Tiling the living room floor is a practical and stylish choice. This solution will allow you, if you wish, to make "warm" floors or implement an ultramodern design project. And there is no need to talk about durability and ease of use. How to choose living room floor tiles? What should you pay attention to?
Floor tiles are a practical and durable material that opens up many possibilities for living room design
Advantages and disadvantages
Content
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Types of tiles
- Color scheme and texture
- Practical advice
- Video: Beautiful ceramic tile floors
- Photos of living rooms with tiles on the floor
Today, tiles for decorating the floor in the room rank first in popularity. Externally, the surface is a kind of mosaic with more or less distinct boundaries of fragments. At the same time, the fragments themselves differ in size, shape and color. In essence, the technology is no different from wall cladding. The only difference is the thickness of the tiles: the floor options are thicker and heavier.
Tile flooring combines durability with an attractive appearance
Advantages of floor tiles:
- Long service life, the ability to withstand a large whole and maintain an attractive appearance.
- Practically "does not react" to mechanical stress, resistant to abrasion.
- Tile models are available that are not subject to fading in the sun and retain their original colors during the period of use.
- It is extremely easy to care for, easily withstands not only wet cleaning, but also the use of chemical and abrasive substances.
- Today, a wide range of color solutions is available, guaranteeing an "accurate fit" in the interior of any palette and style.
- Modern tiles are made from different materials, which means that you can find an option with those the performance you need (living room tiles, cork flooring or porcelain stoneware - you choose).
- Laying tiles on the floor is easy, many do it on their own, without the involvement of specialists.
- Depending on the type of raw material, the size of the fragment and the complexity of the pattern, the cost of the tile also changes. You will always find an option that suits you not only externally, but also in price.
Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages:
- Especially in the cold season, tiles on the floor are very uncomfortable, therefore, if possible, consider additional heating.
- Smooth surfaces (also called "glass") are very slippery, which not only causes discomfort, but can be hazardous to health.
- Some materials emit characteristic sounds, each step is accompanied by "clatter", and not everyone likes it.
Types of tiles
The main, most commonly used, floor tile options:
- Vinyl. She will delight you for 10-35 years. Resistant to moisture, shock and other mechanical stress.
The photo shows a contrasting pattern of vinyl tiles, matched to the color of the furniture and wall decoration in the living room
- Rubber tiles. Nice to the touch, connects with special bushings. The only drawback: when heated, a characteristic odor appears.
Rubber tiles in the living room are rarely used, as they are more suitable for creating specialized coatings in rooms for sports activities.
- PVC. This tile will require special attention and careful maintenance from you. Reacts easily to high temperatures. But subject to the rules of operation, it will delight you for more than a dozen years.
PVC tiles attract buyers with an affordable cost and modern design
- Quartz vinyl. This tile is created from quartz powder, is very environmentally friendly, durable, reliable in operation, does not allow moisture to pass through.
In the photo, the flooring is made of quartz vinyl tiles with imitation of a wooden texture
- Cork. It is made of cork chips, does not allow moisture to pass through, it is an excellent soundproofing material and saves heat.
The cork floor is soft to the touch - pleasant to walk on barefoot
- Ceramic. The traditional version is made of clay with subsequent firing. The main disadvantage of this material is that it is cold.
In living quarters, it is better to lay ceramic tiles on a heated floor.
- Made of stone. One of the most durable options, natural material, but needs proper care.
Stone tiles in their appearance are more suitable for the design of ethnic interiors
It is worth noting that each of the above tiles has both advantages and some disadvantages. So, when choosing a tile, take into account the characteristics of your room, your own preferences and finances.
And yet, there is a well-defined "leader" - this is a ceramic tile, which, in turn, has the following varieties:
- Clinker room. Created from clay with the inclusion of pigments, flux and chamotte.
The shade of clinker tiles is perfectly combined with the texture of natural wood
- Porcelain stoneware. It is made by pressing fragments of spar, quartz, kaolin.
Porcelain stoneware can imitate a wide variety of surfaces, in the photo there is a variant of the floor covering imitating white marble
- Metlakhskaya. It is carried out with a single firing and is not glazed.
Light metlakh tiles on the floor of the living room in a classic style
- Cotto. Differs in great thickness (often up to 3 cm) and the absence of a layer of enamel.
Cotto tiles in the interior of a loft-style living room
The latter is characterized by high porosity, therefore it is not often used for finishing the floor in living rooms. Porcelain stoneware differs from all others with an almost mirror surface. Cork tiles are not able to withstand heavy loads and are rarely used.
Color scheme and texture
First of all, the color of the floor in the living room depends on your preferences. According to designers, the most practical and commonly used colors are coffee shades, as well as terracotta and sandy yellow. Often a gray brick or stone tone is chosen for the floor.
When choosing a floor tile color, it is important to consider the size of the room. In a small living room, it is better to lay a light floor covering.
Stylish and expressive flooring comes out when several colors are combined on one surface
Black, although it looks unusual, is still inappropriate in the living room. It visually makes the room low and heavy, even if there are light blotches. But smoky blue or gray-mint colors, diluted with beige or gray fragments, make the living room interesting, and do not interrupt the overall design concept.
Gray tiles are perfect for flooring in a modern living room
Clearly shaped tiles in neutral shades help create a clean and clean design
In the interior of a modern living room, black and white tiles lined with geometric patterns look original
The texture of modern tiles is more diverse than ever. And if earlier you had to choose between a glossy surface and not so much, today tiles with interesting effects are available, and even 3D models. You can choose from matte finish, rough or embossed tiles.
Glossy tiles attract attention with their perfectly smooth surface and gloss
By choosing the right tiles, taking into account the lighting of the room and the palette of wall decoration, you will turn the living room into a work of design art. It will always be pleasant for you and your loved ones to be in such a room.
Practical advice
- When decorating a living room with a bay window with tiles, it is better to accentuate with contrasting tiles in the dining area. This is a stylish solution, because finishing to match the furniture is always a winning option.
The photo shows an example of highlighting the dining area of the living room using contrasting tiles
- "Dilute" plain tiles with ornamented tiles. For example, make half of the living room plain, and decorate the other half with tiles with a pattern. You will be surprised how interesting the interior becomes.
Tiles with a bright pattern are perfect for zoning room space
- In the case when a light color is chosen for the floor, try to make some kind of carpet imitation using contrasting tiles - fresh, creative and beautiful. For this purpose, not only tiles with a pattern are chosen, but also special borders that match in color.
Pictured is a ceramic tile carpet in the fireplace area of the living room
- Another unusual solution: place the main material at a right angle, and an imitation of a carpet diagonally. Thus, contrast can be achieved by positioning the trim in different directions.
In the center of the ceramic carpet, you can lay out an original pattern of darker tiles
- For country style, patchwork will be the ideal floor design. The cladding is made in fragments of the same size, but in different colors: blue, wine, marsh, coral and sand.
In the photo, finishing the living room floor with ceramic tiles using the patchwork technique
- Live tiles will help add creativity to everyday life. It reacts to every touch and changes its color and pattern.
The interior of a room with "living tiles" will always be bright and original, since the pattern on such a carpet is not repeated twice in a row
Floor tiles in the hall and living room are the best solution for finishing, no matter which option you choose: granite, PVC or vinyl. Do not be afraid that the premises will become official, too formal and lifeless. By choosing the right color and texture, you will make your room cozy and stylish.
