Apr. 14, 2025
If you’re taking on a DIY home remodel on your own, or just looking to get started picking from hundreds of tile choices, you need all the self help you can get! Unlike a basic upgrade like new paint colors or throw pillows, choosing a new tile can be a more involved project. There are a number of factors to consider such as material, design, location and installation. For these reasons, you’ll want to be smart about this investment in your home. To help prepare you, our design expert has answered these 7 common questions to ask before picking a tile!
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Here’s the end goal - finding the perfect tile for beautiful installs like this elegant bathroom with our White Deco Fan Glass Mosaic Tile
We’ll dive into Areas of Use, where it’s safe to use specific tiles, the different types of tile materials that are best for each project, and what to consider for color, finish, and more!
The type of material you choose depends on where you’re installing your new tiles: shower, kitchen, vanity backsplash, ect. Here’s the lowdown on the common types of materials for each project and how to pick one.
Ceramic
Ceramic tiles can have a gorgeous shine with color glaze like our La Riviera Blue Reef ceramic subway tiles!
Ceramic tile is a classic for a reason! It’s a budget-friendly tile that still provides a major impact. Although it’s not as resilient or water-resistant as porcelain, ceramic is still a versatile option that’s a great look for the price and low-maintenance. Think of it as the tile outlet shop version of your #designergoals.
Ceramic tile is made of clay, kiln-fired and glazed for color and shine. It offers a gorgeous glossy shine in a variety of colors! From a crackle finish or a zellige handcrafted look, there are so many gorgeous ways to add detail with ceramic! It’s a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom walls with a classic ceramic subway tile look.
Porcelain
Add a modern look with the metallic rinse finish on our Ionic Steel 12" x 24" Porcelain Tile, or find the perfect porcelain finish with a wood look, natural stone design, or other finish!
As the most reliable and practical option, porcelain tile is like your classic black blazer — it’s a high-quality safe bet for almost any design. It’s made from a refined clay that’s fired at high temperatures, making it hard, durable and non-porous.
Since it won’t absorb water or bacteria, porcelain holds up well in areas that see a lot of liquid such as the bathroom floor, kitchen backsplash or shower. This perk means easier cleaning work for you and less fuss. Otherwise, porcelain tile can also work pretty much anywhere else, including living room floor, entrance way and accent walls.
An amazing feature of porcelain is that it can resemble a variety of natural textures. Whether you want to mimic a wood grain pattern or even a gritty surface like rock, porcelain tile can create the illusion of other cool materials. Neat right?
Glass
Matte, glossy, colorful, or light - you can’t go wrong with the gorgeous look of glass tile, like our Obsidian Black Herringbone Glass Tile for a modern black and white bathroom!
Glass tile is a gorgeous option for a designer look! It comes in everything from decorative mosaic patterns, timeless subway tiles, and large field tiles. Since it's non-porous, glass will resist liquids and prevent bacteria from growing in the cracks. Matte or polished, it’s easy to wipe down glass backsplash tiles or shower walls.
In terms of appearance, glass offers a charming reflective surface that bounces light to brighten up the room. This quality is popular among people who love a glam look! Another bonus is that the hues in glass are extra saturated so the vibrant colors will last a long time.
It’s also a material that can be endlessly recycled, offering a sustainable material for your home as an added bonus!
Marble
From large-format marble slab style wall coverings, classic marble subway tiles, or intricate marble mosaic designs - the style options with this luxury home material are endless!
Let’s delve into luxury interior design! The durability and classic beauty of marble tile makes it a timeless investment for your home.
You can use marble tile almost anywhere to elevate the look of a room. Just keep in mind, however, that beauty must be maintained.. It’s quite porous and needs to be sealed to prevent liquids, dirt and germs from affecting the finish. You must also be diligent about cleaning marble regularly because it collects more impurities than porcelain or ceramic.
You can install marble tile just about anywhere - from a marble subway tile kitchen backsplash, luxurious walk-in shower, elegant traditional home flooring design, or as a high-traffic floor or wall covering in a business!
