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.
A 16″ or 18″ tile will generally give a room a larger feeling than a 12″ tile. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of grout lines. The less grout lines, the less busy your floor is and the more expansive it appears. This expansiveness naturally will make your room appear larger.
Think cream carpets, natural and neutral toned tiles and whitewashed wood flooring. These attractive, light and neutral colours give a room an open and airy feel, making it appear larger, whilst also drawing in the natural sunlight from outside.
Use Horizontal Patterns
Horizontal patterns and arrangements can elongate a room, making it feel wider. Consider installing tiles in a horizontal layout on floors or as a backsplash.
Vertical stripes, ones that go up and down, will help to stretch a room and make it feel taller than it is. Fun fact, that's one of the tricks behind Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion pre-show. Striped wallpaper that runs horizontally, on the other hand, can make a room appear wider than it really is.
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.
For the illusion of a larger room, use a light color scheme. Pastels, neutrals, shades of cream and white are all color possibilities. If you love color, make your predominant wall color light and then add bold pops of color, such as this cheerful bright blue on the front door.
Instead, large format tiles can help give small rooms the impression of increased space by reducing the number of grout lines. When aiming to make a small room look bigger, we would recommend avoiding smaller tiles where possible as too many grout lines can make a room look cluttered and draw in the eye.
We often recommend light colors to give the room an airy feel. For example, blonde, light brown, or whitewashed hardwood can make the room seem more open. Tiles and laminate in lighter neutral colors like light gray can also create that airy and bright feeling as they reflect rather than absorb light.
“Center and balance areas of tile, if possible.”
This language directs the installer to provide a layout where the tile on the left is the same size of the cut on the right. Similarly, the cuts at the bottom of the installation should be the same size as the cuts at the top. This sounds simple and it should be.
The time has come to make it known that dark floors do NOT make a room look smaller. There are many things that DO make a room look smaller. Dark walls can.
Medium-size and large-format tiles 12 x 18 inches and up to 12 x 24 inches with same-colored grout can be a great choice to make smaller rooms seem bigger by taking away visible grout lines and visual clutter.
In summary, mosaic tiles have the potential to make a room appear bigger through clever design choices, color selections, and installation techniques. However, the effectiveness of this illusion may vary depending on factors such as the room's size, the specific mosaic design, and the overall design concept.
Disadvantages of Large Format Tiles
This means that installation costs can be higher than with smaller tiles. Additionally, if the tiles are not installed properly, they can crack or become damaged, which can be costly to repair.
Wide Planks
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.
If you enjoy lighter flooring, white oak and white maple are two of the best choices for a neutral color that won't go out of style anytime soon. If darker tones are more your type, walnut and cherry woods are both classic looks, according to Washco for Martha Stewart.
Dark floors absolutely can make a room look bigger, and it has a lot to do with the choice in flooring. While light floors are on trend and make rooms feel brighter, dark floors are still timeless and traditional, whether it's wood, tile, or other flooring options.
Diagonal tiles, for example, can make a narrow room appear wider. For an extra-large room, add a border of contrasting rectangular-shaped tiles to define your space. There are also mosaic tile shapes, like arabesque, that can create unique specialty designs.
Install Your Tiles Diagonally
If you install your tile diagonally or 'on point', it helps to break the room up a little, and in turn, makes your room feel significantly larger. This particular trick works in any small room you may have in your home, from a small bathroom or utility room to an entry hall or foyer.
It is a matter of personal preference. Traditionally, smaller wall tiles are combined with larger floor tiles to add contrast and texture. But, larger wall tiles look great in smaller bathrooms as they create the illusion of space. Want to explore your tile options?
A lighter icey grey works well to instantly lighten a space when it is able to work with natural light. 'In this case, soft grey accentuated the natural light provided by the windows and instantly made the space feel larger,' says interior designer Katie Orr.