Some aspects of a home are meant to be updated — textiles often rotate with the season while paint colors change every few years. Hard surfaces, however, are meant to last. For that reason, making good tile choices in a renovation or new build is paramount. This season, we’re asking local experts what we need to know about tile, specifically bathroom tile, before beginning a project.
“Often times, tile drives inspiration for the rest of the bathroom design,” says Ashley Biscan, interior design and trend expert at Floor & Decor. “Ask yourself, do you want your tile to whisper or speak volumes in a room of other elements?”
According to experts, choosing tile is one of the first to-dos after the floor plan is finalized. According to Heather Trahan, designer at Palatial Stone & Tile, the more time given to the process, the broader the selection will be. Not only can you consider specialty items with longer lead times, but your contractor will be able to give a more accurate installation bid.
“If you’re establishing selections and therefore budgets — and even purchases — early on, then it’s done,” says Peggy Stafford, owner and founder of Stafford Tile. “Those selections will help drive the bus for other important decisions such as your choice of metals in plumbing, paint colors and curtains — it will all be related to the selection of your bath materials.”
When choosing tile, working with a tile expert is recommended. Different considerations should be made for floors and walls, and water resistance is a main consideration for the bathroom.
“We always go over what is suitable for each application with our clients so they have a bathroom they get to enjoy for years to come,” says Johnny Altobello III, owner of The Stone Gallery. It’s important to go over where you want tiles to be placed to ensure proper waterproofing, Mohs rating (scratch resistance), and coefficient of friction (resistance to sliding between two surfaces). Knowing your lifestyle is key in making decisions that have beneficial long-term impact.
“We love information,” says Stafford. “Talk to your salesperson about everything. There are so many ways we can help make life better — when you’re engaging in a renovation or new build, your lifestyle going forward should be a primary consideration.” For instance, a person renovating for a rental will likely choose tiles and features with maintenance in mind while a person renovating to age in place will have very different concerns.
Tile design trends continue to evolve. Experts are seeing a decreased demand in gray tones, traditional subway tiles and glass as warmer pallettes and bold colors make a comeback.
According to Altobello, Italian marbles and handcrafted earthenware tiles such as zellige and terracotta are increasingly popular.
“Design professionals and homeowners always favor the timeless elegance of natural materials,” says Trahan, who also adds terrazzo tile to the favored list.
Biscan is seeing warmer neutrals continue to envelop spaces with layers of rich ecru and mocha tones. She says that limestone and travertine tile are the leaders of this bathroom trend at Floor & Decor.
“For more traditional tile, checkerboard really takes the stage in bathrooms,” she says. “Smaller spaces are ideal for high-impact statements. Checkerboard tile patterns are maturing to be more tonal.”
One trend Stafford notes is a move to tiling entire walls, oftentimes behind the vanity in the bathroom. While excellent for a feature wall, this trend is particularly useful for owners of rentals as it eliminates the constant need to repaint.
When it comes to your tile budget, where should you spend, and where can you save?
“Tile material is the biggest budgetary consideration for a bathroom,” says Altobello. He says that while you can spend less on mass-produced ceramics and porcelains, natural stone and earthenware tiles offer a richer, more organic aesthetic. He suggests using design to reduce costs. For instance, if that specialty mosaic tile is calling your name but not your budget, consider using a small amount for a shower floor or feature wall to limit the overall tile needed.
Stafford suggests that investing in your tile and stone budget is an investment in your long-term happiness.
“It would be a shame to shortchange your budget with the thing you’ll be looking at for the rest of your life,” she says. “Hopefully that will be the thing that brings you the most joy.”