Always check the Area of Use on the specific tile you’re looking at online to make sure it’s approved for the type of installation you want! If you’re not sure, search by Project to find kitchen backsplash tiles, high and low traffic floor tile options, tiles for showers, and more!
Whether you pick plain or decorative tile designs should depend on the surrounding decor in the room.
If the tile is more detailed and elaborate, the nearby furnishings should be understated, letting the tile act as the main focal point. Or it should work the other way around: a plain tile offers a neutral backdrop for neighbouring elements that are more intricate, such as a statement rug or funky wallpaper.
This Luxor Bianco Carrarra and Thassos Micro Mosaic tile brings impact with a simple wall application - the design is a work of art all in itself, while the soothing gray and white colors can work with any other hues in your color scheme!
We’ll show how to use a neutral tile in this country-glam kitchen reno. The white glazed ceramic subway tile adds a luxurious sheen and texture, yet is neutral enough to blend with other eye-catching details like crystal pendant lights, bright florals and wood textures.
Our advice for deciding between a decorative tile or a less focus-pulling design?
Tile is one of the most versatile options for a floor or wall covering in your home! Unlike painted walls, you don’t have to worry about cooking splatters damaging your kitchen walls, and unlike hardwood floors, you don’t have to worry about water damage, scratches, or refinishing.
The most common areas to tile in your home:
Add stunning pattern to a neutral farmhouse kitchen with our marble mosaic backsplash tile!
The impact floor tiles can have on your interior is huge - how about this Mediterranean home with our Blue and White etched marble star and cross tiles?
Dreaming of the perfect laundry room design? This blue and white backsplash has all the charm of wallpaper with a water-resistant and stunning marble mosaic wall!
Tile size is important for two reasons: aesthetic and safety.
Starting with aesthetics: the matter of tile size is important because it can influence the overall style and feel of the room.
Here’s an example of how small tiles bring depth to a small vanity area. This glass mosaic backsplash features mini hexagons of White Emerald Weaved Hexagon Glass Mosaic Tile. Petite tile pieces like these introduce more grout lines, producing extra texture and complexity — a feature that feels more decorative.
They’re great for a mosaic backsplash insert to add character and charm to your kitchen wall over the stove, or anywhere you’d like to add decorative elements!
Practically speaking, smaller tiles and mosaic patterns introduce a vital home safety element - slip-resistance. The more grout lines, the more grip - which is why smaller tiles are considered the best option for floors that are prone to get wet, like entryways, laundry rooms, and especially shower floors.
Next, let’s consider bigger patterns and slabs of tile. Looks wise, they tend to have a more classic and crisp appeal.
This upbeat dining room in an urban home, for instance, is designed with these large porcelain floor tiles. These porcelain floor tiles offer a tasteful design without overcomplicating the space. Visually, they work well in bigger spaces to compliment the expanse of the walls.
From a functional standpoint, large tiles can also create the illusion of more space. So if you’ve got a small kitchen or bathroom, you might consider steering away from complicated patterns for a smoother look with fewer grout lines.
Tile colors belong to three main categories: neutrals, monochrome, and colors. The right color should create a feeling of harmony within the space.
These Mallorca square ceramic tiles add a glossy black wall covering thanks to their gorgeous glazed finish.
Let’s start with the rule of darks and lights or monochrome designs. Dark colored tile bring drama to a large space, while light colored tile have an expanding and brightening effect for small rooms. Whether you want a dark and dramatic flooring to add a moody feel, or love the look of light and bright walls, these always work well together and can be paired with just about any other color.
Add depth to an all-white kitchen with the mix of finishes in this White Ceramic And Pearl Glass Hexagon Mosaic Tile backsplash!
Next up, we’ve got neutrals: these are shades and tones like taupe, grey, black or ivory. They match with almost everything! They’re a great base palette if you’re looking for a large flooring area or a stretch of wall.
You can never go wrong with neutrals, like the warm earth tones of our etched marble subway tiles.
