Tiles have been cherished for centuries as a colourful and durable decorative surface, and rightly so. From stone and ceramic through to mosaics and metallics, there's a tile to suit every room.

Tile manufacturers are constantly coming up with new and exciting designs which have that all-important 'wow' factor. With such a wide range of tiles available, the decorative possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

TYPES OF TILES

Ceramic

Traditional ceramic or porcelain tiles are hard-wearing and easy to clean, making them a justifiable favourite for kitchens and bathrooms. Choose from classic colour combinations, subtly-decorated tiles with impressed designs or bespoke art panels.

Mosaics

Mosaics were once only used for splashbacks and small feature areas. They are now increasingly more affordable and are frequently used over large areas, often in combination with stone. Look for more unusual mosaics of three-dimensional pebbles and iridescent glass.

Natural stone

Nothing quite beats the beauty of a natural stone floor with its rich, earthy tones. Stone floors can be cold underfoot so consider installing under-floor heating first. With such a wide range of colours and finishes available, more and more people are using stone tiles on both walls and floors throughout the home. Travertine, limestone and marble continue to be the most popular.

Terracotta

The warm colours of terracotta are a perennial favourite for kitchen floors in both traditional and contemporary homes. Choose unusual inset tiles to complement the terracotta and ring the changes.

Slate

Whilst slate has long been popular for traditional flagstone floors, it also creates a great natural look for showers and splashbacks. There is a huge variety of colours available from greens and browns through to reds and greys.

CHOOSING TILES

Versatile neutrals

Neutral coloured tiles are still hugely popular because they are so versatile in fitting in with existing colour schemes. Add interest with the use of different textures and a variety of sizes.

Vibrant brights

Tiles are a great way of injecting colour into a room and they are more durable than paint or wallpaper. Try bright contrasting colours such as blues and yellows or complementary shades of greens and blues. Remember that subtle shades can be just as striking and create a sophisticated feel in a room.

Exciting textures

Highly-glazed tiles have a polished, glossy finish and are hugely popular. To add interest, ripple-effect tiles look beautiful in any light. Handmade tiles with rough edges and subtle shades create a rustic look. Other unusual textures include tumbled glass or lustre crackle finishes.

Combining materials

A popular new trend in tiles is to combine materials which complement each other beautifully. Try combining stone and glass or mosaics and metallics to create a stunning, unique look.

USING TILES

Different shapes and sizes

In the world of tiles, there is a myriad of shapes and sizes to choose from. When it comes to large format tiles, the larger the better. These tiles make a room seem much bigger than it actually is. The effect is magnified if they are used on both the walls and the floor.

Creating a theme

Apart from being practical necessities in splashback areas of the kitchen and bathroom, tiles can help to create a particular theme in a room. For instance, in a period-style bathroom, a dado and tubeline tiles create a distinctive feel and really complete the period look. At the other extreme, metallic or glass tiles are a great way of creating a contemporary look in a room.

Tile combinations

When the time comes to fix your tiles, think beyond the obvious. Combine unusual accent tiles with plain textured tiles to create your own unique look. Simply using the same design of tile in a variety of different sizes creates a striking effect. Alternatively, try fixing tiles in a diamond pattern for greater impact and interest.

All around the home

Tiles are no longer just for the kitchen or bathroom. New, innovative designs which imitate wood floors or carpet are the perfect low-maintenance alternative for living and dining rooms.

SHOPPING DIRECTORY

Checkalow 0208 441 7070 www.checkalow.com

Fired Earth 0845 366 0400 www.firedearth.com

H&R Johnson 01782 575575 www.johnson-tiles.com

Kenneth Clark Ceramics 01952 505085 www.kennethclarkceramics.co.uk

Marlborough Tiles 01672 512422 www.marlboroughtiles.com

Original Style 01392 474058 www.originalstyle.com

Porcelanosa 0121 780 0000 www.porcelanosa.com

1. The brilliant blues of Fired Earth's Fossil range are perfect for bathrooms. Lavender tile, £2.10 each; Lavender Leaf tile, £13.50 each.

2. The undulating patterns of H&R Johnson's Coast tiles mixed with Shale tiles from the Origins range create an effortlessly sophisticated look. Coast 300x100mm tiles from £127.12 for 34 tiles, Shale 300x100mm tiles from £23.46 for 34 tiles.

3. Checkalow's innovative Melange tiles mimic the look of carpet beautifully. £73.65 per square metre.

4. Use tiles on both the walls and floor to create a contemporary look in your living room. Caucaso Negro wall tiles, £97.91 per square metre; Caucaso Beige floor tiles, £97.91 per square metre, both from Porcelanosa.

5. The Mosaico Fashion range of glass mosaics from Porcelanosa can be used on both walls and floors. Prices range from £28 to £180 per square metre.

6. The Neutrals collection from Marlborough Tiles features a range of subtle colours such as Vanilla, Seagrass and Light Earth. Vanilla and Seagrass, £75.20 per square metre; Light Earth, £77.08 per square metre.

7. Create some individuality in your bathroom with this range of Sculpted Seashore tiles from the Classic Collection by Marlborough Tiles. £16.69 per 11x11cm tile.

8. Make a feature of your floor with Fired Earth's textured Island Pebble floor tiles. £6.65 each.

9. Fired Earth's terracotta floor tiles in the St James range are great for both traditional and contemporary kitchen floors. £4.10 each.

10. Original Style's Lunar textured glass tiles have a distinctive, luminous quality. £19.95 each.

11. Checkalow's stunning Space Identity tiles are made from highly durable porcelain and are available in a variety of sizes. From £54 per square metre.

12. You can even use mosaics as part of a feature wall in a kitchen. Niveo white gloss rectified wall tiles, £54.14 per square metre; Mosaico Glacier Verdes, £259.03 per square metre.