It’s that time of year again! We’re looking back at the design hits that stole the show and defined home renos in 2024. Welcome to your TileTown Unwrapped Playlist—the best, boldest and most-loved tiles of the year. These are the tiles you couldn’t get enough of—showing up in renovations, feature walls and design dreams across the board. Who snagged the top spot? (Think: the Taylor Swift of tiles.) Spoiler alert: This year’s star tiles all share one standout quality—timeless, organic beauty. Let’s unwrap the hits!
Rounding out our top five is our Goya porcelain in a polished finish. Its luxe, faux-marble surface brings elegance and natural beauty to any space. Whether featured in a grand entryway or a spa-like bathroom, this tile guarantees a refined, timeless look.
CREDIT: Facebook: The Micromason (repping our shirt too!)
This glossy porcelain subway tile shone bright in 2024, lending its artisanal charm to everything from mid-century modern kitchens to eclectic bathrooms. With its worn edges, tonal variation and radiant surface, it’s like inviting the perfect amount of sunlight into your space—warm, bright and effortlessly stylish.
Simple. Elegant. Versatile. The Goya Matte tile delivers the look of marble without the fuss. Its natural matte finish pairs beautifully with just about any design style, adding understated sophistication to walls and floors alike. It’s no wonder this one stayed at the top of your playlists all year long.
Coming in hot (or cool?) is the Utah Glacier 12×24 glazed porcelain tile. Think of it as bringing Utah’s stunning landscape indoors: soft greys, whites and desert beiges that echo rugged canyons and glacial rock formations. Its stone-like texture and natural veining create a perfect balance of rustic and refined, making it an undeniable fan favourite for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
This classic glossy ceramic wall tile from Spain topped our charts for the second year in a row—and it’s easy to see why. Its clean, coastal-inspired look brings effortless charm to mid-century modern and minimalist spaces alike. Consider it the design equivalent of a timeless hit that never goes out of style—always chic, always in rotation.
Happy Holidays from our TileTown family to yours—see you in 2025!
The Verdict: White, organic-inspired tiles stole the show this year, proving that timeless, natural beauty never goes out of style. We can’t wait to see what makes next year’s best-of list.
From dazzling and glossy greens and blues to timeless greys and whites, tiles come in an assortment of colours and shades, each with their own design capabilities. Knowing which colour palette to use between the wide range of tile colours requires careful consideration, as the tiles you select can impact your room’s mood, perceived size, and so on.
To help you on this chapter of creating an extraordinary colour story, here are some tips for choosing tiles based on colour and shade.
Consider the room itself
Something you’ll want to think about and build towards when selecting tile colours is cohesion. This can pertain to the overall aesthetic and existing colours/design already existing in the room and doing your best to tie everything together with your tile colours. Such variables you need to think about for cohesion include:
-The colour of the walls -The type of furniture in the room (colours, materials, finishes, etc.) -The room size -The lighting in the room (natural light or artificial)
If your furniture mostly consists of browns and greens, with wooden accents and several plants, you may consider choosing lighter coloured tiles in beige or grey to accent the already existing earth tones (which are a big trend in 2022). Something akin to our Versa 75 Caramel Click Vinyls could pair excellently with an earth tone vibe.
Perhaps you have a room that you want to appear bigger. The best choice would be a cream or pastel floor tile to accentuate the dimensions of the room and make it appear larger.
(You can learn more about tiles and room sizes by reading our blog post on the topic.)
Larger rooms, like dining areas or kitchens, are paired well with darker floor tiles — especially if there’s plenty of natural light. Our Nohva Black Porcelain Tile works particularly well for enhancing more open areas, and the sleek matte black finish can be used to highlight any colour story you choose.
The overall goal when choosing a colour story for a room is ensuring that you’re creating harmony between colours. This of course does not mean you have to stick to a monochromatic look, you simply want to consider how each aspect of your room ties into one another.
Colours can impact your mood
It’s been proven time and again that colour has a substantial impact on people’s moods and appearances. There are plenty of tips and tricks regarding on how wearing certain colours can help you become more approachable, or how different coloured cars have different significances and meanings.
The same can be applied to tiles. Because of our automatic associations of colours to feelings, environments, or moods, tiles can play a major part in how a room feels.
