Choosing the right tile for your living room can be a daunting task, but it's an important decision that will affect the look and feel of your space for years to come. This guide will help you navigate the different factors to consider when selecting living room tiles.
Brown, beige, grey, and amber hues are the most preferred colours for use in living rooms. Most people don't opt for bold and colourful living rooms so if you're searching for a timeless and classy aesthetic, then gentle and mild colours are ideal.
Colour and Style of Living Room TilesÂ
While brown, beige, grey, and amber are popular choices for living rooms seeking a timeless and classy aesthetic, there's no reason to shy away from bolder colours if that reflects your style. Consider your existing decor and the overall mood you want to create in your living room.
Before you start your project, here are some questions to ask yourself:
Do you prefer a warm and inviting atmosphere, or a sleek and modern look?
If you desire a cosy and comfortable space, consider warm-toned tiles like beige, brown, or terracotta. Natural stone options like travertine or limestone can also create a welcoming ambiance.
For a contemporary look, you can opt for neutral colours like white, grey, or black. Large format porcelain tiles with a glossy finish can add a sophisticated touch.
Will the tile colour complement your furniture and artwork?
You can choose tile colours that harmonise with the dominant colours in your living room. For instance, if your furniture is predominantly blue, consider grey or white tiles to create a cohesive look.
Furthermore, if you have a colourful piece of artwork, you can use the tile to complement it or create a contrasting effect.
How much natural light does your living room receive?Â
If you have a bright living room, you have more flexibility in tile colour choices. Darker tones can add drama, while lighter shades can enhance the room's brightness.
For the living room with low light, it is better to choose lighter-coloured tiles to reflect light and create an illusion of space. White or light grey tiles are excellent options.
There’s of course no reason you can’t have a riot of colour in your living room, but you’ll want to explore tile options that won't be too disjointed from that colour scheme. With colour schemes out of the way, it’s time to discuss tile material.
Wood Floors for Living room
Choosing tiles for your living room is all about selecting durable, scratch-resistant materials that look fantastic and complement the colour scheme and decor. Living room floor tiles, when properly done, can add a lot of aesthetic value to your home.
Hardwood floors are highly desirable in living rooms because they’re beautiful and bring natural warmth to living rooms. Hardwood floors enhance the appearance and value of your home, so it's no wonder they're such a popular choice.
Unfortunately, hardwood floors are incredibly expensive. Luckily, wood-look tile is identical in appearance but much more cost-effective, because it’s made out of porcelain tiles.
Natural Stone
Natural stone tiles are not just about elegance; they bring a sense of enduring quality and connection to nature into your living space. If you're looking for something truly timeless and classic, then marble stands out as the epitome of luxury. The rich textures and unique veining patterns in marble make every tile a work of art, adding a level of sophistication that is hard to match. Marble is available in a wide range of colours, from the classic white Carrara to the more dramatic blacks and greens, allowing you to create the exact look you desire.
One of the most significant advantages of marble is its ability to reflect light, which can make your living room seem brighter, more spacious, and timelessly elegant. This light-reflecting quality is particularly beneficial in rooms that may lack natural light, as it helps to illuminate the space naturally. Additionally, marble has a cool surface, making it an excellent choice for warmer climates or homes that receive a lot of sunlight.
Marble comes in a wide range of tile colours, is extremely durable, and versatile. The biggest advantage of having marble floors is how they reflect light. Make your living room seem brighter, more spacious, and timeless.
Porcelain Tiles
Marble encounters the same problem as hardwood floors: the steep price tag. Marble look tiles, made out of porcelain, achieve the same visual elegance out of cheaper materials. You won’t be sacrificing floor durability or strength, so your tile floor will last for a long time.
Porcelain tiles are known for their durability and strength, making them a practical choice for living rooms that see a lot of activity. One of the key benefits of porcelain is its resistance to stains, thanks to its glazed or pre-sealed surface. This low porosity also means that porcelain is less likely to absorb spills, making it a perfect option for families with children or pets. The robustness of porcelain ensures that it maintains its original look for years, even in high-traffic areas.
