When planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel, there are many choices to make: layout, color scheme, materials. Tile features in many home spaces, including floors, backsplashes, showers, and bathtub surrounds. Your tile choice (color, shape, pattern, texture) influences the look and feel of the finished room. Here are five things to look for when selecting tile for a remodel.
Size
Tile sizes keep getting bigger and it's easy to see why. Large-format tiles create a sleek look for any kitchen or bath, from larger plank tile floors to expansive square or rectangular tiles for shower walls. With fewer grout lines, these tiles give a cleaner appearance and are easier to maintain.
Offset large tiles with a feature tile in a smaller pattern: a shower niche, a backsplash border. Combine a large marble tile with a smaller more colorful tile (a glass mosaic pattern) for a unique kitchen or bath. We dig into tile choices in our small bathroom tile guide.
Shape
Squares and rectangles will always feature heavily in tile design, but other shapes change up the look of a room. Hexagon, arabesque, and penny tiles look stunning in a variety of colors and combine well with traditionally shaped tiles for a transition between style areas. Fish scales and fans bring an artistic feel and look great on shower walls or as a kitchen backsplash.
Pattern
Multi-shape patterns create a focal point in a room. Borders and accents in smaller tiles draw the eye to a feature area. Lay tiles in unusual ways like a herringbone or chevron pattern, which brings a modern style to classic subway tile. Other popular patterns include vertical, diagonal, pinwheel, and windmill.
Color
Neutrals are always in style, especially for tiled spaces where you want a long shelf life. That doesn't mean being boring with the color scheme. Create interest by varying shapes and patterns. Gray remains a top neutral choice, as is bright white for a crisp, clean style. Muted neutrals are popular for a classic look, and you can mix neutrals in varied tones. If you're ready to break away from neutrals, pick a favorite color that you know you won't regret in a year. Or add a splash of bright color against a neutral backdrop in a shower niche, border, or backsplash feature.
Texture
Texture adds another dimension. From glossy to raked, a variety of textures are available. Create an artistic style with three-dimensional tiles. In a neutral color scheme, vary textures in one space (matte and gloss together, or a pebble floor in a glossy tiled shower) for visual interest.
Talk through tile with a designer
If you're planning a remodel and want to talk through tile options for your space, we'd love to talk. Our 5,000 square foot showroom in Norwell has a full tile library where you can compare options side by side.
Schedule a showroom visit. No pressure, just a real conversation about your home.
Transitions Kitchens, Baths & Remodeling
433 Washington St, Norwell, MA
(781) 871-0881
.jpg){kind=spacer}