From Inspiration to Installation: Your Complete Tile Selection Guide

Be it your inviting living room, the functional bathroom, the creative kitchen, or even the outside patio, the right choice of tiles makes all the difference. When selecting tiles in India, consider the tile's purpose for the specific area, its durability and safety features, size and finish to match the space's aesthetic and light, and the overall budget. Also, consider the regional climate and choose tiles that complement your home's existing décor.  

Select the Right Type of Tile material

With numerous tile types and a variety of shapes, designs, and finishes available, you want to choose the best option for your home. So before you go on and pick the first tile you lay your eyes on, get to know about different types of tiles. This will help you make the right decision when choosing wall and floor tiles for your space.

You can refer to our section on different types of tiles for this. Click HERE

Refer to table below for selecting best type of Tile for different areas of the house and where you want to install them.

Choosing the Perfect Size

Size is one of the most important factors That demands your undivided attention. These days, tiles are found in many sizes- 300*600 mm, 600*600 mm, 600*800 mm, and so on.

You may have heard this a lot- installing large format tiles make your space look bigger. However, we recommend you match the tile size with your room size. Using bigger tiles in a small room may make it appear smaller. For small-sized rooms, go for medium-sized tiles.

Before you choose the tile size,

• Carefully consider your room proportions.

• Pick large-sized tiles for the living room, dining room and bedroom. Keep in mind that large tiles create less joint lines and impart the feeling of spaciousness.

• Smaller ones are appropriate for the kitchen and bathroom. 

• If in doubt, go with the basic rule of “bigger tiles on the floor and smaller tiles on the wall.”

• You can also install the same-sized tiles on both wall and floor.

  
  

A piece of advice: Do not put small tiles on the floor and big ones on the walls, as it can make your room appear disproportionate.

Let’s read in detail about different tile size 

Small Tiles

Small tiles, such as mosaic or subway tiles, bring a sense of intricate detail and charm to your spaces. They are ideal for curved or non-traditional layouts, providing flexibility in design. In bathrooms, use of smaller tiles creates unique patterns or provide a better grip around plumbing fixtures. Consider incorporating small tiles as accents or borders to add a touch of personality to your walls or floors.

• Sizes: Commonly <300x300mm, including options like 300x300mm, 200x300mm, and smaller mosaics. 

• Uses: Ideal for intricate patterns, small spaces like bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes, and detailed accents. 

Medium Tiles

Medium-sized tiles strike a balance between aesthetics and practicality. They are versatile and used in various rooms of your home, from kitchens and bathrooms to living areas. Medium tiles offer a modern and timeless look, and their installation is generally easier compared to smaller tiles. They are an excellent choice for achieving a clean and streamlined appearance.

• Sizes: A versatile range often falling between 300x300mm and 600x600mm. 

• Uses: Suitable for a variety of rooms including kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and living areas, offering a good balance of visual impact and practicality

  
  

Large Tiles

Large tiles, with their grand presence, make a room feel more spacious and open. They have fewer grout lines, resulting in a seamless and visually appealing look. Large tiles work well in spacious areas like living rooms, bedrooms, and outdoor spaces. However, it's important to ensure your floor surface is properly leveled to avoid lippage, where one tile edge is higher than its neighbouring tile. Large tiles require a flat surface for flawless installation.

• Sizes: Start around 600x600mm and include larger formats such as 800x800mm, 1000x1000mm, 1200x1200mm, and even larger sizes like 1200x1800mm or 1200x2600mm.

• Uses: These tiles create a modern, luxurious, and seamless look by minimizing grout lines, perfect for large open-plan living areas, luxury homes, and commercial spaces.

Consider the size of your rooms, the desired visual effect, and the practicality of maintenance when choosing the tile size for each space in your home. 

1. Size & layout of the project. The first step when setting a budget for your project is to measure the area where the tiles will be installed. The larger the square footage that needs to be covered, the higher the cost of tile installation. Once the square footage and the number of tiles have been determined, it can be helpful to slightly overestimate and invest in at least 10-15% more product to allow for cuts, waste, and mistakes. Extra tiling material also comes in handy down the road in case of replacement.

