With modern, simplistic tiles taking reign over the last couple decades, patterned tiles are now making a major comeback – and I’m excited! 

From geometric kitchen tiles to floral bathroom floorings, there’s a multitude of designs you can explore using patterned tiles to create a feature in your home. And the best part is, you aren’t restricted to your bathroom, kitchen or laundry when it comes statement-making tiles. 

Stunning stairs

What better way to make your stairwell stand out than with a fabulous tile design? If you’re taking the understated approach, stick to tiling only the stair-risers, and pair your design with wood for an attractive aesthetic. 

Feature flooring

Some homeowners prefer a home that is fully tiled – especially if they’re located in an area known for consistent hot and humid weather. But if you’re looking for a jaw-dropping reaction when guests come to visit, feature tiled floors in specific areas such as your kitchen, entryway or bathroom. You could try making a statement with a mosaic design, or give a large-scale floral motif a go! 

Kitchen splashback

Not keen on retiling your kitchen floor, but looking to give the whole space a bit of pizzazz? Why not give your kitchen splashback a little love by adding patterned tiles that add interest to the space? 

You could opt for shiny white tiles accented by black grout for a modern feel, experiment with coloured tiles or keep it simple with the odd floral tile dispersed between neutral tiles. Feeling bold? Why not try introducing a vibrant colour such as red or blue to your kitchen splashback for a fresh new feel? 

Shower recess

Retiling your whole bathroom is not only a huge job, but can be overkill depending on the general theme of your home. That’s why taking a look at your shower niche is a popular option for homeowners seeking a little bathroom revamp! 

The best part about retiling your shower recess is that you can create a spectacular feature by redesigning just one wall in your niche, keeping costs down while getting maximum impact. Remember to run your tiles from floor to ceiling for the best results!  

Time to tile!

Now that you’ve got some ideas in the renovations bank, it’s time to think about how you’ll undergo your project. 

Plan and prepare

Before you begin, even out your floor, ensuring it is flat, dry and free of any moisture. Then, consider how much of your space you want to tile. If it’s the whole room you’re tiling, you’ll need to find your centre point and work your way out to each corner. 

Locate the centre point

You’ll need a helping hand for this one. To find the centre point of your room, measure one wall, find it’s mid-point and make a mark on the floor. Repeat this step with each of your remaining walls. 

Draw a line between the two points, then create two marks on the line – each one metre from the midway-point. 

Tie one metre of string to a pencil, hold the end of your string onto the first two marks, draw two sets of arches at 45 degrees on the floor, and repeat on the other side. 

By drawing a straight line between the centre of these two arcs, you’ll find your perfect 90 degree angle in the centre! 

Spread the adhesive

Starting at the point you’ve now marked out, place tile adhesive on the floor using a gauging trowel, followed by a notched trowel to spread the grout over an area of approximately 1m².

Lay your tiles

Place the first tile firmly into the adhesive along your 90 degree line, by using a twisting motion to embed the tile into the adhesive. Place spacers between tiles to ensure even spacing, and repeat the first process with each tile you place down. 

Use a spirit level to check that your tiles are flat throughout this process, and tap them with a rubber mallet to even them out if you find the level of your tiles are slightly off.

Apply the grout

Wait for the adhesive to set, then remove dust or debris from the surface of your tiles, and ensure no tile spacers are protruding. Using a gauging trowel to remove the grout from the tub, work into the tile joints using a grout float until the grout is level with tiles’ surface. Ensure all spacers are fully covered. 

Finish

Now it is time to seal around the edges of your space with a flexible sealant to match the grout. Why? Because this helps to accommodate any movement or expansion between the wall and the floor. Clever, huh? 

Work from one end of the skirting board to the other, applying a continuous bead of sealant as you go. For best results, make sure you keep the pressure steady and maintain a good speed during this process! 

Fancy putting a little elbow grease into your next home? Whether it’s a major overhaul your next property needs, or just a few features added throughout, Kitty & Miles are the buyers advocate agency you need to help guide you in your next purchase! Give us a call on (02) 8916 6172 or email our team at support@kittyandmiles.com.au for more information!