Mixing and matching tiles can transform any space from ordinary to stunning—but only if done thoughtfully.
Picking out the right type of tiles can be an intimidating affair with the variety of materials, patterns, and colours available. Then, there is the task of matching your selected floor tiles or wall tiles with the other tiles you have chosen for your space. So, if you are redesigning your kitchen, bathroom, or living room, make sure to combine different tile patterns, colours, or materials as they add depth and personality to your space. Here’s a practical guide to help homeowners create a cohesive, visually appealing space.
Why Mix And Match Tiles?
Mixing tiles is not just a trend—it’s a way to create a unique and timeless space. Some benefits include:
Mixing and matching different tiles is an amazing way to add some diversity to your home.
It also allows you to give your space a unique and personal touch that will certainly not look old or dated with the passage of time.
Also, using a mix of different tiles can help reduce the need for carpets, rugs, wall art, and other decorative accessories in your space.
Can highlight specific areas (feature walls, backsplash, floor accents).
Pro Tip: Stick to a common theme or undertone when mixing colors and patterns to avoid a chaotic look.
What Are The Things To Keep In Mind While Choosing Tiles?
Here are some tips that you can take into consideration before selecting a tile for your space:
1. Consider Functionality First
Different spaces require different tiles based on factors like moisture exposure, foot traffic, safety, and durability. Let’s quickly understand this by a simple example: Tiles that are perfect for a kitchen backsplash may be a poor choice for an outdoor patio, which is why you can’t use every tile everywhere.
Check out this quick room-specific tile cheatsheet that will help you make your decision:
Room
Recommended Tile Properties
Kitchen & Entryway
Non-slip, durable, easy-to-clean, Matte
Bathroom & Washing Area
Anti-skid, moisture-resistant, Matte
Living Room
Scratch-resistant, easy maintenance
Pool / Outdoor
Slip-resistant, weatherproof
2. Mix Tiles by Material or Finish
Using The Same Material Throughout
The best way to create a mix-and-match tile design that is cohesive and gorgeous is by using the same type of material for all the tiles. So, if you fall in love with marble or ceramic tile, you can pair different colours, patterns, and shapes together to create a cohesive, homogenous look. Try to use similar finishes for a gorgeous and eye-catching look.
Mix And Match Materials
For a bold, designer touch, combine materials like:
For example, you can do a small matte tile border around a wall of glossy tiles. Or use matte and glossy floor tiles in a chessboard pattern on your floor. As long as the functionality is not affected, you can club multiple finishes for a chic and unique look.
Sporadic Use Of Busy Patterns
It may seem tempting to plaster your chosen patterns on every single surface, but it would be better to keep the use of patterns minimal in order to enhance their beauty.
It is best to pair tiles with bold patterns with plain tiles for a soft yet eye-catching look. Also, ensure that you do not use more than three different tile patterns in the same space, as too many patterns can make the space look visually busy and cluttered.
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Stick to 2–3 dominant colors to maintain harmony.
Pair bold patterns with plain tiles for a balanced look.
Match undertones to create cohesion even with contrasting colors.
4. Understand the Scale and Layout
Scale and layout are just as important when mixing and matching tiles as color and material. A beautiful tile can look clunky if it is too small, oriented, or arranged incorrectly in a space. Here’s how to plan effectively:
Choose large-format tiles if you want to make your small room appear larger.
When considering your different tile design options, there are not only the aesthetic aspects to be taken into consideration, but also the practical elements that will affect the lifespan and maintenance of your tiles. Different materials, like metal, glass, natural stone, vitrified, porcelain, and ceramic, all have properties that come into play.
How Can Orientbell Tiles Help?
Choosing multiple tiles for a single space can be a difficult task, especially if you are unable to imagine the tiles in the space. For this explicit reason, we at Orientbell Tiles have come up with a plethora of tools to assist you with tile selection and tile buying:
Use Orientbell’s TriaLook tool to simulate the layout before making purchases.
Try digital mood boards or small tile samples to test color, pattern, and layout combinations.
Final Tip
Mixing and matching tiles is an art. Start simple, follow key rules, and let your creativity shine. Creating a beautiful and functional space requires balancing colors, patterns, materials, and finishes.
To mix and match tile shapes effectively, start with a cohesive colour palette and balance bold patterns with subtle backgrounds. Combine large and small tiles to create visual interest and use border tiles for smooth transitions. Use geometric or mosaic patterns to add depth. Seek inspiration from design magazines or showrooms to see trending combinations and create a unique, stylish space that reflects your taste.
Consider matching tiles by texture, colour, or pattern. For example, match all the ceramic tiles or work with the same colour or complementary tones. Just be alert to avoid too many mismatched tiles in one small area because that would look messy.
To arrange tile patterns, choose a design that complements your space, such as herringbone, chevron, or grid layouts. Plan your pattern by laying out tiles beforehand, starting from the centre or a focal point. For uniform gaps, use spacers, and make sure everything is aligned by checking with a level frequently. Mix colours and sizes for visual interest while maintaining a cohesive look.
Absolutely! Adding a variety of tile types to your area gives it personality. You can also give a look of uniformity by using tiles all made up of the same material, all ceramic, for example, in the room, or you could just use different materials likeceramic and wood to make the statement bigger.
Prerna Sharma boasts 12 years of comprehensive experience in content creation and marketing strategies. For the past two years, she has served as the Content Website Editor at Orientbell Tiles, where she has been instrumental in shaping engaging online narratives. Prerna's expertise has been honed through impactful roles at CyberMedia, HT Media, and NIIT University. She holds an MBA in International Business from Amity International Business School and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Asia Pacific Institute of Management.
600×1200 mm
