1. Larger Tiles Make Small Rooms Appear Bigger. Because grout lines are thinner and fewer as part of the layout, smaller rooms appear bigger when using larger tiles. Large-format tiles make floors look more streamlined – therefore, creating the illusion of more space.
If you want to create a spacious room or are craving that sleek modern look - large and extra format tiles are for you! But if you are after a more intimate feel or intricate design, smaller tiles might be for you!
We now have numerous sizes of tile available up to 24″ and sometimes even larger. One easy way a homeowner can make their room appear larger is to select a larger format tile. A 16″ or 18″ tile will generally give a room a larger feeling than a 12″ tile.
Large tiles can't flex over raised areas or dips in the subfloor like smaller tiles can. If the substrate is not perfectly level, using large tiles can result in lippage, which is when the edge of one tile is higher than an adjacent tile.
The bigger the tile size, the more dramatic statement the you can make in your home. From minimal grout lines to less maintenance and a spacious feeling, there are many reasons why these tiles are in such high demand.
One of the main disadvantages of large format wall tiles are that when used in the wrong space, they can make rooms seem smaller.
Large tiles do make a room feel more spacious but only in a good-sized room. In a small bathroom they don't work quite so well and will tend to swamp the room if they're too large. Also, if there are lots of cuts involved, then this can just look messy.
Tile Sizes & Shapes
The tried-and-true 12” x 12” tiles are still popular, but tiles are tending to be larger and larger.
Larger Tiles Make Small Rooms Appear Bigger
Because grout lines are thinner and fewer as part of the layout, smaller rooms appear bigger when using larger tiles. Large-format tiles make floors look more streamlined – therefore, creating the illusion of more space.
Large tiles can make the space seem smaller. However, in some instances, large tile is appropriate. Square or rectangular bathrooms can usually accommodate a light or neutral-colored large tile. For more angular or strangely-shaped bathrooms, small or mosaic tiles may be more appropriate.
Large-format tiles are trending! Sizes like 24x48 are becoming more popular, along with bold patterns like herringbone and hexagon shapes. Large tiles work best as floor or shower wall tiles. They can also work well outdoors for covered patio spaces.
1-foot square tiles may be among the top contenders for the most popular tile size. This option is very commonly used on floors, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. You'll also find 12-inch tiles in entryways and living areas.
12×24 tiles are an extremely popular large format tile size. However, working with them may be a little different than what you are used to.
Generally, it is recommended to choose tiles that are 4" or smaller for small bathrooms because it's easier to contour around fixtures and appears visually proportioned in a smaller space. Another great option is to go for a more modern design, such as using large format tiles (12"x24").
So a really large area (perhaps an open plan kitchen/dining room) can probably handle really large format tiles. If you have a medium size bathroom, you might want to go with a medium-sized tile to suit. And the most petite of cloakrooms may look best with smaller, mosaic style tiles.
Standard floor tile sizes range from just two inches wide to a foot and a half. Now, the more common and fashionable sizes include 12”×12”, 18”×18”, 12”×24”, and even larger dimensions for floor tiles, and 8”×10” and bigger for wall tiles.
Selecting wide floor planks is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make a room look bigger. Instead of thin strips, go for boards at least seven inches wide. Longer planks (four or more feet in length) can help as well.
The smooth and shiny finish of gloss tiles, such as those from our Marmi and Bookmatch collections, reflect light of their surface. As the light bounces from tile to tile, the room appears brighter and larger. We have a whole story dedicated to gloss tiles, which you can view here.
Tiles can pop up or become loose due to improper installation, uneven subfloor, moisture-related issues, weak adhesive, heavy foot traffic or structural movement.
White subway tile in a shower or bath will never age, Winn says. For floors, penny tile — white or black and white — is still found in homes built in the 1950s and '60s in North Arlington, Va., Winn says, but clients are also asking for it in new bathrooms.
Terrazzo Looks
Terrazzo is both a popular look for tile pavers and an element of another 2023 tile trend, cobbled tile. This versatile style is capable of looking both natural and hyper modern, depending on its colors and scale.
Misconception #2: “Large format panels are more fragile and therefore, more likely to crack.” In reality: With proper installation, tiles that are larger in size are no more likely to crack than their smaller relatives.
The same tile used on a vertical surface and horizontal surface will look different, due to the throw of light on it. For example, if the same tile is applied on the wall and on the floor, the colour of the wall will tend to appear darker as compared to the floor.
Using larger floor tiles is a great way to trick the eye and make a room look bigger than it actually is. Larger tiles used throughout the bathroom look a lot less 'busy' than with smaller tiles, which therefore make the room appear larger; the lack of grout lines also makes the whole space appear more expansive.