When you think of your home, the first thing you probably picture inside is the living room. A living room is mostly considered the heart of your home. A place where families gather, spend quality time, you entertain friends and relax in their leisure time. Indoor floor tiles can make or break the mood, aesthetic, and functionality of your living room.
There are literally hundreds of tile styles, materials, and finishes available, which makes decision-making very overwhelming. What kind of tile is best for floors? Which material is best for floor tiles? Which floor tiles are long-lasting? What type of tile is the most durable?
In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about living room tiles. From tile size to finishes, installation patterns, and maintenance, by the end of the blog, you will know your tile choice.
So, let’s dive in.
Why Choose Living Room Tiles Instead of Traditional Flooring
UK homeowners have been using tiles in kitchens and bathrooms for years, but their use in living rooms has escalated in the UK over recent years.
Reasons for Using Living Room Tiles
- Durability: Tiles withstand heavy foot traffic, pets, and family life far better than carpet or wood without any signs of wear and tear for years.
- Style Versatility: In order to complement your living room decor, you can choose from a wide variety of options like marble-effect porcelain or contemporary cement-look tiles.
- Easy Maintenance: Floor tiles are easy to clean when it comes to stains and spills, making them a practical choice for a busy household.
- Higher Home Value: Sleek and clean living room tiles offer modern appeal and increase the value of your property.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Living Room Tiles
No matter how big or small your floor tiling project is, you need to consider several factors and aspects while choosing living room floor tiles. This will not only help you make the right choice but also prevent you from making costly mistakes.
Tile Material Options
The tile material you choose sets the tone of your living room. The UK market is full of modern living room floor tile options. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Porcelain Tiles: These non slip floor tiles for living room are extremely hard-wearing, low-maintenance and are available in countless finishes. They are an excellent choice for modern living spaces.
- Ceramic Tiles: They are much more affordable than porcelain and offer great durability for low to medium-traffic living rooms.
- Natural Stone Tiles: Among natural stones, you get options like sandstone, limestone, and marble that bring an authentic natural touch to your space, but need sealing after every 2 to 3 years.
- Wood-Effect Tiles: Ceramic and porcelain both mimic timber flooring well, but porcelain is a much more sustainable choice. These are perfect for homeowners who want the warmth of wood but with durability.
Tile Size
While choosing your floor tile, know that the tile size you choose will dramatically affect the perception of your space.
- Large Format Tiles: Sizes like 600×600 or larger create an openness and seamless look in your home.
- Medium Tiles: Medium tile sizes are a safer choice for most living rooms. It not only looks stylish but also balances its practicality.
- Small Tiles: Use smaller tiles as accent walls and for borders rather than main flooring.
Pro-Tip: Use the ⅓ Rules in your living room. When laying rectangular tiles, avoid a 50/50 bond pattern, as it can lead to uneven edges. Instead, use stagger tiles at one-third of their length, giving it a smoother and professional look.
Colours and Finishes
Colours play a key role in how your living room feels. Different colour has different impacts in your living room.
Colours and Their Impact
- Light Tiles: They make a small living room look bigger and brighter.
- Dark Tiles: They add drama and warmth to your space. If not used skillfully, it can dull and disturb the aesthetic of your living room.
- Neutral Shades: Greys, beiges, and taupes are timeless choices and add warmth and a welcoming touch to your lounging area.
Finish Options
- Matte Finish: They are subtle, slip-resistant and ideal for a relaxed vibe.
- Glossy Finish: These luxury floor tiles for living room give your living room a luxury feel as they reflect light, making the room look bigger and more polished.
- Textured Tiles: They offer excellent foot grip and depth. This tile type is suitable for rustic and industrial style interiors.
Living Room Tile Pattern Ideas
The layout of your room influences your tile pattern choice. When it comes to tile pattern, here are some of the most popular living room floor tile ideas for your living room.
- Straight Lay: Also called a grid, it offers a clean, modern and easy-to-install look.
