Selecting tiles for your home décor can seem daunting. There are so many endless options that the process can be very overwhelming, so we’ve brought in reinforcements. Today on the site, we have designer Daniela Benloulou of Daniela Benloulou Interiors and co-founder and principal designer at Hamsa Home writing about her designer’s guide to selecting the best tiles for your home, so that you can find the exactly what works for you! Take it away, Daniela…

Congrats, you are ready to bring some new tile into your space—how exciting! Selecting tile can be a frightful endeavor, especially knowing the permanence of it, cost of materials, labor, and just maybe, your fear of commitment. There are quite a few qualities to consider when on the hunt for the perfect tiles, so today, I’m sharing my guide to selecting tiles, so that the process is easier, less overwhelming, and you can find the perfect option for you.

Photo via Daniela Benloulou

COLOR

Color is one of the most obvious ways to add some pizzazz to your space. With so many people sticking to neutral options for the past few years, color has made a huge comeback and shouldn’t be anything to fear. If you’re not huge fan of color in terms of wardrobe or décor, try paring down the overall aesthetic by only having color on your tiles. Keep everything else neutral in the space, such as cabinets, paint, or your vanity. Alternatively, you can bring in hints of color with a fun grout color instead of color on the tile itself.

Photo via Daniela Benloulou

PATTERN

Pattern is a wonderful place to start when considering tile. This can be achieved with a printed or hand-painted pattern on top of a square or rectangle, or with uniquely shaped solid tiles. Shapes like hexagons, arabesque shapes, and triangles all create wonderful patterns, especially when used with a contrasting grout. A lot of people worry about when they commit to any kind of pattern, they feel they may tire of it in the future. To that, we suggest using pattern in one area of a space, versus going floor-to-ceiling all around in a pattern. It’s like having a patterned throw pillow on a solid sofa instead of an entire sofa upholstered in a repeating pattern.

Photo courtesy of Daniela Benloulou

SCALE & SIZE

Scale is something very important to take into consideration, and even harder to fully grasp for the average person. Scale in this sense refers to the size of each individual tile compared to THE size of the space. There are plenty of “rules” here, like only using oversized tiles (anything bigger than 24”x24”) in a larger space. But ultimately, it’s a judgment call based on the unique attributes of the space, as well as the tile itself—how busy is it visually? Is the grout contrasting or does it blend in? Generally, with oversized tiles, we prefer not to have the grout in a similar color to the tile itself. But say, with penny round tiles, for instance, it is wonderfully fun to have a contrasting grout, even in a larger space (like a bathroom floor).

Photo via Daniela Benloulou

TEXTURE

Texture is a critical quality to consider, especially for wall tiles. In spaces like backsplashes, fireplaces, or shower walls, a little texture goes a long way in adding visual interest. The look of handmade solid color tiles (like Zellige tiles, and all the porcelain knockoffs out there) are very popular now because they add something special to an otherwise visually basic backsplash. Texture captures the light in various spots, and keeps the eye bouncing around a space, which can make a space seem larger.

Photo via Daniela Benloulou

SHINE

Matte tile, just like matte nail polish and matte car paint, is also making quite the splash these days. Matte tiles on walls are great for spaces where you’re trying to be more understated (for floors, they are more mainstream for anti-slip properties). That said, matte tiles are definitely not for those that prefer flashier design styles. This doesn’t mean if you have glossy wall tiles, however, you are necessarily “flashy” by any means! Gloss finish tends be easier to clean, much better for reflecting light, and keeping a space brighter and adding that tailored finish to your décor.

What are your thoughts on Daniela’s guide to selecting tiles?

You can follow Daniela on her Instagram here and her work at Hamsa Home here, and you can shop more GM prints with Free Express Shipping here.

Check out the full tour of Gray's Lake Michigan Home, designed by Kate Lester, for some more tile inspiration.

Xx Team GM

Photos: Daniela Benloulou, Gray Malin