Square Up

The Buzzwords Are Maximalism, Material And Maintenance

- Caitlin Clements

USING TILES WHEN RENOVATING is not a new concept; rather, often the aim with older properties is to salvage the original offerings where possible. However, these tiles are rarely found out with the usual spaces, but now is the time to think outside the box – and the bathroom, kitchen and hallways – when it comes to tiles. Especially when there are so many cool and contemporary designs on the market at the moment, along with innovative ideas as to how to include them throughout the rest of the home.

The reasons that tiles have been used in the kitchen and bathroom are practical. “Tiles have been traditionally resigned to the bathroom and kitchen due to their durability,” says Sian O’Neill of Topps Tiles. “As hardworking, high-traffic areas of the home, surfaces need to be sturdy and reliable to ensure they stand the test of time. Porcelain and ceramic tiles have a high-water resistance, meaning they are ideal for use in kitchens and bathrooms that are often exposed to water and the inevitable risk of spills, without being high maintenance.” However, O’Neill encourages the use of tiles in the rest of the home, too. “Tiles act as a gateway into any trend and are a fabulous way for design-conscious homeowners to make a real style statement in the home,” she says.