For instance, say you want your office area to feel calm and tranquil, or you want to make your kitchen feel less hectic with a nice backsplash. The best colour option would be a light blue, as blue has associations with serene waves or the stillness of the sky. The Dolce Sky (05) tiles would serve as a subdued feature to help you feel more restful in any busy environment.
White tiles can evoke thoughts of cleanliness, perfection, and peace, as these are all things associated with white. This would do well in a bathroom or kitchen, especially if you’re wanting to portray a streamlined, polished look to your guests. In this instance, the La Marca Statuarietto tiles would best suit your refined taste.
Maximizing and minimizing: how to make either work
Depending on your own design preferences, you’re either going to gravitate towards maximizing your colours or minimizing them. Although there isn’t a right or wrong in these choices, it’s important to consider how to elevate these concepts with your tile choices.
Much in the same way you choose tile patterns, creating a blended look requires that you don’t overstimulate your guests. This is not to say you can’t use colour — rather, it’s about making smart choices on where you place them and how you incorporate colours together.
Let’s say you want to spice up a duller room that primarily consists of whites and greys. You can add a pop of colour to this area by adding an accent wall to draw the eye. Or, if you’re very big on colours and want to feature more of them, simply choose colours that are complimentary or have the same tones (cool, warm, etc.).
If you’re looking for coloured tiles that work well as an accent, our Lume Series (award winning, by the way) features an assortment of rich colours, such as the Lume Green in an enchanting gloss finish, or the soothing Lume Blue.
Some areas of your house may feel overstimulating with too much colour, especially in smaller, tighter spaces. In this instance, sticking to a monochrome scheme consisting or blacks, whites, and greys would help make your room feel less overwhelming and more organized.
(These tiles, and all of our other Italian tiles, are also a part of our incredible Italian Days event which continues throughout July. Learn more about this fun event.) For more assistance in visualizing a space, check out Tile Town’s remarkable Visualizer Tool, or visit a Tile Town near you!
January is when your entryway stops being a cute little foyer and becomes a full‑time job. Snow melts. Salt dries. Gravel shows up like it pays rent. If your floor is the weak link, winter will find it.
Here’s how to choose—and care for—tile that shrugs off slush season.
Start with a tile that doesn’t panic at moisture
For entryways, mudrooms and anywhere boots land, porcelain is the MVP. Dense, low‑porosity, and far more forgiving of moisture, salt and grit than many other surfaces. What to look for:
Porcelain floor tile for durability and water resistance
A textured finish for more confidence under wet boots
A forgiving pattern or visual movement that won’t spotlight every tiny speck of sand
Stone‑look, matte porcelain with natural variation, suited to floor or wall. Italian manufacture and V4 shade variation are noted on the product page, which signals a subtle, realistic stone feel rather than a flat uniform look.
Works beautifully in an entry, brings texture without high‑gloss slip risk.
A richer stone look with substantial variation. Also rated frost resistant, which is a real plus for Canadian winter loads when outdoor snow gets tracked in and stepped on.
Neutral earth tones hide grit better than a flat, pale tile.
For a small entry with big style, octagon mosaics add visual drama without needing loud colour. Good for a feature strip or a small zone near the door, paired with plain porcelain around.
A temporary coating before grouting that protects against grout staining and makes clean‑up easier. That means less haze and less elbow grease once the grout is done.
Helpful for walls or floors, and for anyone anxious about grout cleanup after a DIY or installer job.
Optional but smart: sealing for added protection
If you have natural stone tiles, or grout lines that keep picking up stains, a penetrating sealer is a low‑effort hedge against future stains.
Water‑based, low‑shine, natural look that resists stains. A good match for stone look tiles or to protect grout and other surfaces.
Simple add‑on step after a thorough cleaning and before heavy use. Helpful to keep in a winter maintenance closet.
Design tips that still feel like you
Winter‑ready doesn’t have to mean builder beige. A few looks that hold up in high‑traffic zones:
Stone‑look porcelain for natural texture without worry, like Navona or Fitch
Soft pattern or neutrals that camouflage grit, such as darker or mid‑tone tiles rather than ultra‑light
Earthy greens or muted tones if you want colour without showing every footprint
If you want help narrowing it down, TileTown staff can point you to options based on household reality: kids, pets, stairs, ski people, all of the above.
