is a matter of preference, there are some basic rules to consider.

Lighter colors brighten the space. Perfect for small kitchens and bathrooms. Vibrant tones are a fabulous accent in muted settings. Darker shades pull a room in and envelop it in warmth.

If ever in doubt, browse the neutral section. White, beige, gray, brown, and black are timeless hues perfect for any interior design style. They provide a blank canvas for bold accents, yet they can be the focal point to which the eye is drawn

• Explore sizes and shapes

Do you want all tiles to be the same size, or do you prefer a more dramatic approach with a mix of sizes? Large-format tiles are big news right now and come with great beauty. Fewer and thinner grout lines create a seamless and spacious feel. The tile’s clean and modern look adds contemporary elegance to entryways, living rooms, bedrooms, patios, and more!

If you’re looking for drama, geometric mosaic tiles stand out as the big, bold players of interior decorating. Think hexagon, fan, basketweave, multishaped, and more! They add just the right oomph to the kitchen backsplash, shower wall, vanity backdrop, and accent wall. And with dazzling color choices, you can be sure of gorgeous show-stopping style.

• Take into account tile costs

When shopping for new tiles, it’s important to have a budget in hand. Consider the overall cost of your tiling project, installation included. Shop around for options within your budget and look out for tile discounts and special deals.

Remember that spending a little extra on high-quality tiles is worth the investment in the long run. Long-term durability beats unexpected replacements or repairs any day. Porcelain, glass, and ceramic tile are surefire choices that never disappoint.