Tiles come in an assortment of sizes, which leaves plenty of room for creativity. Unfortunately, however, many designers tend to overlook bigger tiles in favour of smaller tiles. Common design trends suggest smaller tiles are seemingly easier for creating intricate, detailed designs, for usage as kitchen backsplashes, countertops, and so on.
But in reality, big tiles can help make a big statement, and there’s plenty of design diversity with larger tiles. In fact, they’ve become a major trend in 2022 throughout the fall.
If you’re looking to maximize your home’s aesthetic, here’s how using bigger tiles can help.
Their durability proves beneficial as wallpaper replacements
Because of how durable of a material tiles can be, they do not share the same anxieties one might have if using a wallpaper or simply painting their walls. Splatters can leave awful stains on wallpaper that can wear their thin material down over time, and paint is often subject to chipping or unevenness.
By using larger tiles, which can withstand accidental spills or bumps, you are saving yourself the need to do continual upkeep. You’re essentially taking a kitchen backsplash (which have several design and practicality benefits) and inflating it to be an entire wall.
You should, however, educate yourself on how to properly clean your tiles to keep them looking and feeling brand new!
They can change the perspective of your room size
Room size is a crucial element in choosing the right tiles for your room. But did you know that you can manipulate the eye to think a room is bigger if you use bigger tiles? It’s true!
When used in open spaces, like a kitchen or living room floor, the bigger tiles cause the eye to travel a longer distance between each tile. Combined with using a solid colour and no pattern, your guests will think your living room is miles long.
And if you use bigger tiles on the wall, it’ll make your spaces look taller. Try creating an industrial streamline appearance by matching your wall and floor tiles together to really push the boundaries of your home.
(Learn more tips and tricks about picking tiles based on room size.)
Say goodbye to grout lines, and hello to sleek designs
When used correctly, grout lines can play an important role in a room’s aesthetic. This can be seen in modern farmhouse designs that use grout lines to reinforce a rustic appearance. Grout lines, however, may not translate for more modern, chic designs.
With larger tiles, you’ll find less grout lines, which give the appearance of long, gleaming surfaces. Your tiles will have the appearance of one cohesive material, rather than being broken up by several lines. This is especially beneficial if you’re looking to create a wallpaper effect, or if you’re going for a monochromatic look.
Not only that, but less grout lines means you’ll have less grout maintenance to deal with!
Cut bigger tiles into unique and experimental shapes
The benefit of larger tiles is that any modifications made to them can be done on a larger scale. This makes the process of tile cutting much easier for detailed cuts, which differs from the precision needed for working on smaller-scale tiles.
Try using triangular tiles to create focal point that draws the eye towards a living room, or you can try using hexagons to make an expanded honeycomb look on your bathroom floor (which you can waterproof!).
If you’re curious about using distinct cuts, or simply want some design inspiration, book a consultation appointment at any of our locations to get one-on-one assistance from industry professionals.
And be sure to check out our Tile Town Visualizer Tool — see for yourself why big tiles are a big deal!
5 Reasons Why Tile Town South Edmonton is Your One-Stop Tile Store
Are you someone in the southern Edmonton area looking to begin an exciting tile project, but don’t know how to get started? Overwhelmed with the amount of tile options and tile stores around you?
Look no further than Tile Town’s South Edmonton showroom location, where you’ll find top-of-the-line tiles, all the tools necessary for your installation, and an on-hand customer service experience like no other.
Found at 8219 Argyll Road NW, this Tile Town location provides service six days a week from Monday to Saturday, and staff are ready to answer any questions in-store, online, or over the phone.
And while there are plenty of reasons why Tile Town South Edmonton is the store for you, here are five to show you just what this store is made of.
1. The staff know tiles like no one else
Something that Tile Town prides itself on is its ability to provide customers with the best support in the business. At Tile Town South Edmonton, you’ll find staff members full of ideas and training that can help you form your ideas into perfection.
One such employee has been with Tile Town for more than 40 years and has continued to be a beacon that lights the way for hopeful tilers — that’s 40 years of trusted professionalism and assistance. Brad Bellefontaine (who talks about his dedication to Tile Town customers) has been a staple for Tile Town South Edmonton, and him and the entire staff are ready to assist you along any and all steps of the way.
