Update a bathroom with new tile.
Bathroom tile comes in a large array of colors, textures and styles. It can be difficult to narrow down the choices to find the best fit for your budget and taste. Decide whether you want your tile to be the background, an accent or the main decor element in your bathroom. Neutral tile provides a canvas for other design elements. A decorative border can showcase architectural details or visually divide the space. Vibrant, intricate artisan tile can become the showpiece of an otherwise muted decor. Tile isn't easily replaced, so choose something you love and can live with for a long time.
Instructions
1. Create a color palette and style for your bathroom. Use paint chips, magazine photos and fabric swatches to put together a basic plan. Consider proportion when choosing tile. Large floor tiles might overwhelm a small bathroom. Small mosaic tiles add visual interest to the wall but require more frequent cleaning to keep the grout looking fresh.
2. Measure the surfaces that you wish to tile to find the square footage you need to cover. Form a budget for your tile project. Include an allowance for delivery and installation, unless you plan to do all the tile work yourself. Divide the budgeted amount by the total square feet of the project to determine how much you can spend per square foot. Many tile products are priced by the square foot, so this is a helpful number to have.
3. Research the types of tile available and select several styles that interest you. Common tiles used in bathrooms include vinyl, ceramic, mosaic, glass, slate, limestone, granite and marble. Some styles, such as marble, are best installed by professionals, while others, such as ceramic, are appropriate for a do-it-yourself project.
4. Visit a tile store to see what is available in the color, style and price range you have decided on. Ask the salesperson if you can borrow sample tiles to take home. Place the samples in your bathroom and look at them at different times of day and under artificial and natural light. Live with them for a few days to make sure they are the right choice for your project.
Tags: your bathroom, square foot, your tile