September 22, 2015 - Tilespect
Tile Layout Design Notes on Tiled Versatility
Notes on Tile Layout Design
With regards to selecting ceramic tiles and ceramic tile layouts, the limitations for the selection will be determined by space constraints, available tiling skills, time and budget, not to mention the availability of materials.
Stone look tiles are very forgiving when it comes to style choices for the whole space
However, in terms of design, there is no right or wrong because the style choice can be adapted using any pattern and size format as a backdrop.
But if you are tiling a new area from the start rather than retiling an older tiled area, it makes sense to design the entire space around your choices.
Getting the color, texture and tile you really want will be far more important than the laying pattern itself. This is because many tiles, particularly those that emulate natural stone, tend to disguise jointing while the visual appeal of other tiles may be enhanced or impacted by the laying pattern.
Stone and terracotta look tile adapt themselves easily to more complex patterns that can include different tile sizes
Next, let us briefly touch on the tiling pattern itself. Ceramic and porcelain tiles make a geometrical statement. In fact, every tiled space should be designed taking into consideration the decisive application of geometrical effects.
Examples of different tiling layouts. Patterns can invoke a real sense of movement for a more natural feel.
Big or small, the visual geometry of any tile will impart an appearance relative to the space.
The choice of any tile size, shape and the laid orientation is in itself a powerful design statement.
Examples of ceramic tile orientation. Tiles that have a directional quality can impart perspective to any tiled space.
Diagonal tiles can offset perspective and introduce a natural, more informal movement.
Does size matter?
Size sure does matter but choosing big tiles is not necessarily the most impactful choice. For example, mosaics can also produce an immense visual effect! Scale and orientation of the laid tiles also form critical elements of the design.
Mosaics make a powerful design statement and can be strategically inserted into almost any space.
Patterns and Features
Features are useful as they provide a point of focus around which the space can be designed. However they also can impose themselves on the space. Using a feature is therefore a bold and decisive statement about the space.
Ceramic Feature Tiles are a great way to accentuate a theme. Functionally, features provide a point of focus for the room.
Examples of floor tile patterns for a hallway. The choice of pattern greatly influences the theme for the space.
Ceramic (or porcelain) wall and floor tiles offer you the freedom to experiment with different combinations of height, trims and geometries.
Examples of variations in coverage. In particular, the height of tiles on a wall greatly alters the visual effect. The coverage can also be divided by decorative tile trims.
Even grout color can be used to accentuate or reduce the impact of geometry. In the examples below, the effect of different grout colors is shown on the same, grey colored floor tiles. This allows for light or dark maxiumum contrast, brighter or deeper (heavier) highlight colors and finally lighter or darker color matching in tiled joints.
The geometry of the laid ceramic tile pattern can be accentuated by the choice of colored grout in the joints between each tile.
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