If you come on down to this store, be ready for Brad to greet you with a smile!
2. It has the largest “In Stock” selection
Customers coming to Tile Town South Edmonton will be fortunate to know that they have any tile that they desire within their reach, right as they enter the store. Looking for a tile of a specific size to expand your room, or a need a certain colour to match your living room’s aesthetic? They’ll have options ready for you!
Plus, you can take tile samples home to help you get a better feel for your soon-to-be tile commitment. And at the off chance they don’t have what you need in store, you’re in luck! Tile Town South Edmonton has the ability to order from all major local tile suppliers, so your needs can be met swiftly.
3. Their showroom is brimming with inspiration
Whether you’re wanting to create the best accent wall or revamp your kitchen backsplash, you’ll find tons of inspiration at this Tile Town store. Their showroom is stocked with concepts that will help you finalize your tile ambitions.
You can also request one-on-one assistance through our complimentary design consultation that will ensure you have the time and space to talk through your ideas with a specialist.
Can’t make it in store? You can also try the Tile Town Visualizer Tool to give you an idea of how different tiles will look with one another in various rooms or use the TownSquare app for you and your consultant to work through.
4. The store is highly acclaimed (by customers just like you!)
Boasting a rating of 4.8/5 stars from more than 800 first-party customer reviews, this store has not one, but two specialties: tiles, and satisfied customers. As a store that has a personal shared mission of improving people’s quality of life, you’ll leave Tile Town feeling confident, accomplished, and, most importantly, heard.
Not to mention, the location boasts other accolades, which includes a six-year run of winning the Consumer Choice Award in the tile category.
5. It’s in a prime location
Location is a crucial component for any store, and Tile Town’s South Edmonton store brings you to a bustling part of Edmonton with life all around it.
Found right off of 75 Street NW, this location has plenty of bus stops nearby for those who don’t drive and a large parking lot ready for several customers to park in.
Ready to get your tile project started? Come down to Tile Town South Edmonton at 8219 Argyll Road NW for the best tiling experience you can imagine, or call in at (780)–466–1343. You can also check out Tile Town on Instagram to get to know the store better!
Add Flare to a Room With These Textured Tile Collections
Have you felt like your design ideas have fallen a bit flat? Do you want to bring some depth into your house but don’t know where to start?
Look (and feel) no further than with some textured tiles!
Beyond choosing the right colour palette and figuring out the tile pattern that best fits your preferences, textured tiles are another way to incorporate creative flare into your interior design plans. Forming depth along levelled surfaces and adding nuance to your home, textured tiles allow you to think outside the restraints of simplistic tile design that will reinvigorate your inner interior designer.
To help you get started on this new texture adventure, here are five design ideas that use various forms of textured tiles.
Let the waves wash over a room
The ocean’s been calling you, but you’ve been too preoccupied to answer. Don’t miss out on those refreshing waves any longer by adding some tiles with movement to bathroom walls.
Tile Town’s Cascade Wavy White Ceramic Wall Tiles feature an array of intricate waves that are smooth to the touch and absorbing to look at. Ideal for helping you feel relaxed without being too bored, these tiles will lighten up your bathroom while reflecting light beautifully against each ripple. You can also waterproof your tiles if you’d like to place these directly in your shower for a dramatic, waterfall-like effect.
Add some class with some glass
Glass tiles are an easy way to add a bit of elegance to your home. While not the most durable and would not bode well as entire floors or walls, they are perfect accents that can elevate your home’s classiness level.
A powder room (or another small area) would be the perfect place to add a slight touch of elegance. With glass tiles, lighting plays a massive role in their impact, as their transparency engulfs the light in such enthralling ways you can’t help but be amazed.
To achieve this look, try using one of our Gypsea tiles, which include:
The Gypsea Midas Glass Mosaic Tile
The Gypsea Triton Glass Mosaic Tile
Round out your design with these penny-shaped tiles
Tile shapes can significantly sway your home’s aesthetic, and using these shapes to your advantage can help you liven up forgotten areas like your bar or bathroom wall. The example of round-shaped tiles, such as the Lumiere Black Penny Round Ceramic Tiles, will give a 3D effect that will have guests paying attention to the smaller, intricate details.
