Best of the Week: 31 Terrific Tiled Floors From Around the World
Low-maintenance and sturdy, tiles are a practical choice for many floors. But what about the decorative aspect?
Vanessa Walker
26 April 2018
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
There are some aspects of designing a home that really allow you to express yourself. Furnishings are an obvious example, as are colour schemes, but we want to direct your attention to tiles. These magnificent, and infinitely variable, floor and wall products are an effective way to play with your interior. From formal to floral, elegant to eclectic, there are so many different approaches to choose from. Here we lay down some great examples for you.
1. Location: Barcelona, Spain
Why we love it: You know how pattern-on-pattern is a fashion trend? Well here is that approach on a floor. We love the interest and cosiness it imparts to this cavernous space. Beautiful and warming.
Why we love it: You know how pattern-on-pattern is a fashion trend? Well here is that approach on a floor. We love the interest and cosiness it imparts to this cavernous space. Beautiful and warming.
2. Location: Rome, Italy
Why we love it: Who knew that tiles could be such a celebration of life? These energetic, arty tiles ramp up the decorative aspect of this otherwise restrained bathroom.
Why we love it: Who knew that tiles could be such a celebration of life? These energetic, arty tiles ramp up the decorative aspect of this otherwise restrained bathroom.
3. Location: Boston, USA
Why we love it: It’s a special surprise when you expect carpet or timber and you get tiles instead. And look at how they work in with this elegant space.
Why we love it: It’s a special surprise when you expect carpet or timber and you get tiles instead. And look at how they work in with this elegant space.
4. Location: Portland, USA
Why we love it: Because tiles give you the opportunity to play with pattern.
Why we love it: Because tiles give you the opportunity to play with pattern.
5. Location: Newcastle, UK
Why we love it: Laid like a runner in this kitchen, these tiles manage to bring a soft element to this otherwise straightforward kitchen. Such a clever use of materials.
Why we love it: Laid like a runner in this kitchen, these tiles manage to bring a soft element to this otherwise straightforward kitchen. Such a clever use of materials.
And here you can see a similar approach, where they have been used to define the dining area within a larger open-plan space.
6. Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Why we love it: Because sometimes tiles can look like timber, but provide the waterproofing needed in a wet space.
Why we love it: Because sometimes tiles can look like timber, but provide the waterproofing needed in a wet space.
7. Location: Toronto, Canada
Why we love it: We love anything herringbone and admire how the pattern of the tiles, rather than the tiles themselves, provide an uplifting element to any space.
Why we love it: We love anything herringbone and admire how the pattern of the tiles, rather than the tiles themselves, provide an uplifting element to any space.
8. Location: South Kensington, UK
Why we love it: Because it looks like carpet but it’s so much better.
Why we love it: Because it looks like carpet but it’s so much better.
9. Location: Chicago, USA
Why we love it: Sometimes you need tiles to play second fiddle to other elements in the room, while not being bland. This is a great example of that approach.
Why we love it: Sometimes you need tiles to play second fiddle to other elements in the room, while not being bland. This is a great example of that approach.
10. Location: Seville, Spain
Why we love it: Again, using tiles to define a space in an open-plan area. We love how this zhooshes up the space just enough.
Why we love it: Again, using tiles to define a space in an open-plan area. We love how this zhooshes up the space just enough.
11. Location: Miami, USA
Why we love it: The tiles add a softness and femininity to this room that is super appealing.
Why we love it: The tiles add a softness and femininity to this room that is super appealing.
12. Location: Seattle, USA
Why we love it: Timeless. A perfect base for any kitchen.
Why we love it: Timeless. A perfect base for any kitchen.
13. Location: Russia
Why we love it: Carrying the tiles from the floor up the wall is a lovely approach, especially in a historical property. It’s cosseting and hotel-like.
Why we love it: Carrying the tiles from the floor up the wall is a lovely approach, especially in a historical property. It’s cosseting and hotel-like.
14. Location: Paris, France
Why we love it: And here, it adds a lovely interior sophistication to an otherwise very modest space. Wrapping up a wall, even half way, is definitely worth considering.
Why we love it: And here, it adds a lovely interior sophistication to an otherwise very modest space. Wrapping up a wall, even half way, is definitely worth considering.
15. Location: Goa, India
Why we love it: These tiles border a tree in a beautiful fashion. And something about them just makes us want to pop some cushions down and contemplate.
Why we love it: These tiles border a tree in a beautiful fashion. And something about them just makes us want to pop some cushions down and contemplate.
