THE XTILES

Large format tiles are perfect for a minimalist-focused room, adding to the feeling of spaciousness.

For the most-committed of minimalist, use a large format tile that is suitable as both a wall and floor covering to create one continuous look from floor to ceiling.

If you want the look of a real wooden floor, but none of the hassle, tiles are a great alternative.

From the distressed effect to classic parquet, whatever finish you are looking for, there is a tile to suit and best of all, it requires little ongoing maintenance and only modest outlay.

The modern age version has seen this material come of age and anyone looking to achieve a contemporary look throughout their home would do well to consider a chipboard-inspired tile.

Combining the industrial charm of exposed chipboard with the practicality of a porcelain tile, chipboard-inspired tiles are this summer’s hottest wall and floor covering.

They are striking, attentiongrabbing and speak volumes about the inhabitant’s style.

If you’re not bold enough to cover an entire room in a chipboardinspired tile, use it to define a practical workspace in the home, or simply add texture and interest to a specific area. continuous flooring from your home to your garden using the same floor tile.

If you’re happy with carpet indoors but want decking with a difference, again a porcelain tile makes a really great choice.

You can choose to replicate decking with a wood-inspired tile – without the need to apply decking stain or worry about the sun bleaching the wood – or even a tile with a subtle pattern similar to those found on a kitchen floor. much about texture, depth and a material difference – something that you simply can’t perfect when armed with only a roll of wallpaper and some adhesive. For this, there is tiling.

Current favourite combinations include high-shine brick-style ceramic tiles in on-trend grey; and if that’s not attention-grabbing enough, there’s now grout in every colour of the rainbow, including shimmering golds, silvers and blacks.

Now tiles have well and truly broken out of their traditional realms, our homes may never be the same again.

The versatility of effects, prints and materials tiling provides opens up a Pandora’s box for interior designers – just what may come over the course of the next 12 months is anyone’s guess. Exciting times indeed.