Decorative Floor Tile Inserts

Decorative floor tile inserts are a way to change the appearance of a floor, countertop or table. They can be used indoors or out, depending upon the type of tile. Some tiles are impermeable, while others will absorb moisture, so it is a good idea to check your tile selections specifications carefully. Some are heat resistant, while others are not. But no matter what your tile flooring needs, there is bound to be one that will fit your situation. Read on to learn more about the tiles available.

Repeating Pattern Tiles

Many tilesets have repeating patterns that can be fitted together to form interlocking patterns. These can provide interest and help pull an area together. These patterns might be monochrome shadings, or they could be distinctively colored in different ways. Suitable for a bathroom, kitchen, dining area or patio they can provide color and interest to any room. Other important details include whether they are impermeable, or whether they might absorb some moisture. Some tiles will benefit from a sealant to help with this. Others are naturally water resistant. Also, keep in mind that when a tile says, “slip resistant” that does not mean that it should not be treated with caution when wet.

Mesh Backed Pebble Tiles

These are an interesting item. The mesh backed tiles fit together to create a seamless effect as if each tiny stone was hand laid. They are set up to use with grout. Using these premade tiles creates an interesting effect with relatively minimal labor. They come in several different colors and patterns. Some are whole pebbles, while others are slices or slabs of rock. The general effect is that of an unplanned, natural flooring which can be quite attractive with Bohemian, shabby chic or cottage styles.

Random Patterns with Match Color

Gain a cottage décor affect with patterned tiles that do not create an interlocking pattern, but use similar hues or tints. The patterns can be placed randomly, or they can be placed like patchwork, but the only thing really holding them together is the color and perhaps the style. For many of the various tiles available below, there are online manuals that will explain how they should be laid, the grout or other auxiliary materials needed, and how to care for and clean the tiles. For the best preservation of your tiles, this is important. As they say in libraries and schools, knowledge is power.

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Lily is a modern designer with great appreciation for sleek architecture, a love for art in its many forms, and a passion for sharing her experience with people. If you’re looking for advice on how to modernize your old-fashioned place or make your new restaurant a visual blast, she’s definitely the one to ask.

Glazed Decorative Murals
Glazed Decorative Murals Decorate your dining area or patio with porcelain glazed decorative floor tile murals. The pattern features an outer frieze and a repeating internal pattern. Perfect for medium traffic areas, it lends interest to both indoor and outdoor areas. Computer .pdf documents are available for warranty, installation instructions, installation and assembly, and owner manual.
Natural Stone Pebble Tiles
Natural Stone Pebble Tiles Mesh mounted rain-colored natural stone pebbles make an ideal topper for a patio or indoor area. Can be used on floors or walls. The natural stone is unpolished and slip resistant. It’s the perfect solution for an atrium or other areas where drainage is advisable. Each box contains ten tiles, covering ten square feet.
Natural Flat Stone Pebbles
Natural Flat Stone Pebbles Mesh mounted Balinese Nights color, the flat stone pieces are attached to a mesh back for easy installation. There are ten tiles per box, making it easy to cover ten square feet. Useful for patios, dining areas or atriums, and can also be used on countertops. The grout joint is sold separately. Overall thickness is .25 inches.
Porcelain Floor Tile
Porcelain Floor Tile Fantazio with pink pattern floor tile creates a lovely repeating pattern in pink, green and white. Approved for use on floors in bathroom, kitchen or patio, it is recommended that it only be used in low water spaces when applied to walls. It is frost resistant. Clean with a non-abrasive neutral cleanser. Product made in Spain.
Black and White Porcelain Tile
Black and White Porcelain Tile Artea porcelain black and white tile with a repeating interlocking pattern is suitable for any area where porcelain tiles will be appropriate, such as the kitchen, dining area, patio or bathroom. With a matte surface, it is slip resistant and impervious to water. It is suitable for high traffic areas and is resistant to heat.
Royalty Tile
Royalty Tile A tile imprinted with a regal four-pointed star, elite tile royalty is suitable for any high traffic area. The edges are colored so as to appear weathered and are scored so that any color of grout can be used. It is semi-vitreous, which means that while it is slip resistant, it is not water resistant.
Blue Ceramic Tile
Blue Ceramic Tile Faventie Azul Ceramic tile in various patterns. The edges are scored and designed to look weathered. The tiles patterns do not interact, other than sharing the same faded blue color. They are semi-vitreous, intended for indoor use only, but can be placed in high traffic areas. It can be applied on the floor, a wall or even a table top.
Mesh Mounted River Stone
Mesh Mounted River Stone Naturally tumbled river stone is mounted on mesh. Can be used in damp areas, but the stones should be treated with a surface sealant after they are installed. Suitable for outdoor use and can be applied to floors, walls, and countertops. Avoid using strong liquid cleaners as these could damage the surface of the stones.
Porcelain Black and White Tile
Porcelain Black and White Tile It is hard to go wrong with a black and white porcelain tile in the kitchen or bathroom. With a matte finish suitable for normal traffic, and skid-resistant surface, this lovely tile can make a space special. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It is a presentation from Elite Tile.
Black and White Marble
Black and White Marble Polished field tile in black and white natural marble. It has an eco-friendly, slip-resistant surface. Because it is a natural substance, there might be some shade variation from tile to tile. Tiles are twelve inches by twelve inches and come five square feet to a box. Each box weighs in at 5 1 pounds.
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Tips To Choose Floor And Wall Tiles

