Tile Selection Tips: How to Choose Tile You’ll Love

Choosing the right tile can feel like a daunting task. Aside from being an investment, you also want to pick a color, pattern, and design that you’ll enjoy for years, not just now. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through choosing tile step by step so you can decide with confidence. By understanding the types of tile, how to use samples, and how different finishes perform in real spaces, you’ll be able to narrow your options and choose something that fits your home and your lifestyle.

Not sure where to start? Our experts at Tile X Design are here to help guide you through the process. Visit our showroom in Plymouth or contact us to get started! 

Step 1: Define Your Scope

It’s tempting to dive in and start looking at tile samples right away. But before you get too far, it’s important to think about how the tile will be used and what you need it to do. 

Ask yourself: 

• Is this for a floor, wall, backsplash, fireplace, or outdoor area? 
• Is it a high-use area or will it be mostly visual? 
• Is the area going to be wet or exposed to moisture on a regular basis? 

While many tile options can be used interchangeably, taking this approach will help you narrow your options and make the decision less overwhelming. For example, high-traffic areas require tile that’s easy to maintain and durable. If the tile will be in a wet area, such as a shower, entryway, or around a pool, you’ll want to think about slip-resistance. 

Step 2: Choose a Material Type

Before considering color, size, or pattern, consider what you want your tile made of. This will help narrow your choices even more. 

• Porcelain is a durable, low-porosity, moderately priced material often used for floors, showers, and outdoor spaces. It comes in a wide range of sizes and finishes, including large-format slabs. 
• Ceramic tends to be the most budget-friendly and versatile material. It’s commonly used for walls, backsplashes, and light-traffic floors. Most ceramic tile comes in medium to small sizes. 
• Natural stone is a high-end, aesthetic option for floors, accents, and feature walls. It’s usually the most expensive and available in sizes ranging from small mosaic pieces to large format slabs. As a natural material, it requires sealing and maintenance to maintain its performance and appearance. 
• Glass and speciality tiles are usually small and decorative, ideal for accents and backsplashes. Specialty tiles tend to be somewhat expensive per square foot, but when used as an accent, you don’t need to cover a large area. 

Step 3: Decide on Size and Layout

After choosing a material, you can start thinking about how you want your design to look. Here are a few considerations: 

• Large format tiles have fewer grout lines, creating a clean and polished look. 
• Smaller tiles provide more texture and, in wet areas, better grip. 
• Small to medium-sized tiles are best for creating intricate designs, such as herringbone, chevron, or patterned layouts. 

Keep in mind that tile size can affect the ease of installation, which is especially important if you’re planning a DIY tile job. Read our blog on how to choose bathroom tiles for more tips on layouts and design ideas. 

Step 4: Choose a Color Family

With endless tile options, choosing a color can feel like the most daunting part. Instead of trying to pinpoint the perfect color right off the bat, start by looking at color in a broader sense. Think about: 

• Warm vs. cool colors. Warmer tones such as orange, brown, and yellow can make your space feel earthier and cozier. Cool tones like gray, blue, and white will make your space feel more sleek and modern. 
• Bold vs. neutral colors. You’ll want to strike a balance with your room’s overall color scheme. Bright colors can liven up your space, but going overboard can make a room feel overwhelming. At the same time, you can overdo it with neutral tones by unintentionally creating a monochromatic color palette. 
• Color value. Aside from tone and saturation, you’ll need to choose between light, medium, or dark colors. 

When you think about color in these terms, it becomes much easier to narrow down what you want. For example, if you decide you’re drawn to cool, bold, dark colors, you can start looking at tones like royal blue or emerald green. If you lean more toward warm, light neutrals, you can confidently focus on earthier shades like taupe or cream.

Step 5: Use Tile Samples

For any major home improvement project, samples are an invaluable piece of the puzzle. Looking at samples in a tile showroom is the perfect way to understand what they look and feel like. 

For an even better idea, order samples and test them out in your home. This lets you compare tile next to other finishes in your home and see how it looks in different lighting. For samples of tile flooring, it’s also useful to test how they feel underfoot to make sure you like the material. 

Step 6: Don’t Forget Grout

It’s easy to focus all your attention on the tile itself, but choosing grout is almost equally important. After you’ve narrowed down your samples, you can start thinking about whether you want grout that blends with the tile or creates visual contrast. The tile and grout combination you choose can completely transform the final look. 

Step 7: Trust Your Decision & Stop Looking

Choosing tile can be equal parts fun and frustrating. With endless options, it’s far too easy to second-guess yourself after you’ve made a decision. But by carefully considering the scope, materials, layout, color, and grout options, you can be confident in your decisions at each phase. 

Want to feel even better about your tile choices? Our team at Tile X Design is here to help! Whether you’re just starting to gather inspiration or you’re ready to get samples and move ahead with a design, we can guide you through the process. Contact us today or visit our showroom to get started!