Are tiles new school or old school? and what’s really the big deal considering that some of us may actually prefer rugs due to their softness beneath out feet?
Using Tiles For Your Home’s Floors
Tile floors can influence the style of a room and accent other deign elements. Over the last decade, designs of tile flooring have changed dramatically, departing from small squares in single color to mosaic insets in upscale installations and high-quality stone for a natural look.
Using Ceramic Tiles For Your Interiors
Ceramic tile continues to get bigger. Instead of the standard 12×12-inch format, many floor tiles are 16×16 inches or even larger. Modular rectangular tiles measuring 12×24 inches, or in similar dimensions, are also gaining in popularity. Rectangular tiles are often used as accent pieces in contrasting colors to create designs in larger areas such as kitchens or master baths.
Specialty shaped tiles such as ovals, triangles, carrara hexagon tile and the like have also appeared on the scene for use in floor mosaics. Natural stones such as marble or limestone are also appearing in floor mosaics.
Light or Dark Tiles
Greys, from very light to very dark, have been the go-to color over the last five years, but classic neutrals such as clay and taupe are also making a comeback, while soft blacks will start to make a dent in grey’s popularity. Pastel blues and greens will also join the palate.
Wood flooring isn’t practical in areas that have a high moisture content, but thanks to advances in digital imaging technology, you can get that look with tile flooring. New technology makes tile look so much like wood that you can’t tell the difference.
These designs generally come in long planks ranging in size from 36 inches to 48 inches and can be made to look like reclaimed wood or various types of hardwoods. With wood-look tile, you can create geometric parquet or even square-based patterns.
The advent of digital imaging technology has opened up a realm of possibilities for floor tile designs to mimic retro looks from the ’60s and ’70s and more. Don’t be surprised by what you see in stores today.