Tile with style
Organization, precision key to success
Whether your bathroom is in bad shape, or you just want to update it, tiles can be one of the most efficient ways to give it a facelift.
The key to tile design is organization and precision. All you need to get started is a tape measure, graph paper and some imagination.
First think about where you are going to put tile: the floor, wall, shower, counter, etc. The choice is yours as tiles can be installed almost anywhere.
Second, make a floor plan of your bathroom, showing all windows, doors, the vanity and other fixtures. Show all dimensions accurately. Remember, an inch can make or break your project.
Third, make elevations of all walls. An elevation is a two-dimensional drawing showing the ceiling height, location and size of windows, height of vanity, mirror, etc.
Before going shopping, calculate how many square feet of tile you're going to need. Break it down into areas, for example; floor, wall and counter. This will help you with quantities and price estimates.
- Think about the existing colors in your bathroom. These should affect your color and pattern choices, as you don't want them to clash.
- Avoid using patterned tiles where you have to cut them to fit around a corner. Instead create a design using a combination of plain and patterned tiles, using the plain tiles in the corners.
- Note the texture of the tile. There are many new textures on the market. Do some research and find out what is best for your needs.
- Don't underestimate the power of grout. It comes in a wide variety of colors so try incorporating it into your design. Either choose a coordinating color, or make a statement and choose an complimentary one.
- A popular option when coordinating tile with wallpaper is to have an artist recreate the wallpaper motif on tile.
- Hand painted tiles are more costly than plain tile but the final result is magnificent. A way to cut cost is to use hand painted tiles in a border and use plain tiles in the background. Whatever you decide to do, remember that you have to live with it. Try not to fall victim to trends as they may be out of style before the grout is dry.