What’s approachable about this type of design is that the tiles themselves aren’t textured — rather, they create a texture while retaining a smooth look. This is perfect for interior designers who might find rough surfaces too intimidating. Moreover, you can still do monochromatic or simpler looks while adding dimension.
Make your fireplace Ledgerndary
Choosing the suitable tiles for your fireplace is essential, as you’ll want simultaneously heatproof and visually enticing tiles. Since your fireplace will be positioned in a highly populated area, you’ll want to ensure it represents the finesse you want to embody.
There are many options to choose from amongst the Ledger tiles, which are perfect as fireplace tiles or as accent walls. They include:
While we could go on about our Ledger tiles, here are some more tips on selecting the perfect fireplace tiles for your home.
Hop on the glaze craze with this backsplash
Backsplashes and textured tiles are the same, as each product looks that the eye naturally gravitates towards. And while there are many elements to consider when choosing a backsplash tile, pairing textured tiles with a backsplash is the perfect way to feature expressiveness without being too overpowering.
A perfect accent backsplash tile would be the Arvex Glaze Craze Porcelain Tile, which features rivets that create a zig-zag effect. Much like the round tiles, these tiles are glossy, but they create an illusion that tricks the eye into thinking the wall itself is more rigid than it is.
Want to see the impact of textured tiles yourself? Check out Tile Town’s Visualizer Tool to look at how influential textured tiles can be.
Expert Inspo Tips for Choosing a Kitchen Backsplash
Designing your dream kitchen is a significant commitment. One thing that absolutely cannot be overlooked is your kitchen’s backsplash.
As an accent point to countertops and cabinets, backsplashes add a touch of flavour to a kitchen design and help tie it together. The tiles you choose for your kitchen can say a lot about you as a person, so you’ll want a backsplash that reflects personality.
To help you choose the best kitchen backsplash, here are some things to keep in mind.
Select a tile style that’s right for you
Tiles come in all different looks and can be styled in various ways, so it’s best to establish early on what kind of backsplash you’re going for. Whether it’s farmhouse or midcentury, make choices that speak to your desired look.
In the example of the farmhouse aesthetic, choose simpler tiles with earthier tones (like those in our Lume series) to go with the natural vibe, as opposed to something louder or more intricate that may throw off the overall casual design.
You also want to consider the pattern of the tile you’re using. While the popular backsplash choice is a subway tile, there are so many other tile options for you to contemplate (which we’ve detailed in our discussion on tile patterns).
Tile style can also refer to how you choose to lay the tiles and the height of the backsplash. There are many tips and tricks for making a room appear larger, and extending a backsplash higher is one ways to achieve a heightened illusion. Be mindful, however, of your budget and not overcrowding the kitchen wall with a too-high backsplash.
Create harmony between your backsplash and countertops
Whether choosing a monochromatic look or creating a compelling colour story, shades play an incredibly significant role in establishing a solid aesthetic. Make sure your kitchen’s colour palette remains consistent across the backsplash, countertops, cabinets, furniture, and, to some degree, your appliances.
Some things to keep in mind when selecting your backsplash while factoring in colour:
-You don’t necessarily have to make your countertop and backsplash match ideally, instead, they can complement each other or simply stick to the established colour story
-Lighting can play a big part in how colour is perceived, so be aware that some of the colours may fade or pop depending on the light fixture position and light bulb shade
-Mixing shades is a clever way to give a kitchen depth through its backsplash
-Keep in mind the finishes of the other appliances and items in your kitchen
Factor in tile durability and cleanliness
Kitchen tiles get dirty. Whether it’s grease, water, or food, your backsplash protects the kitchen walls. Clean tiles regularly and install them with long-lasting strength in mind.
We have many tips for tile cleanliness, but important ones to remember when installing a backsplash include:
-Using a strong sealing material on your tiles to ensure that moisture doesn’t cause the tiles to weaken gradually
-Choosing a grout that is both resistant to dirt and also fits your backsplash aesthetic
-Selecting tiles that are made of more durable material, such as ceramic or stone
Simply put, you want a backsplash that fights splashes back.
