With an almost endless range available on the market, choosing tiles can easily leave people overwhelmed and possibly left with a product that’s not suited for their project, not only in appearance but performance and endurance. Like choosing a book by its cover, selecting tiles based only on their looks is not a wise choice. So, how do I help my clients choose their tiles?
First of all I encourage my clients to consider different looks from magazines or the web, choose images of rooms they are attracted to and keep these images together. This is a great way to refine a direction about taste, styles, trends and colours. The next step is visiting a tiles’ showroom which has both a wide range of options to choose from, and a history of commitment to clients’ satisfaction. Tiling is a finish that must be chosen in person, together with an expert explaining the benefits of one particular product over another, and suggesting the best products based on area, traffic and of course the available budget.
Here are just a few of my practical suggestions:
When visiting the tiles’ showroom, bring along your collection of images and any design ideas, together with clear information about the area to tile, its size and function and the amount of traffic expected there.
Also take with you any other finish, paint colours or cabinetry samples you may wish to use, which will allow you to achieve a balanced overall look.
Consider selecting the same flooring for all of your rooms. This will add a sense of continuity throughout the home, a pleasant flow, and will also help make the property feel larger.
Choose a tile for the alfresco which is the same or similar to those used indoors. This will create a visual connection and appear to expand the size of your living area as it seemingly continues outdoors.
If budget is tight adding those expensive tiles you truly like just to a small area could be a great money-saving option. In the bathroom, for example, consider adding a feature tile just to the floor or to one wall, behind the bathtub, for example, and in the kitchen and the laundry, a stunning tile for the splashback will do wonders for the whole room.
To avoid choosing tiles only by their appearance, it is important to relay on the expertise of trustworthy salespeople, but even they can only help if you will provide them with the necessary information about taste as well as functionality. Ultimately, the more information you have about your home and its design direction, the easier it will be for the retail staff to help you make the perfect choices. Di Lorenzo Tiles have a great gallery on their website, filled with inspiring images to get you started.
The Practical Design Course has an extensive section on Flooring needs and looks, sharing James Treble’s award-winning professional experience and Real Estate advice to increase both the practicality and the value of your property.
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information. More of James' knowledge is now accessible via Practical Design Online Course.