Tiles are a versatile and stylish option for floor and wall coverings in any room, but the multitude of choices in style, design, shape, and size can often turn such a decision into a chore. Be it, renovating your bathroom, kitchen, or living room, choosing that ‘perfect’ tile is a little more than choosing the one with your favourite pattern. You have to consider factors like durability, size, material, and style to make sure your choice suits the function and aesthetic of the room.

With this blog, we take you through a step-by-step guide to consider in order to ensure you select the right tile for any room in your house.

1. Consider the Rooms Use

The first consideration before deciding on the type of tile to use, should be the function of the room and how much traffic the said room will attract.

Bathrooms and Kitchens: Since the rooms are very prone to moisture and spills, water-resistant tile materials will serve best, such as porcelain, ceramic or a treated natural stone. Ceramic is a great option for bathroom & kitchen walls due to its keen pricing. For the floor porcelain is great to use because it is dense and durable, and less porous, which is highly resistant to water and stains.

Living Rooms and Corridors: These are high-traffic areas, and hence the tiles used in such areas should be durable and scratch-resistant. Natural stone or porcelain tiles work well because it can resist heavy usage with minimal wear and tear.

Exterior: In case of tiling a patio or some external areas, frost-resistant and textured tiles for slip resistance should be used. Again, porcelain tiles or natural stone will work here because they are really durable and resistant to weather changes.

2. Choosing the Right Material

Material durability, maintenance, and aesthetics greatly vary, and below is a breakdown of some common tile materials.

Ceramic Tiles: Ceramic tiles are among the most popular choice due to their affordability, versatility, and ease of installation. These tiles come in a wide variety of colours, patterns, and finishes, making them ideal for both walls and floors provided they are floor grade ceramics. Ceramic tiles work great in areas such as splashbacks and bathroom walls.

Porcelain Tiles: Porcelain tiles are stronger and denser when compared to ceramic tiles. As such, they can be installed in high-traffic areas of the house, like the kitchen, entryways, and bathrooms. It is highly resistant to moisture, stains, and wear and tear; hence, it’s pretty low maintenance.

Natural Stones: These involve types such as limestone, slate, travertine, terracotta, and marble. These stones bring about a very luxurious look and stand the test of time. However, some natural stone can be very costly, and it has to be treated with a stone sealant to prevent stains. It is best utilized in areas where much attention is placed on aesthetics as it is such a beautiful product.

Glass Tiles: These are mainly used for splashbacks or accent walls. While they reflect light wonderfully, hence making rooms brighter, they can be more fragile and scratch easily.

Cement Tiles (Encaustic): Perfect for incorporating bold artistic style, these cement tiles come in a variety of different patterns and colours. They do require sealing and ongoing maintenance but also look great on accent walls or high-traffic areas where such tiles can show their artistic beauty.

Victorian & Quarry Tiles: These tiles are great for traditional Victorian buildings, as they fit in perfectly with that era. They’re very hard-wearing and come in many shapes, sizes, patterns and colours, to allow for custom patterns to be made (Contemporary patterns look great in this matt finish for a modern style). These tiles work well for pathways leading up to your home, to create a great statement.

3. Consider Tile Size and Shape

Tile size and shape can completely change the look and feel of a room. Here’s how to choose the right size:

Small Tiles: Works well in limited areas, as in kitchen splashbacks with many plug sockets to work around or to give your bathroom a quirky and/or traditional look, mosaic tiles can add detailed interest to small areas, features & borders. Mosaics can work great if you have to follow a natural curve of a wall.

Large Tiles: These are those tiles above 60 x 30cm. They are gaining popularity for both the floor and the wall because they make rooms appear larger, for that contemporary and modern twist. Larger tiles mean fewer grout lines, hence leaving a cleaner and seam-free appearance. They are great for open-concept spaces and expansive bathrooms.

Shape: Tiles now come in all different shapes. For example, hexagon tiles add geometric interest; classic subway tiles installed in various patterns-like herringbone or stacked can give a wall some serious depth and texture. You can now also get scaled, penny, basket-weave etc for an interesting look.

4. Select the Correct Finish

Tile finish has the potential to change its appearance and performance; hence, select the one best suited to the room:

Matt Look: This kind of tile has a soft, subtle appearance and can hide smudges and watermarks rather well. Therefore, they are a great choice for bathroom and kitchen floors and walls.

Glossy Finish: Gloss tiles are great for bouncing light around the room making a darker area appear brighter, the gloss finish gives the tiles an extra depth of colour.

Anti-Slip Tiles: If you’re selecting tiles for an area that may be subjected to getting wet, such as a bathroom floor or an outdoor patio, use textured tiles with a non-slip surface to improve safety.

5. Consider Colour and Design

Tiles are one of the ways to add some personality and style to a room. Here are some helpful ideas when it comes to selecting colours and designs in tiles:

Neutral Tiles: Whites, greys, and beiges never go out of style and are appropriate for any room. They will give your rooms a clean, modern look and are easily softened by adding colourful accents.

Bold Colours and Patterns: If you really want to make a statement, then bold colours or patterned tiles may be in order. For example, patterned tiles create a real showstopper on a floor or wall. You can also use bold colours & patterns to create a feature wall and keep the rest of the room simple.

Light vs Dark: Lighter coloured tiles can create a small room feel larger, and darker tiles add drama and elegance – typically in larger rooms.

6. Consider Grout

Grout is usually an afterthought in many tile designs; however, it makes a major difference at the end. Choosing the right grout colour can make or break your design:

Contrasting Grout: Any time you want the pattern of your tile to pop, go with a contrasting grout colour. As an example, white subway tiles look really modern and striking with darker grout.

Matching Grout: When you want a somewhat seamless look, go with grout colour similar to that of your tile. This works amazingly when you have large tiles and want the continuous, smooth look.

7. Budget and Tile Installation Costs

Your tile choice may possibly be constrained by the budget, but other from the price of the tile itself, you need to consider the cost of installation and further maintenance. Porcelain and ceramic tiles tend to be slightly more affordable, while natural stone, mosaic tiles and Victorian tiles can be slightly more expensive to buy. Natural & Victorian products require sealing therefore an extra cost for the sealant & application time.

Also, consider professional installation costs, especially for intricate patterns or bigger spaces.

Conclusion

Choosing tiles for a room is very much a matter of balancing style, functionality, and budget. Be it renovating a bathroom, redoing your kitchen splashback, or even creating that feature wall in the living room, choosing the right tile really makes a difference. Consider the purpose of the room, the material of the tile, the size and colour, and any maintenance needs when making your selection so you can get something that looks amazing and something perfect for you.