10 Ideas to Help You Decide on the Perfect Tile Type and Finish
From glazed and metallic to slate and terracotta – which is the best design for your scheme?
Cheryl F
12 August 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
There’s a huge array of tile types and finishes available, so it can be hard to choose the right ones. Whether you want to use the tiles on walls or floors, in the bathroom, kitchen or elsewhere, this will affect your choice, along with budget and your personal tastes. Check out these beautiful spaces as a starting point.
Bounce the light with gloss
Tiles with a highly polished finish, such as these large ones, can add a light and luxurious touch to rooms. Their smooth, reflective surfaces mean they are also easy to wipe down and keep clean (though watch out for smears and smudges). However, if you’re going to use them on the floor, always check with your tile supplier to find out about their slip-resistance and traction.
Porcelain is often a good choice over ceramic, as tiles in this material tend to be more durable.
Tiles with a highly polished finish, such as these large ones, can add a light and luxurious touch to rooms. Their smooth, reflective surfaces mean they are also easy to wipe down and keep clean (though watch out for smears and smudges). However, if you’re going to use them on the floor, always check with your tile supplier to find out about their slip-resistance and traction.
Porcelain is often a good choice over ceramic, as tiles in this material tend to be more durable.
Go for a cool matt
If you’re opting for shaped or patterned tiles, choose a flatter matt finish to prevent them from looking too overwhelming. These herringbone tiles are chic and modern, and the matt finish gives them a cool feel. If you’re going for matt tiles, be aware that they don’t have the same wipe-down properties of gloss tiles, so they might be a bit harder to keep clean.
If you’re opting for shaped or patterned tiles, choose a flatter matt finish to prevent them from looking too overwhelming. These herringbone tiles are chic and modern, and the matt finish gives them a cool feel. If you’re going for matt tiles, be aware that they don’t have the same wipe-down properties of gloss tiles, so they might be a bit harder to keep clean.
Add shimmer with metallics
Gold, silver or coppery tiles can add sparkle, glamour and a touch of luxury to your home. If you don’t want wall-to-wall bling, try using them in a contained area, such as a splashback. This look works particularly well with mosaic tiles for a jewel-like effect. In this bathroom, the silvery tiles add just the right dose of dazzle and glitter for an uplifting bathing space.
Find more ways to use metallics in your bathroom
Gold, silver or coppery tiles can add sparkle, glamour and a touch of luxury to your home. If you don’t want wall-to-wall bling, try using them in a contained area, such as a splashback. This look works particularly well with mosaic tiles for a jewel-like effect. In this bathroom, the silvery tiles add just the right dose of dazzle and glitter for an uplifting bathing space.
Find more ways to use metallics in your bathroom
Jazz up metro tiles with a glazing
White metro tiles are the trend that keeps on giving, but a brick tile in a bright colour can take the look to another level. These brilliant blue tiles have a shiny glazed finish that bounces light around. The finish is also super-practical as it makes it easy to wipe down those tomato sauce splatters and coffee splashes.
White metro tiles are the trend that keeps on giving, but a brick tile in a bright colour can take the look to another level. These brilliant blue tiles have a shiny glazed finish that bounces light around. The finish is also super-practical as it makes it easy to wipe down those tomato sauce splatters and coffee splashes.
Add another dimension
The trend for 3D wall finishes is becoming more popular, and can be a way to add texture and interest to plain colour. Lots of 3D designs are quite subtle – these wavy crackle tiles add gentle pattern to the bathroom.
Talk to your retailer about cleaning and maintenance before you commit, and bear in mind that textured tiles may be trickier to clean and that matt tiles may need to be sealed or have a protective barrier applied to prevent damage.
The trend for 3D wall finishes is becoming more popular, and can be a way to add texture and interest to plain colour. Lots of 3D designs are quite subtle – these wavy crackle tiles add gentle pattern to the bathroom.
Talk to your retailer about cleaning and maintenance before you commit, and bear in mind that textured tiles may be trickier to clean and that matt tiles may need to be sealed or have a protective barrier applied to prevent damage.
Choose encaustic for character
Classic encaustic tiles can add a heritage or Moroccan feel to your room, and the patterned designs allow you to keep the rest of the room simple. Here, they work well with the natural woods and soft grey shades in the room.
Genuine encaustic tiles don’t have a pattern printed on top, instead the design runs through them – so if you chip the tile, it won’t affect the design. However, they can be porous and prone to damage from acidic substances, so ask your tile manufacturer for the best way to seal them.
