Large tiles feel Spacious
When it comes to choosing the right tiles for your home, size is important. Historically, small rooms need small tiles, right? Think again, big tiles can make small rooms look and feel bigger. There is a definite trend towards larger format tiles helped by the reduction in the number of grout lines making rooms feel cleaner and more seamless and if you’re renovating a narrow space, large format tiles can make it look wider and less busy.
Small Tiles added to the Mix
So that’s your start point. But you can mix it up by using smaller tiles to bring detail, colour and texture to create a focal point in the room. For example in a bathroom, where you’ve chosen 120 x 120cm tiles for the floor, combined with 1m x 3m floor to ceiling slabs for the wall, the nook in the shower could feature New York fishscale mosaics or a vibrant coloured tile such as Loom Green. But avoid too big an area as the increased number of grout lines in tight spaces can make a clean, spare room look cluttered and crowded.
Tile Layout can play its Part
So you think that you just lay tiles in one way? Not true, but get advice on it. There are so many formats for laying tiles, it can be overwhelming, but the direction they are laid in can make a massive difference to the overall look of the finished room. For example, horizontal layouts widen a room and vertical lines draw the eye up and down, whereas herringbone patterns add movement and depth. Oversized floor to ceiling slab tiles draw the eye up as well and on floors a random pattern creates movement and interest particularly in big spaces with larger tiles.
Practicality is Key
This is true particularly in high traffic areas, such as hallways and kitchens. The more grout lines you have, the more cleaning will be involved, so choosing big tiles can help with that by giving a seamless and sleek finish. In addition to considering the size, you also need to think about the fabric of the tile – porcelain is low maintenance, scratch and stain resistant and antimicrobial, whereas real stone will need sealing once it’s been laid and then ongoing maintenance to keep it look its best.
So the consensus is that the size really does matter. Not just in the style or design preference, but it can change how a room feels and if you’re unsure and at the start of a renovation or project, then come into the showroom, pick up some samples and talk to one of our expert team about what you are looking for.