When it comes to aesthetics, most Australians prefer the modern look and in trend right now is a lot of tiles. This doesn’t seem like it’s going to change anytime soon either, with a crazy number of styles to choose from in a range of quality materials to suit every budget. We say, why mess with a good thing? With easy installation and a long-lasting finish, if you’re looking to update your home, tile may be just what you’re looking for. While tile is all the rage in the kitchen and the bathroom, that’s not the only place tile could add some personality to your home.
With so many pattern options, it’s hard to know where to start – from traditional to more modern styles like our fish scale tiles by Tilemall, which have been a real hit in our range. Taking inspiration from traditional fireplace surrounds, many people now add them to entryways and mantles. They also work well in laundry and utility areas, on stairs and even as accent walls both inside and out.
Let’s take a look at our renovator’s tile guide to help you find the perfect fit for your home.
Style
If you’re not sure what kind of tile you want, it can be easier to think of the bathroom styles you like. Starting small with a potential colour scheme or picking out new fixtures could help you narrow down your selection pool.
Most stylists recommend having one key feature in your bathroom. This might be a mirror, an unusual lighting choice or go bigger by making the bath or vanity the focal point of the room. Be sure to think about storage, accessibility and whether the pieces you choose work together. This should allow you to decide what tile material you’re drawn to and how many tiles you would like in the room.
Budget
If your renovation budget is a little tighter than you’d like, keep in mind that there’s less floor space to tile compared to the walls, which is why many people choose a more exciting design for the floor tiles and a more neutral tile for the walls. If you choose a lighter colour for the walls, it can create a feeling of space which is great for smaller bathrooms.
Taking room measurements and comparing those to tile guides and calculators can be a good way to get a rough estimate, but you’re still going to want to check this with your supplier as they usually add about 10% extra to your order as standard. If you’re hiring a contractor to complete the job, please be sure to see examples of their previous tile work, and you have a clear idea of how they plan to complete the work.
Patterns and Mixing
Including a pattern can be a great way to jazz up a bathroom. Tile mixing can also allow for an eye-catching feature that doesn’t overpower. Typically, it’s best to keep tile mixing to the floor, or smaller areas like accents surrounds or the shower. Keep in mind that the cut of your tiles and the laying style you choose can have a big impact on the end result; check out this pattern style to get a feel for what might work for you.
This is actually the best time to start considering your bathroom lighting choices as well. Each tile type does best in different lighting, and not taking this into account could end up affecting your end result.
Grout
Aside from the tile themselves and the craftsmanship in installing them, grout is the most important deciding factor in how your new tile will look. When going with darker tiles, light or monochrome grout colours work best. At the same time, lighter styles look better with a contrast to avoid washing out the space. There are different grout types for different tile materials, so be sure whoever lays the tile knows what goes together.
Accessorise
While you feel a long way from adding the finishing touches to your renovation at this stage, it can inform some of the other choices you have to make in the room. It gives it a more “lived-in” feel as we move away from clinical feeling bathrooms in modern home design – even minimal bathroom styles can now be made to feel fresh and inviting.
Some exciting options include plants, as there are many who enjoy living in high moisture environments and assist in air purification, which can be tough to achieve in some bathrooms. Other ideas include using your storage and bathroom items as room accessories, and we have a few ways to do that.
Simple touches like adding wall hangings, showcasing plush towels, books or other miscellaneous items. Executing the small details well could actually end up saving you money on the bigger things as your eyes will be drawn to the aesthetics rather than the most obvious features of a bathroom.
Use Tiles To Transform Your Home
There are so many amazing ways to include tiles in your home’s interior to make your home look and feel amazing. Begin with some of the ideas listed above but don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild and allow yourself to be creative with your style stylings.