Ready to start designing and installing your dream backsplash? Visit us at any of our Tile Town locations or give us a call, we’re happy and ready to help!
5 Tips for Creating a Monochromatic Look with Tiles
Monochromatic interiors have been one of the most consistent home décor trends throughout 2022 (among the many other design trends that have populated this year). This look is achieved by keeping a consistent colour palette and decorating floor-to-ceiling within that one colour’s values. The aesthetic not only utilizes cohesion, but it’s also an easy starting point for first-time designers to work around — all you have to worry about is one colour!
To help you realize your monochromatic look, here are five helpful tips to consider with your tile selection.
- Remember: You’re not limited to black and white
A major misconception about the term “monochromatic” in the interior design world is that it strictly implies black and white. This could not be further from the truth, as monochromacy relies on picking one colour and working outwards around that colour, not just a grayscale palette.
Liven things up with a deep blue tile (like those found in our Teramoda series) in a room with navy walls, or experiment with a rich green (like those found in our Lume series) to coincide with the earth tones in your furniture and décor. - Use different tones and shades for depth
Although monochromic implies one colour, that doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to one colour value! By adding different tints, shades, and tones, you’ll not only be creating layers within your monochromatic design, but you’ll be ensuring your colour scheme keeps from being too monotonous and boring.
Try using an ash grey floor tile (like our Geotech Grigio 12×14 Porcelain tiles) with a light grey kitchen backsplash (like our Arvex Victorian Grey Glossy 2×4 Beveled Porcelain Mosaic tiles) to give off a chic, complimentary look. - Experiment with finishes, textures, and patterns
There are many other ways you can create more excitement within your single colour-parameters. Textures can help add more noise to a quiet palette by capturing the light differently, while patterns are an easy way to add visual intrigue. (Just be sure to educate yourself on the different pattern types and how to incorporate them before you start your project!)
You can try mixing gloss and matte finishes to give the eye more texture to interact with. This will make the single tone-look feel more enticing. A great location for this would be around a fireplace — just be sure to consider the appropriate factors when choosing your fireplace tiles. - Select colours based on desired mood
Colours have the remarkable ability of impacting how we feel (which is something we’ve discussed when choosing coloured tiles vs. black and white). Using this knowledge can help you decide what kind of mood you want your monochromatic room to emulate. An example of this is a white monochromatic look.
White can mean:
– Simplicity, which is best represented through the minimalism design aesthetic
– Cleanliness, shown through sleek white grout lines and polished-looking tiles
– Serenity, which is evoked through openness and spaciousness that’s achieved with white floor and kitchen tiles
Another example of this can be seen in green tiles, which can mean:
– Nature, which would be perfect for cottage or barnyard interiors
– Healing, as the colour green is a restful colour for the eyes
– Peace, which someone can feel while surrounded by plant life and dark green furniture in an office - Match your grout lines with the tiles
An easy way to create a streamline single colour-scheme is by ensuring your grout lines match the colour of the tiles you’re using. Your grout lines will fade into the background, giving the illusion of one cohesive surface.
If you’re wanting to use a white colour scheme but are anxious about maintaining your grout line’s cleanliness, Tile Town provides many cleaning products precisely for maintaining the crispness of your grout lines, and we have many cleaning tips that can help you as well.
For more tips and tricks, visit any of our Tile Town locations, or give our stores a call!
What Your Kitchen Tiles Say About You
They say your home is an extension of yourself, and that could not be truer when it comes to people’s kitchen tiles.
Is your backsplash as loud and bold as you are with personality from top to bottom? Or are you more of a reserved, reliable homebody who mimics the timeless appeal of white subway tiles?
From farmhouse all the way to industrial, here’s what the kitchen tiles in your home say about your personality!
Modern
Sleek and sophisticated, you are the quintessential it-person that everyone wants to know. Much like your tiles, you are high-quality, luxury, and you know what you want, when you want it. Every aesthetic choice is correct, and the same could be said about your kitchen tiles. Just know that you (and your kitchen) will be the talk of the town and a major trendsetter for your friends.
