Design Notes
Timeless, clean, and elegant. These are three words that would be used to describe tile. It is a versatile material that is used in multiple areas within the home, from flooring to backsplash. It is also popular in the bathroom and laundry room of the house since it is easy to clean up any water spills. Since it comes in various colors and materials, tile can complement a variety of styles and tastes. Here we share some of the benefits, types, and locations where you can incorporate this beautiful material into your home.
Benefits Of Tile
Many ask why they should use tile. What are its benefits versus other traditional floorings? Here are several of our best reasons.
- Durability: Unlike carpet, tile doesn’t wear down, no matter how many people walk over it, and it doesn’t stain easily.
- Low maintenance: Simply sweep and mop or wipe with a damp cloth for backsplashes and showers—that’s all that is needed to keep tile looking great and prevent bacteria build-up.
- Eco-friendly: Many tile materials are natural, which is an excellent environmental option.
- Allergy-free: Carpet is often a breeding ground for the things that trigger allergies, but tile is a simple material that doesn’t mold or have pet hair embedded in it, making it the perfect choice for those who struggle.
These are just a few of the benefits of choosing tile. It is perfect for any style and can be used in almost any area of the home.
Where Can Tile Be Used?
For a long time, tile was considered a flooring option, but designers have gotten more creative, resulting in new areas of use. Tile is now used in multiple areas of the home, such as:
- Showers: This is a beautiful way to showcase your style because tile has so many colors and shapes, making the possibilities endless. Tile can create a shower that is a statement piece in the bathroom, almost like a piece of art.
- Walls: Adding a little extra tile above a countertop, such as in a bathroom, can add a nice element to the room.
- Fireplace: Tile can add a special design touch to the fireplace as it blends well with other elements and is also easier to keep clean. We recommend checking with your designer so that they can show you options that can handle the high temperatures produced by gas or real fireplaces.
- Stove splash: The section of the wall behind the stove is often the recipient of grease, oil, and sauce as you cook, making it appear dirty and unsanitary. Adding a tile stove splash makes it easy to clean up and is also a unique way to personalize your design.
Tile is a functional and fun design element that can give a room a little pop of color or texture. Due to its easy maintenance, it also keeps your home cleaner. View a beautiful bathroom project that incorporates beautiful tile into the design.
Types Of Tile
While we often use the word tile as a generic term, there are many different materials to choose from for tile.
- Ceramic and Porcelain: This is usually the most cost-effective option for tile and comes in various styles and colors, making it great for most projects. Porcelain tile is an excellent material choice for bathrooms since it has a lower water absorption rate than traditional ceramic tile.
- Glass: Due to its sparkle and shine, glass tile is often used to create beautiful patterns or a statement piece in a room. The best areas to showcase its elegance are kitchen and bathroom backsplashes. It is a delicate material that is not suitable for flooring.
- Quarry: A versatile material that can be used both inside and outside. It is also durable, making it a great choice for heavy-traffic areas such as hallways and entryways. Due to its naturally rough surface, it is an excellent choice for flooring because it provides good grip.
- Stone: An eco-friendly material, stone is great for kitchens and bathrooms. Some varieties in this category are travertine, granite, and slate.
The purpose of the tile usually determines which material is best suited for your project. We always recommend confirming your selection with your designer, as they can determine if the material is the best choice. For more information, follow this link.
Tile Flooring
Tile is an amazing option for flooring for more than just its looks and style.
- It helps keep your home cool due to its ability to repel heat, versus carpet that retains heat.
- Water damage is never a concern, which is why it is great in bathrooms and laundry rooms that are susceptible to leaks.
- Ceramic tile is a cost-effective option that gives you a beautiful floor without breaking the bank.
Multiple styles and sizes continue to make tile a popular option for designers.
Tile Backsplash
Backsplash is more than just aesthetics; it can help prevent messes and stains and keep the space looking clean. Kitchens are among the hardest areas to keep clean without a backsplash. Scrubbing your painted walls can create problems with the area over time. Tile doesn’t stain, and most can be scrubbed when needed, making for easy maintenance. Tile backsplash is also a great way to add a little color or pattern to the space. Be sure to discuss this with your designer; they will be able to show you some options that reflect your style and budget.
Mix and Match
New trends are showing the possibilities of mixing different tile styles. Mixing up the sizes allows you to create an entirely new design, or adding different materials makes for an interesting texture to the eye. When it comes to tile, think outside the box to make a look that is just right for you.
We use it every day but hardly pay any attention to it, yet it can impact the overall design of the home. We are, of course, referring to your flooring, and its importance should not be overlooked or underestimated. It is the largest design element in the home, which means it tends to serve as the foundation of the look and feel in the room. It has the ability to make or break your space and is subconsciously the first thing we notice in a room. Since it is used consistently, it must be durable and functional for the particular area, whether slip-resistant or waterproof. Flooring should also complement the overall design style you choose and be carefully considered before finalizing your choice. Here are some aspects to remember when making your selection.
The kitchen backsplash tends to be overlooked during the planning session for a renovation, but it has a big impact on the overall look of the design, and it should not be underestimated. To many, it may seem like such a small element, but it has the power to bring style, class, and protection to the heart of the home. When walking through a model home or flipping pages in an interior design magazine, the kitchen always has a backsplash that often draws our eye. Coming in multiple sizes, styles, and shades, the kitchen backsplash has come a long way from being a simple surface to creating a glamorous highlight that immediately draws the eye.
Walker WoodworkingThis deficiency has led to a readjustment of space, a call to renovate the home, and to provide a more functional design for everyone. There are also other reasons motivating homeowners to reevaluate their current living situation, such as greater flexibility at home, an open concept, personal space, and plenty of storage. While kitchens and bathrooms are still among the most renovated areas in the home, new emphasis is being placed on four additional sections in the home, which we want to highlight today.
Walker WoodworkingYou love your home, but there are some areas that are no longer working for you, if they ever did at all. You have made the big decision to renovate your kitchen, to give yourself the space you have always envisioned, but it feels overwhelming. How do you know which layout will work best for you? Which style best represents you, and what wood type will pair perfectly with certain colors? The kitchen can be a more difficult renovation because it involves multiple facets, such as plumbing and electrical. Adding in the appliances, lighting, and cabinets decisions can be enough to make your head spin. Planning is a critical part of a kitchen renovation, making it a key area of focus, which is why an experienced designer can help you accomplish your dreams on time and on budget.
James Martin Vanities has not disappointed us but provided many of our clients with a bathroom vanity that suited their unique needs, and the shorter lead times have allowed them to get the upgrades they needed within their timeframe. Our goal will always remain to provide our clients with the best possible products that fit their project, whether that is a custom, semi-custom, or predone option like the James Martin Vanity. We are here to assist you in finding the vanity that works for you, which is why we offer a variety of options. Are you ready for a change? Come visit our showroom where we have multiple vanities available for you to browse, and if you like one, you can take it home with you.
Greenbrook Design
Greenbrook