The best type of tiles to use in interior design
In interior design, tiles are an essential element for the floors and walls of any room. Tiles provide both a visual and practical function. For example, tiles add a touch of elegance to any space and provide a durable surface that is easy to clean and maintain.
Tiles are also used in other areas of your home such as the kitchen, bathroom, entryway and living room. The type of tile you choose depends on the look you want to achieve in your home.
Ceramic Tile
In addition to being affordable and beautiful, ceramic tiles are also extremely durable. Ceramic tiles are made of clay and then fired in a kiln at high temperatures. After they’re fired, they can be glazed to give them an attractive finish that resists scratches and stains. The glazing process also makes it easy to incorporate ceramic tiles into virtually any decorating style. Ceramic tile is a great choice for bathrooms, kitchens and other areas where you need durable flooring.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is made from a dense clay-like composition. It’s made from fine-grained clay that is fired at high temperatures for durability. Most porcelain tiles are glazed and they are available in a range of colors and patterns.
Because of their density, porcelain tiles can handle heavy use, which makes them a great option for kitchens, bathrooms, and other frequently used spaces like foyers and mudrooms.
Porcelain tiles are suitable for indoor or outdoor use because they aren’t susceptible to water damage. No matter where you choose to install your porcelain tile flooring, it will stand up to wear and tear with ease.
Glass Tile
Though glass tile is traditionally used often in bathrooms and swimming pools, it can also be found in kitchens, outdoor areas and even living rooms. This material is a great choice for water-heavy rooms and settings because it’s made from 100% glass. Glass tiles are extremely durable, resistant to stains and available in a wide range of colors and designs.
For your next design project, consider using glass tile to create a space that feels polished, modern and ultra-chic.
Cement Tile
Cement tile is a popular choice for indoor and outdoor use because of its durability and wide range of design and color options. Because cement tiles are handmade, one tile can never be exactly the same as another. This makes them a favorite choice for designers and homeowners looking to create a unique space. Cement tiles are also durable, making them a great choice for high-traffic areas of your home or business. A sealant should be applied in order to protect the tiles from moisture and staining; this must be done regularly throughout their lifespan.
Marble Tile
Marble, a metamorphosed limestone, is a durable and attractive stone used in home design throughout the ages. It’s perfect for accent walls and flooring in bathrooms and kitchens or other high-traffic areas such as entryways and hallways. Marble tile comes in distinctive, natural patterns that are guaranteed to give your room an elegant look without sacrificing practicality.
With its natural beauty, marble tile enhances the interior design of any home space. From crisp white polished marble tile to bold black marble tile with dramatic veining, there’s a color and texture combination for every style of room.
Granite Tile
Granite is a natural stone that is quarried from the ground. Granite tile is available in a wide range of colors, patterns and textures, as well as thicknesses. A polished granite tile reflects light and gives a shiny finish to your floor or countertop.
Granite tiles are very durable. If properly sealed, granite can resist stains and scratches. However, you must reseal granite periodically to keep it looking new (this may be annually or every five years depending on the sealant used). Granite is also resistant to heat, so it can withstand hot pots and pans placed upon it without being damaged.
Mosaic Tile
Mosaic tiles are small, square tiles that come in a variety of colors and can be made out of different materials, including glass, stone, and ceramic – mosaic tiles is commonly used on floors, walls, countertops, and backsplashes. Mosaic tile is popular because it allows you to create intricate patterns with multiple colors. It’s especially useful for covering small spaces like showers or backsplashes because you can use a variety of colors and patterns with them to make the space look more decorative.
Limestone Tile
Limestone tile is one of the softer and more porous options for stone flooring. It’s important to seal this type of tile before installing it. Otherwise, limestone will quickly absorb any spills.
This type of stone is suitable for floors and walls, but it does need regular maintenance to keep a pristine look. Limestone is a popular choice for kitchen or bathroom walls. In fact, it’s often used in bathrooms because its surface can give off a little bit of glittery sparkle from the crystals embedded in the material.
Limestone isn’t suitable for use on kitchen floors as it’s too soft and prone to damage, but you could potentially install limestone tile on your bathroom floor if you seal it well enough to prevent staining or chipping and are willing to maintain it regularly with sealing treatments.
Travertine Tile
Travertine tile is a type of limestone that’s created by mineral deposits. It’s one of the more popular types of natural stone because of its timeless beauty and diversity. Travertine has an elegant and calming appearance that gives any room a unique look.
Travertine tile has a porous surface, which makes it vulnerable to stains if it isn’t sealed properly. To keep your travertine looking new, seal your floors or countertops with a penetrating sealer or finish that will fill the holes in the stone. Then you’ll be able to wipe up spills right away without worrying about permanent damage to the material.
Which tiles do you like the most?
