What To Consider When Buying Tiles

Decorating a new home or redecorating your existing home is an exciting exercise, however it can also be daunting when faced with so much choice and so many decisions.  One of the items you may be trying to choose, is wall tiles for the kitchen, bathroom and other spaces.

The choice of tiles available nowadays is incredible – there are literally hundreds of tiles to choose from.  So, where do you start?

Most staff at reputable tile stores and warehouses, such as Lifestyle Ceramics, are generally well trained and on top of what the latest trends are.  They will be able to advise you on what will work best for you and your home.

A good sales consultant will be able to listen and understand your taste and needs and match these to the best tile options for you.

There are essentially 4 things to consider when choosing a tile:

1. Size: Tiles are available in several different sizes from the more traditional small square tile to narrow, rectangular tiles, to larger squares. At the moment, slab tiles are very popular.  These slabs come in a variety of sizes, e.g. 1.2m X 2.4m or 2.5m X 3.0m.  Slab tiles fit large areas, which means you will have no or fewer grout lines, enhancing the look of the space and making it easier to keep clean.
2. Designs: There are many different designs from which to choose. You can go for plain colours, metallic finishes or patterns, however, finishes that reflect nature are currently the big trend.  These include elements such as stone, marble, concrete, and wood.  Each of these have their place and can help create a specific atmosphere.  For example, marble slabs in a bathroom are opulent and luxurious, whereas a concrete look in a kitchen can give it a more trendy, industrial look and feel.
3. Colours: Colour is such an important consideration as colour can create or diminish the space in an area. White and light colours create the illusion of space and so work well in a small room that you want to make look bigger such as a narrow guest bathroom or entrance hall.  Dark colours draw the walls inward making a room look smaller and more intimate.  Think of a large open plan area – using darker tiles can make the area less cavernous.
4. Texture: Tiles are no longer just smooth and glossy – innovative design and manufacture means wall tiles can be textured which helps to create a 3D effect. This adds character and interest to the room.  Wood and stone finishes are most fashionable now, however there are many other textures to choose from.