Five Areas of Your Home that Look Great Dressed in Tile

When I was in third grade my fellow classmates and I received the news that our school was going through a divorce of sorts. This small community grade school would no longer be Pre K- 6th grade. Fourth graders and up were now being moved to a different location, and among those 4th – 6th graders, they would be split up again in two different buildings. When this took effect, the halls, cafeteria and playground were definitely quieter and less boisterous, but I was in my element. We were the champions, us third graders. For a few brief months we were the seniors of school.

Summer vacation came and went, and the arrival of our fourth grade orientation in a new town, as well as a new building surrounded by new students and teachers made some of us look back at grade three with great fondness. It wasn’t long, however, that we once again found our forte and place amongst the novelty of this educational edifice.

One reason being we were the second wave of students to attend this school and therefore there was still much wall to cover in our hand-printed tiles. We could add sculptures, scribble our name or a message for all future students to find encasing the halls beginning outside the art room and making its way to cover every blank area. A small part of my heart was lost to tiles that day and the greatness to be felt when you take in a collage of tiles with their variety of shape, size and color.

Even if you don’t feel like getting your hand stuck in a clay mold, you can still add tiles in five significant and fabulous areas of your own home: the learning central of love and laughter!

Tile Bathroom Floor

Carpet rarely is ever seen in a bathroom anymore, and for this I must say I am happy. Wood floors are very popular, while laminate is the most affordable. Not only does tile bear a distinguished presence, it also offers a long-term solution, as tile can outlast the water dripping and steam one always combats in the bathroom.

Ryan Duebber Architect, LLC

Marisa Moore / Photo credit – Jennifer Arnett, Starloft Photography

Ryan Duebber Architect, LLC

Tile Bathroom Walls

When you decide what tile flooring suits your tastes most, you should also consider at least partially tiling your walls. You can continue with the same tile and work its way up the wall, behind your counter and around the whole circumference. You can also play around with a different size, or create a focal point on a prominent wall, which results in an accent tile wall. For all the toothpaste splatters, shaving gel squirts and soap bubbles, you want to make sure your grout is sealed to the utmost perfection, so when you scrub the target areas there is no loosening of grout.

Wheaton Hushcha Design / Paul Crosby Photography

asian bathroom inspiration - bathroom tiles

by Christine Suzuki

Tile Kitchen Floor

I’ve been in many kitchens that were tiled beautifully, however the owners chose textured tile with gentle slopes and ridges. This looked nice and gave some traction when walking, yet it collected more grease and dirt, thus making it harder to clean and maintain. It also caught shadows in certain light, giving it a slightly dull look, even if clean. Like the retro square foot tiles in black and white, a smooth choice is sleek and elegant, and as someone who mops regularly can attest to, much nicer to work with after a spill.

By Poggenpohl

by My Design Studio

Increation UK

Tile Backsplashes

Just as you would ensure that the bathroom wall’s grout is chosen carefully, the same philosophy should be applied to your kitchen backsplash, if not more so. Grease and food stains make themselves far too comfortable here, but that doesn’t mean you need to compromise on a beautiful and statement-making backsplash. Small glass tiles are a big design success in this part of the home, creating an excellent finish. From patterns to texture to color, the backsplash is the most profound area for tiles.

by Studio 212 Interiors / Clarity NW Photography

by Debbie Basnett, Vintage Scout Interiors / photo credit: BD Pruitt

Susan Teare Photography

Tile Stairways

With their polished wooded tops, vertical wood that bears the weight of these steps could use an adornment other than cobwebs. A popular treatment involves mosaic-like tiles, with each step bearing a slightly different pattern or tone so that every step higher adds to a collection. Dutch or toilet tiles are another way to give a different edge to each step, as you can easily mix and match without causing mayhem for the eyes.