Tiny January challenge: take a photo of your entryway at its messiest. That’s your actual design brief.
January is peak why‑does‑my‑kitchen‑feel‑tired energy. The good news: a backsplash refresh can change the whole mood without a full renovation meltdown.
Here are the backsplash directions showing up in 2026, plus how to pick one that fits budget and tolerance for grout cleaning.
Trend 1: The slab‑look backsplash
Minimal lines, maximum calm. Designers are leaning into carrying countertop material up the wall for a seamless, cohesive look. Fewer grout lines, less visual clutter, easier to live with.
TileTown‑friendly ways to get the look
If a natural stone slab isn’t in the plan, porcelain slabs or large‑format porcelain can mimic stone visuals with less maintenance and often a friendlier price point. Good for messy cooks, minimalists, or anyone who has whispered I hate cleaning grout into the void.
Large, soft stone‑look tile that reads clean and calm, perfect for a slab‑style layout. Matte finish, usable on both floors and walls, so it carries a cohesive aesthetic from counters to backsplash or even adjoining floor.
Works especially well with warm whites, greiges, light woods or natural oak cabinets.
When you want the sense of a single, quiet plane rather than a busy mosaic, this reduces visual noise and looks timeless.
Design tip: use same or similar tile on the counter return or small wall to keep the seamless look, then add texture elsewhere, like wood shelving or brushed metal hardware.
Trend 2: Handmade‑look texture
Zellige energy without preciousness. Natural variation catches light, adds movement even in a single tone.
How to make it feel current, not chaotic:
Choose one tone and let texture do the talking
Keep grout close to tile colour for a softer, longer‑lasting look
Consider a classic layout such as stacked or simple brick so variation stays the star
Good for renters‑turned‑homeowners, design people, anyone craving warmth without a loud pattern.
High‑gloss, artisan‑style subway with tonal variation that adds depth without needing multiple colours. If you want texture and a touch of colour in 2026, this keeps the wall engaging but not fussy.
Works beautifully behind a neutral counter or wood cabinetry, especially when grout matches or is just a shade off.
Also practical: glazed porcelain, so easier to wipe clean than many natural clays.
Textured, earthy tone subway that’s on sale right now, recently marked down. A subtle, moss‑to‑stone colour that feels warm and natural, great for the January refresh moment.
Matte finish, good for both walls and floors, but perfect for backsplash when you want something organic under a kitchen light.
Because it’s a classic subway plus natural variation, you’ll get current texture without the backsplash punishing you on cleaning or style.
Layout tip: staggered brick or slight stack both work. Forest tones pair well with black or brass hardware, or simple white counters.
Trend 3: Warm colour is back
Goodbye all‑white everything. 2026 kitchens are moving toward warmer neutrals and richer, moodier tones. Creamy whites, taupes, sand, deep greens, and grown‑up muddy pastels.
Backsplash ideas that play nicely with warm colour:
Warm white that feels creamy, not clinical
Earthy beige or sand tones with subtle variation
Deep green or oxblood accents in a smaller zone such as a niche or behind the range
If you want a single accent zone not neutral, this deep, jewel‑like blue keeps the backsplash lively but still elegant. Gloss reflects light, great for smaller or darker kitchens.
Works in a stripe, a framed niche, or a slim band above a dark counter.
Pair with warm whites or soft stone visuals elsewhere to avoid looking cold.
Colour pairing tip: keep the largest surfaces neutral or natural, then add a single accent wall, niche, or coffee bar splash with colour. It keeps the kitchen from feeling loud in the long run.
A quick, no‑regrets backsplash checklist
Before you fall in love with a tile at 11:47 p.m., do this:
Look at your countertop first. Busy counters usually want calmer backsplash choices.
Decide your vibe: seamless, textured or colourful.
Pick grout on purpose. Matching grout is easier to live with, ages better.
Order a sample, then view it morning and night. Lighting changes everything, especially in January.
The 30‑minute Is‑This‑Worth‑It test
Tape a piece of paper to the wall roughly the size of your future tile area and live with it for a day. If even a blank rectangle makes your kitchen feel more intentional, congrats: you’re backsplash‑ready.
