Are you considering tile flooring for your home? People have been using tile in their homes for a very long time, as early as the 4th century BCE. In fact, it’s one of the oldest building materials because it has lots of desirable qualities. But there are so many different styles, colors, and patterns when it comes to tile flooring. Are you wondering how you’re ever supposed to choose the right option for your home flooring? If you’re just not sure where to begin, here are some ideas to inspire your décor. Let’s get started!
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Choosing the Perfect Color
Have you ever heard that color can influence your mood? It may sound far-fetched, but there’s actually scientific research to suggest that different shades really can affect your mood, as well as your stress levels. For example, most people associate blue with calm, while red is seen as passionate, aggressive, or intense. It can be fun to keep this in mind when picking out the best tile flooring for your rooms.
Since color can help shift the emotional tone of a space, this is something to consider when you’re looking at tile samples. Darker tones can add warmth to a space if they’re not too overpowering. Think adobe, burnt sienna, and chocolate brown. Of course, the downside to dark tiles is that they can make a small space look even smaller, so keep this in mind when making a decision. Alternatively, pale tile flooring can brighten up a room, causing it to seem more expansive. This is because lighter color shades reflect more light. For example, if you have a dark or cramped kitchen, you might try a cheery pastel tone to liven it up.
Tile Sizing
Interestingly, the size of the tiles can have a similar effect on your perception of a space. If we wanted to make our hypothetical kitchen seem more spacious, we could also choose larger tiles. One thing to be aware of is that smaller tiles have more grout lines, which can sometimes seem busy, depending on your current decorations. Of course, another thing to consider is that large tiles don’t take as long to install, which can cut down on labor costs.
Tile Flooring Designs
Choosing a tile pattern comes down to personal preference as well as your home’s current décor. For example, if you have a lot of bright, beautiful art on the walls or wallpaper, an ornate tile pattern may look too busy in your rooms. Instead, you might want to go with a solid color in order to avoid an overwhelming look. Stone patterns, like marble, are another elegant option that is still simple enough to pair with other bold design elements, like rose gold fixtures or even a chandelier.
Layout Patterns
Did you know that it’s possible to make different patterns when installing tile flooring? These subtle changes can make a dramatic difference as far as the final look is concerned. Here are some of the most popular layout patterns to choose from:
Herringbone
This common pattern is created by making V-shaped rows of angled tiles. If you like this look, keep in mind that the tiles will need to be rectangular. It’s called herringbone because it resembles the skeletal structure or a herring fish.
Fun fact: Ancient Romans used this pattern to build their brick roads because it proved to be more stable than other layouts.
Offset
It’s not unusual to see plank tiles installed in this pattern. The idea is to offset them slightly, generally by a third, rather than line them up perfectly.
Pinwheel or Hopscotch
For this look you’ll need two different kinds of square tiles—one tiny and one oversized. This layout pattern is often seen in bathrooms, and it’s a nice way to add an accent color to the mix. The smaller tile is placed at the center of four larger tiles, creating a spinning effect.
Basket Weave
Basket weave tile flooring has a beloved mosaic look to it. This soft pattern can compliment both traditional or modern styles, and resembles over-under basket stitching.
Leave it to Chance
Some people prefer a more random look for their tile flooring. This can be a creative option, especially if you decide to use more than two colors in your design. You can create your own look, or leave it up to chance.
Versailles
This layout pattern is a mixture of square and rectangular tiles that interlock like a puzzle, and the design repeats itself. This option looks especially elegant with stone tile flooring.
Diagonal or Diamond
In the diagonal or diamond layout, square tiles are placed at a forty-five degree angle. If you plan on using tile accents on your walls as well, the diamond pattern is popular for a kitchen backsplash, too.
Grid Stacked
This is a classic look with straight lines of square or rectangular tiles. All in all, it creates a clean, basic pattern that won’t draw too much attention to itself.
Vertically Stacked
As you’d imagine, this is a pattern of vertically stacked rectangular tiles. This look is used on both floors and walls, but when it extends up the wall, it can add an extra sense of height to a room.
Chevron
Your tiles will need to be cut to suit this layout pattern unless they were designed for this particular type of look. While chevron is somewhat similar to a herringbone pattern, it forms a forty-five degree angle with the shorter end of the tiles. For a classically bold style, consider black and white tiles. Although, softer tones can create a beachy feel that pairs well with wood elements and cream.
Order Tile Flooring
If you’re still not sure which tile flooring is right for your home, give us a call at (925) 833-0165. At Dublin Carpet, we’re happy to help you find the perfect look, or answer any questions we didn’t cover in this article. You can also click here to learn more about the brands and other types of flooring we offer.
