BRACE FOR IMPACT

GLOSSY WHITE JUST DOESN’T CUT IT ANY MORE – COLOURED, TEXTURED TILES TAKE BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS FROM HO-HUM TO HIGH-END

Tiles have become a bold player in our interiors but should we keep playing it safe so we don’t polarise buyers when selling a house or do we go for bold to capture a buyer’s interest? What about tiling for a major renovation of your own house to live in but fear in 10 years it may date?

Keeping tiles as the basic white/off-white with matching grout has been the norm in the past to keep bathrooms and kitchens neutral. It has always been the safe option if you are scared of colour or making an expensive mistake. But as bathroom and kitchen trends change, plain gloss white is now a dated look.

The clinical look of bathrooms is gone and glass splashbacks in kitchens are now considered a safe, dare I say, boring option rather than being on trend.

Bathrooms are the luxury room of the home. As the walls are one of the biggest expanses in the room, it is important the tiles convey a feeling of luxury. High-end luxury isn’t just about the dollar spend but about the look and feel and using basic white tiles (budget or expensive) just doesn’t cut it any more.

Tiles are about texture in the surface and also the pattern and reflection of light. If you fear putting colour in your tiles, look for styles that have a pressed pattern in them or just a light vein like a travertine or sandstone look to give it some life.

If you love the white look, consider using a contrasting grout like charcoal or a light grey and match the floor tile to the grout. It will give an edgy look without going over the top.

Refrain from too many glossy surfaces in your tiles as this can make a room feel too clinical. Going for a matt or “textured to touch” surface will help create that soft day-spa feel.