Five Ways to Use Patterned Tile in your Home

Whether it's a classic encaustic tile or an opulent mosaic floor,  patterned tiles have a long history in buildings all over the world. Traditional patterned tiles were time-consuming and expensive to make, but modern technology has allowed manufacturers to create these designs much more easily.

Nowadays there is a wide range of patterned tiles available, from subtle designs to bold geometric shapes. We love how these tiles can transform a space, so we have put together our 5 top tips for using them in your home.

1. Add Some Fun to your Floors

   Patterned tiles are a popular choice for floors. They can add a fun look to bathrooms, or create a traditional feel in kitchens, depending on the color or style you choose. Patterned tiles make the perfect partner to a classic subway wall tile. Busy designs can also help to hide marks and crumbs, making them ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways and kitchens.

2. Spice up your Kitchen Backsplash

   Looking for a way to add some interest to your kitchen backsplash? If you are opting for a simple color scheme patterned tiles are the ideal choice, allowing you to add a little personality to your space. Plus, they are durable and easy to keep clean - perfect for any cooking spills or splashes.

3. Keep it Monochrome

   Black and white patterned tiles are ideal for any space in your home. You can choose to keep the whole room in a simple color scheme or pair them with a brightly colored wall for a fun feel. Our AO range has plenty of styles to choose from including circles, stars and geometric designs.

4. Go Wild

   If you love the maximalism trend then why not go all out with clashing patterns? Choose different patterned wall and floor tiles to create a wow-factor look in your home. Or combine your tile of choice with a patterned wallpaper for a change of texture.

5. Create your Own Pattern

   Can't find a patterned tile you love? Use different colored tiles from the same range to create your own pattern. Subway tiles can be used to create stripes, or a checkerboard pattern can be created using different colored square tiles.

How to Choose Patterend Tile for your Home

It's important to make sure you are happy with the color, design and quality of the tiles before you place an order so we offer a free sample service to give you confidence in your choice.

Have a question about any of our tiles? Get in touch with our tile experts who can answer any questions you have.

Design Ideas for Tile Showers

Bathrooms provide a great space to get creative; you’re not going to be spending large amounts of time in there at once so any bold designs will not be overwhelming, and it’s the perfect room to create different zones or areas as these are already designated by their purpose. The shower is a great place to start as you can really get creative with tiles and make something that’s totally unique to you!

Whether you’re tiling the shower area above a bath, or have opted for a walk in shower or wet room, you can show your style with your shower tiles. One popular idea is to add a feature wall to your shower by choosing a contrasting color to other shower tiles, or adding a wall of bold pattern. If you want something different why not try making your own pattern with several different color of the same tile?

If you’re looking for something a bit more subtle, try using shower tiles in the same color as the rest of your bathroom but in a different size. We often stock different sized tiles in each range, so using smaller tiles to separate the shower area from the rest of the room should be easy. This works particularly well in level access showers where the floor is also tiled with smaller mosaic tiles – also adding extra slip resistance!

Want to add a touch of glamour to your bathroom but don’t want to go overboard? Try adding a wall or strip of glass mosaic tile to the wall surrounding the shower. This will break up any large patches of one color, and give you added glitz in the mornings. Mosaic tiles are usually available on sheets of mesh which can be cut to size depending on your requirements. Or if you prefer something more simple, try a horizontal or vertical strip of border tile to add a little interest to your shower tiles.

Grout is a really easy way to make shower tiles stand out. Using a bright or contrasting grout can really make tiles pop, while a matching grout will give your shower tiles a sleek and seamless look.

For a more customized shower, you can create extras within your shower tiles that will not only look great, but make your life easier. Add a small tiled seat or shelf to the corner of a shower, or create a niche in the wall for neat storage for toiletries.

Guide to Choosing Your Bathroom Tiles

How to choose bathroom tiles

Once upon a time, choosing bathroom tiles was simple, but now there’s an endless array of tiles to choose from.

Do you go for a pattern? How about tile size? Color? At The Galleria of Tile we understand the stress that often occurs when it comes to finding the right tiles for your home, and we’re here to help. From top trends to top tips, we have everything you need to help you create your perfect bathroom space.