If you want, tell us your counters and cabinet colour—something like white quartz + oak or black granite + white cabinets—and we’ll suggest three directions that fit 2026 trends without feeling try‑hard. Call or visit your local Tile Town for a complimentary design consultation.
Think of this as your year in tile. These are the five styles you kept in heavy rotation in 2025.
Some people track their year in playlists. You did it in tile choices. We pulled the numbers and built a TileTown Unwrapped to show which styles you loved most in 2025, from bold forever-faves to quiet workhorses that carried a lot of renvated rooms on their backs.
When you wanted a little drama underfoot, this is the tile you queued up. Super Black Slate Matte brought that “press play and let the room transform” energy, whether it was going into an entrance, bath or a hardworking mudroom.
Fitch Rainbow was your “didn’t know I needed this until I tried it” tile. It showed up in sample orders, quotes and wishlists all year and turned a lot of maybe-renos into full-on projects.
Vibe check: Personality tile, saved to favourites more than once.
Soft, easy to live with and simple to style around, Fitch Fawn became a go-to for spaces that needed warmth without shouting for attention. It’s the tile equivalent of a track you put on repeat while you cook, clean and live your life.
Mountain Lava White had a big year. When you wanted a fresh backdrop for everything else in the room, this is what you reached for. It works with light and dark finishes, plays well with pattern and makes spaces feel pulled together fast.
Artisan White Glossy took the top spot for 2025. Compact, glossy and endlessly remixable, it slotted into classic, modern and everything in between. Herringbone, stacked, brick pattern – this tile handled whatever layout you threw at it and still looked polished.
Tribeca Sage was your runner up for 2025, sitting just outside the top five. It stayed in steady rotation all year and clearly has main-character potential for next season’s projects.
Vibe check: Under-the-radar now, future star in the making.
If our tile ended up in your reno, send us a photo! – your projects are our real Wrapped.
If someone on your list spends their weekends covered in thinset, skip the novelty socks and go straight for the good stuff: tile tools. These stocking-sized heroes are practical, affordable and make their next project smoother, faster and a lot more satisfying.
Here are five small-but-mighty gifts you can snag at TileTown this season.
1. Grout That Actually Makes Life Easier
Grout might not sound very glamorous, but any DIY tiler knows it can make or break the finished look. A bag of high-performance grout is like gifting them the “ta-da” moment at the end of a job.
Try Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA Rapid-Setting Grout (10 lbs). It’s a fast-setting, polymer-modified grout that’s colour-consistent, non-shrinking and designed to resist water, dirt and grime, so joints stay looking fresh longer.Try Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA Rapid-Setting Grout (10 lbs). It’s a fast-setting, polymer-modified grout that’s colour-consistent, non-shrinking and designed to resist water, dirt and grime, so joints stay looking fresh longer.
Want to turn it into a little “grout care kit”? Add a bottle of Aquamix Grout Haze Clean-Up so they can wipe away grout haze without harsh acids.
2. A Trusty Trowel For Satisfying Swipes
The right trowel helps get even coverage so tiles stay put and floors stay level. For most wall tile and smaller floor projects, the ICON Pro Series Trowel 1/4” V-Notch is a great all-rounder, with a stainless steel blade and soft-grip handle that feels good in the hand.
3. Schluter Trim For Those Perfect Finishing Touches
Tile trim is the quiet overachiever of any project. It protects tile edges from chips, cleans up corners and gives backsplashes, niches and outside corners a polished, professional finish.
We’re big fans of Schluter for this. The Schluter RONDEC Aluminum 1/2” Profile is ideal for finishing tiled edges and corners while creating a smooth, rounded transition. Schluter practically invented the modern metal tile trim, and their profiles are still the go-to choice for many pros.
Pop a length of trim (or a gift card with a note about “finishing details on your next project”) into a stocking and you’ve just gifted them the difference between “good enough” and “wow”.
4. A Pro-Grade Grout Float
If grout is the star, the grout float is the co-star doing the hard work. A solid float makes it easier to press grout fully into joints and clean off the excess without fighting the tool the whole time.
The ICON Pro-Series Grout Float is a great stocking stuffer: it’s available in handy sizes, built for pros and serious DIYers and tough enough to handle project after project.
