Buyer's Guide To Interior Tiles

When it comes to interior tiles, there’s always something fresh and new to look forward to. We bring you an array of designer and decorative choices. Take your pick!

- Vanita Arora

Be it aesthetics, durability or functionality, tiles have revolutionised the home decor world over the years. The choices are umpteen with tiles for every corner of your house that will suit your mood. With a plethora of styles, patterns, shapes and colours, their application on both floor and walls instantly uplifts the look of your space. As a handmade product, the beauty of tiles lies in its design flexibility, cost-effectiveness, ease in installation and maintenance. Also, tiles are considered vital in promoting a pleasant and hygienic environment. A breakthrough in technology and mastering the art of innovation, the new age designer tiles are today a must for every home.

PLANNING

Choose the right tile “There are no specific rules to follow,” says Architect Israel Nottes. The most important thing is to keep the porosity of the tile in mind. According to Sapna Aggarwal, Creative Director, Ansa Interiors, “Less porous tiles are apt for wet areas while others can be used for general flooring and walls. You must also consider that some tiles bleed their colour when exposed to sun and tiles which absorb stains easily should not be used in wet areas. It is also important to take note of the roughness and smoothness of the tile surface. Whereas very rough tiles can turn out to be difficult to maintain on floors, smooth ones will make the floor very slippery.”

“Try to avoid using rough textured matt tiles for kitchen flooring as the kitchen is an area where a lot of spillages occur. The flooring here needs to be easy-clean, satin finish or glossy,” says Rajan Goregaoker, Principal Architect and Director, GA Design.