Durable, cost-effective, and versatile. These are just some of the advantages of floor tiles. If you’re choosing this one as the flooring system for your living room, here are eight tips to help you out.
Consider the size of your living room. The size of your living room plays a huge role in your floor tile needs. First and foremost, it will help you decide if you’d go for larger tiles or the regular sized ones — and how many units you’ll need to cover the floor area. Additionally, the size of your living room will also be a factor in your choice of color (we’ll discuss more of this later).
Know your material options. The most common types of tiles are ceramic, stone, porcelain, and wood-look tiles. If you want to add a touch of elegance without necessarily spending too much money, porcelain tiles are a good choice. If you want more versatility when it comes to designs and textures, stone and ceramic tiles are your best friends. If you want to have a cozy appeal, the durable wood-look tiles are a great alternative.
Choose an appropriate texture for your tiles. The texture of floor tiles can dramatically add appeal to your living room. There are two generally textures you can choose: matte and polished. If you have a busy household, you can also choose tiles with mottled patterns to help lessen the visibility of dirt.
Take note of tile hardness. Not all tiles are created equal. And one of the factors that set tiles apart from each other is their hardness level. For your living room, choose tiles under the Class III or IV categories — these can accommodate light to heavy traffic. If you expect extra heavy traffic, you can also opt for Class V tiles.
Factor in tile porosity. Tile porosity refers to the ratio of air holes to the solid components of tiles. Impervious tiles have a low porosity; it has water absorption of 0.5%, making them suitable for high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms. For areas like living rooms, settle down with impervious or vitreous tiles (which has water absorption of 0.5 to 3%).
Make sure the color complements the overall look of your living room. As mentioned earlier, the size of your living room affects the color that’s suitable for this area. If you have a large floor area, tiles that are too light can look monotonous while those that are too dark can be a bit depressing. When choosing the right color, you must base it on the overall look and then of your home. You can consult with an expert to help you choose the right color scheme or combination.
Don’t forget about your living room’s lighting. If you don’t have much light coming into your living room, you should avoid tiles with a dark tone. If you want to enhance the brightness of your room, picking light-colored tiles can do the trick.
Make sure it fits your budget. Floor tiles come in different styles, designs, materials, colors, patterns, and textures. Though budget per se should not dictate your tile choice (cheaper tiles tend to be less durable), you should still choose a flooring solution that’s cost-effective and within your budget range.
