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Add Interest to Any Room With These Tile Design Tips
With eye-catching tiles and innovative design ideas, you can bring artistic flair to any space
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Tile selection isn’t a decision most homeowners take lightly — and for good reason. Not only can the color and texture of tile set the tone for a room, but when used in artistic ways, tile can be a statement piece. Whether you want to brighten up your primary bath, create an unexpected focal point in your powder room or add movement to your kitchen backsplash, these designer-approved tile tips could be just the inspiration you need.
Design by Angelia Guthrie
1. Create a Striking Effect With Your Backsplash
Given its prime location, a backsplash offers the opportunity to add visual interest and set your kitchen apart with striking patterns, colors and textures. “Patterned tiles with some color on the backsplash add movement to the area underneath the cabinets and can bring your eye to great features, such as a decorative hood. It’s a great way to personalize tile design in the kitchen,” says Kirsty Froelich, director of design at The Tile Shop.
1. Create a Striking Effect With Your Backsplash
Given its prime location, a backsplash offers the opportunity to add visual interest and set your kitchen apart with striking patterns, colors and textures. “Patterned tiles with some color on the backsplash add movement to the area underneath the cabinets and can bring your eye to great features, such as a decorative hood. It’s a great way to personalize tile design in the kitchen,” says Kirsty Froelich, director of design at The Tile Shop.
Design by Angelia Guthrie
While tiles are the most common material for kitchen backsplashes, stone slabs have also become a popular choice because they create a sleek, clean backdrop that can open up your space. That said, solid marble backsplashes aren’t necessarily budget-friendly. The good news? You can achieve a similar look with oversized honed marble tiles, which are more cost-effective than comparable marble slabs. If you opt for large-format tiles, remember to consider your grout color carefully. “Coordinating grout color makes a space feel larger, light and open, and the grout fades into the background,” Froelich says.
While tiles are the most common material for kitchen backsplashes, stone slabs have also become a popular choice because they create a sleek, clean backdrop that can open up your space. That said, solid marble backsplashes aren’t necessarily budget-friendly. The good news? You can achieve a similar look with oversized honed marble tiles, which are more cost-effective than comparable marble slabs. If you opt for large-format tiles, remember to consider your grout color carefully. “Coordinating grout color makes a space feel larger, light and open, and the grout fades into the background,” Froelich says.
Design by Kelli Fontana Vogelgesang. Build by West Bay Homes. Photo by Spacecrafting Photography
2. Add a Touch of Vintage Glamour
Have a space in your home where you’re hoping to infuse some glamour? Perhaps you want to give your powder room more personality or delight guests with a glitzy basement bar. Gold, mirrored tiles can take any space up a notch and visually expand it, as in the kitchen above, where designer Kelli Fontana Vogelgesang used the tiles as trim. “The Patina Gilded mirrored wall tile, which is part of our exclusive Kelli Fontana designer collection, is perfect for areas where you want to increase the visual space of the room and add a touch of glamour,” Froelich says. “Because mirrored tiles are reflective, they will make the wall appear larger, which is a great design tool to use. A powder bath, bar and alcove wall are all spaces where mirrored tile works well.”
2. Add a Touch of Vintage Glamour
Have a space in your home where you’re hoping to infuse some glamour? Perhaps you want to give your powder room more personality or delight guests with a glitzy basement bar. Gold, mirrored tiles can take any space up a notch and visually expand it, as in the kitchen above, where designer Kelli Fontana Vogelgesang used the tiles as trim. “The Patina Gilded mirrored wall tile, which is part of our exclusive Kelli Fontana designer collection, is perfect for areas where you want to increase the visual space of the room and add a touch of glamour,” Froelich says. “Because mirrored tiles are reflective, they will make the wall appear larger, which is a great design tool to use. A powder bath, bar and alcove wall are all spaces where mirrored tile works well.”
Design and photo by I SPY DIY
3. Turn Up the Charm With Artisanal-Style Tiles
If you’re drawn to organic shapes and textures, consider handcrafted tiles with tonal and textural variations. “Our clients love the somewhat uneven appearance and feel of artisanal-style tiles because they add an artistic flair to spaces,” Froelich says. “Zellige tiles, which are handmade clay tiles from Morocco, have an uneven surface that will add great depth to a backsplash.” By using handmade or handmade-looking tiles with variation in shape and color, not only will you give a space artisanal charm, you’ll enhance its visual appeal.
To give your space extra personality, use tiles with a handmade look in less-expected spots, such as the base of a kitchen island or the floor around the perimeter of an island. “I love a ‘tiled rug’ around islands in either a pattern or solid color that stands out from the rest of the floor,” Froelich says. “The emphasis around that area will draw you to the space and make the floor come alive.” In the kitchen seen here, artisanal blue-green tiles with natural variation in the glaze add depth to the island and complement the warm tones of the kitchen, such as the wood countertops, gold hardware and soft peachy-beige wall.
3. Turn Up the Charm With Artisanal-Style Tiles
If you’re drawn to organic shapes and textures, consider handcrafted tiles with tonal and textural variations. “Our clients love the somewhat uneven appearance and feel of artisanal-style tiles because they add an artistic flair to spaces,” Froelich says. “Zellige tiles, which are handmade clay tiles from Morocco, have an uneven surface that will add great depth to a backsplash.” By using handmade or handmade-looking tiles with variation in shape and color, not only will you give a space artisanal charm, you’ll enhance its visual appeal.