Traditional
As the name suggests, you’re someone who’s reliable and established — someone who people know has a status quo and sticks to it. Like the white subway tiles that line your kitchen island, you are clean and streamline. You’re organized, well-put together, and above all us, keep things fresh while maintaining a familiar charm.
Minimalist
There’s not a lot to be said about you and your kitchen tiles, because, truthfully, that’s what you’d prefer. Simplicity is key in your life, and you like for things to be cohesive. Although you can come across as bare or cold, you’re truly just a little quieter than most.
Beach
Always down to chill, you’re as calm and collected as the blue tiles that line your backsplash. Being the human embodiment of a getaway, you know when and where to relax, but aren’t afraid to get a little wild (with the right accoutrements). You may be hard to pin down since you’re always on the go, but no matter where you are, you’ll bring that laidback, easy attitude.
Mid-Century Modern
People describe you as creative and inventive, and this is reflected in your experimental choices with your tile colours and patterns. When there’s a clear blueprint for something to be done, you like to put your own spin on it — a mark of a true individual. Ultimately, you’re clever, and make every decision with intent. In order words, you’re definitely the main character.
Eclectic
Jumping out like a pop of colour, you’re always one to make yourself seen and heard. Some may call you the life of the party, and they wouldn’t be far off. And while you and your aesthetic can’t be pinned down to just one thing and may come across as chaotic, it’d be more accurate to say you’re confident and make purposeful choices (in both design and in life).
Scandinavian
With you, it’s always less-is-more. In a similar fashion to your tile colour palette, you like to keep things neutral, always aspiring for practicality over anything else. Others may be surprised to know you have a bit of an edge to you, but your warm approachability reminds people of your softness and ease.
Contemporary
While you may look simple on the surface, there’s actually many layers to you. Always following trends, you like to stay current, while cleverly mixing in classic elements to let people know you’re dynamic. Rule-breaking isn’t out of the question, and you like to try things out (like a wild pattern or out-of-place texture).
Farmhouse
Warm and welcoming, you and your kitchen encapsulate the feeling of a pleasant embrace. You’re down-to-earth and give everyone a sense of familiarity. And while some may say you’re not the most glamorous, you more than make up for this in your perpetual charm.
Industrial
Much like your tile placements, you value function and efficiency. A true go-getter, you see something that needs to be done and finish the task effortlessly. Although you’re not big into being flashy, the bits of your personality that shine through show others that you’re humble and a big softie underneath your tough exterior.
10 Ways To Prepare for Your Next Tiling Project
The urge to renovate has finally hit and you’re ready to give your home the long-awaited makeover it deserves. We don’t blame you as 2022 has featured many inspiring tile trends that would make anyone dive headfirst into a new and exciting tile venture.
You may have a few questions that need answering before you get started — first and foremost, how do you get started?
To help you find your footing before jumping into your big renovation, Tile Town’s very own Judi Merrell, an interior designer at our Richmond location, offers these 10 useful tips to help your tiling project begin smoothly.
Get to know your closest Tile Town location
The best way to kick-off your project is by acquainting yourself with one of our stores, and our website is a great place to start! Read customer comments that share their tile selection process and experience with us, browse our Ideas Gallery, or simply try our Visualizer Tool to help you visualize your dream renovation.
Book an appointment
Having scheduled time ensures that you’re receiving the best help possible, as one-on-one consultations allow for a more personal and thorough experience. This is an optimal space to play off any of your ideas, so bring any and all concepts you’ve been playing around with to discuss.
Research tile designs
Google, Pinterest, and websites for designers and manufacturers are great places to help you finalize and describe your vision for the space you’re renovating. Our various social medias (Instagram, Pinterest, Houzz, etc.) are also accommodating resources for fast and organized design inspiration.
Bring in any physical samples
An easy way to articulate your vision is by bringing in any reference points for design elements found in your home. Samples could be paint swatches, countertop or cabinetry samples, and so on. If you’re unable to bring any samples currently installed in your home, take pictures that clearly show colours, layouts, and the types of material.
Organize your ideas
Having a cluttered mind is just as inconvenient as a cluttered work area. Avoid this by creating albums or files of design inspiration for each project. You can separate them by room, aesthetic (minimalistic, industrial, etc.), or patterns.
