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The Patterned Tile Floor Revival
There has been such a revival in patterned tile flooring recently.
It used to be the mainstay of Victorian houses — the sight of beautiful encaustic tiles, greeting you in the hallway— but then fell out of favour in recent years for plainer alternatives.
I did a little bathroom makeover and — although we haven’t actually changed the flooring yet — I began sourcing a replacement for the sad, tired carpet that’s currently down.
I totally had my head turned by patterns and shapes — beautiful colour combinations — and fantastic substitutes to plain (and dare-I-say-it boring) floor-coverings.
There’s a revival in full swing, alright.
Companies such as Bert & May, Mandarin Stone and Claybrook Studio offer a plethora of patterned floor tile options. In literally every colour under the sun.
If you want a patterned tile floor, you’ll be literally spoilt for choice.
A Patterned Floor Tile on Every Surface?
But there definitely appears to be an emerging trend for similar patterns and prints in homeware across the board; it’s not just resigned to flooring.
This love affair with a patterned floor tile transcends floor coverings too. I’ve spotted quite a few beautiful Moorish-inspired wallpaper designs recently.
And, whilst I’m not suggesting that a full — pattern on pattern — floor-to-ceiling pairing would be quite appropriate for modern-day living in the UK. Elements of it, here and there, are lovely and the perfect way to break up an expanse of plain colour, as illustrated by the image below.
I love seeing how a design, that’s generally used on a hard surface, translates to softer materials too.
These days you can even buy patterned tile cushions. The decorative nature of a tile print works so beautifully here.
And if you’re a little too nervous to cover your walls in a tile print wallpaper — or go for patterned tile flooring — it’s a lovely way to bring a little bit of sunshine into your home.
I always love going to Portugal and seeing their beautiful patterned tiles.
It makes such a change to see gorgeous, decorative flooring too, rather than boring old grey or brown that is often favoured in the UK.
But did you realise that you don’t even have to go for a tiled floor to get the same effect?
Patterned Tile Floor Is On a Roll
But what if you’re not in the market for a genuine patterned tile floor? The tiles can be costly but you’ve also got to consider the subbase before they can be installed.
Fear not. There are fantastic, budget options for a patterned floor tile that don’t require grouting!
The one above is on the roll vinyl.
Looks fabulous and you’d never guess — without closer inspection — that they weren’t imported tiles, shipped in from Morocco.
Patterned Floor Tiles on Pinterest
Pinterest is bursting with beautiful examples. But now, having seen the vinyl, it’s hard to work out what is actual tiles and what’s vinyl.
I’ve started a Pinterest board for decorative flooring inspiration. Pop along and have a peek.
In any case. Whether it’s original encaustic tiles or on the roll vinyl, it has to be preferable to tatty, carpet that has seen better days.
I think our bathroom carpet’s days are well and truly numbered.
This post was first published on 26 February 2016.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
I loooove patterned flooring, it looks gorgeous, so much better than boring laminate or carpet. We need to re-do our kitchen flooring sometime, the laminate has dents in it where various things have been dropped. :) x
Aaah me TOO Jenny!! I absolutely love it. And you’re right — it’s SO much better than plain flooring. Hides the dirt better!! ;)
Roll on vinyl is brilliant for bathroom floors. I love the Moroccan tile vinyl pattern, that’s gorgeous and looks far more expensive than it probably is.
Laura x
Amazing isn’t it?! I hd no idea you could get such gorgeous patterns on a roll!! :)
Wow I adore the last photo! Patterned flooring isn’t something I had ever considered before but it looks so lovely, I can’t believe you can get it on a roll! Amazing! xo
Aaah me too Harriet! I love the grey and white — so restful — but the patterned flooring really gives the space an edge and another dimension! :)
Oh I love these looks you’ve shared! The patternend floor look so oppulent – I can see this becoming a really big trend. It’s so great that you can have a really stylish option but it’s much more afforable and easy to keep clean – being vinyl.
Thanks so much Hannah — I think it’s SUCH a lovely trend. I predict it’s going to be huge this year too :)
love, love, love those Moroccan tiles! We have quite plain walls so patterned flooring would work well. Congrats on #markwarnermum too – very jealous!! x
They’re fab aren’t they? Lovely too when you have plain walls — such a nice contrast. And thank you so much pet — I really do appreciate that. Can’t believe my lucky stars :)
I would never of thought to have patterend tiles in our house, but those above are lovely
They’re gorgeous aren’t they? Makes a real change from plain tiles!
I really like the Moroccan floor tiles, they are just so pretty and they make any room look amazing x
I agree Rachel — although they’re even better when they come on a roll, rather than individual tiles!
I love beautiful tiles but it is always so expensive so the vinyl roll sounds a perfect solution. Really convincing too.
They ARE expensive aren’t they? It’s NUTS how much tiles cost — although I saw some great value ones in Topps Tiles the other day :)
Ohhhh I love the flooring in the last picture! I love greys and whites and this is right up my street! I would love to get rid of the carpets out of our bathrooms too, they just aren’t practical!
Gemma xx
I’m 100% with you!! The last pic is gorgeous isn’t it? Totally love the tiles!! x
That is a beautiful pattern, I love it!
Aah me too! :)