A Buyer’s Guide To Tiles

The decorative aspect of tiles is often overlooked in favour of their basic practicality, but if your bathroom or kitchen is predominantly white and contemporary looking, then using tiles as a bold decorative touch is a great way to add a unique and dramatic look.

Fired Earth’s paris cabaret tiles

Take your inspiration from countries like Portugal and Morocco, where entire buildings are tiled, and use your imagination to create individual looking rooms.

Marrakech base tiles shown with Targa decor tiles from Fired Earth

First off – who says the tiles have to be all the same? Buy a few different designs in toning colours and make your own pattern behind the basin or bath. They don’t even have to finish at the same height – you can create a castellated effect.

image from livingetc via housetohome.co.uk

Or buy blocks of different coloured plain tiles and make up your own patterns and intersperse with small mosaic pieces to make words.

spell it out: using mosaic tiles to make words in a bathroom

A house I visited recently in Portugal had tiles all along the hall wall up to the dado rail. Not only did this add colour and interest to a boring, functional space, but it’s a totally practical idea as you can just wipe them down. This will instantly end that permanently scuffed  look common to most halls that comes from small children and dogs brushing past. If you do nothing else interesting with tiles – think about that as a practical, and pretty, solution.

the vintage collection tiles from Taylors Etc in Swansea

If you want to give the impression of height, there’s no reason why the splashback has to stop a foot above the basin. Keep it going as high as you like and create a real focal point in the room. This is what I did in the tiny shower room in our house

Use the tiles to create a focal point in a small room

Another suggestion is to not use tiles where you might expect to find them. So, if you have put them in the hall, think of using glass in the bathroom as a splash back for the shower.

this glass wall creates a beautiful streamlined effect in the bathroom

You can paint the wall a really bright colour behind it, or use wallpaper even draw your own designs.

Use wallpaper in the bathroom, image from roomenvy. To find out about waterproofing it click the wallpaper link above

For the really modern among you, consider using mirrored mosaic tiles to create a fabulous pixellated reflection of whatever is on the worktop in front.

mirror mosaic tile splashback, image from apartment therapy

DIFFERENT TYPES OF TILES

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are made from clay and are very hard wearing, making them a practical choice for bathrooms and kitchens and areas of heavy traffic. The types of glaze and finish is increasing and improving all the time. Porcelain tiles are particularly good if you like the look of natural stone but either can’t afford it, or don’t want the upkeep as it will be more durable and resistant than its natural counterpart.

Marble, granite and limestone are all very expensive and and can stain but they do look fabulous. There are various treatments available to protect them from oil and water-based spills and they come in a wide range of natural colours.

Mosaic can be made from either natural or ceramic stone. For larger areas you can buy them attached to a net which makes them easier to attach, or you can really create your own wall art and stick them on individually. On a floor, the large amounts of grout will mean that it is less slippery when wet than larger tiles, but grout gets dirty and is harder to clean so you will have to weigh up your priorities.

Slate is more affordable than the other forms of natural stone and you don’t have to be restricted to black or grey. It also comes in shades of pink and green and its rough surface means it’s great at hiding the dirt and needs almost no looking after.

Glass tiles are becoming more and more fashionable thanks to the large range of colour and surface finishes. It’s expensive but will be stunning in a small area and can really make a statement in an otherwise minimalist room.