Here is another view. Naturally, these tiles are cooling underfoot, so suit very hot locales.
16. Location: California, USA
Why we love it: It could have been bland, but it certainly isn’t with this decorative flooring approach. The tones used in the tiles are so timeless too.
Why we love it: It could have been bland, but it certainly isn’t with this decorative flooring approach. The tones used in the tiles are so timeless too.
17. Location: Paris, France
Why we love it: For a cafe-like touch at home.
Why we love it: For a cafe-like touch at home.
18. Location: Kent, England
Why we love it: A great example of how pretty patterned tiles bring warmth and comfort to a space, in particular if you want to err on the side of a welcoming space rather than a showroom Shaker-style kitchen.
Why we love it: A great example of how pretty patterned tiles bring warmth and comfort to a space, in particular if you want to err on the side of a welcoming space rather than a showroom Shaker-style kitchen.
19. Location: Singapore
Why we love it: Because tiles are an excellent way to go a few shades lighter on your floor. They are a great way to play directly into your interior colour scheme.
Why we love it: Because tiles are an excellent way to go a few shades lighter on your floor. They are a great way to play directly into your interior colour scheme.
20. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Why we love it: Such a tropical approach. We love how dedicated the designer was to the idea of creating an outstanding experience in this room.
Why we love it: Such a tropical approach. We love how dedicated the designer was to the idea of creating an outstanding experience in this room.
21. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: And here, closer to home.
Why we love it: And here, closer to home.
22. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: We love how these tiles own this ambiguous space in this urban home. Can you find somewhere this would work in your home?
Why we love it: We love how these tiles own this ambiguous space in this urban home. Can you find somewhere this would work in your home?
23. Location: UK
Why we love it: Again, such a creative approach to flooring. These confident tiles really make this space, without being overbearing.
Why we love it: Again, such a creative approach to flooring. These confident tiles really make this space, without being overbearing.
24. Location: Perth, WA
Why we love it: Although sometimes it’s completely right for a tile to demand attention. Especially when it adds another pattern or textural element in a bold play.
Why we love it: Although sometimes it’s completely right for a tile to demand attention. Especially when it adds another pattern or textural element in a bold play.
25. Location: Virginia, USA
Why we love it: We’re enamoured of matt tiles, but what about the sheen of old? This classic approach never goes out of style.
Why we love it: We’re enamoured of matt tiles, but what about the sheen of old? This classic approach never goes out of style.
26. Location: Paris, France
Why we love it: Many of us despair over our terracotta tiled floors, feeling they drag our house back in time to the ’70s. But if you have this flooring and you want to modernise the look, consider adding a warm grey to any joinery around the area. It’s a surefire way to bring the space into the now.
Why we love it: Many of us despair over our terracotta tiled floors, feeling they drag our house back in time to the ’70s. But if you have this flooring and you want to modernise the look, consider adding a warm grey to any joinery around the area. It’s a surefire way to bring the space into the now.
27. Location: Dallas, USA
Why we love it: Hexagons rule. We know that. But don’t overlook square tiles just because you’ve seen them in older houses. We love the artisan look here.
Why we love it: Hexagons rule. We know that. But don’t overlook square tiles just because you’ve seen them in older houses. We love the artisan look here.
28 Location: Paris, France
Why we love it: Pattern-on-pattern done in a restrained way. We are also fans of the way the tiles are laid, so as not to finish in a straight line. One of the beauties of tiles is that you can think outside of the box…
Why we love it: Pattern-on-pattern done in a restrained way. We are also fans of the way the tiles are laid, so as not to finish in a straight line. One of the beauties of tiles is that you can think outside of the box…
29. Location: Houston, USA
Why we love it: … like laying them to suggest the appearance of a rug.
Why we love it: … like laying them to suggest the appearance of a rug.
30. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: Small hexagonal tiles add a lovely Scandi element – an aesthetic that Australians quite rightly love.
Why we love it: Small hexagonal tiles add a lovely Scandi element – an aesthetic that Australians quite rightly love.
31. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Why we love it: Because you can have fun with tiles. The end.
Tell us
Which of these lovely floors is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments, and don’t forget to like, share and save this story. Join the conversation.
More
Take a look at last week’s Best of the Week: 30 Home Bars Around the Globe
Why we love it: Because you can have fun with tiles. The end.
Tell us
Which of these lovely floors is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments, and don’t forget to like, share and save this story. Join the conversation.
More
Take a look at last week’s Best of the Week: 30 Home Bars Around the Globe
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Love the patterned tiles and extending them up the walls. This is our new ensuite bathroom