As the center of your home, the living room has a lot to, well, live up to. It’s an area used for congregating and entertaining, not to mention where lots of happy memories are made. This high-traffic area generally receives a lot of love when it comes to decorating, but it can also be notoriously difficult to style. After factoring in furniture, accessories, curtains, and rugs, there is one simple yet dynamic option that will take your living room to the next level – tiles. We’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite living room tile ideas that will make you swoon and get you inspired.
1. Practicality matters
When it comes to living room tile ideas, you need to keep practicality top of mind. Selecting tiles that are strong and durable is key, because the living room sees a lot of foot traffic. Porcelain materials are a safe bet for living room floors – they are versatile, decorative, and generally more affordable than natural stone. Another big bonus is their sturdiness – these tough surfaces won’t trap bacteria and dust, not to mention that stressing over spills will be a thing of the past.
image via: @threebirdsrenovations of the Paddington Check Pattern Terrazzo Look tile. Our Paddington Check Pattern tiles are currently unavailable, check out our Bronte Checkerboard Terracotta tiles as an alternative.
2. Dial up the drama
Not everyone is a fan of subtlety. If you’re into making a statement with your decorating, there are plenty of ways to achieve this with living room tiles. Natural stone and textured tiles will absolutely set your space apart from the crowd, or you can even opt for ornate or distinct geometric patterns. Don’t be afraid to take a risk and select something bright or bold! You’d be surprised at how visually appealing this tilework can be, especially paired with maximalist decorating cues.
3. A nod to neutral
Prefer to keep things more low-key? Tiles in neutral tones are a failsafe choice for your living room. Neutral tiles are a popular option for good reason – as well as their gorgeous natural finish, their muted palette ensures that they can work alongside any decor while complementing existing art and furniture. Tiles in neutral tones also come in a wide variety of textures and finishes, so you can branch out and explore without going too wacky with colour.
4. Mix and match it
Who says you have to stick to one tile throughout your living room? Getting creative with mixing and matching is a fantastic way to showcase your personal style. Glass meets stone, porcelain meets cement – using different materials can create visual contrast that still keeps things harmonious. Playing with colour contrast is also a good option for those who like to make a statement. Picking hues within the same family or even going for opposite ends of the colour wheel can work wonders.
5. Industrial vibes
There’s nothing quite like polished concrete to give off that moody warehouse effect – but it is possible to fake it. Concrete-look tiles come in a variety of shades from light to dark, so you can easily tile your living room to create an industrial theme. Use matching grout to create a seamless effect that will make it look like your floors are just one big slab of beautiful concrete.
6. All on the wall
You know all about painting a feature wall – but have you considered tiling a feature wall? Adding tiles into your living-room decorating mix is an exciting opportunity to play with colour and texture. You can also opt for more delicate styles as foot traffic is not a concern – this is purely decorative. Splash out with marble, slate, quartzite, or granite tiles to establish a bold accent wall with some eye-popping allure.
Our Waverly Encaustic Look Tile
7. Tile with terracotta
If you’ve got a love for all things earthy, opting for terracotta tiles in your living room can give off major Moroccan-oasis vibes. These warm-toned beauties are beloved in the interior design space for good reason – they are chic, timeless, and able to blend in with a number of existing features. Want to create your own Spanish hacienda? Pair your terracotta tiles with crisp white walls and rustic wooden furniture for that European look.
Image via: @tahnee_kelland of our Thirroul Terracotta Look Matt Subway
8. Go with the flow
For those who crave the illusion of more space, carrying your living room tilework through to your outdoor area or courtyard is a winning strategy. Using the same tiles in both spaces creates a seamless flow between inside and out, ideal for those who love hosting and entertaining. A great choice for families who spend lots of time flitting between inside and outside, this theme obviously works best with sturdy, weatherproof tiles.
9. Why not wood-look?
Love the look of hardwood flooring but can’t justify the expense? Wood-look tiles may be the solution you’ve been looking for. These tiles use knots and grains to mimic the texture of real wood, but at a fraction of the cost. They also have the benefit of being more durable and moisture-resistant than actual wood, so it’s a win-win!
10. Borderlands
Here’s a fun and unique living room tile idea – creating a border around a center tile design to mimic the look of a rug. If you choose a light-coloured tile for your overall floor design and hem it in with a contrasting darker-coloured tile, the results can be quite visually striking. You can also do the reverse, picking a rich, dark colour for your center and bordering it with something light and crisp.
Don’t be afraid to give tiles a try
At the end of the day, opting for tiles in your living room is a smart and stylish choice. You will be pleasantly surprised by their durability, not to mention they are super low maintenance and easy to clean. Lean into the refined luxury that a tiled living room will afford you – now go forth and decorate!