Pair it with that bag of Mapei grout and suddenly their stocking is starting to look like a full upgrade kit.4. A Pro-Grade Grout Float
5. The Sponge That Saves The Day
Finally, the unsung hero of every tiling job: the grout sponge. A good sponge can mean the difference between clean, crisp grout lines and a smeary mess.
The ICON Grout Sponge SG-H is a professional-grade, extra-large sponge with rounded edges that help prevent digging into fresh grout while you wipe. It’s perfect for cleanup during and after grouting, and it’s one of those “you can never have too many” items in a tiler’s toolkit.
Wrap It Up
Tuck one (or all) of these into a stocking and you’ll make the tile lover in your life very happy on project day. You can shop these installation must-haves and more at your nearest TileTown location in Victoria, Richmond, Langley and Edmonton, or browse online any time.
Need help choosing the right combo for their next reno? Drop by and chat with our in-store tile and design experts —we love helping you make every tile project look like a pro job.
If you’ve ever been told “you’ll want to seal that” and smiled politely while thinking “…with what, exactly?”, this one’s for you.
Tile sealer sounds technical, but it’s really just a clear coat of protection that helps your tile, stone and grout stand up to daily life: coffee, red wine, shampoo, muddy boots, you name it. Get the right one, and your surfaces stay beautiful longer with way less scrubbing.
Let’s break down what sealer actually does, when you need it and which TileTown products are right for which job.
First things first: what does sealer do?
Sealer is a clear protective treatment that soaks into (or sits on top of) porous surfaces to help repel stains, moisture and grime.
Tile pros often talk about impregnators versus topical sealers:
Penetrating/impregnating sealers soak into stone or grout to protect from within, without changing the surface texture. They’re usually “natural look” or “enhancing” and don’t leave a film. A great example is AquaMix Penetrating Sealer, which sinks in to guard against everyday stains while keeping stone and grout looking natural.
Topical sealers sit on top like a clear coat. They can add shine and a slightly “finished” feel while still offering stain protection. Think of AquaMix High Gloss Sealer, which creates a protective, high-sheen layer on the surface.
Both types are about the same goal: keeping spills out of pores so stains don’t settle in.
“Isn’t grout a sealer?” (Short answer: no)
This comes up a lot, so let’s clear it up.
Grout and sealer are different products doing different jobs:
Grout fills the joints between tiles and holds everything in place.
Sealer protects that grout (and sometimes the tile or stone) from soaking up stains and moisture.
That said, some new generation grouts are formulated to be denser and more stain-resistant, so they don’t need a separate sealer. TileTown’s FAQ notes that traditional cement grouts benefit from a natural-look impregnator, but hi-tech grouts like MAPEI Flexcolor CQ are dense enough that an extra sealer isn’t required.
Products like Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA are also designed to reduce absorption and resist stains compared to standard grout, so they’re already doing some “built-in” protective work.
So yes, grout isn’t sealer, but modern grout can come with some sealer-style tech baked in. You still use a dedicated sealer when:
You’re working with stone
You’ve used traditional cement grout
You want maximum, belt-and-suspenders level protection
Do you have to seal everything?
Not quite. Here’s the cheat sheet.
1. Natural stone tiles (marble, limestone, slate, travertine, etc.)
Stone is porous, which means it loves to drink in whatever lands on it. TileTown recommends sealing most stone tiles with an impregnator to help guard against oil and water-based stains.
Good picks from TileTown:
Want invisible protection? Go for Aquamix Penetrating Sealer 946 ml. It’s an economical, no-sheen, water-based penetrating sealer that keeps the natural look while resisting stains.
Want that rich “wet” stone look without gloss? Choose Aquamix Sealer Enrich N Seal 473 ml. It darkens and enriches unsealed natural stone and also protects grout joints.
Lumiere White 4X16 Gloss Ceramic Subway Tile
2. Grout lines
You don’t have to seal grout, but traditional cement grouts definitely benefit from a natural-look impregnator.
If you want easy-to-clean grout: Try Aquamix Grout Sealer 470 ml. It’s a water-based sealer that helps repel food, dirt and grease, inhibits mildew and bacteria and doesn’t change the grout’s appearance.
If you want fast, no-fuss spraying: Reach for Aquamix Same Day Grout Sealer 444 ml. It’s a natural-look aerosol sealer with a 360° nozzle just for grout, and you can apply it as soon as 2 hours after grouting.