How to choose bathroom tiles for a bathroom?

Set your budget; this will determine what tiles you pick. There are a wide variety of tiles which vary greatly in cost, from expensive natural stone tiles to affordable ceramic. Within your budget you should also allow for samples. Samples allow you can see the actual tile in your room. Whilst eliminating samples can be time consuming, when you get down to that perfect tile, we promise it’s worth it.

Aside from setting a budget, we recommend choosing tiles that suit your preferred style. This doesn’t mean playing it safe; it means knowing which styles you return to and inspire you. Let your house be a helpful guide, but don’t let it restrain you. Create mood boards, get on Pinterest, and look at trends to get inspired. Once you know what look you’re trying to achieve, you’ll feel more comfortable choosing the perfect tiles.

Can I use different floor tiles in different rooms?

There are no hard-and-fast rules that says tiles need to be the same throughout the house. If you want to create an open-plan living area, you might want your bathroom to have the same floor tiles as the rest of the house. To put it simply, pick the tiles best for the room, that may be the same tiles used elsewhere in the house, or it could be something completely unique to that room. It’s always a good idea to use porcelain tiles on a floor.

Should bathroom wall and floor tiles match?

Much like the above question, there is no rule that says wall and floor tiles need to match. A uniform look from floor to wall will make the space feel bigger and more open, whilst contrasting floor tiles can help define the space. But, why not mix & match? Placing two types of tiles in one space is a great way to make a statement.

Which tiles are best for a small bathroom?

There are many myths about tiles and small bathrooms, so we thought we’d shed some light on the whole situation.

The first myth is that small tiles shouldn’t be used in small bathroom spaces. Generally, larger tiles will make the space feel bigger and fewer grout lines make them easy to clean. However, if you’ve found some small tiles or mosaics that you love, don’t be afraid to use them! Pairing small and large tiles can actually help make your space feel larger as the smaller tiles will add definition and depth, tricking the eye into thinking the room is bigger than it is.

The second myth is that you should only use light colors. Light colors will make a room feel bigger by bouncing light around the space. However, much like pairing small and large tiles can add depth and dimension, so too can pairing light and dark colors. If you are leaning towards a darker color palette, use the darker colors in clearly defined spaces like shower areas and backsplashes.

One thing people are often told to avoid in small bathrooms is patterns. Now, while we wouldn’t suggest covering the room in patterned tiles, every tile has its place in the bathroom, and patterned tiles are no exception. Use them in small areas or as accent tiles, let the pattern be as bright and colorful or as darkly classic as you want, then keep the rest plain.

What are the current trends in bathroom design?

We’ve tracked the top trends in bathroom design to help inspire you.

Patterns are back

On the floor, the wall, shower floors, patterned tiles are everywhere – and we can see why. Whether in bright hues or soft shades, they are the perfect way to accent any space, especially the bathroom. They give you a chance to get creative and add some character to your home. We are seeing a surge in popularity in encaustic patterned tiles and wow factor mosaic tiles. These tiles are widely available in both ceramic and porcelain, in beautiful geometric patterns.

Who said neutrals are boring?

Neutral tones are often given a bad rep as plain and boring, but this year see a modern revival. The minimalist look is favoring nude tones like cream and beige, while contemporary bathrooms are pairing grey with beige, creating gorgeous, relaxing atmospheres that are both fresh and timeless. Alongside these are the classic white and black neutrals. They can give a bathroom a bright lift, a striking look, or be paired together in the classic monochrome that will forever remain trendy.

Dimension Jumping

Move aside standard tiles, 3D tiles are entering the show. As the market becomes more saturated, manufacturers have had to start thinking outside the box. The result? Beautiful, unique tiles that will inject fun and character into your bathroom. These tiles can vary from the subtle to the show-stopping, but all of them will create movement and texture to your bathroom. This is a relatively new trend but one we think you should keep your eye on.

Wood, in the bathroom?

Wood is not often the material of choice for a bathroom, but porcelain and ceramic tiles have now perfected the wood-effect look and we’re going mad for it! From oak to maple, these tiles have even got the distressed, weathered, and white-washed looks down. This means that the natural beauty and rustic charm of real wood is finding its way onto bathroom floors and walls without any of the worry. More and more homeowners are including wood-effect tiles in their bathrooms.

