10 Tips for Choosing Tiles and Buying Tiles

Below are our general tips for choosing tiles for your home. For more specific advice, why not also read our choosing a bathroom tile and choosing a kitchen tile articles.

1. Light colours

Choose light colours to make a small/dark room feel bigger and brighter.

2. Be adventurous!

However, don’t be afraid of colour, which can also create some unique effects and environments in your home. Personal preference is the key.

3. Don't compromise

See tiles as an investment, not a cost; never compromise on quality, which can still be picked up at great prices.

4. Plan ahead

Always purchase an additional 5-10% more tiles than you actually need. This allows you (or the tiler) to compensate for cuts and breakages and ensures you have the same batch/shade should you have needed additional tiles. Most companies will offer a refund on unused boxes of tiles.

5. Blend in those grout lines

Choose a tile grout colour that compliments your tiles to help blend in grout lines.

6. Bigger is not always better

If your wall or floor will require a lot of tile cuts (i.e. around fixtures/fittings), choose smaller tiles to give a better flow.

7. Use borders and decors

Add extra interest by breaking up your wall tiling with border tiles and decors.

8. Check the suitability

Need floor tiles? Make sure you check that the floor tile wear rating (PEI rating) is suitable for your intended area/use.

9. Maintenance - get the right advice

If you are purchasing natural stone tiles (i.e. travertine, marble, slate), make sure you get the right advice for sealing and treating the tiles before and after fixing.

10. Don't be afraid to ask for advice

Don’t be afraid to ask sales assistants for advice; they will be fully trained to answer all your queries and may bring to your attention things you may not have otherwise considered.

Have you read our other free advice articles?

- 10 Reasons why to choose tiles

- Choosing a bathroom tile

- Choosing a kitchen tile

- Choosing a natural stone tile

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