You might also consider a tile with blue colors like teal, purple and indigo. These colors match with other cool tones or shades, and other neutrals. Despite its cool tone, blue remains one of the most popular interior colors - it’s considering welcoming and soothing, which makes it a classic for paint colors, tiles, and other interior decor!
This charming kitchen combines white countertops, natural wood cabinets, and Sky Blue Penny Round Glass Tile for the perfect welcoming home!
Lastly, we’ve got warm colors. They’re more intense and saturated than cool colors such as yellow, or orange and red. They match with neutrals or other warm colors.
Add a warm pop with a red glass mosaic tile backsplash for a modern kitchen!
Having trouble deciding? That’s where samples come in! Play with tile samples, paint swatches, fabric books, and other details to create a space that feels fabulously finished!
Just like lipstick, every tile offers its own level of shine. Whether you prefer matte, gloss or semi-gloss will depend on the overall vibe you’re trying to achieve.
A Matte Ceramic Subway Tile will feel more calm and understated than Mother of Pearl Mosaic Tile which has an iridescent, shimmery finish. On the extreme side of shine, you might consider something like the Silver Diamond Mosaic Tile. It’s made of glass which offers a polished luster, while the silver hues bring a vivid metallic quality for a powerful punch to your kitchen backsplash.
Add shimmer and iridescent shine with Mother of Pearl shell tiles!
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The type of finish you choose isn’t always about looks; it can have a functional purpose too! One advantage of matte tiles is that they hide smudges and water marks better than glossy tiles. On the other hand, since glossy tiles are more reflective, they bounce light around the room to give the impression of a brighter space.
Matte marble - like our honed Carrara Herringbone mosaic tiles - adds a gorgeous finish to any interior!
Matte or honed floor tiles are also a great option to increase slip-resistance, as they provide better grip than a polished tile.
The choice between a premium or budget-friendly tile should depend on your lifestyle and design goals. Certain areas of your home might be more “deserving” of special upgrades, while for others, a budget-friendly option will suffice.
For example, if you’re a passionate cook who dreams of a more inspiring kitchen space, then it’s worth splurging on a gorgeous marble backsplash.
Whether you use a high quality marble mosaic like our black and white glass and Calacatta waterjet as an accent tile or a large-scale installation, you’re sure to love it!
Or if you spend a lot of time in your family room, you can consider investing in a higher quality tile for your accent wall or fireplace. Yet, be rest-assured that luxury doesn’t always have to be high-end Italian marble. You can opt for porcelain, which is still a durable and elegant alternative at an attractive price point.
Browse some of our favorites to find your perfect style by use, material, finish, color, and budget! Of course, you can’t go wrong with our favorite Herringbone Pearl and White Marble tile!
Hopefully we’ve had a chance to answer most of your questions, but if there’s something that’s still on your mind - feel free to contact our team for a quick and friendly response!
Wall tile offers a water-resistant surface that is both durable and stylish. Perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, backsplashes, and shower walls, porcelain and ceramic wall tiles are an affordable alternative to natural stone or bare walls.
While tile flooring has been around for decades, wall tiles haven’t always been as popular. In recent years, design innovations have created an explosion of styles, shapes, and colors in tile. This has really opened up the market to homeowners looking to update their space with a tile wall treatment.
It’s a brave new world out there, with lots to explore. As you consider wall tiles for yourself, use this guide to lead the way to your new favorite tiles.
Discover the different types of wall tile, the pros and cons, how to install it, and much more in this in-depth wall tile buying guide.
Related Content >> Tile FAQ"Tile has long been a standard finish for kitchen backsplashes and wet areas of bathrooms because of its durability and ease of maintenance. In recent years, the explosion of style options has made it more of a design element. Subway tiles in larger formats, unique shapes and three-dimensional effects are trending. Glass, stone and metal continue to grow and are being intermingled in new and creative ways. Wall tile has become a relatively inexpensive way to add interest to a space." - Steve Radford, Daltile
Wall tile is made to be thin and light, so it adds less weight to the wall and is easy to install. It can also feature more detailed textures and decorative patterns. Meanwhile, floor tiles are thicker and sturdier, because they need to hold up to foot traffic. Floor tiles often don't have a lot of detailed texture.
