Big tiles have been looming large on the horizon for the past year or so, and whilst they’re not exactly a new invention per se, they’re about to blow up massive in interior design as more and more people put them to domestic use after being predominantly used in commercial settings and public spaces for aeons. Large format tiles can be successfully used in smaller spaces – don’t be daunted by the concept of large plus small, the contrast becomes an interesting design feature. Here we take an in-depth look at how you can deploy small room design ideas to create a huge effect!
Horizontal Lines
Plank-style tiles for walls are a great way of adding an expansive look to a smaller room… the emphasis on the horizontal makes a narrow space appear wider. These are from our quirky Chic range of structured wall tiles and also come in Grey and Blanco, (Chic Blue is shown here). Running these 300mm x 900mm tiles horizontally is a clever design trick and works well in a small cloakroom or utility space.
Darkness Visible
Of course, one of the undeniable advantages of using large format tiles in any room scheme is that there’s less grouting to do, and fewer visible grout lines, something which can often distract the eye from the overall look of a design scheme. We’re rather keen on this little bathroom – the amazing Etna Wall and Floor Tiles in rust have a metallic look, measure 450mm x 900mm, and look stunning in a small space (but we can also imagine Etna in a spacious, industrial-style room as well).
The Devil in the Detail
Terrazzo-style designs are enjoying a burst of popularity at the moment, particularly for kitchen and bathroom work surfaces and wall panels. Real or traditional terrazzo was made from marble and/or granite chips set into concrete, then polished to create a smooth and shiny surface. Very popular in Italy, and commonly used for floors. Modern versions use vivid combinations of colours and may use resin as a binder. If you want to echo a terrazzo look in a small space, our Oxford Grey Rectified Wall and Floor tiles are the easy solution, offering an authentic replication of real terrazzo for a fraction of the cost. The intense patterning gives an ‘all over’ look, disguising grout lines, and providing a clean, airy and spacious look.
For All Areas…
Our Evolution range of porcelain tiles are suitable for wall and floors, and are also tough enough for outdoor use too. Each giant-sized tile measures 500mm x 1000mm – so that’s only two tiles per square metre, which is bound to cut down on the installation work and also means fewer grout lines and a resulting streamlined look. The brushed stone aesthetic is a great choice for small areas like porches, cloakrooms, hallways and utilities – with the option of extending ground floor spaces through to the terrace, providing an elegant and practical flow-through look.
Good Idea – Small Space
Planning a bathroom is never easy, especially if you’ve got big ideas! Sometimes it’s impossible to fit in a bath and a shower and something has to give. Well, if you don’t want to forego bathing facilities, consider a shorter than normal tub, such as the Tubby Torre from The Albion Bath Company. These delightful baths are traditional roll-top design, with or without a plinth – a plinth version conceals the drainage pipes. In Iso-Enamel, and available in three sizes, 1200mm, 1300mm and 1400mm. So potentially you could have a shorter tub and have space for a bigger basin or even a shower enclosure. We thought we’d show it to you here with the outside painted in Living Coral, Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2019 and a great, happy shade for perking up a dark scheme.
Metal Balance Alcove Shelving by Content by Terrance Conran | Alveare Brass Wall Shelves and Mirrors | Roedera Mirror by My-Furniture
Reflecting Upon Storage
Small rooms need clever storage ideas that don’t take up too much floor space (or even no floor space at all!) and can usually be made to look bigger and lighter with the addition of mirrors or, particularly in a bathroom, mirrored cabinets. So, here we have some suggestions to give your small space a big new look. From left: Metal Balance Alcove Shelving from the new Content by Terence Conran range. There are numerous colours and combinations available. Centre: Alveare Brass Wall Shelves and Mirrors, which can be arranged as you wish for a stylish, individual look (creating light and storage space too!). Right: The rather splendid and sophisticated Roedera Mirror with a gold and white glass finish, also from My-Furniture adds a clean and spacious look to a small room.
Colour Co-Ordination
Dealing with a small space can be a great opportunity, colour-wise, to do one of two things – either get completely adventurous or go for neutral and/or natural shades that lend a sense of cohesion and co-ordination to a small room. Whichever way you decide to go, it’s worth a quick look at the new colours and formulations from M&L Paints. There are finishes to suit all situations, and the company’s Interior Eggshell is a good option for kitchens and bathrooms, especially for woodwork and walls. There are plenty of shades that will work wonders with some of the tiles we’ve highlighted here, so get planning!
Will you be incorporating any of these big ideas into your small space? We’d love to see your pictures – hit us up @TileMountainUK or on Instagram!
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Linda has worked as a freelance interiors writer and blogger for many years; she has written for most of the major home and design magazines, including KBB Magazine, Grand Designs, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Period Homes and Good Homes. She made the break and moved from London back to her home town of Shrewsbury three years ago and has just finished renovating her house. She also works in an interior design studio, produces copy for brochures and website, tries to tame her garden, aims to finish all the home furnishing projects she has on the go … and loves walking.