Floor and wall tiles have become an increasingly popular choice in households all across the world, and not just for bathrooms. There are many different ways in which you can customize the tiles you buy, and we're here to help! Below are some expert tips for you to follow on choosing the perfect floor and wall tiles for your home.

This may be surprising to some, but there is actually a huge range of floor and wall tile materials available. This means that everyone is bound to find something that suits the aesthetic of their home perfectly. 

A huge factor that you will need to consider if how much you value durability as, in some cases, that is the only difference in the tile material. Below are some of the more popular floor and wall tile materials that you can find.

Want something low maintenance? => Ceramic

Ceramic tiles can range from vintage Victorian to very modern and are clearly a timeless option.

They are incredibly easy to clean as they don't require specialist cleaning products and are relatively resistant to a whole range of chemicals.

Although they're pretty durable, they don't last very long as floors, especially in high traffic areas, and replacing them is not that cheap.

They do work great as wall tiles in bathrooms though, as the splashback from soap and shampoo won't damage them.

Ceramic tiles are also typically smaller than other types of tiles, making them easier to use in DIY projects, but more tedious for covering larger surface areas.

Need something that will last for years? => Porcelain

Porcelain tiles come in two varieties: glazed and unglazed, with the main difference being a glossy appearance if they are glazed, and the tile color sitting on top of the tile rather than seeping through the whole thing.

With a 0.5% water absorbency, porcelain tiles are almost completely waterproof, making them ideal for bathroom and kitchen environments.

They are also very dense and hard as the tiles are produced using finer clay than ceramic tiles, as well as being fired at higher temperatures.

Therefore porcelain tiles are a great, long-lasting choice for both floors and walls.

Like a raw feel? => Cement

Although less popular nowadays, cement tiles were the height of fashion at the turn of the 20th century.

Cement tiles are perfect for those looking for a handmade, raw feel.

They can sometimes have some imperfections because of their production process, but we think that just adds character!

However, they are more prone to cracks and scuffs than porcelain or ceramic tiles, meaning that they may not be worth it if you want something that will last you for years.

Like luxury? => Natural stone

Natural stone tiles can include materials like marble, quartz, slate, or travertine.

All of these are quite hard and durable, meaning that they can be used for both floors and walls.

They also bring a certain richness into the room that other tiles seem to lack, because of their unique veins of color that can sometimes be found cutting through them.

Natural stone tiles are the most expensive option though, so keep this in mind if you are on a tight budget.

Want to save money? => Terracotta

This is the cheapest and, arguably, most humble tile material.

Terracotta tiles are perfect for creating a country or rustic atmosphere in the home.

These tiles have a naturally warm and colorful look to them, so they are sure to brighten up the room!

They are a quite popular option in Mediterranean style home since their color reflects the warm climate of that area.

However, terracotta is naturally quite porous and liable to damage and staining, so these tiles are not the best option if you need something durable.

The strength of your tiles will mostly be determined by their resistance grade and their thickness. Generally, the higher the resistance grade and the thicker the tile, the stronger it will be. Resistance grades go from Grade 1 to Grade 5

While there isn't a standard thickness for floor and wall tiles, most are at least a ¼ inch thick.

For areas with high traffic, get floor tiles that are between ½ inch and ¾ inch thick.

For wall tiles, you can get away with tiles even thinner than ¼, especially if they're decorative rather than functional tiles.

