Tile flooring has been in vogue for centuries.
A good tile design should look clean and balanced, but not overly busy. Solid colors are usually the best choice for walls, with a pattern incorporated in a very limited way. Floor tile can be more complex, but floor tile colors should harmonize with wall tiles in every respect. You will want to look at many tile patterns, colors and textures before creating a room design. It helps to examine tile work at friends' homes.
Begin With Light Tiles
Create light and space. Install pale-colored tiles on the walls of a tiled shower, for example. You might use a light sand color or white. Add brighter colors or dark colors to accent a section at shoulder height, as one choice. If you install dark tile in the shower, this will be conducive to mold growth. Flooring in white tiles with light sand 4-inch tiles interspersed with 9-inch tiles is a universally appealing choice. If you want to use dark-colored tiles, consider placing them around the floor border or on one wall only.
Add Dark Tiles Strategically
Dark floor tile works if the bathroom is large. You can install 9-inch black porcelain tiles in a 15-by-20-foot bathroom, for example. White grout and white bath fixtures will make the black flooring stand out. Keep in mind that the size of individual tiles can be larger if the room is larger. You might use 12-inch square tiles in a contemporary master bath that has significant square footage.
Consider Light Sources
Balance tile color with both natural and artificial light. You can, for instance, install dark tiles on the walls of a small bathroom if you plan to incorporate generous lighting. You will need to include recessed lighting in the ceiling and sufficient light fixtures, for instance. A large mirror or large window will add more light, if there is room for them. Paint the ceiling white as one choice, and add light flooring to balance the dark walls.
Go Artsy in Small Spaces
Small bathrooms can accommodate artistic floor patterns. You might use multiple small tiles in bright colors on a powder room floor. The tiles will give a jewel-like appearance if you use a mixture of red, purple, dark green and white tiles, for example. Marble tiles in hunter green and white arranged in a checkered pattern might be bold for a large bathroom. But, in a smaller bathroom, these colors and pattern will provide nice visual appeal.
Choose Appropriate Textures
Use tile textures that fit the project. You can, for instance, use tiles made of glass in a backsplash area above a sink vanity. Modern baths often incorporate tiles made of recycled glass, which helps to balance the ecosystem. These same tiles might be too slick for a floor surface. Textured slate-colored tile or burgundy tiles with a brick-like surface will give more traction on a floor space.
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