As mentioned above, glossy tiles have a shinier surface, creating a mirror effect in the room. Glossy tiles reflect the light in the room. This phenomenon tricks the eyes into believing that the room is much bigger than it appears. Well, this illusion helps to make a smaller room appear bigger.
Slippery when wet: Glossy tiles can become slick, especially in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms or entryways. This makes them less suitable for homes with small children or elderly family members.
Bigger tiles are best for making small spaces look bigger. If the room is narrow and long big rectangular tiles going lengthwise across narrow width draws room out. Also doing a row of the same colour on the bottom row of wall tiles draws the floor out and up giving illusion that the room is wider.
Glossy Tiles
As opposed to the matte finish, the gloss or high gloss tiles are expected to feel dated sooner and exhibit a chic vibe. Meanwhile, matte-finish tiles can feel more relaxed, calm, and timeless.
The right sheen can add light and depth to your room. Using a semi- or high-gloss can help enhance your space. Higher sheens are more reflective, giving the illusion of more light. Learn more about choosing a paint finish for your space.
Q: What colors make a small room look bigger? A: The lighter your colors are, the bigger the room will feel. Stick to shades of white and cream, pastels and light neutrals in gray and taupe. Q: How do you make a small room look bigger on a budget?
While matt tiles lack the brilliant and sparkling appearance of gloss tiles, they have higher traction. Matt tiles have a more 'non-slip' reputation in high-traffic areas that are frequently in contact with water, humidity, and steam. Matt tiles will help areas such as hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Neutral shades, like black, white, beige, tan, and gray. Classic patterns and designs, like black and white checkerboard and herringbone. Natural stone or porcelain and ceramic lookalikes.
Warm, Earthy Colors
Warm colors are in, for good reason. From soft to saturated, wood tones to desert pinks, a warm palette on the backsplash creates a cozy effect in the heart of the home. This trend reflects a desire for spaces that feel inviting and comforting.
We all know white walls reflect light and makes a room look bigger. But why stop there? HouseLogic recommends painting walls, ceilings, and trim the same shade of white to present a soaring, bright space. Go big with accents.
These large format tiles naturally make small spaces feel bigger because of their sheer size as there will be fewer grout lines and larger tile faces giving the area a seamless, less busy and more expansive - exactly what you're after.
Choosing lighter coloured flooring to compliment your furniture can expand the perceived size of any room and can open the space right up. Think cream carpets, natural and neutral toned tiles and whitewashed wood flooring.
Choosing gloss and matte finishes in similar tones adds sophisticated visual interest to a neutral tile installation. This is a great way to spice up a classic white subway tile or all-white specialty shape installation while adding subtle depth to your space as demonstrated by the office kitchen below.
While satin has a silky smooth effect that reflects light and has no danger of slipping, polished tiles have undergone a polishing process and can be slippery when wet. Therefore, if we are talking about bathrooms or damp spaces, it is always better to opt for satin for the flooring.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to whether tiles should be lighter or darker than walls. It all comes down to your personal preference, the space you're designing, and the atmosphere you want to create.
We recommend choosing pale wall tiles such as white, cream, beige or grey as they will help make an area appear instantly brighter. Consider a matching grout to create that added seamless finish.
Neutral color palettes, such as white, beige, and gray, are commonly used in timeless tile designs because they provide versatility and serve as a backdrop for various design styles. They also create a sense of timelessness and ensure that the tiles can easily blend with different color schemes and decor trends.
Glossy prints are great for vibrant, detailed images, while matte prints offer a glare-free, natural look, ideal for formal settings and framing.
If you're concerned, then use a bath mat in the bathroom, a doormat by any entrance doors and mop up water spillages straight away. Gloss tiles can need extra care to maintain their appearance as they can have a lower scratch resistance than matte tiles.
You can also read our blog post on How to Clean Matte Finish Tiles. Not A Good Choice For Darker Rooms: The biggest disadvantage of matt tiles is that they are not reflective. In darker rooms like basements, the presence of reflective surfaces is important.
Satin or semi-gloss finishes are recommended for laundry rooms as it's easier to clean, as well as more resistant to everyday wear. Make sure the finish you're using for walls surrounds the washer and dryer. For accent walls, farther from your appliances, you may get away with an eggshell finish.
Since kitchens are such a busy part of a home and often need extra cleaning, a satin or semi-gloss finish is the best options.