We explore 7 key trends that are shaping our choice of modern floor tiles for living room areas. Call it living room, lounge, family room or sitting room – this is a space that is at the heart of family life and calls for tiles that are not only beautiful to look at but also highly practical, durable and versatile. But what type of tiles are we choosing for this important space and why are porcelain tiles such a great option? In our blog we take a look at the latest tile trends around colour, size and finish and how modern tiles are shaping the very spaces we live in.
Without a doubt tiles have grown in size over the last few years and what was once the preserve of interior designers ie the large format tile, is now making its way into our homes. Large format tiles with their rectified ie straight tile edges create a seamless look to spaces, reducing grout lines to a few mm and helping to make spaces feel so much more expansive. Large format porcelain tiles are perfect for open plan spaces and living areas. But what do we mean by large format?
The go-to tile size for open plan and living room areas is anything from 600 x 600mm upwards with larger format tiles tending to be larger at 800 x 800mm, 900 x 900mm or even 1m x 1m upwards. And of course, let’s not forget the rectangular tile at 1200 x 600mm.
Concrete effect tiles bring a contemporary feel to spaces and make the perfect modern floor tiles for living areas. With concrete and cement effect tiles mimicking the concrete mix brilliantly well these modern floor tiles provide a great canvas for open plan spaces and living areas. Add to that a raft of different shades and you can have it all – a concrete effect tile in the warmer tones that are fast becoming the go-to. A well-designed concrete or cement effect tile can make a room.
Tiles are after all the canvas upon which your dream room will come to life. There are concrete tiles with a more industrial look and feel for spaces requiring an urban feel as well as tiles that mimic micro cements with finer designs and finishes.
Our love affair with grey will likely never fade completely as this hue is so incredibly versatile, but there is definitely a move towards more earthy tones. For those who can’t quite shake off the grey we are seeing more greige come into play – it’s the perfect bridge between grey and beige and can be cooled down or warmed up depending on how you accessorise. Taupes, clays, sands and beiges are all making their way into interiors and are so comforting. These shades all work so well with natural jutes and hessians too making these neutral toned porcelain tiles in large format concretes and cements are a great choice for modern interiors.
Grout colour is a key choice and can be used to either highlight tiles or blend with tiles to create a seamless feel to spaces. Opting for a grout colour that is a close match to your tile colour will help to seamlessly blend your flooring and create a more modern aesthetic. This also helps to create a feeling of spaciousness and cohesive design and give you a beautiful canvas. As we have already seen, larger format tiles with rectified edges mean grout lines are at a minimum which also enhances that contemporary vibe.
Combining all the brilliant performance of porcelain with all the beauty of wood, wood effect porcelain tiles are highly scratch and stain resistant.
But it’s tile technology that has brought these porcelains to the fore. The latest porcelain planks mimic real wood exceptionally well – intimately tracing all the knots and gnarls of the real thing – there are also a myriad of different patterns per tile with collections that house 40 or 50 different “faces”. Gone are the days of just one or two patterns per tile.
These high-quality porcelain plank tiles mean you can run your wood effect tiles across the largest of lounges without the worry of frequent pattern repeats. So, you get the best of both worlds, the beautiful look and feel of natural wood with the high performing, long lasting material that is porcelain.
Matt finishes definitely bring an air of soft sophistication to spaces. In fact, this finish isn’t just about look, it is also highly practical and perfect for ground floors. Tile finish can have a huge impact on the overall look of your space. Matt finishes tend to be warmer in feel because they absorb more light than a polished tile. Any interiors expert will tell you that it is important to combine the rough with the smooth in any space and matt finish tiles are a brilliant canvas for any room or space. They can also provide good slip resistance making them a safer option for ground floors and bathrooms than highly polished finishes. They are also pretty practical and less likely to show fingerprints, smudges and water spots.
The trend to connect inside and outside spaces continues to gather pace with more of us than ever before looking to create outside spaces that are in effect an additional room. One huge benefit of porcelain is you can run the same flooring across internal and external areas and without doubt this is a brilliant way to make these spaces feel connected. With the advent of bifold doors that are now flush across thresholds you really can continue your living area into the garden and with porcelain tile collections including matt porcelain tiles for inside and the same tiles in an antislip finish for outside that seamless transition just got easier!
Easy maintenance – unlike carpet or real wood, porcelain tiles need minimal effort to keep them looking beautiful. They are highly scratch and stain resistant too so your floor will continue to look beautiful in years to come.
Durable – unlike natural stone and wood, both of which are soft materials, porcelain as a material is very hardwearing and that makes it highly durable.
Underfloor heating: porcelain tiles work very well with underfloor heating acting a bit like a thermal brick. They are also lovely and cool in summer too so again; you have the best of both worlds.
Design and colour choice – there are just so many porcelain tile designs to choose from and the right porcelain tiles, chosen and installed well, really can add value to property. Neutral colours that will work with most colours are a good choice.
Of course, you may also want to add wall tiles too! A feature wall tile can add interest and become a real feature to your lounge.
Louis Cognac porcelain floor tile that looks like wood
Click the images with a description underneath to head straight to these tiles on our website.
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The TilePortfolio specialise in Italian and Spanish Porcelain and Ceramic tiles, in particular large format Porcelains and Porcelain tiles for inside and outside. Our carefully curated, stunning tile portfolios are beautifully presented online and supported by our fuss-free ‘go-the-extra-tile’ service. In addition, you can view our entire tile collection at our Northamptonshire Showroom. Visit our website for unmissable interiors inspiration. The TilePortfolio team are always available to chat, we’d be delighted to help with your project so please do get in touch.
Please note: We strongly recommend using a professional tiler for your project. Installation requirements may vary depending on the tiles you choose, the fixing products used and the specific conditions. Always check with your tiler regards the suitability of the tiles. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
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