Thursday, July 16, 2009

Bathroom Tile Designs

Bathroom tile design is often dismissed as an important factor when considering bathroom design. However there are so many bathroom tile designs and a huge variety of wall and floor tile shapes, sizes and materials to choose from that spending time on your bathroom tile design can be very rewarding.

Choosing where you want tiles in your bathroom should be the first step. You do not have to cover every inch of bathroom surface with tiles, but you might want more than a few around the sink. The most sensible option is to consider where the walls and floor will have the most contact with water. Shower enclosures, bath and sink surrounds and often the whole bathroom floor are key areas.

Then you need to consider your bathroom design theme and style. A traditional country bathroom might have slate floor tiles or more rustic earth tones for the wall tiles. A modern bathroom could have mirrored tiles or designer italian glass tiles for a contemporary finish. For a colonial look the black and white checkerboard tile design will always give a striking classic look.

The size and arrangement of your bathroom tiles should be your next consideration. Large tiles will obviously cover a larger area quickly and effectively, whereas small tiles are ideal for smaller areas such as basin surrounds or for framing a design. Mosaic tiles can be very time consuming but with a skilled artistic touch you can create a unique focal point. By placing rectangular tiles on their side you can make a small bathroom appear broader and adding a diamond pattern in the centre of a wall will create depth and focus.

There are a baffling array of materials and colours to choose from so take your time and consider the overall effect that your trying to achieve. Bathroom tiles can be made from ceramics, glass, stone, metal and other natural materials. Ceramic tile are the most popular and come in a range of colour and finishes. White glossy tiles are the cheapest and will provide a cost effective solution to achieving a bright, light and clean bathroom design, however too many without contrast may give a too clinical effect. So by all means use them as a base, but throw in the odd darker tile to break them up or frame them.

Glass tiles are more expensive but really can add the wow factor to a bathroom. Glass can give colours more depth, reflect or allow more light whilst distorting the image on the other side. Shells or other novelty objects can be fused inside to really add a unique character to your bathroom tile designs. Natural materials such as wood, cork and stone often add a rustic effect to bathrooms, but with a highly polished finish can add a fantastic dimension to a contemporary bathroom design. Natural materials often have tactile quality that you wouldn't find in other materials. Metal tiles will often give a reflective surface and are nearly always used as part of a modern design.

So whether you choose big or small, black or white, ceramic or glass, I hope this article has given you some ideas for your bathroom tile designs or at least highlighted the importance of having one as part of your overall bathroom design.

For more information visit http://www.bathroomdesignsite.com

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