Tiles have long been happy in the background, dutifully covering surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. But lately, they’ve started pushing their way out of the background and into the spotlight – showing up all over the home in bold ways. They’re showing up in living rooms, around fireplaces and in outdoor areas to give the spaces an interior vibe.
The biggest change isn’t just in what rooms the tiles are, it’s what they look like too! There are two trends right now; the first is to have lots of texture – whether they’re carved, raked, etched or patterned in some other kind of way; the other is size. While tiles used to be small, these days they’re getting larger and larger. By decorating with large-format tiles, 18 inches by 36 inches, for example, grout lines are minimized, making for a cleaner, more streamlined look.
And while natural stone products (limestone, marble and granite) are still the most-used type of tile, other materials are gaining in popularity. For example, there are tiles made from leather, wood, cork and more, and because eco-friendly materials are always desired, there’s also a surge in demand for reclaimed materials. One other trend that’s popular these days: mixing materials. Don’t be afraid to combine glass with metal and ceramic.
The overall design of a tiled surface requires more than simply choosing tiles. For example, how is the edge going to look? If you’re using natural stone tiles, you can just soften the tile edges a little bit and it will look beautiful. But you can’t do that with other materials, like porcelain and ceramic. For those tiles, you have to buy special edge pieces. Lastly, don’t forget the grout that will bring it all together. Some grouts are less likely to stain or are easier to work with. Seek the advice of your contractor as to which grout will work best for your tiles.
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By Valley Design Center
March 29, 2024