Many ceramic and porcelain tiles, especially glazed ones, are already very dense and don’t need sealing on the tile face. In some cases, unglazed polished porcelains are treated with an impregnating sealer at the factory or require one during installation, as TileTown notes in their FAQ.
You’ll almost always still seal the grout joints, not the whole tile surface, unless you’re working with a special porous tile or natural stone inlay.
4. When you actually want shine
If you like a glossy, sealed look on suitable tile or stone (think certain indoor floors or feature areas), a topical sealer adds both protection and sheen.
Aquamix High Gloss Sealer 946 ml is a water-based acrylic sealer that provides both a stain-resistant surface and a durable high-sheen finish in one step.
Always check the label to make sure your specific tile or stone is compatible before going glossy.
Cleaning, stripping and starting over
If you’re sealing an older installation, step one is always a good clean.
For deep cleaning tile and grout in heavily used or neglected areas, TileTown carries options like Aqua Mix Heavy-Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner, which is designed to strip grease, soap scum and ground-in dirt before you seal again.
For stubborn residues or old sealer build-up, Aquamix Abrasive Cleaner Nanoscrub 946 ml helps remove waxes, coating sealers, light grout residue and most sealer residues.
If you need to take off old coatings completely, Aquamix Sealer & Coating Remover 946 ml is formulated to remove most sealers, epoxy grout haze, urethane coatings and deep-set stains.
Clean first, then seal. Your new sealer will work much better.
Exact instructions vary by product, but the basic rhythm is:
Clean the surface Remove grease, soap scum, old finishes and dust. Let everything dry fully.
Do a small test patch Try your chosen sealer in an inconspicuous corner so you can check the look (especially with enhancing or gloss sealers) and make sure you like it.
Apply as directed Use a sponge, applicator, sprayer or brush as per the label. Penetrating sealers are usually applied, allowed to soak, then wiped. Topical sealers are applied more like a thin, even coat.
Wipe off excess Don’t leave puddles on the surface, especially on low-porosity tiles. For most penetrating products, you’ll buff off any residue after the dwell time.
Let it cure Many sealers allow light foot traffic in a couple of hours, but full cure can take up to 24 hours or more. Follow the timing on the specific Aqua Mix product you’re using.
Not sure what you need? Bring us a photo (or a tile)
If you’re still wondering “Do I need to seal this?” or “Which one is right for my shower floor vs my kitchen backsplash?”, you don’t have to guess.
TileTown’s experts can match the right sealer to your surface, project and lifestyle. Visit one of our five locations in Victoria, Richmond, Langley or Edmonton, or try the online Room Visualizer to see how our in-stock tile looks in your space before you buy.
Seal it once, enjoy it for years. And if you’re still stuck, bring in a photo of your space or a spare tile and we’ll walk you through it in person.
(Because size matters—especially when you’re tiling your floor)
If you’ve ever admired a sleek hotel lobby or a spa bathroom and wondered why it feels so calm—it’s probably the tile. Fewer lines. Bigger slabs. More room to breathe…
Large‑format tiles (think 24×48 and up) are having a real moment. Clean lines, fewer grout joints, an almost seamless look—all appealing when done right. But there’s a catch: installation, design balance and suitability.
Let’s dig in—with your future (massive) tile lineup.
The high-gloss hero of your tiling dreams. This polished porcelain tile gives you dramatic reflections and a luxe marble-like finish—perfect for bathrooms, feature walls or spaces that can tolerate show-off moments.
Pros:
High shine and wow factor.
Easy to clean (less texture to trap gunk, though be cautious of slipperiness).
Beautiful with complimenting matte accents.
Caveats:
A polished surface can be slick—especially when wet. Use a subtle slip rating or choose it in lower-traffic or accent zones.
Marks, scratches or hard-water buildup may show more.
Classic marble meets modern resiliency. Calacatta Oro is a marble-look porcelain tile—white base with bold gold veining. It captures that timeless elegance without the upkeep pain of real marble. (Fun fact: many suppliers market a “Calacatta Oro 24×48 Polished Porcelain” as a premium marble alternative.)
Best uses:
Bathrooms and powder rooms (accent with matte trims if needed).
Feature walls or focal sections in open-concept spaces.
