While the kitchen might be the heart of the home, the living room is a close second and a very busy place. Living room floor tiles are one of the most durable forms of floor that you can choose and perfect for high traffic areas.
Further, this flooring can complement many different design ideas, and they are easy to clean and maintain. In short, tile flooring is a flexible option that is worth considering for a floor that has as much heavy traffic as a living room.
Living Room Floor Tiles: Materials and Styles
While some people consider tiles just for a bathroom or kitchen, tiles are an excellent flooring option for living rooms too. From natural stone to hardwood flooring, tiles can mimic many aesthetic options.
Further, tiles can have a look that is uniform or create contrast depending on the color of the grout and the tiles themselves. Each has a different level of durability and stain resistance that should be explored when choosing tiles for the living room. We will consider the most popular tile options for living room spaces.
1. Ceramic tiles
This is the most common type of tile for walls and for flooring. In fact, ceramic tiles for living room floors are similar to tiles for the wall but are harder and can hold up to more foot traffic.
These tiles are made from molded clay and are the least expensive option for tile flooring. Fabricators mold ceramic tiles into many different shapes and colors. There are ceramic tiles that look like wood and natural stone like slate and granite.
2. Porcelain tiles
These tiles are similar to ceramic but have a higher proportion of silica and quartz. This makes them more durable and resistant to water damage than ceramic tiles. Like ceramic, there are porcelain tiles that can look like wood and natural stone.
3. Hardwood tile floor
“Hardwood” tiles are porcelain, ceramic, vinyl, or linoleum tiles that have been engineered to have a wood look. They resemble hardwood of many different species like oak and pine and are arranged in patterns like herringbone and other decorative parquet.
4. Vinyl tile
Vinyl tiles are made from a form of plastic known as polyvinyl chloride plastic or PVC. Luxury vinyl tiles mimic the look of natural materials and are water resistant. Vinyl tiles vary in quality and price. While most are inexpensive, luxury vinyl tile is longer lasting and more expensive.
5. Linoleum tiles
This is a natural flooring tile made using linseed oil and cork dust. Linoleum also mimics the look of other materials like wood and stone, though it is not as varied as vinyl. However, it is more durable and longer-lasting than most vinyl tiles.
6. Natural stone tiles
- Marble tile – Marble tiles are crafted from solid rock marble and come in many different colors. Because of its luxurious look it elevates the style of any room. You must reseal this tile every six months to maintain a strong resistance to stains and scratches.
- Granite tile – Fabricators create granite tiles from solid stones. Many prize granite for its durability and strength. However, it is expensive and can be difficult and time-consuming regarding maintenance.
- Slate tile – Slate is quarried from metamorphic rock and is long-lasting and resistant to scratching and staining. Most slate is dark gray but there are variations within the stone ranging from orange to brown and green to purple.
Pros and cons of tiles in the living room
Living room tile is the perfect option for many situations. However, no option is perfect. There are definite reasons why tile floors don’t work as well in some situations.
Pros
- Tile is a less expensive option than other types of flooring like hardwood flooring.
- Tiles are durable. They will not show much wear over time and they are water and stain-resistant if maintained well.
- Tile is a versatile flooring that can complement many different styles.
- Tile floors are easy to clean and repair.
Cons
- Tile flooring is cold to the touch.
- Tile flooring can be hard and slippery. Two exceptions to this are vinyl and linoleum which are both softer than other flooring options.
- Tiles can be difficult to match if you get a piece from another batch of tiles. Therefore, it is a good idea to have some extra tiles from the original batch in case one breaks and you need to replace it.
- You can scratch and crack tiles if you drop heavy objects on them.
Living Room Floor Tiles For Every Style
The look of tile is varied and unique making it a good choice for living room floors. We have gathered some of the best looks for you to consider to help you decide if tile is a good option for you.
Living room ceramic tiles
These white floor tiles for the living room have the look of white marble but they are made from ceramic. This tile elevates the look of the room in a way that no other flooring could. It is contemporary and sleek.
The contrasting colors of the furniture create a dramatic contrast. This accent color works well as it echoes the tones of gray in the tile floor. The wonderful thing about this flooring is that even though it has the luxe look of marble, because it is ceramic tiles, the price is much less than true marble.
Mosaic tile accents
Many people love the patterns of mosaic tile but feel that it would be too overwhelming in a large room like the living room. This home from Ola Zwolenik strikes the perfect balance. She uses mosaic tiles in a room that can be seen from the living room.