Since wall tiles can be thin, they’re not a good option for flooring. However, some floor tiles can be used for walls, depending on the size, weight, and the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s a good idea to consult a professional before choosing to install floor tile on your walls. Lots of factors go into determining how flooring tile will work as a wall treatment.
Related Content >> Wall Tile TrendsIt’s easy to think that all tiles are the same, but there are key differences between ceramic, porcelain, and real stone tile. It’s likely that one kind of tile will be a better fit for you than the rest.
Ceramic tile is composed of a clay and water mixture. This mixture is shaped into tiles before it’s dried and fired at high temperatures inside a kiln. Many ceramic tiles are then glazed, which makes them waterproof.
Unglazed ceramic tiles offer a more natural look that some people prefer, but they are only water-resistant, not waterproof.
Porcelain tile is a more durable and dense version of ceramic. Because it’s kind of like an upgrade, people consider porcelain to be distinct from ceramic.
Porcelain is also made from a mixture of clay and water. The clay is often comprised of feldspar, kaolin, and quartz, which makes it more dense than ceramic clays.
Natural stone and marble tiles create the luxury looks that are so sought-after in bathrooms and kitchens. Those gorgeous color variations and patterns are in high demand, and there’s a stone for every style. Some of the most popular natural stone tiles include travertine, granite, limestone and more.
This kind of tile is a good option to consider if you have the money. Be aware, though, that natural stone requires more upkeep compared to ceramic or porcelain tiles. Natural stone needs to be regularly sealed and resurfaced to maintain its beauty and practical functionality.
Related Content >> Porcelain vs. Ceramic TileTile refers to all the types discussed above, but this section will go into detail on the process of creating ceramic/porcelain tile. Understanding how tile is made can help you determine if it’s a good fit for your application.
Most ceramic tiles are comprised of two layers: bisque and glaze. The bisque is the body of the tile, and it’s the thickest layer. The glaze is the top of the tile, where the color sits. Some tiles don’t have a glaze - these tiles have through-tile construction, meaning since the color is solid all the way through.
Once the tile is formed and dried, a high-tech inkjet printer will add the desired colors and patterns. It’ll also be glazed to protect this image from wear and tear.
Once both ceramic and porcelain tiles are glazed, they will be fired to burn away any remaining moisture and to set the glaze. Porcelain is fired at an extremely high F - higher than ceramic at F. Since porcelain is fired at a higher temperature, and has denser clay materials, it becomes impermeable to water.
The body color refers to the color of the bisque (or construction) that makes up the base of the tile. Body color doesn’t always match the top glaze, so if the glaze is chipped, the body color can be revealed.
Ceramic tiles typically have a red body, and they won’t match the glaze in most cases. For some porcelain, it’s a different story. Some porcelain is manufactured with a through color, if the surface chips, the body color and pattern underneath will be the same. This is called “through body porcelain.”
There is also something called color body porcelain, for porcelain tiles that have a multi-color glaze on top. In color body porcelain, the bisque of the tile matches the dominant color in the glaze. This design can often hide the appearance of chips, though not as completely as through body tiles.
Related Content >> Floor Tile Buying GuideRectangular tiles come in a range of size options, from subway tiles to much larger planks. Subway tiles themselves aren’t a single size, either.
Typically, you can find Subway tile in sizes from 1” x 3” to 4” x 16” which gives you the option to select the best size for your use. Smaller subway tiles might look best in a backsplash, but maybe you would want something larger for the shower wall, so you have less grout to clean.
Plank-shaped tiles are typically for wood looks, but they don’t have to be. You might think a plank wouldn’t have a lot of size variation, but that’s not the case! Planks come in a range of sizes, especially since the wide plank trend has gained popularity. You can find sizes from 6” x 24” to 12” x 48” in tile planks.
If a tile has one edge that's 15" or larger, it’s considered a large format tile. These large tiles are becoming more and more popular, and there are a lot of reasons for that.
