Tiles are frequently overlooked by new homeowners, and is often seen as a labor-intensive choice for home renovation projects. It may be dismissed as expensive or too cold. That might be your first impression, too.
Using the correct tiles does come with a host of benefits for many different applications. If you’re looking to make a statement in a room, adding tiles to strategic places can give your room a unique texture, or be a great way to incorporate a splash of color.
If you aren’t a fan of housework or harsh household cleaners, tile is your perfect match. Most tiles on the market today are stain-resistant and can hold up to any type of spill or household grime. All you have to do to clean up is use good old-fashioned soap and water. No chemical residue or expensive cleaners necessary.
If installed correctly (and it’s easier than you might think), tiles can last for up to 50 years with only a little grout work or resealing every 5-10 years. The only other product that lasts nearly as long is natural hardwood flooring (and that’s double to triple the price of tile).
Allergy sufferer? Environmentalist? There are fantastic tile options just for you. Due to the structure of most tile flooring and wall coverings on the market today, tile is the most hygienic of all surfaces.
Properly sealed (with environmentally friendly sealants) there are no crevices for bacteria to hide in or pockets where moisture and mold can accumulate.
Most tiles these days emit no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can compromise the air quality in your home and make you or your family sick. All carpets and paints emit VOCs continuously.
Convinced that tile is right for you? Due to the quality standards listed above, all tile is fundamentally environmentally-friendly, clean, and durable. Your choice comes down to style and expression.
Types of Tile Flooring
The first thing to think about when it comes to tile flooring is what kind of pattern you want. This is how the tiles will lay on the floor. Do you want big squares in a straight line? Random? A “herringbone” pattern (this is the one that looks like arrows)? There’s also “running bond” which looks like a brick wall, checkerboard, “pinwheel” which is a small square that sits at the corners of 4 larger squares, and basket weave.
Those are the most common styles. You can also choose a two-tile pattern where large lines of tile are separated by small lines or even come up with your own pattern. If you’re feeling artistic you can make all kinds of shapes and patterns. Just make sure you have everything measured out on paper before you get down to buying or cutting tile.
If you have rooms that are square or rectangle in shape you can make a border with another type of tile. You can use the same idea to divide rooms. Contrasting tile colors can be used as a transitional threshold.
The above styles all use traditionally shaped tiles. It’s also possible to go for round, diamond, triangular or even hexagonal shapes. Whatever you desire, it’s out there. Tile can let you express whatever mood you want for a room. Different shapes and patterns can change the shape and feel in a way no other material comes close to.
When it comes to materials you have several choices:
- Stone – Stone is a big category. Here you will find marble, slate, granite, quartz, travertine (a type of limestone), and sometimes unmarked “natural” and “quarry” stones. If it is sealed just as every tile should be, and the seal is maintained, then you won’t have to worry about staining. Durability ranges from stone to stone. Slate is more likely to crack or chip under stress. Marble and granite are most likely to hold up if well maintained.
- Ceramic – The most popular choice for a reason. Ceramic tile is the most affordable, cleans and holds up extremely well, is not likely to scratch or chip and is naturally stain- and water-resistant. With good grout work, sealing can be optional.
- Porcelain – Made in a similar way to ceramic, porcelain has all of the same qualities but is considered to be of better quality due to the type of clay used in the production process.
- Glass – This type of tile is chosen for style over durability. Best used for accents or rooms that don’t see heavy traffic. Glass tile may scratch or “etch” over time causing it to loose it’s sheen.
- Vinyl – Not real “tile” but it’s sometimes marketed as such. Will not hold up as well as the other choices and will release VOCs.
50 Bathroom Tile Design Ideas
If any room reminds you of tile it should be the bathroom. You can use it to cover the floors, the walls, the interior of the shower, a backsplash around the sink, the pedestal of the sink, the sink itself- even the ceiling.
You can use any of the types or patterns listed above but porcelain and glass tiles are the usually choices when it comes to a shower or bathroom backsplash due to their high resistance to moisture.
1 Aqua Mosaic Tile
Image via: jacksondesignandremodeling.com
2. Beige Tile Walk-In Shower
Image via: h2hpro.com
3. Black Hexagonal Floor Tile
Image via: lindhesse.com
4. Black Tile Shower
Image via: iversonsignaturehomes.com
5. Blue and White Tiles
Image via: von poll immobilien
6. Blue Marble Tile Backsplash
Image via: jacksondesignandremodeling.com
7. Blue Mosaic Tile Wall
Image via: sarahbarnard.com
8. Blue Subway Tile Wall
Image via: dkorinteriors.com
9. Brick Tile Wall
Image via: duetdesigngroup.com
10. Bright Teal Tile
Image via: sawhorsedesignbuildofseattle.com
11. Brown Mosaic Tile
Image via: jacksondesignandremodeling.com
12. Ceramic Tile
Image via: hgtv.com
13. Chevron Tile
Image via: archetype-ny.com
14. Concrete Tile Floor
Image via: theranchmine.com
15. Dark Tile Shower
Image via: hgtv.com
16. Faux Bois Tile
Image via: butterlutz.com
17. Geometric Tile Floor
Image via: herzogarch.com
18. Gray and White Mosaic Tile
Image via: dawsondesigngroup.com
19. Gray Tile Floor
Image via: imidesignstudio.com
20. Gray Tile Wall
Image via: beylablue design
21. Green and White Mosaic Tile Floor
Image via: drurydesigns.com
22. Green Tile Backsplash
Image via: anthony carrino
23. Herringbone Tile Floor
Image via: blackbanddesign.com
24. Hexagonal Tile Floor
Image via: hgtv.com
25. Large Black Tile
Image via: hoamzltd
26. Large Brown Tile
Image via: 2idinteriors.com
27. Limestone Tile Wall
Image via: paulchaarchitect.com
28. Marble Tile
Image via: abdesignelements.com
29. Marble Tile Floor
Image via: pineapplehouse.com
30. Metallic Tile
Image via: theinmancompany.com
31. Mixed Tile Patterns
Image via: kwdesigns.com
32. Moroccan Tile Wall
Image via: hgtv.com
33. Mosaic Tile Floor
Image via: hgtv.com
34. Neutral Stone Tile
Image via: theschim.com
35. Orange Shower Tile
Image via: balanceassociates.com
36. Pebble Tile Wall
Image via: theinmancompany.com
37. Porcelain Tile Floor
Image via: sh-interiors.com
38. Radial Marble Floor Tile
Image via: maryannesmiley.com
39. Red Tile Wall
Image via: abdesignelements.com
40. Rippled Tile Wall
Image via: studiomodish.com
41. Sleek Gray and White Mosaic Tile
Image via: studio10interiordesign.com
42. Stone Tile Floor
Image via: pineapplehouse.com
43. Stone Tile Shower
Image via: sh-interiors.com
44. Vertical Turquoise Tile
Image via: dunnarchitecture.com
45. Wavy Gray Tile
Image via: iversonsignaturehomes.com
46. White Marble Tile Floor
Image via: paytemillerinteriors.com
47. White Subway Tile
Image via: flynnsideout.com
48. Woodgrain Tile Floor
Image via: vanessadeleon.com
49. Wood Look Tile Wall
Image via: kellysuttondesign.com
50. Yellow Tile Wall
Image via: hgtv.com
Tile will last much longer than any other type of flooring and have fewer upkeep costs. As a wall treatment it can cut clean up time in half and help you express your personal style. With a little upkeep every decade or so, your tile can last the majority of your lifetime – or until you get the urge to change things up!