Other tips & tricks to creating your perfect bathroom space

If you have a small bathroom play with how you lay your tiles. A diagonal pattern tricks the eye into thinking a room is bigger than it is by drawing the eye to the longest dimension of the room. Chevron and herringbone designs can do this too! If you’re not a fan of a diagonal pattern, brick bond might be a better fit. It breaks up the grid-pattern and gives the illusion of more space.

If you’re tiling a small bathroom try metallic, glossy, or mother-of-pearl finish tiles. These will enhance a space by giving it much grander proportions than a simple light tile.

Gone are the days where grout only comes in one color. Today, grouting can become an added design element in your bathroom. Pairing a dark grout with white tiles makes them a feature. You can even match your tile and grout colors! This will give your bathroom a seamless, luxurious look and the illusion of a bigger space.

If you’re looking to renovate or refresh your bathroom, set up a design appointment and let’s create something beautiful.

Get The Look For Less With Wood Effect Tiles

There’s something about wooden floors that adds a cozy feel to homes and while we love the look, there are some elements that put us off. Not only are they expensive to install and maintain, they also often show signs of wear and tear., not to mention the wood shortage and price hikes due to covid. Wood effect porcelain tiles are a great alternative as they are hard-wearing, easy to keep clean and will look fantastic for years to come. Read on for more of the benefits of wood effect tiles.

Benefits of Wood Effect Tiles

• Lower cost than traditional wooden floors

• Strong and hardwearing

• Extremely easy to keep clean

• Fade proof and scratch resistant

• No splinters or scratches

• Frost proof porcelain can be used outside in place of decking

• No echoing steps or creaking

• Ideal for use with underfloor heating for warm floors all year round

• Can be used on walls and floors

• Matching indoor and outdoor wood effect tiles create indoor-outdoor flow

• No maintenance required

• Waterproof surface

• Long lasting material

• Range of designs available including traditional wood, distressed planks and even burnt-hearth style

We have a fantastic selection of wood effect tiles available, visit our showroom

Tips for Controlling your Renovation Budget

When undergoing any kind of home renovation it is important to keep your costs at an affordable level and to plan accordingly. In particular, when your are using tiles in your renovation, whether inside your home or on your patio, it is easy to get carried away and overspend. With careful planning and research you will be able to find tiles and other materials that you love at a price that suits your budget. In this blog post we offer some advice on how to control your renovation budget to ensure you end up with a great result that you can afford.

1. Identify Your Budget

The first thing to do is realistically assess how much you can afford to spend on your renovation and make that your total budget. This budget will need to pay for all of the materials and labor that you need, as well as include a contingency of 10-20% in case costs overrun or something unexpected occurs. You may not to allow the full budget to the renovation as it is highly likely that an unaccounted for costs will come up.

2. Research & Plan

Identify the renovation project(s) that you would like to do and research all items that you’ll need to purchase with your budget. Noting these down in a spreadsheet with costs is a great way to get a feel for how much things cost. When buying tiles we recommend purchasing an extra 10% of tiles than you should need to allow for cutting/breakages.

Be sure to factor in the cost of labor where required. Even if you are planning to do a lot of DIY, there will be some things you will need to pay a professional to do.

3. Allocate Your Budget

Once you have decided how much you can afford and have an idea of how much it will cost, make sure these figures measure up and you can actually afford the renovation. If not, you could start saving hard and plan to do the work at a later date once you have the funds, or reduce your expectations of what you will achieve in the short term. Perhaps you can do the kitchen now and the bathroom next year. Whatever your budget is, try to buy the best quality materials you can afford as these will last you longer and be better value in the long term.

4. Track Your Spend

Once you start your project, make sure you track your spending by jotting down all expenditures and regularly reviewing how the actual costs are matching up with the allocated costs. Using a spreadsheet or a dedicated app are good ways to keep on top of your spending. Keep all receipts/invoices in a folder for easy access if you need to check them later or query an unexpected cost.

Once the renovation is finished and you have paid the final bills it’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy your new makeover!