Have a basic concept for tile sizing
There are an abundant of different sized tiles, each with their own design capabilities. Start by deciphering what size you need: large rectangle or square tiles? Tiles for a backsplash, or tiles for your floor? Use this starting point, and then work out the details.
Visualize your perfect colour story
You know the layout, accessories, and lighting in your desired renovation space — what colours exist here that you can work with? Knowing what colour of tiles you want will help narrow the scope of possible tiles that fit (or don’t fit) into your design. You can either use pops of colour on a vibrant accent wall, or blend light-coloured tiles with darker spaces for contrast. (Learn more about choosing coloured tiles.)
Consider materials and textures
Between 3D-textured tiles, marble, and porcelain, there’s a lot of tile surfaces to choose from. Eliminate any potential tiles that could clash, such as marble tiles in a primarily wooden-accented space or textured tiles that would make a backsplash seem too busy.
Work within your home’s style
Whether you’re working with traditional, modern, or the highly popular midcentury modern, you’ll want to stay within the constraints of your home’s design to achieve cohesion.
Be ready to listen and learn
Having an open mind is a surefire way to see a project successfully executed. It’s not unusual for designers to have a clear vision of what they’d like, and eventually find something that appeals to them more. Who knows, depending on available stock and new ideas, you may have to consider a different look that might work even better for your space!
Now that you have the tools to begin, give us a call or come on down to any of our locations — we’re ready to help!
Tips for Choosing Coloured Tiles vs. Black and White
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.
A great tile for lightening up and pulling together a monochromatic space is the Paint Stone White Porcelain Tiles.
(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!
Tile Design Tips for Using Patterns
When it comes to laying tiles, there are several variables to consider with your design: First, there’s the tiles themselves (their shape, their size, etc.). Next, you have to think deeper about the aesthetics, like their colour, the room’s colour palette, and their finishes. And, naturally, what comes after that is contemplating how the tiles will lay, and what sort of tile patterns will be used.
From herringbone to basket weave, tile patterns can vary depending on your current project, and it can be difficult knowing the best patterns to use and how to use them effectively. Here are some tips to help you with your tile patterning to ensure you have the most pleasing and cohesive designs.
Knowing Tile Patterns
Before getting into some helpful advice, it’s first helpful to know of a few popular tile patterns:
Subway/Running Bond/Brick: This design is one you would typically see used for brick walls. It sees the end of each tile lining up with the center of the tile above and below it to create a staggered effect. A similar style to this is the 1/3 Offset, which places tiles at 1/3 above and below as opposed to the center.
Herringbone: Herringbone requires rectangular tiles and sees them placed in V-shaped rows at 45-degree angles.
Grid/Stacked: Simply put, this pattern involves placing tiles perfectly in line with one another to simulate the appearance of a grid. Tiles can either be stacked horizontal or vertical.
Versailles: Also known as the French pattern, this style combines square and rectangular tiles of various sizes and organizes them in such a way to resemble a repeating design. It is certainly one of the more complicated patterns as it requires patterns with varying measurements — but ultimately, is worth it in the end.
Basket Weave: Reminiscent of a basket, tiles are laid in a way that simulates them going over and through one another.
Keep your Colour Palettes Concise
Given how alluring complicated tile patterns can be to the eyes, you want to ensure that you aren’t over stimulating your guests by projecting too much flashiness at them. While in some cases this type of aesthetic could work (especially if you’re a fan of mixing and matching colours), you’ll want to be a bit conservative with your colour palette if you’re choosing to use different patterns in one area.
If you want a little more excitement while still maintaining colour concision, you may want to consider:
1. Mixing the finishes of certain tiles (matte, glossy, etc.)
2. The shapes (mixing hexagons with rectangles while keeping the colours within the same family)
3. The sizes (using smaller squares to accent larger rectangles)
Using monochromatic colour schemes will also allow you to experiment with multiple tile patterns. The obvious example here would be using black and white tiles in different patterns: your bathroom floor tiles could be black tiles (like our Flux Coke 12X24 Matte Rectified Porcelain Tile) in a grid, while your shower tiles could be white tiles (like our Lumiere White 3X6 Gloss Ceramic Subway Tile) in a herringbone pattern to give your bathroom a chique, modern vibe.
