Selecting tile as you begin your home build or remodel can be challenging and time-consuming. With these tips and tricks, it doesn’t have to be. Today, I want to share a few simple methods and techniques I use to help clients select their own tile.
Start by selecting a three-tone color combination for your home. I will do a future post about how to select paint colors for your home, so stay tuned.
- Narrow down your choices by selecting tiles from a color family. For my project, I selected colors in the white, gray and beige tonal range.
- Most importantly, select tiles from a tonal color family to give the house a more uniform and put together look.
Identify the areas where you want tile.
Before you go tile shopping, have the general areas mapped out where you need tile. Sit down with your house plans and map it out.
Think about each space and ask yourself:
- Does this room have natural light? If yes, you can use darker tonal colors. If no, you might consider keeping the tile selections lighter as to not make the space seem small.
- Is the room large? If yes, think about a tile size 12X12 or smaller for the flooring. If no, look for 12X24 or larger. Smaller tile can be used on floors in any space.
Helpful hint: if you have a larger surface area of a small patterned tile, you will have more grout to clean.
Identify your budget
Creating your own beautiful new tiled space doesn’t have to break the bank. You just need to know what to look for.
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- Look at options that range from real marble to faux ceramic marble. Can you find the look for less? Many of the look-alikes these days can easily pass as the real thing. Can you spot any of my faux selections vs real marble selections in the image above?
You might be surprised to find that there are ways to achieve any look in most budgets. Contact me for a step-by-step consult, where I’ll help you with your tile and design needs.
Select the right tile
Take your time. As you select tiles, don’t feel pressured to one stop shop. Also, don’t limit your selections and ideas by not looking around at what other stores have available.
Here are some of my favorite online tile shops:
Visit a local tile supply house or head to your online supplier with items 1 & 2 listed above in hand.
- Purchase tile sample pieces for a concept board before you buy a lot of your tile for your project; this helps you make sure you really like it before you commit.
Have fun selecting tile
Selecting tile is one of my favorite things to do and should be enjoyable. If you need help with your selections, I offer a variety of custom options tailored to fit your needs. From one room selection services to whole house tile selections, let’s work together to bring your home decor and style to life in 2018!
Like what you see? I’ll share my tile selections in my Friday post. Subscribe to my email newsletter to get up to date information as it’s released.
I am in LOVE with all of your selections and can’t wait to see this all come to life! It is going to be absolutely stunning!!
Making all the selections is such a fun part of building I am excited to share more as I go! Thanks for joining me on the design build journey!
I am so inspired in selecting tile for my master bathroom remodel!! I wish I had this blog post sooner 😩. I can’t wait to read more!!
I know right I love sharing the adventures in building!
Designing a home now would love a consult
Hi Stephanie,
Congrats on your new build – its such an exciting experience.
I would love to help you, I will shoot you an email. Lets connect.
Chell, all of these tiles are so beautiful and I loved all your tips on selecting them. You are the QUEEN. Seriously, is there anything you can’t do?
I am so glad you like them! Cant wait to keep these tips and ideas I have been sitting on roll out!
Hi ! These are gorgeous and great advice! I sold tile for 6 years in the SF Design Center , mostly hand cut high end tiles , and I loved it ! I learned so much and loved helping clients select their tiles! Happy 2018!
Monica – that sounds like a dream! Tiles are admittedly one of my most favorite things to pick in any home. What a fun job, I am so happy you enjoyed reading my tips on picking an Architect. Happy 2018 to you as well!
Thank you Meg! So excited for your master bathroom to take shape! Thanks for the shout out!
It sure is nice to know that one should first identify where they want their tiles to be laid out, as the location will determine some of the things that they will want for their tiles such as the color and the size of the tiles to be bought. We want the flooring of our new house to be changed into tiles but we’re still not sure how to choose what will fit. I’ll keep this in mind and discuss this with my wife so that we can plan ahead before we head to the tile supply store to buy the materials. https://www.cliftontile.com/tile
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It’s good to know that it is best that you use tiles with darker tonal colors if the room has natural light. My wife and I are having our new home built, and we’re looking for tiles that will go well in our living room. Since the living room has big windows, now e know that we’ll choose tiles with darker tonal colors.
I spent a lot of time to find something like this
Thank you for the tips about choosing the right type of tile for your home. My sister is planning on remodeling her home soon. I will be sure to show her this article so she can have the right tiles in her bathroom.