Unique Floor Tile Ideas

We all love tasteful neutrals when decorating our homes but sometimes they can just seem a bit too bland and we yearn for some colour or pattern to add something unique and beautiful to a home design; something that will make it stand out from the crowd with a wow factor – but a wow factor and great first impression that we can easily live with day in and day out. Bold, bright colours might be fun and exciting but don't necessarily stand the test of time. So what is the answer?

Firstly, try and find some unusual elements (maybe glass mosaics or pebble tiles) that you can subtly add to your design and which will complement a background neutral tile. Combining a unique element with standard flooring is one of the best ways to create an appealing interior that will really stand out from the crowd.

Using Complementary Inlay Tiles

Whether you are using traditional ceramic tiles or the latest high-glosslarge porcelain floor tiles, an inlay can be used to great effect either to delineate different areas of the floor, to define the edges of the room or highlight a particular architectural feature. And remember that inlays do not need to be regular shapes – irregular shapes such as broken mosaic pieces or pebbles can be grouted in place within a regular area but don't themselves need to be of a regular shape. Some beautiful flooring elements have been created with pebbles, especially when used with natural stone tiles such as marble or limestone and, of course, ancient mosaic floors used irregular pieces to great effect to create works of art on the floor.

If you are not feeling very adventurous you can also use small inlay tiles of the same type and design as the full size tile. Many manufacturers make porcelain or ceramic mosaic tiles in the same styles and colourways as their full size range so there are great combinations even for the novice designer – just remember that using inlays that match too perfectly may not create a truly unique look.

Adding a Tonal Dimension

An inexpensive way to get creative with your floor tiles is to use 2 or more different colours of the same type and size of tile on the floor. Classic black and white ceramic tiles have a timeless, enduring appeal; they never feel dated and are always beautiful. But another way to add tonal dimension is to use 2 colours from the same palette but in a different shade – light grey and dark grey, for example. They can either be laid diagonally across the room for a very classic look or simply square on to the room for a more contemporary design.

Special Effects

Metallic effect or glass mosaicscan be used for double or single borders to add a reflective quality to a background of matt tiles. The design opportunities are endless so use your creative flair and imagination to create a totally unique look in your home. Natural stonetile flooring and the more contemporary porcelain floor tiles, in particular, are available in a range of special effects including wood and metallic, which can be used in small sections to add vibrancy to your floor so why not be just a little bit daring. You may find you don't love neutrals as much as you thought.

The author has written and published articles on a wide range of topics including Small Business Advice, Tax and Accounting, Interior Design, House Renovation and Project Management.