Tiles can make or break a room’s look. Your choice of tile is more significant than you might initially believe. Take a simple, square green tile – this little change can add a lively touch to a plain white kitchen. Small choices matter big time, after all. That’s why we’re here to give you easy tips to choose and pair tiles, so your home feels like a page from a design magazine.
Know Your Tiles
Each tile has its personality. That being said, it’s important for you to get to know the wide range of tiles available to you. Every type, from the rough beauty of travertine to smooth classic marble, brings its own unique touch to a space. Making yourself familiar with these subtle differences is key to creating a look that’s not just a mix but a harmonious blend that reflects your style.
Mixing Textures
Mixing tile textures adds life to your rooms. For starters, you can try mixing up matte and glossy tiles. Matte tiles are easy on the eyes, and they make the space feel calm. Glossy tiles make light bounce around. They give a room some shine and wake it up.
How about playing with textured tiles? They are not slippery when wet, so they’re safe. They work well with polished tiles, adding some nice change under your feet. Plus, the rough look of textured tiles is also a nice match for the clean and simple look of smooth tiles.
Balancing Busy Patterns
Patterned tiles look great, but too much pattern can cause some serious visual overload. Use them as accents instead – like a spice, not the main ingredient. How to do this? You can try framing them with plain tiles for a standout effect without the clutter.
Here’s another tile combo you can try. Imagine intricate mosaics, full of detail, hugging your fireplace surround. Now, picture your floor decorated with a simple marble tile. Suddenly, your fireplace stands out, don’t you think? That’s what we love about patterns! They help draw the eye, acting as the decorating touch that makes your space special. They accentuate, not overwhelm.
Breaking the Monotony
All one color or pattern is boring. Shake things up by mixing things up. Mix tiles to add interest but keep something common, like the color or shape, so it feels put together.
Consider a bathroom decked out with white square tiles in various textures – glossy and matte- creating a dynamic yet cohesive look. Or picture a kitchen backsplash vibrant with different shaped tiles, but all in rich shades of blue, making the space feel vibrant yet harmonious.
The Role of Grout
Grout – the space filler between tiles – matters more than you think. Picking the right grout color can highlight or make your tiles blend in smoothly. Thin grout lines look modern, thicker ones are more traditional.
Decided to refresh your bathroom with sleek, white subway tiles? Choosing a stark white grout will allow those tiles to create a seamless, modern look, thanks to thin grout lines. But, if you want your tiles to pop and create a more distinct feel, why not experiment with a contrasting dark gray grout and slightly thicker lines?
Don’ts of Mixing and Matching Tiles
We’ve given you a few pointers, but here are some more common mistakes to watch out for:
- Too many patterns get overwhelming
- Watch out for tiles that look good alone but clash together
- Careless transitions between tile types can jar the eye. Plan these changes well.
Wrapping It Up
Mixing and matching tiles is an art. It’s a balance between personal style and tile rules. Whether you want to give your white rectangle tile some pizzazz or tone down your red tiles, we’re sure you can start confidently with these tips!