As far as the resistance grades go:

  • Grade 1 is the weakest resistance and is only suitable for wall tiles.
  • Grade 2 is another great option for walls and may be sometimes used in floors with relatively light traffic.
  • Grade 3 is the most common grade for homes as it can be used in higher traffic areas like kitchens without much wear.
  • Grade 4 can take a lot more foot traffic, so it's great for hallways. It's sometimes used in commercial areas like doctor's offices.
  • Grade 5 is the most heavy-duty, used in airports and shopping malls, and is a bit of an over-kill for home tiles.

Just like with materials, floor and wall tiles can come in a wide range of different colors. When picking a color for your tiles, you'll need to consider factors such as the general color palette of your home,  and the size of the room the tiles will be placed in. 

You will also have to consider the material you have chosen, as not every type of tile can be made in colors that don't occur naturally.

Decorating in a smaller room? => Light colors

Cream or pastel colors are the best option for smaller rooms.

This is because they reflect light easily, which makes the room appear larger.

Lightly colored tiles are a popular choice for small bathrooms and narrow hallways.

They are also the preferred option for most floor tiles, regardless of where they are placed in the home.

Have a lot of space? => Dark colors

Darker colors like navy, chocolate, or sienna will look best in large areas, like an open plan kitchen.

They can really make an area seem much more luxurious, especially if they have a glazed or glossy finish.

Rooms with dark tiles will need a lot of light to avoid making the room appear smaller, as the tiles will not be reflecting any of the light.

If you need something low maintenance, avoid dark tiles at all costs as they show dirt and grime much easier than lighter tiles.

Want to make a vibrant statement? => Opposites

Choosing colors on opposite sides of the color wheel will help the tiles stand out.

For example, if you have blue walls and want to add an accent mosaic made of tiles, go for orange terracotta.

These vibrant combinations will give the room lots of energy and character.

Prefer a relaxed atmosphere? => Neutrals

If you would rather create a relaxing atmosphere in the room, opt for neutral colors like gray, cream, or lighter pastels.

They don't bring much attention to themselves, and instead make the room appear cozier.

Try making things a bit more interesting by using tiles in multiple different shades of the same color, e.g. 5 different shades of blue.

If you still want a splash of color in the room, choose colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, like blue and green.

The arrangement of your floor and wall tiles can practically be anything that you want it to be. Below we've outlined some fun arrangement ideas that you can try out, ranging from simple to intricate. The more intricate patterns may take some amounts of planning, but the end result is incredibly satisfying!

Want ease and simplicity? => Linear

This is the most straightforward tile arrangement possible.

Simply start in a corner of your room and line up each tile closely next to the previous one.

This may seem a bit boring, but you can easily make this arrangement more exciting by adding in some colorful tiles or making a checkerboard pattern.

Square tiles work best for this arrangement, although you can easily try it out with other shapes as well!

Want to add detail to the room? => Mosaic

A mosaic consists of small pieces of tile, arranged in a specific formation on a sheet.

All of the tiles can be from the same material, or a combination of different materials, depending on if you want a more textured appearance.

It's a great way to bring attention to a certain part of the room.

Mosaics are quite popular in bathrooms and wet rooms.

Decorating a small room? => Herringbone

A Herringbone arrangement can be created by laying the tiles in such a way that they point up the wall or floor in a V-shape.

This free-flowing pattern will open up the room, creating a sense of a larger space.

You will need to purchase narrow, subway-style tiles to create this arrangement - ask your local tile seller about them, they'll know exactly what you need!

Want the freedom to design? => Modular

A modular arrangement can be almost anything that you think of.

It's an incredibly customizable arrangement that allows you to create unique and exciting patterns with your tiles.

All you will need is tiles of different colors, shapes, and sizes - make sure they can still easily fit together though!

This arrangement usually requires some extra planning, especially if you want to incorporate more intricate patterns.

Like geometry? => Hexagon

Now, a hexagon arrangement can come in two forms: either you arrange square or rectangular tiles in the shape of a hexagon, or you order tiles that a specially cut into small hexagon shapes.

Regardless of which form you choose to use in your home, you will be adding an incredible, playful geometric aesthetic.

Similarly to a mosaic arrangement, you can choose to have different tile colors and materials if you like a more textured look.

This sort of arrangement is perfect for an accent wall.

We don't really recommend using this arrangement for floor tiles though, as it may turn out looking messy, and may prove to be more of a distraction than an attractive feature.