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Design Dilemma
itsdecisiontime

Which color tile?

13 years ago
Will be updating the 21 year old flooring in our kitchen, breakfast and family rooms with 20X20 tiles. The kitchen cabinets will be painted off white and appliances are stainless/ black. The kitchen wallpaper has been removed and wall color and countertops will be determined later. The family room is currently light beige (may be painted when the kitchen is painted) with off white trim. Both rooms have a primarily southern exposure. It is an open concept "L" shaped area with approximately 35 feet across. The hallway, half bath and laundry flooring will also be replaced with the same tiles but these rooms have no natural light as they are in the interior of the house. Family opinions are divided. Suggestions? And any thoughts as to arrangement of tile in brick, diamond or grid pattern?
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    13 years ago
    I like the lighter...looks better with the paint color.

    Comments (28)

    • 13 years ago
      Darker!
    • 13 years ago
      I would go with the lighter one.

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    • 13 years ago
      Lighter for sure! The darker one looks dull next to your trim and wall color.
    • 13 years ago
      Probably the darker one, feel like the lighter will blend too much with the white cabinets.
    • 13 years ago
      I like diamond pattern, it will cost a little more since it will require more tiles.

      I think either color is fine - you'll be happy with either one since they are both splotchy enough to hide a multitude of grime!
    • 13 years ago
      Thanks for your opinions. I'm worried that the darker tile may be too dark for the interior rooms with no natural light, yet the lighter tile may be a little too light for the large open area it will cover. I've been looking at tile for a year now and have narrowed it down to this pattern in one of these 2 colors. It's a big project and I sure don't want to make a mistake......but as felixgrantham commented, either one will probably be fine.
    • 13 years ago
      The darker color is beautiful. It's rich in color compared to the lighter one. I think a diamond pattern would look better seeing that the tiles are perfectly square.
      itsdecisiontime thanked Mark
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      I understand your indecision, I keep waffling also, the darker has warmer tones if you want to pick those up in furniture and wall color, but the light is very nice, as well. I like a brick pattern like my first example, or if the tile comes in different sizes my real preference is for a random pattern (which is really a pattern that looks random) like the other examples, which has a more natural stone look and is less repetitive in a larger area.
      Cantrell Ave · More Info

      Highland Dover · More Info

      Painted Oak Kitchen · More Info
      itsdecisiontime thanked User
    • 13 years ago
      Lighter one for sure!
      itsdecisiontime thanked gretmarie
    • 13 years ago
      I would definitely go with the darker tile. The lighter one will wash out once it is laid in a large area.
      itsdecisiontime thanked User
    • 13 years ago
      Definitely a 20x20 it's hard for me to se the color tones in the picture
      But from what I can tell I still say the lighter one. I did 20" myself and I love it!!!
      itsdecisiontime thanked Walter Casiano
    • 13 years ago
      Have you considered the tile that looks like wood? They very in color and looks very nice in large areas.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I too like the darker one (but photos can be deceiving with color) I would probably straight lay it for a classic look but it all depends on what else is going on in the home.
      itsdecisiontime thanked Imaginations Design Studio/Cheri Brichetto Designs
    • 13 years ago
      I appreciate all the input, several comments have given me a few additional points to consider. The pictures have been helpful too.
    • 13 years ago
      The straight pattern looks more formal to me than the running bond pattern. I like the darker one--it looks much richer
      itsdecisiontime thanked Nancy Walton
    • 13 years ago
      choosing between the two I would go darker. But like Christy mentioned, I think the tile that looks like wood is a more updated look.
      itsdecisiontime thanked flasthrnbel
    • 13 years ago
      I like darker as well. It seems in the design dilemmas the homes with a lot of light tile need warming up.
      Have you considered a 12x24 size tile for a more updated look?
      itsdecisiontime thanked User
    • 13 years ago
      Darker tile--installed straight. CheerS!
      itsdecisiontime thanked Natalie
    • 13 years ago
      Does the darker tile pull the browns from your cabinets? Gray will not go well with your chestnut brown cabinets.
      Which one has the least amount of gray
      itsdecisiontime thanked Lisa Angeli
    • 13 years ago
      Since your cabinets will be painted white, I would go with the lighter tile from the first group.
      itsdecisiontime thanked houssaon
    • 13 years ago
      Thought about the 12X24 tiles but because my room is in an "L" shape, I would have to consider how the tiles meet the wooden floor in the entry at two doorways. The 20X20 tiles would also have fewer grout lines which I think would be a plus. We have 3 dogs and hope the future includes grandchildren, so I am interested in easy maintenance/cleaning.

      Any one know much about grout? The salesman will quote the job with what I think he called cement grout and will also quote the job with an epoxy grout which will cost a little more. Which lasts better with less staining and easier maintenance/cleanup?
    • 13 years ago
      Both tile colors have a fair amount of gray. The cabinets will be white/off-white and I will probably paint the island cabinet an accent color. Dark brown most likely, maybe a non-neutral color if I decide to be bold. Will choose the countertop color and wall color after the floors are done.
    • 13 years ago
      Epoxy grout never needs sealing. I have used both, and in wet areas and high traffic areas it's the best.
      itsdecisiontime thanked Nancy Walton
    • 13 years ago
      Worth the investmen
      itsdecisiontime thanked yonube
    • 13 years ago
      Good to know, we definitely have high traffic areas and we sometimes have a stray ice cube that goes undetected on the floor from the fridge ice dispenser. So epoxy it will be, thanks.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I like the darker one- and since the edges of your tile are rectified I would recommend the smallest grout line possible in a shade slightly darker than the tile to provide definition. The random pattern (Versailles) is a little dated now. But could do a diamond pattern for interest with a rectangular border all the way around made from your tiles cut in half. But I agree with the wood tiles idea- so beautiful and much more current. I have used them now several times for clients with very happy results! Just check out the ones on Houzz and you'll see how great they look! Check out this one i did recently- it happens to be a barnwood look. Actually lays down in planks!
      itsdecisiontime thanked Davidson Design
    • 13 years ago
      I have the lighter one myself...be prepared to mop, mop, mop!
      itsdecisiontime thanked Jennie Young
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