When you are looking at remodeling your kitchen, the most difficult task is to decide its look. It should be something that appeals to the tastes of the entire family and should also suit your budget. Even when you have done all that, it’s sometimes difficult to decide where and how to start. Here is a small guide that will definitely rescue you from any miscalculations while designing your kitchen area.
Where to start?
Once the plan of overhauling the kitchen is finalized, the next step is to decide the look and feel of the space. You may prefer a contemporary look, or you want to make it a subtle classic beauty, or go for some traditional choices. Examine the options through the internet and interior decor magazines to get an idea of how each of these concepts will look and which one does really appeals to you.
Where will the tiles be placed?
The decision of where exactly to place the kitchen tiles will be a great help in narrowing down the size and material of tiles. So decide if you want to install tiles on the kitchen backsplash and counter, walls, and flooring. Glass looks the most elegant when it comes to backsplashes, while porcelain is the best material for kitchen counters. Orientbell’s porcelain floor tiles with their anti-skid features are the best flooring options too.
Does size matter?
Should that be a consideration? Absolutely! Larger tiles make any space feel larger and airier. However trivial the decision about the size of the tiles looks, it is very important for the overall outcome. Larger floor tiles can give the room a larger look and feel since there are fewer visible grout lines to break the pattern. However, having given the larger ones their due, we cannot tag the smaller ones as insignificant. They can work very well as a backsplash, or on the floor of a small space.
Floor or walls?
Using floor tiles on the walls will make space seem more cohesive, but you can’t use wall tiles on the floor as they may not be strong enough to withstand foot traffic. A floor tile will have a harder glaze and will be made of harder materials to withstand traffic. In a small room, light-colored tiles will make the space feel bigger. If you have a large room, you will have more options as you would be able to choose between light and dark tiles
Is the geometry of any importance?
Irregular tiling should not be given a preference, considering that uneven grouting may cause trouble eventually in terms of maintenance and wear and tear. Rectangular or square tiles will serve the best purpose for a longer-term role!
Your budget will be of paramount importance:
Once you have made all the decisions, it is important to take a quick glance at the kind of money you are ready to shell out for tiling up your kitchen. The marketplace is full of options, of almost all ranges. You can research the design, but your buying capacity will help you make the final decision.
It’s advisable to allocate the requisite budget, keeping the long term in mind. Saving a few bucks on sub-standard tiles may result in more spending later on the upkeep or, worse, replacement. Once you have applied good quality tiles keeping the functionality and aesthetics in mind, you will not have to allocate this budget again and again. Personally, Orientbell tiles are a great help that way because they are valued for money as they last longer.
Consider your way of life:
Your way of life will decide the kind of tiles you want in any zone. As the kitchen is one of the most used areas of the house, this rule applies even more when you are designing it! But remember to keep the functionality aspect in mind rather than just creating the ambience you like. Functionality should have a role to play when you are deciding the tiles for your kitchen. Only this will make sure that the tiles have a long life and keep adding to the look of your dream house! The kind of foot load to be borne by the kitchen, the amount of time which can be given to the cleanliness of that space, and the usability of each area will help you decide which tiles should be placed in which part of the kitchen. Do not ignore this aspect, after all, it’s your space and its dynamics will be ruled by your lifestyle!
The key motive should be durability:
Decking up a place with tiles should be always done with the primary motive of giving durability to the kitchen. For example, certain tiles are more moisture-resistant than others and this is a quality that will give durability to your kitchen area. Considering that the kitchen is a heavily used area, the fancy looks should be definitely given lower importance vis-à-vis the durability. Do not forget, it’s not everyday that we decide to revamp the kitchen. So do it very diligently!
Don’t ignore tile grouting:
Consider grout as a design element, not a last-minute decision! Grouting is one aspect that we feel goes unnoticed. Disclaimer, it doesn’t. It should be kept in mind while giving the final touches and cannot be left alone. It adds to the design element! The colour of grouting can make a lot of difference to the final look and feel. For instance, a colour that is close to that of the tile will make the grout almost unnoticeable, as a result of which the tile installation will look compact while a contrasting color can make individual tiles pop out. It all depends on what effect you want to create, and the tile model you choose.
Try to keep it simple:
It can be very overwhelming to give an extra edge to every part of the kitchen but try not to go overboard. Keep it simple and subtle. Even a simple addition of bar backsplash with subway tiling can make a major impact on the overall aesthetic, as well as its functionality. Try it!
What we love versus what is suitable:
Our choice of tiles can definitely be decided by the look and taste we have for things. Do not ignore the importance of a technical eye. After all, it’s not rocket science, but yes, it is a science. That eye for detail can only be lent to us by a professional who can tell us which tile will be suitable for which space considering the functionality.