Selecting the right tiles for your space

There’s an abundance of tile styles trending, and even the most discerning home renovator might be overwhelmed when it comes to selecting the right tile.

Beaumont Tiles’ strategic designer Rachel Gilding said there are many contributing factors to selecting the right tile for your project with the first and foremost rule being to love the tile.

“Often people can overthink styling, so always go with your gut and choose a design style and product options that make you smile every time you see them. From there the rest is easy,” Rachel said.

“If you’re building on an existing project, look at your home’s overall design narrative, what colours feature and what lighting is available. This is always a great style compass.

“For projects that are from scratch, have a clear end goal in sight and work back from there. Pick the leading design and two supporting styles to help add a personal flair.

“A popular combination we see in our stores is Wanderlust with touches of Traditional and Farmhouse. This trio creates a calming at-home vibe that plays to Aussies’ love of indoors-out living.”

If you’re still unsure about making the right choice try Beaumonts’ online What’s My Style Quiz. The three-minute quiz will help identify your style from the top 10 global interior design trends.

“What’s My Style is like having your own personal designer to help you nail the current trends with complete confidence, no matter your budget.”

Rachel shares her handy tips on what to consider when choosing the perfect floor, wall, or decorative tile to suit any space.

Consider size
Small tiles and mosaics work well in just about any space. They’re particularly perfect for bathrooms where the basin, toilet and shower are quite close together, as they can fold neatly around without messy cut lines.

Larger tiles can visually expand a room. They tend to look better in bigger spaces as they are laid without cuts and with fewer grout lines, helping with the visual flow.

Decorative tiles, which come in a range of sizes, can add a contrasting tone, be a focal point, or divide up a room.

Colour choice
Using one colour can make a space appear larger, and using the same colour grout as your tile will heighten this effect – a great choice in confined spaces.

Natural colours can create a seamless flow from the inside to the outdoors. If you are planning to sell, choosing neutral palettes will provide a more subtle finish and will more likely appeal to a broader audience.

Pick a pattern
Tiling diagonally is one of the simplest ways to create a tile pattern. The layout also has an expanding effect and visually widens the space.
Using rectangular patterns, a running bond pattern creates a staggered pattern, yet a cohesive and elegant look.

The herringbone pattern is designed to resemble the skeleton of a herring fish and creates an elegant yet intricate look. It’s constructed with rectangular tiles at a 45-degree angle to create a ‘V’.

Help is always at hand

Never be afraid to ask for help from those in the know, as there are many resources and people out there who can help guide you through the tile selection and design process.

“At Beaumonts, we find our customers are becoming bolder with their design choices,” Rachel said.

“Often people have fallen in love with a tile or style but are unsure how it will look once installed. That’s why we’ve developed a selection of tools to simplify the process for everyone from mum and dad renovators right through to professional builders.

“Our BeVisual Live is the ultimate augmented reality tool that’s exclusive to Beaumonts. In three easy steps, it lets you know what your dream main floor tile would look like installed in the space you’re looking to renovate.”