Beyond their practical benefits, porcelain tiles are incredibly versatile. They are available in a variety of finishes, from high-gloss to matte, and can be found in an array of colours and patterns, allowing you to customise your living room to your exact tastes. Whether you’re aiming for a contemporary, minimalist design or a more traditional, opulent look, porcelain tiles can deliver.
A porcelain floor is stain-resistant and requires almost no maintenance. This is because porcelain tiles are glazed or pre-sealed and have low porosity. Porcelain is harder than natural stone and ceramic tiles, which ensures that it maintains its original look for the long term.
Mosaic Tiles
If you find neutral-toned living rooms a bit dull, mosaic tiles offer an exciting alternative. These tiles are perfect for injecting a burst of colour, texture, and pattern into your living space, turning your floor into a canvas of creativity. Mosaic tiles are available in an extensive range of designs, from classic geometric patterns to intricate floral motifs, allowing you to express your personal style in a truly unique way.
However, with such a vibrant option, it's essential to strike the right balance. Mosaic tiles can be quite busy visually, so it’s wise to use them as accents rather than covering the entire floor. For example, you could create a striking focal point by using mosaic tiles in a specific area, such as around a fireplace or as a feature wall, while keeping the rest of the living room design simple and understated. This approach allows the mosaic to shine without overwhelming the space.
Mosaic tiles are also available in various materials, including glass, ceramic, and natural stone, each bringing its own texture and sheen. Glass mosaics, in particular, can add a beautiful shimmering effect that catches the light and adds depth to the room. Whether you want to create a modern, artistic vibe or add a touch of old-world charm, mosaic tiles provide endless possibilities to make your living room truly one-of-a-kind.
How to Choose The Size of Tiles for the Living Room?
Tile Size and LayoutThe size and layout of your living room tiles can significantly impact the overall look of your living room. Larger tiles can make a space feel more open and less cluttered, while smaller tiles or intricate patterns can add visual interest.
Large Format Living Room TilesLarge format tiles, such as 60x60 cm or even larger, are becoming increasingly popular for living rooms. They create a seamless look with fewer grout lines, which can make the room feel more spacious.
Advantages of large tiles:
- They create a clean, modern look.
- Fewer grout lines mean less cleaning and maintenance.
- They can make a small room appear larger.
Small Format Living Room Tiles
While large tiles give a clean, modern look, small tiles can also be great for living rooms. They can add interest, pattern, and a handmade feel to your space.
Benefits of Small Tiles:
- Lovely Patterns: Small tiles let you make detailed and interesting patterns, giving your living room a unique style.
- Better Grip: Smaller tiles, especially those with a rough surface, can be safer for people with young children or older family members.
- Lots of Layouts: You can use small tiles in many different ways, like in a herringbone, basket weave, or mosaic pattern, to add visual interest.
- Highlight Special Areas: You can use them to draw attention to a fireplace or a special wall.
By mixing big and small tiles, you can create a living room that looks exciting and has a good balance of open space and detailed design.
Other Practical Considerations
When choosing tiles for your living room, it’s essential to consider practical aspects like durability, maintenance, and comfort.
Living rooms typically see a lot of foot traffic, so it's important to choose a tile that can withstand wear and tear. Porcelain and natural stone are both excellent choices for durability. If you have pets or young children, you might want to opt for a scratch-resistant material like porcelain.
Consider how much time you're willing to spend on maintaining your floors. Natural stone requires regular sealing to prevent stains, while porcelain and ceramic are virtually maintenance-free. If you want to minimise upkeep, choose a low-maintenance material.
Conclusion
The living room deserves careful consideration in home design because it's one of the most commonly used living spaces inside the house. It’s where people congregate together, so you want to create a space that’s inviting.
Take the time to explore different options and don't hesitate to order samples before making your final decision. After all, your living room is a space where memories are made, and the right tiles will ensure it's a place you'll love for years to come. Browse through our selection of living room tiles and contact us if you would like any samples. We provide our customers with up to 5 free tile samples, all you have to pay for is a small shipping fee.
