So, you’ve decided to tile. Whether it’s the bathroom, kitchen, entryway or patio—welcome to the wild world of grout lines, layout patterns and an endless sea of samples. It’s exciting… and, yeah, maybe a little overwhelming.
Before you start filling your cart with whatever caught your eye on Pinterest, check out these five key things every DIYer should consider before committing to tile. You’ll walk away feeling more confident, more prepared—and maybe even a little smug when everything comes together beautifully.
(Pictured,) Tribeca in Basalt in two different patterns and grout colours.
1. Know Your Tile Type
Not all tiles are built the same—and where you plan to install them matters.
- Porcelain: Super durable, water-resistant and ready for anything. Ideal for high-traffic areas, bathrooms, kitchens and even outdoors.
- Ceramic: Best for walls (not floors!) A solid, budget-friendly pick.
- Natural Stone: Think marble, slate, travertine—beautiful, but needs sealing and a bit more TLC.
PRO TIP: Ask yourself: Will this space get wet, messy or heavy use? Your answer will steer you in the right direction.
2. Size (and Shape) Matters
Yes, size makes a difference—especially in tile.
- Large-format tiles (like 12×24 or 24×24) can make a small space feel bigger and reduce grout lines.
- Mosaics bring detail and texture, great for shower floors or niche moments—but they do require more patience to install.
- Rectangular tiles can go vertical or horizontal for different effects (and yes, herringbone layouts are still having a moment).
Before you buy, visualize the finished look—or better yet, try it out with our Room Visualizer Tool. It’s like a dressing room… but for your floors.
3. Grout: The Unsung Hero
Grout isn’t just filler—it’s a design element that can make or break your look.
- Match it to your tile for a seamless, subtle finish.
- Contrast it to make shapes and layouts pop.
And don’t forget grout width—a slim 1/16″ line looks sleek and modern, while wider grout lines add rustic charm and extra grip underfoot.
Ready to grout like a pro? We’ve got everything you’ll need to get started.
4. Order Extra (Trust Us on This One)
You’ll need more than you think. Tile can break during cuts, or maybe your dog walks through thinset (it happens). Always order 10–15% extra to account for waste, pattern matching or future repairs. Nothing’s worse than running out mid-project only to find your tile is backordered. At Tile Town, you can return any extra in-stock tile within 30 days. So go ahead and order with confidence, knowing you have some flexibility.
5. Think About Maintenance
Some tiles are high-maintenance. Others are spill-proof warriors.
- Glossy ceramic: Wipes clean easily—great for walls and backsplashes.
- Matte or textured finishes: Stylish and smudge-concealing, but need a bit more scrubbing.
- Natural stone: Gorgeous, but high-maintenance—needs sealing and regular love.
If you’re tiling a bathroom, don’t choose something that turns into a slip ’n slide. If it’s a kitchen backsplash, make sure it can handle spaghetti night (and if you don’t have a weekly spaghetti night, we kindly suggest you reconsider your life choices).
Bonus: Don’t Skip the Sample Stage
Like Saturdays at Costco—never skip a sample. (Two, if no one’s guarding the table.)
We get it—online tile shopping is tempting. One click and you’re imagining your dream backsplash, basking in compliments from dinner guests. Then it arrives… and it’s not quite the vibe.
Spare yourself the heartache. At Tile Town, we offer full size samples (not just itty bitty bits of sample tiles) to take home with you into your actual space. Lighting—natural, warm, LED—can totally change how a tile looks. Better to test it now than regret it later.
Ready to DIY It Right?
Pop into any of our Tile Town showrooms and chat with one of our friendly design experts. We’ll walk you through your options, help you flatlay like a pro, and guide you through your reno decisions with confidence.
Want to see your vision before you commit? Try our Room Visualizer tool and test-drive your tile in your actual space.
Because the only thing better than a tile transformation… is one you nailed yourself. You got this!
Happy DIY-ing!