The way that the color blends with the colorful decor creates a look that is both historic and on-trend. Further, mosaic tiles are the perfect accent for a fireplace in a living room if you can’t use them on the floor.
Checkered marble tile floors
This living room from Jean Stoffer Design strikes the perfect balance between casual and sophisticated. Fabricators have crafted this floor from dark gray and white marble squares. This kind of look is distinctive and would bring a vivid sense of style to any living room.
Porcelain wood look tiles
Manufacturers crafted this porcelain tile floor to look like wood laid in a herringbone pattern. The light wood look is modern in style and works well with the neutral color tones throughout the space. Even though the wood is not real, the pattern provides a warm texture that provides interest in the room.
Slate tile flooring
Slate has an old world feel that is aesthetically pleasing in classic, traditional, and modern living rooms. Menendez Architects used large slate tiles in this midcentury condominium design. The cool colored slate provides the perfect counterbalance to the bright colors of the soft furnishings.
Luxury vinyl tiles
This luxury vinyl tile has a parquet wood look. This tile is more long-lasting than less expensive vinyl tiles. These tiles are water resistant and durable so they work well in high traffic areas like living rooms. These tiles come in square tiles, pre-glued strips, and planks.
Contemporary porcelain tiles
This greige porcelain tile is perfect in this contemporary beach space. In fact, tile works better than other flooring like carpet in a space like this because of the tracking of sand from the outside in. These large tiles work in many settings including contemporary and traditional alike.
Natural stone look alike
This living room from Horizon Italian Tile features a porcelain tile with a variegated color. It mimics the look of natural stone. This tile works in the spacious room by creating a varied texture.
Ceramic floor that looks like wood
Technology is amazing when you consider the look of this ceramic tile floor. While in normal circumstances ceramic tile floors have a cool and sleek appearance, this ceramic floor mimics the appearance of hardwood floors. It looks warm and textured accentuating the cozy style of the room.
White marble floor
There is nothing so elegant as a marble floor. However, this living room downplays the luxurious quality of the floor by placing it as a contrast to the contemporary style of the living room. Elements like the spare furniture and the warm color tones balance the cool colors of the marble.
Porcelain tiles with a marble look
Manufacturers have created this porcelain tile with a variegated pattern to look like marble. While other similar colors of tile exist, this particular pattern of tile gives the floor a pleasing texture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
What is the most popular tile color for a living room?
The most popular color tiles for a living room are neutral colors like beige, ivory, and gray. These complement most design styles and work with complementing color tones for accenting pieces.
What are the best tiles for the living room?
Weighing all the options between cost, durability, and style, porcelain tiles is the best option for living room floors. Porcelain is cost effective and can be created to look like stone, marble, and wood. Further, this is a very hard tile that is long lasting and water resistant. The next best option is ceramic tile. This is less expensive than porcelain tile. While it is not as long-lasting as porcelain, it is still durable.
Are tiles too cold in the living room?
Tile floors are cool to the touch. Therefore, they work better in warmer areas like beach properties and locations closer to the equator. A few ways to add warmth to tile floors is a rug, insulation, and an underlayment of some type to warm the floors.
What color paint goes with beige tile living room?
White walls look perfect with this color floor. If white is too bright for you, try a off-white like ivory. Also, varying shades of warm gray would look perfect with beige floors.
Are tiles good for living rooms?
Tiles work very well for living room floors in some cases. Some of these situations are places that have constant foot traffic and where there is sediment tracked inside. Tiles are also appropriate in warm climate locations.
What is the best way to select tiles for the living room?
There are so many varieties of tile that you can be very choosy about the type, price, and style tile that you need. Consider the durability of the tile you need. Also, consider the style of the tile which will determine the look of the room.
How much is it to tile the living room floor?
Depending on if you install the tiles or if you hire someone, the price will vary. If you hire someone you will pay around $15-$20 per hour for installing the tiles and materials. If you are going to purchase and install the tile yourself, the price will vary according to the type of tile you choose. Ceramic tiles are one of the least expensive options and you can get these beginning at less than $1 per square foot. The most expensive floor tiles are natural stone like marble and custom mosaic tile options.
Conclusion
In traditional settings, most people use tiles for bathrooms and for kitchens. However, many are beginning to see the benefits of tile flooring in the context of living room floors too. While this flooring might not work in every case, tile floors are so varied and flexible that they work in many situations. In the end, the hardest task is deciding which tile suits your needs best.
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