Classic encaustic tiles can add a heritage or Moroccan feel to your room, and the patterned designs allow you to keep the rest of the room simple. Here, they work well with the natural woods and soft grey shades in the room.
Genuine encaustic tiles don’t have a pattern printed on top, instead the design runs through them – so if you chip the tile, it won’t affect the design. However, they can be porous and prone to damage from acidic substances, so ask your tile manufacturer for the best way to seal them.
Hone your stone
If you want a smooth finish without the high polish, go for a honed travertine. By smoothing out the surface of this limestone variety, the natural pattern in the stone is allowed to shine through, and there is a subtle sheen without the surface being too slippery. Honed travertine can come in satin or more matt finishes, so choose the finish that will work best for you. Here, the honed travertine floor tiles give this kitchen a classic finish.
Read expert tips to find out whether a stone floor is right for your home
If you want a smooth finish without the high polish, go for a honed travertine. By smoothing out the surface of this limestone variety, the natural pattern in the stone is allowed to shine through, and there is a subtle sheen without the surface being too slippery. Honed travertine can come in satin or more matt finishes, so choose the finish that will work best for you. Here, the honed travertine floor tiles give this kitchen a classic finish.
Read expert tips to find out whether a stone floor is right for your home
Cosy up with terracotta
Teraccotta tiles have a classic look that will never date and their warm colour instantly makes a space feel cosy. They’re made from clay that’s been fired at high temperatures, and tend to have a naturally matt finish.
To prevent the tiles from staining they’ll need to be sealed, and beware that any crockery or glassware dropped on them can shatter. For a more affordable option, you can also buy terracotta-effect ceramic tiles.
Teraccotta tiles have a classic look that will never date and their warm colour instantly makes a space feel cosy. They’re made from clay that’s been fired at high temperatures, and tend to have a naturally matt finish.
To prevent the tiles from staining they’ll need to be sealed, and beware that any crockery or glassware dropped on them can shatter. For a more affordable option, you can also buy terracotta-effect ceramic tiles.
Go for rustic tumbled limestone
To give your room a bright, but natural feel, try limestone tiles. Choose a tumbled finish for a similar look to the one here. It will give a distressed, more rustic and naturally aged look (tiles are ‘tumbled’ with sand and grit to achieve this). Limestone is hard-wearing so it’s a good option for areas that get a lot of footfall, such as a kitchen. When you’re choosing tiles with a more natural finish, think about cleaning and whether it will annoy you that there are lots of pits and crevices where dirt can get trapped.
To give your room a bright, but natural feel, try limestone tiles. Choose a tumbled finish for a similar look to the one here. It will give a distressed, more rustic and naturally aged look (tiles are ‘tumbled’ with sand and grit to achieve this). Limestone is hard-wearing so it’s a good option for areas that get a lot of footfall, such as a kitchen. When you’re choosing tiles with a more natural finish, think about cleaning and whether it will annoy you that there are lots of pits and crevices where dirt can get trapped.
Spread out some honed slate
Slate is a timeless choice in kitchens, though its dark shade means it works best in rooms that have plenty of light.
Choose a honed surface that has been polished to give a flat, matt finish as seen here. It’s ideal for smart kitchens and makes it easier to mop as honing smooths the material’s natural surface undulations. For a more natural, rugged look, try a riven finish.
As well as being naturally beautiful, slate is tough, durable and should last a lifetime, though it should be sealed to protect it. However, slate can be rather chilly underfoot, so it may not be suitable for a bathroom (though underfloor heating can be a good solution here). It can also be expensive, so look at the many convincing slate-look ceramic tiles around for a more affordable option.
What tile type/finish do you think works best in your home? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments section.
Slate is a timeless choice in kitchens, though its dark shade means it works best in rooms that have plenty of light.
Choose a honed surface that has been polished to give a flat, matt finish as seen here. It’s ideal for smart kitchens and makes it easier to mop as honing smooths the material’s natural surface undulations. For a more natural, rugged look, try a riven finish.
As well as being naturally beautiful, slate is tough, durable and should last a lifetime, though it should be sealed to protect it. However, slate can be rather chilly underfoot, so it may not be suitable for a bathroom (though underfloor heating can be a good solution here). It can also be expensive, so look at the many convincing slate-look ceramic tiles around for a more affordable option.
What tile type/finish do you think works best in your home? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments section.
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No. 7 and 10 are so timeless and beautiful.
I need HELP! I need to get a backsplash for my granite countertop. Nothing to busy as the granite is busy enough in my opinion. I like the more contemporary/modern style. It’s a small area from the counter top to the bottom of the white cabinets. Any suggestions?
This is my countertop