Tiles For The Home By Style
About Our Tiles By Style
What Are Tile Styles?
Tile style refers to the overall visual character of a tile — determined by its colour, texture, shape, surface finish, and how it's laid. Two tiles made from the same material can create completely different results depending on the style chosen.
Style directly affects how a room looks and feels. Large-format plain tiles in a neutral tone create a clean, contemporary feel. Patterned or textured tiles add character and work well as feature areas. Gloss finishes reflect light and open up smaller spaces, while matt and stone-effect surfaces bring warmth and texture to floors and walls.
Choosing the right style for the room matters:
- Kitchens — wood-effect, stone-effect, and metro tiles are popular choices for both floors and splashbacks
- Bathrooms — marble-effect, gloss, and large-format tiles work well on walls and floors to create a clean, considered finish
- Hallways — geometric, patterned, and stone-effect tiles make a strong first impression underfoot
- Living spaces — wood-effect and natural stone-effect porcelain deliver warmth and texture without the upkeep of real materials
Layout also plays a role — the same tile laid in a brick bond, herringbone, or straight pattern can produce very different visual results.
Best Tile Styles for Each Room
Kitchen
Kitchens need tiles that balance practicality with style. Floors take the most punishment, so stone-effect and wood-effect porcelain are popular choices — they're hard-wearing, easy to clean, and add warmth to a working kitchen.
- Floors: Stone-effect or wood-effect porcelain in matt or textured finishes — practical and on-trend
- Splashbacks: Metro tiles, marble-effect, or large-format gloss tiles — fewer grout lines mean easier cleaning
- Current trend: Large-format matt porcelain floors paired with a contrasting gloss or marble-effect splashback
Browse our kitchen tiles range.
Bathroom
Bathrooms offer the most opportunity for style impact. Large-format tiles reduce grout lines and make smaller bathrooms feel more spacious. Marble-effect and gloss finishes remain consistently popular for walls and shower enclosures.
- Walls: Marble-effect, gloss white, or textured porcelain — clean, light, and easy to maintain
- Floors: Matt or textured porcelain in neutral tones — safe underfoot and practical day to day
- Current trend: Full-height wall tiles with minimal grout lines for a seamless, hotel-style finish
Explore our bathroom tiles collection.
Hallway
Hallways are high-traffic areas that need to look good and stand up to daily wear. Style matters here — it's the first thing visitors see. Geometric patterns, stone-effect tiles, and darker tones all work well and hide dirt between cleans.
- Floors: Geometric, patterned, or stone-effect porcelain — durable and visually striking
- Colour: Mid to dark tones hide footprints and scuff marks better than pale finishes
- Current trend: Encaustic-effect and Victorian-inspired patterned tiles for characterful hallway designs
View our hallway floor tiles.
Living Area
Living spaces call for tiles that feel warm and considered rather than purely functional. Wood-effect and natural stone-effect porcelain are consistently popular — they bring texture and depth without the maintenance demands of real materials.
- Floors: Wood-effect or stone-effect porcelain in large formats — warm, natural, and low maintenance
- Feature walls: Textured stone cladding or large-format marble-effect tiles for a focal point
- Current trend: Wide-plank wood-effect porcelain in pale oak or grey tones for open-plan spaces
See our living room floor tiles range.
Patio and Outdoor Space
Outdoor tiles need to handle frost, rain, and wet underfoot conditions — so material and slip rating matter as much as style. Porcelain rated for outdoor use is the most reliable choice, available in stone-effect, concrete-effect, and wood-effect finishes.
- Patios and terraces: Thick-body porcelain in stone-effect or concrete-effect finishes — frost resistant and durable
- Pathways and steps: Textured or grip-finish porcelain with an R11 slip rating or above
- Current trend: Seamless indoor-outdoor designs using the same tile style inside and out for a connected feel
Browse our outdoor tiles for frost-rated and slip-resistant options.
Tile Styles FAQs
What tile style is best for modern homes?
Large-format porcelain tiles in neutral tones — particularly concrete-effect, stone-effect, and plain matt finishes — are the most popular choice for modern interiors.
What is the difference between metro and subway tiles?
Metro and subway tiles are very similar — both are rectangular, wall-mounted tiles typically laid in a brick bond pattern. The term "metro" is more commonly used in the UK, while "subway" is the American equivalent. The key differences are usually size and finish — metro tiles tend to be smaller with a bevelled gloss edge, while subway tiles can vary more in size and finish.
Are matt or gloss tiles better?
Matt tiles are the safer, more practical choice for floors — they offer better grip, hide everyday marks, and suit most interior styles. Gloss tiles work well on walls and splashbacks where they reflect light and add visual depth, particularly in smaller bathrooms and kitchens.
Which tile styles work best in small rooms?
Large-format tiles with minimal grout lines are one of the most effective ways to make a small room feel bigger
Can I order tile samples before buying?
Yes — and it's always worth doing before committing to a full order. Tile colours, textures, and finishes can look different on screen compared to how they appear in your own space and lighting.