For many Seattle homeowners, the choice of tiles entails the following considerations:

· The color (Does it blend well with my home’s color palette?)

· The pattern (Are they pretty to look at?)

· The budget (Can I afford it?) 

There is, however, one overlooked factor in selecting the right floor tiles: space. Will the tiles make the space look bigger? Or will it make my room look busy and cramped?

Strictly Tiles upholds artistry in creating tile patterns, but we also consider how the tiles affect the perceived size of the room. Our experts share a few guidelines they’ve learned over the years to help you choose tiles that make your interiors look bigger.

The Myth of Light Colors

People have an impulse to choose light and neutral colors for a larger-looking space. This, unfortunately, is a myth, especially when tiles are concerned.

Because tiles form only a part of the space, it’s essential to assess the tile colors relative to the rest of the room. Choosing a light hue without considering the shade of the walls and doors may shrink, rather than enlarge, the place.

As such, the best tile colors are those that are identical or close to the color of the walls. This seemingly eliminates the borders between the wall and the floor, creating a more breathable, seamless space. The line of sight is uninterrupted, so the room looks bigger. The same goes for countertops; if you’re replacing your kitchen tiles in Seattle, match them with the existing surfaces. 

In contrast, tile colors that are drastically different from the walls make the space seem constricted and cramped. Since the line of sight from the floor to the wall is interrupted, people in the room are sharply aware of the borders.

Choose Large Tiles

The larger the tile, the longer the distance the eye travels from one tile to the next. This creates the illusion of a bigger space. Large tiles provide less interruption of floor space because there are fewer grout lines. In contrast, smaller tiles create more grout lines, which break the line of sight and make the room look busy.

As a rule of thumb, bigger tiles make the room seem bigger. A 16’’ or 18’’ tile will make the room feel larger than a 12” tile. To further enhance the sense of space, choose grout lines that match the color of the tiles. This eliminates the interruption between tiles, expanding the illusion of space.

However, this is for homeowners who aren’t after a visual tile pattern. If you have a tile pattern in mind, then our flooring contractors can determine tile sizes that eliminate visual clutter.

Diagonal Tiles Work Best

The way you lay out the tiles affects how big your space feels. For instance, a diamond pattern creates the illusion of a bigger room than a checkerboard pattern. In a diamond orientation, the widest section of each tile faces the entrance. This prevents you from measuring the space in terms of tiles across or tiles down. 

When combined, these three considerations make a world of difference in the perceived size of the room. However, these are only rough guidelines; since each Seattle home has different configurations, some cases prove the exception to the rules.

To find out the types of tiles that expand your room, get in touch with our tile experts. We’ll survey your living space and provide recommendations on the best color, shape, and orientation for your floor tiles.