Watch outs:
Keep grout thin and crisp so the tile’s drama isn’t interrupted.
Because pattern variation is part of the charm, make sure tiles are well-shuffled during install so you don’t get weird repeats.
Think of this as the “cool marble” cousin—white, elegant, but with more modern restraint. While I couldn’t pin down a perfect supplier reference for “Statuario Noor 24×48” yet, many “Statuario” large-format porcelain tiles exist (matte or polished) that mimic fine Italian marble lines.
Why this tile is interesting
It’s elegant but less busy than dramatic marbles.
Works well when you want calm continuity in open-plan layouts.
Pairs beautifully with both warm and cool palettes (gray, taupe, blush, even black accents).
Tips to Nail Large-Format Tile Installation
Flat is not negotiable. The substrate must be dead flat (think ±2 mm over 10 ft or better). Any warping or unevenness shows on big tiles.
Use the right adhesive and technique. A back-buttered technique is standard to ensure full coverage and avoid hollow spots.
Control movement. Use structural and expansion joints as needed—big tiles don’t forgive cracking.
Mind the layout. Plan your tile placement in advance. Big tiles are less forgiving; awkward cuts or “stubs” (tiny leftover slivers) will look sloppy.
Grout width and color. Aim for narrow grout (3 mm or less) to maintain continuity. The color should subtly blend (not disappear, but also not pop).
Balance finishes. If your space is mostly matte, one polished accent wall or inset can be a striking counterpoint (hello, Goya Polished).
When Not to Use Big Tiles
On uneven or sloped subfloors (basements, old houses)
In very small rooms where large cuts would dominate the perimeter
Outdoors in freeze–thaw zones (unless the tile is rated for that environment)
Where budget or installation constraints make extra prep cost-prohibitive
Goya Matte with tactile mosaics or textured accent tiles
Also: large tiles look fantastic when you carry them vertically (walls), diagonally or in staggered layouts. Just make sure the eye isn’t fighting the layout.
Final Word
Large-format 24×48 tiles can transform your space—but only if you tread (or tile) thoughtfully. Choose the right finish for your lifestyle, invest in top-tier installation, and use layout restraint. With the right picks—Goya Matte, Goya Polished, Calacatta Oro, Statuario Noor—you’re not just tiling a floor. You’re making a visual statement.
Hint: It starts with thinking beyond just colour and pattern.
Renovating your space? Whether you’re tackling a full‑blown kitchen overhaul or giving your mudroom a glow‑up, your choice of floor tile sets the tone—literally and figuratively. But before you get hypnotized by trendy herringbone patterns or that one dreamy tile you saw on Pinterest, hit pause.
Here are four questions to ask yourself before falling head over grout for the wrong floor tile.
1. What’s Going Down in This Room?
Tiles aren’t one‑style‑fits‑all—especially if you live in a house where kids spill juice, dogs track mud, or someone (naming no names) is prone to “aggressive” cooking.
For hardworking spaces like kitchens, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and entryways, porcelain tile is your best bet. It’s stain‑resistant, water‑resistant, and practically indestructible. Bonus: it looks amazing.
Prefer something softer underfoot? Vinyl tile might still be worth considering for basements or family rec rooms—especially if there’s a chance of dampness or unexpected water drama (we’re looking at you, old washing machine).
2. Is Size Really Everything? (Short Answer: Kind of.)
Floor tile size has a surprising effect on how your space looks and feels. Bigger tiles can make a small room feel larger, but there’s a sweet spot—too big and they’ll overpower a tiny space.
Smaller or mid‑sized tiles, like 12×24, work beautifully in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and galley kitchens, especially when laid in creative patterns like herringbone or chevron.
Need a visual? Use our Room Visualizer Tool to preview tiles in your space—no imagination required.
3. How Much Abuse Will It Take?
Think long game. A guest bathroom might not need the same durability as your high‑traffic hallway. If your floor is destined for dirty shoes, heavy furniture, or zooming pets, choose a tile that laughs in the face of wear and tear.
Look for PEI‑rated porcelain or 2 CM outdoor pavers for max durability. They’re made to last and perfect for indoor‑outdoor flow—hello, patio reno!
Between muddy paws, spilled juice boxes, and the occasional flying toy truck, your flooring needs to work with your family—not against it.
