Floor Guide: Tiling Ideas For Every Room
Is your floor looking tired? Then why not jazz it up with some tiles – a tried-and-tested way to add both style and substance
Lara Sargent
26 September 2017
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
From natural stone slabs to pretty, patterned ceramics, you can’t go wrong with a tiled floor. Not only are they hard-wearing, practical and easy to clean, they also look great and will inject a large dose of style into your home. Typically, tiles have been restricted to the kitchen and bathroom, but they can work just as well in other rooms, too. Be inspired by these elegant examples.
Energise with pattern
One of the great things about a patterned tiled floor is that the rest of the room needn’t work as hard to look wonderful. You can stick to a neutral palette and let your bold floor take all the limelight.
One of the great things about a patterned tiled floor is that the rest of the room needn’t work as hard to look wonderful. You can stick to a neutral palette and let your bold floor take all the limelight.
Turn back to terracotta
There’s nothing quite like the earthy, warm colour of terracotta to create a cosy, homely feel. Reclaimed and antique terracotta tiles will add texture and colour to a space, and come in a variety of hues, from pale honey to rich reds. Some tiles can also have an interesting marbled effect because of the mixture of clays.
Remember that terracotta tiles should be sealed and finished with a wax polish, and regular waxing will enhance their natural colour and protect against staining.
See more kitchens with terracotta tiles here
There’s nothing quite like the earthy, warm colour of terracotta to create a cosy, homely feel. Reclaimed and antique terracotta tiles will add texture and colour to a space, and come in a variety of hues, from pale honey to rich reds. Some tiles can also have an interesting marbled effect because of the mixture of clays.
Remember that terracotta tiles should be sealed and finished with a wax polish, and regular waxing will enhance their natural colour and protect against staining.
See more kitchens with terracotta tiles here
Tile outdoors
Bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your home with some gorgeous patterned tiles on your terrace or patio. Encaustic cement tiles look incredible, but may chip, crack or fade in wetter climates, so be sure to select a durable, non-porous material for an outside space. Use a sealant for added defence and always lay your tiles on a waterproof concrete screed.
Bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your home with some gorgeous patterned tiles on your terrace or patio. Encaustic cement tiles look incredible, but may chip, crack or fade in wetter climates, so be sure to select a durable, non-porous material for an outside space. Use a sealant for added defence and always lay your tiles on a waterproof concrete screed.
Create a rug effect
In areas where you wouldn’t necessarily want a carpet or rug, a great way to bring in some pattern is with some floor tiles. Here, a tiled area creates a clever rug effect in this kitchen. It adds contrast and personality to the space.
In areas where you wouldn’t necessarily want a carpet or rug, a great way to bring in some pattern is with some floor tiles. Here, a tiled area creates a clever rug effect in this kitchen. It adds contrast and personality to the space.
Perk up with patchwork
If you’ve gone for a simple scheme in the rest of the room – like this white kitchen, for example – then patchwork tiles are the perfect way to pep up the look with a splash of colour and pattern.
Available in ceramic or porcelain, these floor tiles come in a huge range of colours, sizes and prints to create a wonderfully unique vibe.
If you’ve gone for a simple scheme in the rest of the room – like this white kitchen, for example – then patchwork tiles are the perfect way to pep up the look with a splash of colour and pattern.
Available in ceramic or porcelain, these floor tiles come in a huge range of colours, sizes and prints to create a wonderfully unique vibe.
Go geometric
From rhombuses to hexagons and cuboids, geometric floor tiles add a dynamic mood to a room. They create a distinctive 3D effect and work beautifully to add interest to a slick modern scheme, as in this bathroom.
From rhombuses to hexagons and cuboids, geometric floor tiles add a dynamic mood to a room. They create a distinctive 3D effect and work beautifully to add interest to a slick modern scheme, as in this bathroom.
Be natural
There are many colour and pattern options, but sometimes only natural tiles will do, especially if you’re after a rustic, country-style feel.
Take your pick from tumbled limestone, riven slate, and hard-wearing travertine and rejoice in the many natural variations in colour, texture and tone.
There are many colour and pattern options, but sometimes only natural tiles will do, especially if you’re after a rustic, country-style feel.
Take your pick from tumbled limestone, riven slate, and hard-wearing travertine and rejoice in the many natural variations in colour, texture and tone.
Consider tiles in the bedroom
Tiles may not be the first choice that springs to mind when choosing your bedroom flooring, but they’re worth considering. Aside from being easy to keep clean, which is helpful for allergy sufferers, tiles are the perfect partner for underfloor heating, creating a hygienic and toasty floor for bare toes morning and evening.
If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony or outdoor area leading from your bedroom, choose tiles that can be used indoors and out for a breezy, seamless feel.
There are thousands more photos of bedrooms with tiled floors, discover them here.
Tiles may not be the first choice that springs to mind when choosing your bedroom flooring, but they’re worth considering. Aside from being easy to keep clean, which is helpful for allergy sufferers, tiles are the perfect partner for underfloor heating, creating a hygienic and toasty floor for bare toes morning and evening.
If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony or outdoor area leading from your bedroom, choose tiles that can be used indoors and out for a breezy, seamless feel.
There are thousands more photos of bedrooms with tiled floors, discover them here.
Freshen your floor with mosaics
If you want to spice up a plain floor, lay some mosaics to add subtle texture, pattern or colour. Go glam with shimmery tiles, or choose matt if you’re looking for something more subtle.
If you want to spice up a plain floor, lay some mosaics to add subtle texture, pattern or colour. Go glam with shimmery tiles, or choose matt if you’re looking for something more subtle.
Unify an open-plan space
If you have an open kitchen-diner and living room, tiles can be a great way to unify the space. They work brilliantly in the kitchen and dining area, and you can always pump up the cosy factor in the living room by splashing out on an oversized, snuggly rug.
Read more:
6 Floors That Keep You Rooted in India
Which Tiles Are Perfect for Indian Floors?
Tell us:
Do you love tiled flooring? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
If you have an open kitchen-diner and living room, tiles can be a great way to unify the space. They work brilliantly in the kitchen and dining area, and you can always pump up the cosy factor in the living room by splashing out on an oversized, snuggly rug.
Read more:
6 Floors That Keep You Rooted in India
Which Tiles Are Perfect for Indian Floors?
Tell us:
Do you love tiled flooring? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
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Well Jane and ruby, I'm having my porcelain tiles laid in the kitchen, there was comments about tile sealents! I had some advice on the porcelain tiles from the 'London tile com.' LTP Glaze Protector he mentioned for tiles, it is a sealer for tiles so That might protect the grout to from getting discoloured or if there's something I dnt know, I hope this helps..
Love the rug effect with Mosaic/tiles. This is a great idea- especially in a bathroom where it isn't the most convenient- plus it's much easier to maintain! Oh and don't forget the main thing- it looks extremely stylish and chic!