Design Ideas
How to Choose the Right Tile for Every Room
Living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom or balcony — each space needs a different balance of look, grip and durability. A simple room-by-room guide to choosing tiles.
Choosing tiles is easier when you think about how each room is used. A living room floor and a bathroom floor need very different things. Use this simple guide to narrow down the finish, size and style for each space.
Living room
The living room is where tiles make the biggest impression.
- Finish: glossy or high-gloss for a bright, luxurious look
- Size: large format such as 600×1200 mm for a seamless floor
- Style: marble-look designs — statuario, onyx, or gold-veined patterns
- Tip: light colours make the room feel bigger; darker marbles feel dramatic and cosy
Bedroom
Bedrooms should feel calm and warm.
- Finish: glossy or satin
- Style: soft beige, cream or wood-look tiles
- Tip: a wooden-look matt tile gives the warmth of timber flooring without the maintenance
Kitchen
Kitchens see spills, oil and constant foot traffic.
- Floor: matt or textured for grip, in a mid-tone colour that hides marks
- Walls: glossy tiles are easiest to wipe clean behind the hob and sink
- Tip: large tiles on walls mean fewer grout lines to collect grease
Bathroom
Safety comes first in wet areas.
- Floor: matt or anti-skid tiles — never high-gloss on a wet floor
- Walls: glossy or decorative tiles; a feature wall behind the vanity looks great
- Tip: use the same design on the floor and walls in different finishes for a spa-like, continuous look
Balcony, terrace and outdoor areas
Outdoor tiles face sun, rain and dust.
- Finish: matt, rustic or carving with good grip
- Colour: mid-tones and textured patterns that do not show dust
Feature walls
A single feature wall can transform a room — behind the TV, the bed headboard or a reception desk.
- Style: 3D, bookmatch, decor or bold marble designs
- Tip: bookmatch tiles are laid as mirrored pairs so the veins form a symmetrical pattern — a true statement piece
Three questions to ask before you buy
- Is the area wet or dry? Wet areas need matt or anti-skid floors.
- How much light does the room get? Glossy, light tiles brighten dim rooms.
- How busy is the space? High-traffic areas benefit from patterns and mid-tones that hide wear.
Still not sure?
Use our 3D Room Visualizer to try any tile in a living room, bedroom, kitchen or bathroom, and change the wall colour to match your home. Or request a sample — upload a photo of a tile you like and we will find the best match for you.
Browse all tile categories to get started.
