Whether you are redesigning a room in your home now or are thinking about it in the future it’s important to choose the right tile when the time comes. Tile comes in an infinite number of colors, shapes, styles, and textures so when you start your search for the tile that fits your project the task can be overwhelming. We’ve laid out the important things to consider when selecting tile or backsplash for your next project.
Location
The first question I would ask yourself when looking to add tile to a room is, “Where is it going to go”. The answer to this question will often narrow down the tile types that make sense for your project. The kitchen and bathroom, for example, usually requires a waterproof tile like ceramic or glass for the walls. If your up-fitting your living room or any room that gets heavy foot traffic, you would want ceramic, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), or even porcelain because these are more durable materials.
Tile Color
The next question I would ask is, “What color tile best fits your room/project”. This won’t help you decide what types of tile to use, but it will speed up the search for the right tile. Tiles come in all colors, and once you know what you’re looking for you can stay focused only looking at tiles that fit your style. Here are a few things to think about that can help you find the right colors to use in your project
- Bright, vibrant colors will make a room seem happy and warm
- Black, white, and grey goes well with any style or decor
- Light hues make space look bigger and can brighten your whole space with little natural light
- Dark hues add depth but may make the room look smaller than it is
Tile Shapes and Textures
Whether you’re looking to use natural stone, ceramic, porcelain, or glass tiles they all come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Here are a few tile shapes to consider using.
- Subway tiles are most frequently used as backsplashes, but they also function well when used on the floors. They are great for any style as you can lay them in different patterns to convey looks from contemporary to modern.
- Square tiles are easy to work with and it’s easy to calculate how many tiles you’ll need. It’s also painless to mix and match with other tiles as square tiles go with almost anything.
- Penny tile is both economical and easy to install, they are great for bathrooms and kitchens (especially as backsplash) because they’re slip-resistant.
So know that you’ve given the shape of your tile some thought, there are a ton of materials and textures of tiles that you can choose from. From glass, wood, stone, and ceramic, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Here’s some help.
- Wood-like tiles are extremely durable and can give any room a natural look
- Marbleized tiles are timelessly beautiful and can add some exquisiteness
- Stone tiles, or the ones that recreate the look of stone, can have a rougher look but can seem imposing and work in any setting
- When in doubt, choose a neutral color, with minimal texture
- Ceramic tiles are perfect for backsplash in any kitchen or bathroom.
Maintenance & Cleanability
Because you don’t want to spend your Sunday cleaning, here are a few notes on the different types of tile and how easy they are to clean.
- Ceramic and porcelain are very easy to clean, but you need to check if your chosen model needs to be sealed
- Natural stone usually has to be sealed and is one of the hardest materials to clean because they hold more pores that can collect dirt and grime
- Glass is prone to water spots, so the client might have to spend a little extra polishing it
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is simple to clean, just sweep over the LVP then take a swifter or lightly wet mop over the top.
At Southeastern Tile Connection we have many years of design experience and a global selection of tile and backsplash. So if you’ve got a project or home renovation idea in mind then stop by and we’ll be happy to assist you in creating a timeless look through tile. 910-799-5565
