How To Choose The Right Tiles

Whether you want them to blend into the background or make a statement, you’ll want to love them for a very long time, so we asked the experts to share their insider tips and trend predictions…

Technological advances are giving us a feast of beautiful printed designs, textures and shapes to choose from. Whether you’re planning a full-on redo or just replacing a splashback, where should you start your tile journey? We asked our favourite experts…

I’M UPDATING MY KITCHEN – WHAT TILES ARE BEST FOR THE FLOOR?

‘There’s been a swing away from natural stone due to the maintenance it needs,’ says Rob Whitaker, creative director at Claybrook. ‘Terracotta, stone and marble are all-natural products that can be porous (although you can mitigate that through sealing). This leaves porcelain. New technology means that you can’t tell the difference between stone and its porcelain lookalikes, which makes for an effective and easy-to-clean floor.’

WHAT ARE THE SAFEST COLOURS TO CHOOSE?

‘Mid-range colours seem to work best if you hate attending to every crumb,’ says Rob. ‘Think about dark tan shades or mid greys. The more porous the floor, the more likely dirt will get ingrained. Sealing the floor and having an experienced tiler do the work is the best way to avoid disappointment.’

HOW CAN I MAKE A STATEMENT BEHIND THE HOB THAT WON’T DATE?

‘Not many homes can take that cockerel or Italianate fruit basket behind the hob nowadays!’ says Rob. ‘But I wouldn’t worry about it dating: most “looks” last 10-15 years – the average time between kitchen refurbs. Just think practically and make sure it’s wipeable! A beautiful glazed tile in a rich colour can create a focal point without being too fussy.’ Jordan Cluroe, a co-founder of 2LG, says: ‘We would suggest a gloss or patterned tile across the whole wall for a unified effect.’

WHAT WOULD YOU GO FOR IN A BATHROOM?