19th May 2023
Beginner’s Floor Tiling Guide - How to Choose Sizes, Colours and Costs
Popular in the kitchen and bathroom, but also a perfect match for your entranceway, living area and more—floor tiles are an important consideration in your design. So, where to start? With this beginner’s floor tiling guide! We’ve covered everything from how to choose a floor tile colour and size to understanding costs.
And that’s not all, our tile consultant has answered the key questions to kick off your search for the perfect floor tile.
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Where do you start when tiling a floor? 3 Key floor tile considerations
We see it all the time. People come into a Tile Space Showroom and see all the options, but don’t know how to choose the tiles that are right for them and their project.
Our friendly staff are always here to help, but the process can be made much easier. Tile Space Interior Designer Moet Walker recommends these three key pieces of information you need to have on hand when selecting your tiles:
1. What have you seen that you like? At the end of the day, you want to love your new space. Have a good look through images online and bring along any that stand out to you.
Our tile experts can get a feel for your style and what is going to work well with the rest of your home. In fact, bring along photos of your home or other colours you’ll be incorporating into the room.
Visit the Tile Space Inspiration page to see some of the amazing tile ideas and the latest tile trends that our consultants have put together.
Follow us on Pinterest and Instagram to see more beautiful tile looks like this one that’s using the Terralma clay floor tiles.
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2.That all-important budget. Tiles come in a wide range of prices and we can find something in your budget, but you need to know what that is first! Whether you want a luxe look or the best you can get on a tight budget, it makes the whole process easier if you have a ballpark figure in mind.
3. Size matters. One of the first things you need to do is measure the space. Have these measurements with you when you’re looking for tiles. That way, we can recommend a tile that will suit the proportions of your room and work out a per m2 price according to your budget.
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How do I choose the right colour tile?
The sky's the limit with colour choices at Tile Space. There are so many hues and patterns on offer. Tile trends and fashions will undoubtedly influence your choice, but staying true to your style is important—after all, you need to live with the tiles every day.
As tiles are a relatively large cost and long-term decision, most people lean towards tried-and-true colours that will stand the test of time, but maybe you’re one to buck the trend and go bold.
Below are some rules of thumb regarding floor tile colour, from there you can add your own colour flair.
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What colour floor tile never goes out of style?
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Our tile expert, suggest that you can’t go wrong with neutrals for a timeless look. Think greys, beige, stone, and even black and white. These tones tend to work seamlessly with other designs and will match in well with most décor, even if you change up your cabinet colours or soft furnishings.
As well as the softer neutrals, a black and white checkered tile pattern can make a statement while still being a classic style that won’t date. One thing to note: Do think carefully about a plain white or black floor tiles. They are more likely to show dust and marks (see the tip below).
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Should floor tiles be lighter or darker than wall tiles?
This depends on the overall feel you want to create, generally we recommend our customers to go for darker or mid-tone floor tiles with light wall tiles. You can also go for alight floor tile with a pattern or texture on it as this creates forgiving surface for dust.
A combination of light floor tiles and dark wall tiles can really close the space in and make it feel smaller.
Doing a darker floor can really ground your space. Most often, we see people using similar tones for both floor and wall tiles or opting a colour that compliments the other rather then creating contrast.
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What colour floor tile makes a room look bigger?
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Generally, a lighter toned tile will help make a room feel bigger. If you love a dark charcoal, try something in a midtone with darker flecks or marbling through it like the Boost Smoke Matt 60 tile.
You can then use the midtone or a lighter complimentary colour on your walls for a more open, airy space.
Most commonly, people use similar tones for both the floor and walls or a colour that compliments rather than creating contrast. This creates a cohesive look that doesn’t draw your eye to the limits of the room.
Here are similar dark charcoal floor tiles with flecks and marbling in them.
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Are small or large floor tiles better?
One of the first questions we get asked in our showrooms is, “How do I choose the right tile size?”
When it comes to choosing tile sizes for floors there are few factors to consider. For the majority of customers, especially if you’re looking for a contemporary feel, a larger tile will give you a sense of openness and space, and a cleaner, less fussy aesthetic. Larger tiles mean fewer grout lines, visually expanding the space.
If you want to embrace a smaller space and have some fun with it, small format tiles are a fantastic option. Think mosaics and subway tiles which are some of the most popular tiles at the moment.
For a sense of space, choose a grout colour as close as possible to your tile colour to create an open, seamless look.
Medium to large tiles tend to be from 450-900mm wide. Installing anything larger than this needs careful consideration so it’s best to talk to a tile consultant who will advice you on how to lay the tiles correctly. You can book a complimentary consultation right here.
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Choosing the right tile for your budget
The right price for a tile is a hard question to answer. For advice specific to your project, talk to our experts in a Tile Space showroom or online for help choosing the best tile for your budget.
To help you with your initial budget, a medium-priced tile costs between $70-100 per m2, with a range of tiles in lower and higher prices.
Remember, porcelain tiles are a low maintenance and durable choice for flooring. Buy the best quality you can for your budget, and they will last you a lifetime.
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Inspiration for your kitchen or bathroom
Need more inspiration? Check out our other blogs.
- 7 Kitchen Floor Tile Ideas For NZ: From Country-Style to Modern Luxe
- How to Choose The Best Tiles for Your Kitchen Floor
- Best Bathroom Flooring Options For NZ
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Tile Space: Talk to us for expert advice
To find out more about our tile range and get specialist advice for your home, come in store and chat to our team.
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