Pick the Ideal Tile Finish

Before choosing perfect tiles, look for diverse finishes that can adorn your home in distinctive style. Some of the best choices available are - polishes/ Gloss, Matte, wooden, metallic, marble, Carving, antiskid etc. Depending on the overall décor of your abode you can choose the tile finish that goes perfectly with your sense of style.

Glossy/ Polished Finish

Glossy tiles have an attractive mirror-like sheen which reflects a lot of light, adds brightness and gives the home a spacious look. They exude elegance and radiance, reflecting light and creating a bright and vibrant atmosphere. They are ideal for small spaces, as they visually expand the area. 

Glossy tiles are commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens to achieve a sleek and modern look. However, keep in mind that glossy surfaces become slippery when wet, so consider the safety aspect when selecting this finish. Hence they can be used on walls in areas like the kitchen or bathroom.

Matte Finish

• Matte tiles offer a subtle and sophisticated appeal, with their ability to absorb light and provide a soft appearance. They are less prone to showing smudges, scratches, and watermarks, making them suitable for high-traffic areas or spaces where maintenance is a concern. Matte tiles are a popular choice for floors especially in kitchen and bathroom, as they provide better traction and minimise the risk of slipping. For maximum safety, choose tiles with a COF( coefficient of friction) value of more than 0.6. It is advised to go for sturdy and anti-skid tiles for high-traffic areas.You can also go with a semi-matte or lapatto finish. These have a higher shine than matte tiles and are non-slip in nature.

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Textured Finish

Textured tiles bring depth and character to your spaces, offering both visual interest and enhanced slip resistance. These tiles mimic the look and feel of materials like stone, wood, or fabric, adding a tactile element to your floors and walls. Textured tiles are particularly suitable for outdoor areas, bathrooms, or spaces where safety is a priority.

Consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve and the practical requirements of each room when selecting the tile finish.

Refer to table below for some guidance - 

House Area	Area Size	Place of Installation	Best Suited Tile Type	Recommended Size	Tile Finish	Other Options	Link

For detailed reading for each House area, click on the link provided in the last column

Charm of Colors and patterns (Choosing the right Design)

Now that we've covered the basics of tile selection let's dive into some design tips to help you create stunning spaces in your home. Whether you're decorating your living room, renovating your kitchen, revamping your bathroom, or enhancing your outdoor areas, these tips will inspire you to make the right choices.

Whether you go for lighter shades or darker ones, selecting the tile colour is up to you. However, you can consider some basic rules before going for the colour.

• Light colour schemes create a sense of spaciousness while adding an intimate look to your space.

• To make your area feel warm, opt for dark tiles. They hide the dirt well and are easier to maintain.

• You can simulate the look and feel of natural materials like wood, marble and different types of natural stone

• Neutral colours make your space look flexible and compliments the decor and accessories well.

• Lastly, there’s always a mix-and-match option! Take out your creative hat, and plan out unusual tiling ideas for your home.

Browse through the magazines and get to know the latest trends and designs. Visualize your place; by doing so, you will get a clear idea of what your space will look like.

You can refer to our Design page to understand different tile designs for different areas of the house. Click Here

Tiles in Living Room

Tiles in Kitchen

Tiles in Rooms

Tiles in bathrooms

Tiles in outdoor Areas

Calculating the Cost and Selecting the Best Tiles

Calculate the exact quantity of tiles that are required for the flooring and make sure to add 10 per cent wastage to it. Keep a budget in mind so that choosing the floor tiles can become a little easier.

Refer to our article on Calculating Tile Cost and Budget HERE. (Article 2)

Here are some factors to keep in mind

As you embark on your tile selection journey, it's crucial to make informed decisions to get the best value for your investment.

1. Water Absorption rate  - Yet another essential aspect to consider when selecting tiles for your home is knowing the tiles' porosity. In a tile, porosity refers to the ratio of air holes to solids, which determines how much water it absorbs. Consider the water absorption rate, aiming for tiles with low water absorption (less than 0.08%). Different types are - 

   • Non-vitreous- Tiles with this rating have low density, with a water absorption rate of more than 7.0 percent. Not recommended for floor use.

