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.
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.
Tile Sizes & Shapes
The tried-and-true 12” x 12” tiles are still popular, but tiles are tending to be larger and larger. Sizes like 16” x 16”, 12” x 24” and even 24” x 48” are becoming more prevalent. Large-format tiles have fewer grout lines to clean and help a room look bigger, more open and less busy.
Measure the Room
To do so, measure the width and length of the room then multiply the two together. Small to medium-sized rooms typically work better with larger-sized tiles. Remember the larger the tile size, the bigger the space appears.
Large tiles are proportionate to a large room, and they can make a small room feel bigger. However, tiles larger than 18 to 24 inches may overwhelm a small space, like a bathroom or mudroom.
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.
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.
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.
Marble-Look Tile
With its distinctive milky white tones and sweeping vein pattern, a marble-tiled bathroom is the epitome of timeless luxury. Achieve the look with porcelain tile that looks like marble, such as the Tru Marmi series.
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.
A lighter colored tile can expand the perceived size of any room. Cream and natural tones for solid colored tiles will definitely make any room appear larger.
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.
Gray can make a room look bigger. A light gray can be a great pick in place of white; it will reflect natural light, but it looks less architectural and cool than white, which you might prefer.
When tiles are laid horizontally, and to the ceiling, the bathroom looks wider and more spacious. Compare this to a vertical laid tile, which tends to make the ceilings look taller but the space tighter.
The large surface area makes the space look cleaner, and avoids the checkerboard look of regular sized tiles. Large format tiles can be used both for traditional style bathrooms and kitchens and more modern sleek styles too. They are good for a minimalist streamlined look, and add a timeless accent to your room.
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.
GREY FLOOR TILES
Grey indicates and shows your neutrality and balances both vibes of your space. Nowadays, Grey becomes the most popular for flooring and it is an ideal choice for the modern era.
Brick Tile Pattern
The classic brick lay is a great pattern for DIY as it is the easiest to install and you will have the least cuts or waste. This pattern however is less ideal for bowed tiles which many distributors will inform you of.
First, you'll notice that most timeless tiles have a neutral, earthy, or muted color palette. Black and white is one standard color scheme, but other colors you might notice in classic tile patterns are light gray and tan or brown shades. In many cases, these tiles are made from stone, concrete, or terracotta.
Black, pink, green, and white semi-precious stone designs made of porcelain tiles are available in a variety of colors and styles to suit your needs. Marble look porcelain tiles are a great choice for those who want the look of stone slabs without the maintenance that comes with it.
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.
In open spaces, large format tiles give the eyes relief from distracting grout lines, making the room look bigger. The visual interruption is reduced with fewer grout joints and creates a more cohesive look. Keep in mind that when large format tiles are used horizontally, they create the illusion of wider space.
Generally, it is easier to install large tile. Large Format Tile that is around 1′ square, 1'x2′, or 5″x36″ in size is usually faster and easier to install than small tile and extra large tile.