How to Design a Bathroom With Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is made by firing thin clay blocks in a kiln at high heat to harden them. Generally, they are glazed to create a variety of colors, designs and textures. Ceramic tile is durable and reasonably priced. It is easy to clean and doesn't harbor germs, which makes it a perfect material for bathrooms. With a little guidance and some practice, you can probably install ceramic tile in your bathroom yourself, saving the cost of a professional installer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Study decorating books featuring bathroom design. Clip pictures from decorating magazines of the type of bathroom that appeals to you. If you're looking for a casual country style, try publications like "County Living." If contemporary décor is more to your taste, magazines like "Elle" and "Architectural Digest" will interest you.
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Visit home improvement stores or stores that are devoted only to different types of tile for floors, walls and outdoor use. These specialty stores often have sample rooms in a variety of styles and sizes set up to give you an idea what different kinds of tile might look like in your bathroom.
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Evaluate the bathroom's features. Look your bathroom's lighting. Choose light-colored tile for a bathroom that doesn't have a lot of natural light, or compensate with artificial light if you desire darker tiles.
In rooms that have a lot of natural light, you may decide on darker tiles, but natural light will also enhance lighter color schemes like light blue tiles on the floor and white or a complementary pastel on the walls, giving your bathroom a sunny vibe.
Measure your bathroom. If it is a small space, choose small tiles. A large space can accommodate larger tiles that would overwhelm a small bathroom.
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Buy tiles that best suit the décor you have decided on. For example, small, black-and-white floor tiles paired with larger, rectangular subway tiles on the walls and a pedestal sink and claw-foot tub give your bathroom a style reminiscent of the Victorian era. Red travertine on the floor and smooth white tile lining the wall of a walk-in shower is more contemporary. Ceramic tiles in pastel greens and pinks trimming the walls and vanity evoke a bathroom that is directly from the 1950s.
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Tips & Warnings
Glass, marble, granite and slate tiles are alternates to ceramic tiles in a bathroom.
Avoid having your tile feel cold underfoot by installing an under-the-floor heating system.
Installing ceramic tile in your bathroom can raise the value of your home.
Ceramic tile may chip or crack when something heavy is dropped on it.
Ceramic tile is slippery when wet.
If it isn't frequently cleaned, the grout may change color and appear dingy.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit towels in the bathroom image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com
