Decorating
Decorating: 10 Quick Tips for Mixing Tile Styles
Get to grips with the basics of combining different shapes, colours and finishes for a symphony of tiles
For tile fans, such as myself, the more tiles the better. But while I’d happily cover every surface, there are certain factors to consider when pairing tiles on walls and floors. As tiling large areas, whether in a bathroom, kitchen or any other space, requires a sizeable investment, it’s worth getting hold of some samples and experimenting with how tiles of different sizes, shapes and patterns work together. These 10 tips should give you some pointers on ways to combine tiles and the effects you can hope to achieve.
Pair pattern with plain
Restrict your use of patterned tiles to one surface – either the floor or a feature wall. Here, contemporary hexagonal tiles take centre stage, while the large-scale oblong wall tiles provide a light-enhancing glossy background.
Be inspired by these punchy patterned floors
Restrict your use of patterned tiles to one surface – either the floor or a feature wall. Here, contemporary hexagonal tiles take centre stage, while the large-scale oblong wall tiles provide a light-enhancing glossy background.
Be inspired by these punchy patterned floors
Play with scale
One of the most important tips for maximising tile-mixing prowess is to create balance by choosing one small-scale pattern and one large. In this bathroom, three different tile types are combined successfully: tiny hex mosaics on the bath and walls, medium hexagonal tiles on the basin surround and large oblong tiles on the floor. The monochrome palette helps to create a harmonious whole.
One of the most important tips for maximising tile-mixing prowess is to create balance by choosing one small-scale pattern and one large. In this bathroom, three different tile types are combined successfully: tiny hex mosaics on the bath and walls, medium hexagonal tiles on the basin surround and large oblong tiles on the floor. The monochrome palette helps to create a harmonious whole.
Treat stone as a neutral
Floor-to-ceiling metro tiles with grey grout make a statement in this supersized shower. To soften the graphic grout lines, as well as to create cohesive design, pair with natural grey stone, which adds visual interest with a neutral pattern that doesn’t try to compete.
Floor-to-ceiling metro tiles with grey grout make a statement in this supersized shower. To soften the graphic grout lines, as well as to create cohesive design, pair with natural grey stone, which adds visual interest with a neutral pattern that doesn’t try to compete.
Combine matt finishes
For a bathroom with tactile appeal, choose two types of matt tile and break up large areas with an alternative surface, such as this exposed brick, or with plain painted walls.
For a bathroom with tactile appeal, choose two types of matt tile and break up large areas with an alternative surface, such as this exposed brick, or with plain painted walls.
Juxtapose matt and gloss
Get away with combining similarly sized tiles and busy patterns by choosing one matt style and one shiny. These high-gloss, bevelled-edged metro tiles work beautifully with the soft encaustic finish of the monochrome floor tiles.
Get away with combining similarly sized tiles and busy patterns by choosing one matt style and one shiny. These high-gloss, bevelled-edged metro tiles work beautifully with the soft encaustic finish of the monochrome floor tiles.
Vary shape, not colour
For an easy mix that works in any space, take two tile designs in the same solid colour but different shapes and let the grout lines form the pattern:
With contrasting grout
For a pronounced effect, choose a contrasting shade, like this dark grey grout, which is paired with white metro tiles and tiny hexagonal mosaics.
For an easy mix that works in any space, take two tile designs in the same solid colour but different shapes and let the grout lines form the pattern:
With contrasting grout
For a pronounced effect, choose a contrasting shade, like this dark grey grout, which is paired with white metro tiles and tiny hexagonal mosaics.
With matching grout
If you like your tiling to create subtle interest, but for the overall look to make less of a statement, use matching grout.
This bathroom features the same combination of tile types as the previous image, but coordinating white grout makes a huge difference to the finish and feel of the space.
If you like your tiling to create subtle interest, but for the overall look to make less of a statement, use matching grout.
This bathroom features the same combination of tile types as the previous image, but coordinating white grout makes a huge difference to the finish and feel of the space.
Be consistent with pattern
Use tiles in different sizes and colours, but keep the shape consistent for a harmonious effect. This bathroom includes oblong tiles in two different colours and two different sizes, but maintaining the same brick pattern on each surface creates a visual connection between the planes.
Use tiles in different sizes and colours, but keep the shape consistent for a harmonious effect. This bathroom includes oblong tiles in two different colours and two different sizes, but maintaining the same brick pattern on each surface creates a visual connection between the planes.
Limit your colour palette
For a bathroom with a lot of different surfaces, minimise competition between patterns by choosing a restricted colour palette. By sticking to grey and white throughout, this shower scheme feels elegant and cohesive.
TELL US…
How have you mixed and matched tiles in your home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
For a bathroom with a lot of different surfaces, minimise competition between patterns by choosing a restricted colour palette. By sticking to grey and white throughout, this shower scheme feels elegant and cohesive.
TELL US…
How have you mixed and matched tiles in your home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Use small statement tiles, such as these oblong mosaics, to create a feature on a splashback or other small area, rather than across an entire room. Combine with large-scale plain tiles and you’ll avoid a scheme that makes your eyes go funny!
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