Manipulate the Eye with Orientation
If you have a room that you want to appear longer, or a shower you want to feel wider, tile patterns are a great way to trick the eye into believing that your rooms have changed shape.
For room size, floor tiles (such as our Grey Soul Mid 12X24 Matte Rectified Porcelain Tile) can help elongate your room by being placed in a grid pattern oriented lengthwise from the door.
When attempting this trick on backsplashes or accent walls, longer rectangular tiles, such as those featured in our new Teramoda series or Lume series, would work wonders on achieving that lengthened, taller technique.
(For more tips and tricks on room size, read the blog post we wrote on choosing tiles based on room size.)
Use Patterns to Play Off of Each Other
We previously touched on using a colours to allow freedom with coexisting tile patterns, but let’s go deeper into using patterns to accent each other. This technique can be seen in accent walls (which you can learn more about by reading our blog post on them) that place plain tiles next to more complicated or flashy tiles to make the desired tiles pop more.
So long as you’re not overwhelming a space with patterns, you have lots of freedom in experimenting with your designs. (And feel free to check out our Instagram for some design inspiration!) At most, you’ll want no more than three patterns in one space, as adding any more than that can become overwhelming.
Let’s say you have a backsplash in a running bond pattern. You could accent the wall by placing a herringbone pattern somewhere in the middle to capture some attention and give dimension to the ordinary single-pattern backsplash.
To better help you visualize these tile patterns, try using Tile Town’s exclusive Visualizer Tool, which allows you to pick and drop our different tiles and place them in pre-existing rooms, your way.
So long as you’re not overwhelming a space with patterns, you have lots of freedom in experimenting with your designs.
Win Big at Tile Town’s Italian Days
From the start of June to the end of July, Tile Town customers can enjoy a two-month-long special event: Italian Days!
Paying homage to the tile’s Italian origins, Italian Days is a way for customers to learn more about Italian tiles while earning the chance to win fantastic prizes.
A Brief History of Italian Tiles
Italian tiles were reported to be used as early back as the Middle Ages, with ceramic tiles decorating the walls and floors of religious and public buildings. Drawing inspiration from the hexagonal terracotta tiles from the Roman Empire, it became a specialty for Italian majolica handcrafters (majolica being a style of richly coloured, heavyweight clay pottery).
This erupted into a significant spread for Italian tiles, being found in Italia villas, biblical and historical scenes, and even palaces! Following this, the 19th century brought upon a new wave of tile design and installation, with a focus on repeating and geometric patterns (which continues to be used to this day).
Tiles were a significant part of the Art Deco Movement between the 1920s and 30s, leading to the mass production of tiles that drew significant inspiration from Italian tilers of the past.
Now, you can find inspiration from Italian tiles everywhere, including our own catalogue which features an array of Italian tiles!
Prizes, Tile Features, and More!
As part of our Italian Days celebration, Tile Town customers have a chance to win 1 of 40 gift cards to 5 local Italian restaurants, each gift card being worth $100.
The Italian restaurants customers can win prizes to are:
Cotto al Mare (Surrey, BC)
La Terrazza (Vancouver, BC)
Italian Tomato (Richmond, BC)
Café Amore Bistro (Edmonton, AB)
Il Terrazzo Ristorante (Victoria, BC)
You can learn more about each of these restaurants by reading these snippets about them!
Until the end of July 30, five winners will be drawn weekly, meaning there’s plenty of chances for Tile Town customers to win.
Also, there will be weekly Italian tile features, which is perfect for any renovation plans for the summer! Plus, customers can look forward to blog posts this summer that educate readers on Italian tiles.
How to Win
There are two ways to enter the weekly prize draw:
1. Visit a Tile Town showroom near you at any of our locations
2. Sign-up for our newsletter for an additional chance to win
Our remarkable staff at Tile Town are thrilled to begin helping you with your summer projects, and we can’t wait to celebrate Italian Days with you!
Be sure to check all of our social media for upcoming news about Italian Days and all things tiles.