Every finish in your home has a practical job to do, but few can perform their job, and have as big of an impact on a room’s personality, as a décor tile can.
“Décor tiles are one of the most effective ways to give a space personality. They can introduce colour, texture and shape in a way that feels highly intentional, and they help turn a functional room into one with real character,” says one of our national interior designers, Nina Tophaven.
In our design showroom we find most people are choosing to incorporate at least one decor tile in their new home, with the most common areas to apply them being the kitchen or laundry splashback, powder room and ensuite. They can create a focal point in any room, introduce interest to a practical space or add dimension to a kitchen, giving it its own identity within an open plan space.
In this article we’ll take you through why décor tiles one of the easiest ways to bring character and personality in your home and pass on our designers’ tips for tasteful décor tile features that will achieve the best kind of impact.
Let’s start by talking about the powder room, because in our display homes, this is often the place our interior designers like to have the most fun with décor tiles.
“Powder rooms are a brilliant place to be a little bolder with tile because they are smaller, more self-contained and naturally lend themselves to a decorative moment,” says Emma Taylor from our national design team.
It may be a small space, but your powder room will be used by almost everyone who visits your home, so if you love the idea of making a big impression with your guests, it’s a great place to invest in a feature tile. A well selected décor tile can transform your powder room from a basic utility to luxury hotel vibes in an instant.
Because of their stand-alone nature, there is no pressure to apply your powder room tile selection to any other rooms in your home. What you choose here can be as bold and exciting as you like, provided it anchors to the broader palette used throughout your home.
When you spend a lot of time in a highly functional space, it’s always a bonus if it looks beautiful and inviting too.
“In kitchens and laundries, décor tiles can bring colour and texture into spaces that might otherwise feel purely practical,” says Emma.
Whilst performance and convenience are top priority when designing these spaces, you should never underestimate the importance of aesthetics. After you’ve carefully considered layout, storage and fixtures like sinks, tapware and appliances, it’s time to turn your attention to the look and feel of these working zones.
“Décor tiles have a wonderful way of drawing the eye through colour, texture and pattern, particularly in hardworking spaces such as kitchens and laundries. They can be bold or quiet in their presence, however either way, they bring a layer of interest and beauty that helps a room feel more considered and enjoyable to be in, says interior designer, Rhonnie Athanasiadis.
When daily life is moving at a million miles an hour, your décor tile can also play a part in slowing things down. In busy spaces like your kitchen and butler’s pantry, rounded shapes, soft colours and natural textures can help to create a calmer and more relaxed environment.
With a huge range of styles to choose from in our design showroom, it’s easy to see how décor tiles are the secret to creating a home or a space that’s as individual as you are.
In a floorplan with multiple ensuites, some larger families take the opportunity to personalise each space to the individual who will be living in it. Starting with a proven combination of floor tile, benchtop and cabinetry as your base, a unique décor tile can add a level of personalisation that still feels cohesive with the rest of the home.
“When you start with a strong, neutral foundation, then introduce a tile with shape, texture or subtle colour variation that connects with the joinery and timber tones, the whole scheme feels far more resolved. A décor tile should bring personality, but it should also help tie the harder finishes together so the space feels balanced, intentional and beautifully considered,” says Nina.
“The most successful décor tile choices are the ones that feel connected to the rest of the scheme. When the colour, material and shape all make sense together, the room feels elevated rather than overworked,” says Nina.
Our designers recommend following these key principals when choosing a décor tile. In our design showroom, your qualified interior designer can help you assess each one.
Choose a tile that supports your home’s colour palette. The natural variation of a marble mosaic makes it great for picking up a base colour and adding depth or substance through organic patterns and shapes.
Think carefully about scale and pattern. Go bold in smaller spaces, but for larger areas, less detail and more subtle designs will keep the space from becoming too busy.
Decide whether the tile is the hero or a supporting layer. This will help you decide what other finishes to use in the space. Balance expressive tiles with quieter cabinetry, benchtops or paint finishes.
Use décor tiles where they will be seen and appreciated, rather than scattering them too widely. Thoughtful repetition across different areas of your home makes for a beautifully cohesive look, but variation can also work when each chosen tile complements your base palette and works towards creating the same feeling throughout.
If you’re heading into your interior design consultation with sights set on a feature décor tile, it helps to start thinking about these key considerations.
- Are you looking to make a big statement in one small area, or are you trying to build a cohesive feeling throughout your home?
- Do you want to add colour, texture, shape, or all three?
- What other finishes will the décor tile be paired with? Especially cabinetry, benchtops and other tiles.
“A great décor tile can completely shift the mood of a room, though it works best when it is chosen as part of the whole picture. When customers think about the tile alongside their joinery, stone and hardware, the result feels far more cohesive,” says Rhonnie.
To see how our talented interior design team bring beautiful homes to life with décor tiles, explore our display homes across Melbourne, or visit our showroom for design advice and to browse a wide range of options in one place.
