Tile choice is a big decision. It can drastically change the look and feel of your space.
And it doesn’t help that there are genuinely hundreds of different types of tiles and thousands of different variations and designs.
That’s where the expertise of GIB Tiling comes in handy. As a family owned tiling company in Perth, they’ve helped many homeowners make the right choice for their home.
They know what works and what doesn’t, especially in Australian conditions.
The thing is, choosing the right tiles isn’t just about what looks good in the showroom, its about understanding how they’ll perform in your specific space and lifestyle.
Choosing tiles can be overwhelming. When you walk into a tile show room there’s thousands of options staring back at you. There are different sizes, colours, finishes, materials.
Start with your lifestyle, not your Pinterest board
Don’t get me wrong, most people have their dream bathroom you have saved on their Pinterest board or Instagram. But before you get your heart set on that bathroom you need to consider your lifestyle and how you live your life.
Do you have kids that constantly track mud through the house or do you love a home cooked meal night that tends to get spaghetti sauce everywhere? Or maybe you love keeping a clean space and honestly thrive off being neat and tidy.
These lifestyle differences matter. Large white marble look beautiful but if you’ve got teenagers that don’t know how to clean their shoes, youll spend more time scrubbing them than enjoying them.
Similarly, those trendy dark tiles might hide dirt well but they’ll show every water spot and soap residue in your shower.
The key to success is be honest with yourself. Do you religiously clean everyday and thrive off having a clean space? Then go for the high maintenance finishes! You’ll appreciate them and know how to look after them.
Or do you value your down time more and would prefer something a little less maintenance?
Understanding different tile materials
Ceramic tiles are probably what most people think of first. They are the classic tiles you probably see most often, they are quite affordable and come in heaps of different designs. They work well in most areas of the house making them pretty versatile.
On the downside they are a little bit more fragile so if you drop something heavy onto them they can chip.
Porcelain is like ceramics tougher big brother. They are more dense and more water resistant. They last longer than ceramic but also cost more too. They are great for high traffic areas or if the area will get wet often.
Natural stones like marble and granite look amazing. But they also can be high maintenance. Most natural stones are porous which means they have tiny little holes all over them which absorbs things.
This means you need to seal and stain. Their natural beauty is undeniable though, making them a popular choice.
Installation makes or breaks the job
Here’s something people often overlook, even the most expensive tiles will look terrible if they’re not installed properly.
Wonky layouts, uneven surfaces, poor grouting, inadequate waterproofing. I’ve seen beautiful tile jobs ruined by terrible installation.
This is why choosing the right tiler is just as important as choosing the right tiles. Don’t automatically go with the cheapest quote.
Ask to see previous work, check references, make sure they’re properly licensed and insured. It may cots more up front but its worth the headache of a bad job.
Timing can also be a factor. Heading into summer, many tilers get booked up with outdoor projects, so indoor jobs might have to wait. Plan ahead if you have specific timing requirements.
Size matters
The size of your tiles completely transform the space. Normally larger tiles make your space look larger, this is because of the fewer grout lines that break up the space.
A large continuous area looks larger than tiny tiles breaking up the wall. Small tiles can make spaces feel busy and cramped, unless that’s the specific look you’re going for.
But unfortunately its not one size fits all. In really small spaces like powder rooms, massive tiles can actually look out of proportion. You may end up with awkward cuts too since the space is too small.
Colour and pattern considerations
Colour choice is where most people get stuck. Light colours make spaces feel bigger and brighter, dark colours can add drama but might make small spaces feel cramped.
Its standard advice you’ve probably heard before, but that’s for good reason. Its true!
But what people don’t always consider is how colours will look at different times of day. That grey tile that looks perfect under the showroom’s fluorescent lights but it could look completely different if your natural lighting at home.
To get around this problem, take home lots of samples. Don’t cut corners on the sampling part. This is one of the most important parts as once you’ve tiled it all up it gets expensive to change.
Patterns can be super unique and interesting but can also make a space feel overwhelming. A bold feature wall looks great in a magazine but remember you have to live and look at this everyday.
Probably worth going for something more subdued unless you’re the type who loves changing things up regularly.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Good tile suppliers will help you understand the pros and cons of different options for your specific situation. They want you to be happy with your choice because happy customers come back and refer others.
Maintenance realities
Like most good things, tiles need to be maintained. Some less than others. Every tile type has different cleaning requirements and you need to factor this into your decision.
Polished surfaces look amazing but show everything like water spots, footprints, dust. Matt finishes are more forgiving but can be harder to clean if they have texture. Glossy tiles are easy to wipe clean but can be slippery when wet.
If you’re planning to do your own maintenance, factor in the time and products you’ll need.
Making the final decision
So how do you actually make a choice from all these options? Start by narrowing down your requirements, budget, maintenance level, style preferences, performance needs. This will eliminate a lot of options straight away.
Take your time visiting showrooms and always get samples to take home. Look at them in different lighting conditions and at different times of day.
Live with them for a week if you can. If you still love them after a week then go for it! And if you don’t? Try another shade and just be grateful you did a test run!
Make sure to keep the rest of your house in mind. Choose styles and designs that flow well with your home, or the new style you’re trying to envision.