- Herringbone: It is stylish and dynamic. This pattern looks best, especially with wood-effect tiles.
- Diagonal: If you have a small living room, this can expand its sense of space.
- Modular Layouts: It combines multiple tile sizes and gives a unique and European-inspired look to your living room.
Luxury Modern Tile Trends in the UK
Moving towards modern minimalism and functional luxury, the UK is leaning towards these modern living room floor tile trends:
- Stone-Effect Porcelain Tiles: These are the best tiles for living room floor as they capture the beauty of natural stone like marble or travertine without the maintenance.
- Concrete-Look Tiles: They are a staple in industrial-style living rooms.
- Large-Format Porcelain Slabs: With fewer grout lines and a seamless appearance, these porcelain tiles for living room are ideal for large and open plan spaces.
- Warm Wood-Effect Tiles: These tiles never go out of style as they add the warmth of natural wood while staying practical and low maintenance.
Important Considerations for UK Homes
When choosing indoor floor tiles for your living room, it is crucial to consider these factors:
Heat Compatibility
If you have underfloor heating, these tiles will work perfectly with it. It is especially a popular choice among British homeowners who are upgrading from radiators to more energy-efficient and sustainable heating systems.
Maintenance
If you are looking for indoor floor tiles that are easiest to maintain, porcelain and ceramic tiles must be your top priority. While choosing natural stone for your living room, you should know that it requires sealing to avoid stains and permanent damage.
Budgeting
The cost of the tie options varies greatly. Ceramic is the cheapest indoor floor tile option, while being less durable than natural stone and porcelain. Natural stone is high maintenance, while porcelain balances price with performance.
Mistakes to Avoid While Choosing Living Room Tiles
Here are some of the top mistakes that homeowners make while choosing tiles for their living room floors.
- Ignoring Room Size: Choosing the wrong tile size for your large or small living room can make the space feel overwhelming.
- Overlooking Grout Colour: If you want to focus on the tile pattern, choose contrasting grout. For a seamless finish, choose matching grout.
- Not Testing Samples: Always order samples first. Living room lighting can dramatically influence the tile’s appearance.
- Skipping Professional Installation: If your tiles are poorly laid, there is a high chance that it will ruin even the most premium tile that you may have chosen for your living room.
Royale Stones: Your Trusted Premium Indoor Floor Tile Supplier
Royale Stones deals in a wide variety of indoor floor tiles across the UK.
We deal in expensive collections of:
- Porcelain
- Indian Sandstone
- Limestone
- Marble
Explore Royale Stones’ take on using porcelain tiles in the living room: Beauty of Porcelain Floor Tiles: Lift Your Living Space
How to use stone and concrete effect tiles in your indoor spaces? Stone and Concrete Effect Tiles: Transforming Home Spaces with Texture and Style
Final Thoughts
While you can use traditional carpets or wood in your living room, it is never too late to switch to living room tiles. The right living room tiles will balance style with practicality and comfort. From large tiles to rustic stone finishes, Royale Stones has a perfect option for every UK home.
By considering your room size, colour, and lifestyle needs, you can create a living room that is not only beautiful but also very durable. Invest in the right indoor floor tile and ensure your living space’s longevity for years to come!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to select tiles for a living room?
Consider your lifestyle, budget, and design goals. Choose material that aligns best with your goal. Always match tile colour and finish with your furniture for a streamlined look.
What is the 1/3 rule for tile?
It refers to staggering rectangular tiles by one-third of their length, preventing lippage and ensuring a smooth finish.
What is the best tile for a living room?
Porcelain tiles are the best choice for UK living rooms as they are very durable, versatile and easy to maintain.
Should tile be lighter or darker than walls?
While there is no strict rule but contrast works well, dark walls with light floors or vice versa. Light tiles create wideness and dark tiles add cosiness.
Should living rooms have matte or glossy tiles?
Both work well. Matte tiles provide a subtle, non-slip finish for family homes, while glossy tiles add luxury and brightness but show dust and become slippery easily.