Useful tips for renovating your bathroom and kitchen.
If you think about it, the tiles of both the bathroom and the kitchen are the ones that give the first impression of a space when you cross its threshold. This does not mean that when choosing tiles we only look at the appearance. Functionality, durability and, of course, price play an important role. Both the bathroom and the kitchen are spaces that are used every day and in fact in a way that burdens the surfaces due to water vapour, humidity, residues, etc.
As you already know, there are two types: floor tiles and floor tiles. Floor tiles are more durable, do not absorb water and are not affected by changes in temperature. Wall tiles are available on the market in more designs and colors that will help you show off your personal taste in the space. Wall tiles are not as demanding as floor tiles as they are not stressed to the same extent.
THE MATERIAL OF THE TILES
The tiles are either granite tiles or ceramic tiles. Granite tiles have high resistance, low absorbency and are available in polished and unpolished versions.
Ceramic tiles have less durability and are therefore preferred for indoor use. Coating with a thin layer of enamel limits absorbency. But there are also non-enamelled ones on the market that have been impregnated with substances that have exactly the same purpose.
THE DESIGN OF THE TILES
Matte tiles and glossy tiles are the most popular options. However, there is also the imitation of marble, the tile made of natural material (such as stone), the rustic (or vintage), the retro (or antique), the ones with decors (that break the monochrome with a pattern) the mosaic and the listello (narrow decorative tile).
WHY DO TILE WALLS HAVE JOINTS?
This question is very frequent as most people would like a single surface in their bathroom and kitchen. The joints allow the tiles to expand and contract according to the change of temperature, season and weather. That is why you will see tiles without joints indoors but never outdoors. Also, usually, the surfaces we lay tiles on are not completely smooth, a problem that joints solve.
TRENDS IN TILES FOR 2022
Let’s start from the kitchen where colors such as dark blue, dark green and black are trending. Tiles with geometric patterns and subway tiles or Scandinavian (rectangular tiles) are very popular, while in the second category other colors besides the classic white are popping up. Finally, splashbacks (glass and glossy single plate on the kitchen wall) are also winning America after Europe.
We will close with the bathroom, where 2022 dictates large geometric designs on at least one small surface, large matte slabs in shades of gray, white tiles that enlarge the space and subway tiles that we talked about earlier. As for flooring, wood, marble and hexagon-shaped tiles are favorites in bathrooms being built or renovated as we speak.