A larger tile covers more surface area, so there’s less grout to clean. Plus the oversized dimensions can make a space feel larger. For wall tiles, you’ll see lots of large format rectangles that are oriented vertically to create the sense of a much taller room.
Any square tiles ranging in size from 2” - 24” are considered standard sized tiles. Square wall tiles are most commonly 6” and larger.
These tiles are easier to install and easier to measure than larger sizes. Many of the most classic tiled walls are made from standard size square tiles.
Mosaics are made of tiny tiles ranging from .5” - 2” in one dimension. Mosaic tiles can be squares, circles, and sometimes even thin “strips” of tile. They’re popular in backsplashes, showers, and anywhere that could use a tile accent.
While beautifully detailed, mosaics can make for a busy wall, so it’s a good idea to keep mostly clean lines in the rest of the space.
Related Content >> Tile Flooring TrendsUnique tile shapes are becoming the norm. Discover what options are out there beyond simple squares and rectangles.
"Home finishes follow fashion trends. We are seeing now, more than ever, the affect that fashion can have on home finishings market. There are many tile options that have texture, pattern and color that exude the classics of men’s suiting and fabrics. In addition, has brought more metallic options with raised lace patterns and texture in metallic colors for really bold spaces." Cynthia Flottmann, Roux Design Studio
Hanging wall tile is a similar process to tiling a floor, but the vertical surface adds some complications. Tiles have the potential to slide down. Plus obstructions like walls, windows, and doors can require lots of extra cutting.
Some people might consider this too much of a challenge to tackle it as a DIY project, but for those dedicated weekend warriors, it’s not impossible. With the right preparation and tools, you can install wall tile on your own.
Before you start tiling, make sure your walls and floor are squared up, or plumb, by using a level. The last thing you want is to evenly install tile on an uneven wall, and have all your hard work go to waste. If the walls are really “un-square” then you can use trim and baseboards to square up the look of the room before you start.
But what if you’re tiling the walls and the floor at the same time? Where do you start? Don’t worry. When tiling a floor and a wall together, you should start with the wall first, but leave the bottom row of tile empty until the floors are completed. This method saves you the most time, and decreases the risk of you messing up your brand new floor while working on the walls.
Tile itself is pretty simple to clean, but you need to make sure you have the right tools for your material. Cleaning porcelain or ceramic tiles is different from cleaning a porous surface like a natural stone or marble tile.
Related Content >> How to Clean Tile FloorsGlazed ceramic and porcelain features a smooth, non-porous surface that isn’t going to absorb any moisture or staining. That makes man-made tile really easy to clean and maintain.
Simply wipe down any dirty tiles with a household tile cleaner of your choice, and watch as they look just like new. There’s no mold, and no mildew. Just beautiful tile walls.
Porous surfaces like real stone, marble, travertine, and limestone can be penetrated by caustic cleaners, which will stain the tile. Caustic cleaners include products like bleach and vinegar.
To gently clean natural stone without damaging the surface, it’s a good idea to use a dedicated store-bought stone cleaner. This takes all the guess-work out of cleaning.
However, if you’re really invested in using a homemade cleaner, stick to gentle methods, like soapy water, or water and baking soda.
Regardless of what you use, you should always test a cleaning solution in a place that isn’t obvious, to confirm there won’t be any surface damage. Plus, as always, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance.
While tile is relatively simple to clean, grout is another matter. Unless you have epoxy grout, or a sealer was mixed in during installation, all your grout will have a porous surface that should be sealed regularly (about once a year). As you can guess, not a lot of people are actually doing this.
So what happens when grout isn’t sealed? That porous surface can absorb stains and moisture, which can then lead to mold and mildew build-up. No thanks!
There are plenty of methods to clean grout, ranging from homemade solutions to tougher, store-bought products. Most of the time, you can get the job done with a soft bristled brush, some soapy water, and a bit of elbow grease. For those tougher grout lines, there are other cleaning solutions you can try, including baking soda or hydrogen peroxide.
Related Content >> How to Clean and Seal GroutJust in case you’re not fully convinced, here are just a few of the reasons wall tile could be great for you.
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