7 Tips to Help You Choose the Right Tile Colours

Have you ever been in a home where the furniture and the flooring don’t match? Or maybe the tiles were better suited to a 1970s palette? 

Like everything in life, colours also evolve with time, and choosing the right colour for your floor is important to ensure that it not only matches the soft furnishings, but also creates a suitable backdrop from which to decorate the rest of the room. 

Although elements such as furniture, décor and soft furnishings play an important role in creating a good impression, so too does the choice of tile colour. 

This is according to Tharien Smith, Product Designer at Johnson Tiles, who says as is the case in any setting, colour can make or break a room, and it’s important to choose the correct colour tile from the outset. 

Tharien shares some tips… 

1. Look at the purpose of the room 

There are a few basic guidelines homeowners need to keep in mind when selecting tile colours. Firstly, it’s important to consider the purpose of the room to be tiled. Every room is unique and has a different purpose, and colours that work in one room might not work in another.

2. Consider the effects 

Another useful point is that small, dark coloured tiles tend to make a space feel small while large, light coloured tiles open up spaces and make them feel bigger. 

Light, natural hues also act as a neutral backdrop for furniture and décor, and appeal to a larger segment of the market which is an important consideration when thinking about selling. 

With this in mind, Tharien says homeowners should opt for natural, light coloured tiles. 

Current trend colours include warm grey, cream and off-white. 

“Brushed cement, sandstone, porcelain and white marble are also currently much in vogue, and if your budget doesn’t allow for natural marble and stone, opt for inkjet tiles that imitate these natural products but at a fraction of the cost and considerably lower maintenance requirements.” 

3. Go for grey 

The colour grey has been a constant feature over the past five years and concrete-looking inkjet tiles provide a durable alternative to concrete flooring. They form a neutral base colour to which bold coloured soft furnishings can be added. 

These tiles can also offer depth in a modern industrial looking setting. 

4. Create an airy bathroom  

In terms of bathrooms, specifically small bathrooms, Tharien says light coloured bathroom tiles are ideal as they reflect the light more than darker colours, creating an airy, spacious feel. 

Using the same colour wall tiles as the floor tiles can enhance the feeling of spaciousness. 

To further bolster this effect, she says homeowners should use similar coloured grout or buy custom cut tiles that allow them to be laid closer together, which creates a seamless look. 

5. Consier warm or cool kitchen tile choices 

The kitchen is another room in which tile colour selection is important, particularly because this is the heart of the home. 

When deliberating over what tile colour to use in the kitchen, consider the colour of your kitchen units and surroundings. 

Depending on the look you are after, colours such as cream,  beige and brown as floor colour options can contribute to creating an impression of warmth, whereas colours such as blue and green against the walls, achieved through glass mosaics or wall tiles, will make the room feel cool. 

A red, auburn or orange palette against the walls will create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 

6. Go natural for patios 

Patios are another commonly tiled area in the home. As these areas are typically used for entertaining and frequently lead to other rooms in the house such as the lounge, it’s important that the colour scheme complements the accompanying areas. It should also match the overall style of the property and create a flowing feeling. 

Again, Tharien says in this setting, neutral colours work best as they can be blended with a number of décor styles and colour combinations. They also don’t show up dirt too much. 

She says homeowners may also want to consider carrying the same tiles through from the interior of the home through to the exterior areas. This visually binds the interior and exterior, and makes them appear larger than they actually are. 

7. Try the wood-look approach 

Wood-look tiles are a perfect colour and design option for the kitchen and patio as they imitate the natural beauty of wood and mimic decking when placed on the patio. 

Choose tiles with a textured finish for areas that may become wet such as the patio. 

As popular and practical as neutral colours are, Tharien says bright and bold colours also have their place and can be used to great effect. 

“If you are slightly nervous about using colour but want to make a statement, keep it simple and use colourful splashbacks, accent walls, borders and insets. Crystal and glass bead inlaid tiles can also create an elegant, sophisticated look.”

For those seeking trendy, durable and cost-effective options, why not select inkjet printed tiles? They’re neutral, natural looking, easy to maintain and come in a range of wood, concrete and stone designs. 

Ultimately, just remember to think long term when selecting tile colours. You have to love it and it has to last.

Image courtesy Property24