From Vision to Reality: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Tile for Your Space

Selecting the right tile for your project can be daunting. With so many options available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s where we come in. We’re here to take the guesswork out of it and explore everything you need to know in selecting the perfect tile for your project. Whether you’re looking to create a chef’s kitchen with a bold backsplash or consider flooring options for a bustling house with children and pets, we’ll break everything down for you to in an easy-to-follow process. Let’s dive in!

Determine the Purpose and Style: Before you start anything, take a step back to assess your goals and envision what you want your final design to look like. Are you looking for the perfect tile to complete your upcoming bathroom renovation or finally getting around to creating that dream backyard space equipped with an outdoor kitchen and pool? Where and what you are looking to tile will affect the product you select.

Style is a big one, but no need to overthink it. Remember, this is where you get to be creative. Tile is a way for you to leave an imprint on your space, where you have an opportunity to make a house your home. Maybe you’re looking to complete your mid-century modern design with a statement wall, or perhaps rustic is more your style and you’ve been searching for the perfectly imperfect Zellige tile. The beauty of tile is there is truly no limit on design options. If you’re not sure what style you’re looking for, Pinterest is a great place to start or connect with a local Anthology Dealer for a one-on-one design consultation.

Determine Price Point: We’ve all been there where we’ve found the perfect you name it only to discover it’s 3X the amount of our budget. That’s where setting a budget early on, and communicating it with your Anthology Dealer will help to set expectations accordingly. As an industry standard, tile is priced out per square foot, so knowing what you are willing to spend per square foot will guide the conversation when you start to look at options. Remember, the price of the product is just one component to consider for your project. There are also installation materials, installer fees, and potential costs associated with prepping the area for tiling. If you’re more of a do-it-yourselfer, you can remove the installer fees but should still account for installation materials and potential costs associated with prepping the area.

A good rule of thumb (although it can vary), is that ceramic field tiles are typically the cheapest per sqft, with porcelain trailing. While stone and glass field tiles and mosaics may come with a higher price tag, they offer a unique look that demands attention wherever installed and offers great durability!

Consider Tile Material: In addition to cost, it’s important to consider the type of material you plan to use based on your application. As mentioned earlier, where and what you are looking to tile will affect the product you select. If you’re looking for a durable floor tile to use in high traffic areas (or even outdoors!) porcelain  is the best material to start your search at as this material is highly durable, requires little-to-no maintenance, and is weather-resistant. As flooring is often coupled with larger spaces, porcelain tiles are also offered in large format to compliment the size of your room.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a backsplash tile, your options are nearly endless. Virtually all tile can be used on backsplashes; however, it is good to keep in mind, especially in areas around stoves and grease, the ease of cleaning a product is important to consider. Ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles can all be wiped clean very easily. We love natural stone backsplashes; just keep in mind it’s important to seal the product to ensure stains are not absorbed into the stone.

These applications are just to name a few, but remember, Anthology has tiles that can be used on shower walls, shower floors, pools, fireplace facades, interior or exterior walls, and interior or exterior floors.

Determine Tile Size and Patterns: There are two components to consider for this – design aesthetic and size of project. For tile sizes, projects with a larger surface area such as flooring, accent walls or fireplace surrounds are ideal for large format products. Sizes for Anthology’s large format products range from 12”x24” to 24”x48”. This is a great way to make a large impact. On the contrary, for smaller projects such as a powder room floor, backsplash or showers, smaller field tiles or mosaics are a great way to create visual interest.

Next is shape or pattern and when most think of tile, the first thing that comes to mind is a rectangular subway tile, but the truth is the tile industry has seen many advancements in technology where the shape options are nearly endless. Squares, hexagons, diamonds, arabesques, pickets, triangles, herringbones, and teardrops  are all viables tile patterns and shapes to consider.

Choose Tile Color and Finish: The color and finish of the tiles can significantly impact the overall look and feel of the space. It’s important to always consider the overall style and theme of the room or area. Are you looking wanting a modern or more timeless design? The color and finish of the tile should complement the overall style of the space.

Additionally, lighting can greatly affect the appearance of the tile. Take note of the amount and type of natural and artificial lighting in the room or area and consider how it will affect the color and texture of the tile.

Lastly, consider how easy the tile will be to maintain based on the color and application. The texture of the tile can also affect how easy it is to clean. Glossy or polished tiles may be easier to clean than matte products.

Select Grout Color and Type: The grout color can drastically impact the overall look and durability of your project, so it’s important to select the correct grout for your project. Grout plays a critical role in the overall appearance of your tile project. You can go for a matching tone-on-tone look with your grout or have a bold look with a contrasting grout color – this is a great way to spice up the traditional subway tile!

The type of grout selected can affect the durability of your tile installation. Choosing a grout that is suitable for the tile material and the conditions of the room (such as moisture levels) can help ensure that the installation lasts for years to come. Your local Anthology Dealer is the best resource to consult when confirming the type of grout being used. Look at Samples and Visualize the Installation: It’s important to always look at samples of the tiles in person at an Anthology Dealer’s showroom to get an accurate idea of the color, texture, and overall