To give your space extra personality, use tiles with a handmade look in less-expected spots, such as the base of a kitchen island or the floor around the perimeter of an island. “I love a ‘tiled rug’ around islands in either a pattern or solid color that stands out from the rest of the floor,” Froelich says. “The emphasis around that area will draw you to the space and make the floor come alive.” In the kitchen seen here, artisanal blue-green tiles with natural variation in the glaze add depth to the island and complement the warm tones of the kitchen, such as the wood countertops, gold hardware and soft peachy-beige wall.
Design by Fox Homes
Accent tiles that have a subtle sheen can make even more of a statement. “Mixing finishes is a great way to add interest to a space,” Froelich says. For example, in the kitchen cabinetry run seen here, note how the addition of glossy handmade zellige tiles helps differentiate one side of the area from the other and adds subtle richness.
Accent tiles that have a subtle sheen can make even more of a statement. “Mixing finishes is a great way to add interest to a space,” Froelich says. For example, in the kitchen cabinetry run seen here, note how the addition of glossy handmade zellige tiles helps differentiate one side of the area from the other and adds subtle richness.
Design and photo by Haneen’s Haven
4. Use Tiles as an Artistic Element in Unexpected Places
Recent innovations in tile have opened up the possibilities for where you can introduce patterns that have the intricacy of wallpaper. Take the toile-inspired wall tiles in the shower alcoves seen here, which function like miniature framed scenes. “The Saltus porcelain wall tile was inspired by toile fabric and wallpaper,” Froelich says. “Toiles usually depict outdoor country pastoral themes and bring a sense of the outdoors in.” While neither fabric nor wallpaper could be used in such a damp environment, tiles are right at home. “I love that such a historic design has made its way to tile,” Froelich says.
While these nature-inspired tiles can add an eye-catching accent to smaller areas such as the back of a shelf or around a fireplace, they can also elevate larger spaces with their convincing wallpaper-like effect. “Designers are using these textured, patterned tiles on the top half of a wall above wainscoting, which is a traditional way to install wallpaper, making the tile appear to be actual wallpaper,” Froelich says.
4. Use Tiles as an Artistic Element in Unexpected Places
Recent innovations in tile have opened up the possibilities for where you can introduce patterns that have the intricacy of wallpaper. Take the toile-inspired wall tiles in the shower alcoves seen here, which function like miniature framed scenes. “The Saltus porcelain wall tile was inspired by toile fabric and wallpaper,” Froelich says. “Toiles usually depict outdoor country pastoral themes and bring a sense of the outdoors in.” While neither fabric nor wallpaper could be used in such a damp environment, tiles are right at home. “I love that such a historic design has made its way to tile,” Froelich says.
While these nature-inspired tiles can add an eye-catching accent to smaller areas such as the back of a shelf or around a fireplace, they can also elevate larger spaces with their convincing wallpaper-like effect. “Designers are using these textured, patterned tiles on the top half of a wall above wainscoting, which is a traditional way to install wallpaper, making the tile appear to be actual wallpaper,” Froelich says.
Design by Nikki Chu
5. Go Bold on Bathroom Walls
Whether in your powder room or primary bath, patterned and marble-look tiles can add major personality. In the primary bathroom seen here, marble-look porcelain tiles create a feeling of warm, cocooning luxury, similar to what you might find at a high-end hotel or spa. “Large-format tiles fall in line with the quiet luxury trend,” Froelich says. “Larger tiles have fewer grout joints and add a sophisticated, contemporary appeal to both walls and floors.” Large-format tiles also mimic the look of slabs, but at a more affordable price.
5. Go Bold on Bathroom Walls
Whether in your powder room or primary bath, patterned and marble-look tiles can add major personality. In the primary bathroom seen here, marble-look porcelain tiles create a feeling of warm, cocooning luxury, similar to what you might find at a high-end hotel or spa. “Large-format tiles fall in line with the quiet luxury trend,” Froelich says. “Larger tiles have fewer grout joints and add a sophisticated, contemporary appeal to both walls and floors.” Large-format tiles also mimic the look of slabs, but at a more affordable price.
Design by Bari J. Ackerman. Photo by Austin LaRue Photography
When selecting tile for the different areas of your bathroom, it’s a good idea to mix and match sizes. “Pay attention to scale: You want to have variety in the sizes of tile you select,” Froelich says. “For example, if you are using a mosaic or small tile on your walls, use a larger tile on the floor so the space doesn’t look too busy.” Of course, bold tile choices don’t need to be confined to the bathroom. They can add sophistication to your entryway, kitchen, laundry room and beyond.
More: To learn more about The Tile Shop’s wide assortment of trend-forward tiles, visit the company’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
When selecting tile for the different areas of your bathroom, it’s a good idea to mix and match sizes. “Pay attention to scale: You want to have variety in the sizes of tile you select,” Froelich says. “For example, if you are using a mosaic or small tile on your walls, use a larger tile on the floor so the space doesn’t look too busy.” Of course, bold tile choices don’t need to be confined to the bathroom. They can add sophistication to your entryway, kitchen, laundry room and beyond.
More: To learn more about The Tile Shop’s wide assortment of trend-forward tiles, visit the company’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
At The Tile Shop, we strive everyday to offer world-class tile and stone products that are presented in an... Read More
At The Tile Shop, we strive everyday to offer world-class tile and stone products that are presented in an... Read More
Would like to know the brand of the lighting above the mirror. I have been looking for something like this.
Wish I could send photos of my handcrafted teal mermaid tail backsplash. I have surround almond traditional cabinets with bottled brown granite and distressed walnut quarter round island, dark floors, blush velvet stools/chairs and teal floral oversized sofa at hearth dining area, pink.gold/ivory ceramic knobs. I get raves and I entertain a lot more.