   • Semi-vitreous- Tiles in this category have medium density with a tile absorption of 3-7 percent. Suitable for light traffic areas.

   • Vitreous- The water absorption rate is more than 0.5 but less than 3.0 percent, making the tiles denser and long-lasting.

   • Impervious- Tiles in this category have a water absorption rate of less than 0.5 percent and are extremely durable and dense. Such tiles are perfect for high-traffic areas. Porcelain tiles are usually found in this category and are ideal for residential and commercial purposes.

It's necessary to choose less water-absorbing tiles for longer life, especially for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas. Hence, before selecting tiles, check their ratings as well.

2. Choose the grout - Don’t forget the grout when selecting the tiles. Choose the right grout colour to get the result you desire. Usually, people choose a grout that matches the tile; this gives a clean look to the tiles with a subtle effect. But, if you want a dramatic effect, go for contrasting grout to make your tiles stand out. Refer to our special article on choosing the right type of grout. 

3. Do not forget the tile hardness - While browsing for different tile choices, keep the tile hardness in your list. The hardness of tiles is measured on Moh’s scale, and the class ratings measure the tiles’ ability to withstand wear and tear, foot traffic, stain, scratch, and weather conditions.

TILE HARDNESS CLASS	FEATURES
CLASS 1	Ideal only for walls.
CLASS 2	Suitable only for walls and light traffic rooms.
CLASS 3	Can be installed in areas with light to medium foot traffic. Suitable for walls, countertops, and rooms with fewer footfalls. Not to be used outdoors and in places with high traffic.
CLASS 4	Beauty and functionality- such tiles work best for almost home areas with medium to high traffic.
CLASS 5	Best choice for high to super high traffic areas. Tiles of class 5 are suitable for use in homes, offices, and commercial spaces on the interior and exterior.

4. Go for slip-resistant tiles - Usually, normal tiles get slippery when wet, which could be a concern for wet areas like swimming pools, bathrooms, and shower areas. You don't want any accidents to occur, do you? Hence the slip-resistant tiles. Such tiles have an extra coating that reduces the slipping risk and works amazingly well in areas exposed to water and moisture.If you are finding tiles for your bathroom or other wet areas, choose anti-slip tiles for your safety. Below are some of the tiles you can choose from.

   • Porcelain or Ceramic tiles- Both are good options in terms of durability and finish. Make sure you choose slip-resistant tiles.

   • Small-sized tiles- Installing small tiles like the mosaic creates more grout lines, creating unique textures and patterns; these grout lines also offer good slip resistance.

   • Natural stone tiles- nature always provides us with the best! To complement the interior and exterior of your home, you can use slate, travertine, terrazzo, or stone finish tiles.

5. Choose porcelain hardwood tiles instead of natural wood - Love the texture of hardwood tile for your home's rustic yet earthy vibe? Though hardwood tiles are in trend for their texture, designs and look all the time, maintaining them may be a hassle. If you don’t want to deal with such maintenance, wood-finish porcelain tiles are your saviour.

   • Highly durable

   • Resistant to scratches, stains, and moisture

   • Hassle-free cleaning and maintenance

   • Highly versatile- can be used in any room of your home.

   • Natural and sleek appearance at a lower cost compared to real hardwood.

Wood finish porcelain tiles give the same vibe as real wood, minus the maintenance stress.

6. Hire a professional tile installer – Refer our article on Tile Installation

7. Get the right tile adhesive as well

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect tiles for your home is an exciting and rewarding endeavour. By considering factors such as tile types, sizes, finishes, budget, and design preferences, you create spaces that reflect your personality and enhance your lifestyle. We hope these tips will help you find the perfect floor and wall tiles for your home. These useful tips will guide you to make the right choice without overwhelming you! If you feel overwhelmed or uncertain about making the right choices, don't hesitate to seek professional consultation.

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