Porcelain tile with a matte or textured finish is ideal. It offers better grip (less slipping!) and hides pet hair or messes. Tiles with darker grout are also a smart choice—they’re lower maintenance and more forgiving between cleanings.
From terracotta to forest green, Tile Town’s warm-toned tiles bring comfort, character, and a little café-chic charm into your home this season.
Why Warm Tones Work
Cozy factor: Earthy palettes make kitchens, bathrooms and entryways feel welcoming instead of sterile.
Seasonless style: Terracotta and moss aren’t just for autumn—they look fresh in April, too.
Design flexibility: Pair with warm woods, matte black hardware or soft brass accents for a glow that feels intentional.
Tile Town’s Warm-Toned Faves
1. Tribeca glazed porcelain sage green tile
Tribeca glazed porcelain sage green tile (also available in Seaglass Mint) — glossy, artisanal rectangles that make a striking kitchen backsplash, especially when paired with the clean lines of a bright, minimal space.
Stop by your local TileTownshowroom and grab full-size tile samples—mix and match to see what makes your space sing. Not sure how it’ll look? Upload a pic of your space to the TileTownVisualizer and play with colours and layouts before you commit.
Ready to embrace fall’s warm, earthy glow? Tile Town’s shelves are stocked and our experts are here to help you cozy up your home, one tile at a time.
Fall is the season for cozy nights and stylish upgrades—here’s how a tiled fireplace surround can turn your living room into a true showpiece.
Courtesy of a happy customer at Edmonton South.
Why Tile Your Fireplace?
Heat-safe and stylish: Porcelain and ceramic tiles are designed to handle heat without fading or cracking.
Instant style boost: Floor-to-ceiling tile delivers drama and elegance in one swoop.
Easy to clean: Because yes, soot happens.
Trending Fireplace Tile Styles
1. Modern + moody
Black tiles create a bold surround that makes the firelight glow like a designer candle. Minimalist yet dramatic—and yes, we have lots of in-stock moody tiles to suit your bold looks.
Bring a photo of your fireplace into Tile Town Langley, Richmond, Victoria or Edmonton, and our team will mock up design options in our Visualizer tool.
A living room your guests won’t want to leave? Guaranteed.
Free design advice from people who actually love tile? Always.
Full-size tile samples? Absolutely.
Ready to make your fireplace the heart of your home again? Stop by Tile Town—we’ll help you spark serious style.
If you’ve spent even five minutes scrolling through home design trends on Instagram lately, you’ve definitely seen it: the swoon-worthy, eye-catching pattern known as herringbone. Yes, that classy zig-zag look has gone full 2025, showing up everywhere from stylish kitchens in Victoria to cool, contemporary bathrooms in Edmonton—even Martha Stewart digs the diagonal design. Ready to hop on the herringbone hype train? Grab a coffee, settle in and let’s get inspired!
So why is everyone suddenly crushing on herringbone tiles? Simple: it’s versatile, timeless, and adds instant personality to any room. Whether your vibe is cozy cottagecore, sleek Japanese minimalism, or somewhere delightfully in-between, herringbone is your new best friend.
Large-format tiles like our Aura Canvas Matte 12×24 Glazed Porcelain Tiles are perfect for creating a modern, spacious look in bathrooms and kitchens. Larger tiles mean fewer grout lines, cleaner visuals and less maintenance—a total win!
Add depth and charm by playing with textures. Check out ourBoulevard Latte Gloss 3×12 Glazed Ceramic Tile—perfect for kitchen backsplashes or bathroom walls. They’ll make your herringbone pattern irresistibly touchable, giving any space a boutique hotel feel.
Use a tile visualizer—Test drive your vision on our handyTile Town Visualizer. Upload your room photos and play around until you find your perfect match.
Dive deeper into trends and tips by checking out our Tile Trends blog. You’ll find real-life transformations, seasonal style guides, and insider tips tailored to homeowners across Western Canada.
Feeling inspired yet? Good! Swing by your nearest Tile Town location in Langley, Richmond, Victoria or Edmonton. Chat with our friendly experts, snag some free tile samples, and start crafting your dream herringbone space.
Ready to join the herringbone hype? Of course you are. Let’s tile this town—your home, specifically!
