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Best size of tile for scale

15 years ago

I'm stumped and I've done lots of searches but I must not be asking the right question. Planning to tile our kitchen floor which is about 11' x 12'. We like a terra cotta-looking ceramic. We're trying to figure out what size is best to have the room look in balance--6" or 12". It ends up being a galley-style kitchen because there's a big window opposite the main entry door that goes too low to allow counters. Do smaller tiles typically make the room look busy, bigger or smaller? Obviously it would be quicker to use 12" tiles but that's not really our goal. Help!!

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Comments (8)

remodelfla
15 years ago
In my opinion... a smaller tile makes a room look busier. However, that can be an appropriate look if your aiming toward a more period or themed style. If you post a pic of your kitchen it might help visualize it. Good luck!
brutuses
15 years ago
Normally large tiles placed on the diag. will make the room look bigger, but you must have enough room to run at least 3 tiles side by side or else it will chop up the floor and make it look smaller. I think 6" would look nice as a border or accents with a 12", but not a solid floor of 6" tile. It will make the room look smaller.
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I told my husband that my friends on my forum are recommending a floor that is not so blue/gray as this, and he was surprised because it seemed more warm than gray to him. (Although I should say that he is leaving all the choices to me.) So, instead of depending on my poor photography skills, I'm posting internet images of it that are better renditions. And this is the door, although this looks pinker and less golden than the samples I've seen (including the sample I artificially aged in the sun for weeks!) And the Corian glacier white counter: Cpartist asks: What are the colors in the rest of your house? I am redoing everything and have not chosen a paint color or furniture. The owner of the flooring shop suggested a mustard yellow with this floor, which thought would look awesome with the white and blue backsplash I posted. I was envisioning something like wall color in the picture showcasing the corian counter top but a bit lighter. Cpartist also says: Also there is a tile similar to your last one that also picks up touches of the Browns from the cabinets. Can't think of its name right now If you think of it, please let me know, since this was the first backsplash that I really felt right about. Thank you!!!
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joandaugh
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks--that's very helpful. I can see how the smaller tiles would work if we were going more for a period look but might end up looking busy otherwise. The house was built in 1916 but we are not necessarily trying to restore it to the original style (I have gotten a peek at the original wallpaper and we're not going there!). Maybe we will try to work in a pattern of 12" with some 6" accents. I thought on the diagonal would give it some oomph without getting too fancy; my husband will be doing it with a contractor friend, so we'll see what they think!
jerry_t
15 years ago
For that size kitchen laying a diagonal 12 x 12 or 16 x 16 works well for me and the homeowners. The less grout the better. I would also recommend Laticrete SpectraLOCK grout.
pharaoh
15 years ago
I am with Jerry on this. Over the years I have done several tiling jobs for myself and I find that bigger tiles look better, work better, need less maintenance (less grout).

I would go with 16"x16" or larger. Dont do the 6". You will regret the miles of grout that are dirt traps :)

I am now seeing 24"x 24" stone tiles in newer homes in socal! and, I think, as the natural stone industry matures, you will see more of these sizes.
As a reference my brother has 3 feet x 6 feet marble 'tiles' in his home abroad. No grout lines at all. Looks gorgeous and so easy to maintain. Will outlast the house ...
joandaugh
Original Author
15 years ago
OK, I have only one more day to waver, but I think we're going with a 12" x 12" terra cotta colored porcelain tile that mimics tumbled marble (it's at Lowe's so probably many people have it--Del Conca Rialto). Instead of a basic grid, I want to offset it in a kind of running brick pattern so it evokes brick since I don't have any. And I dislike having those structured lines from the grid. I'm thinking this will look homey without being as complicated or busy as a diagonal.
jerry_t
15 years ago
Good choice and also a real nice tile.
brutuses
15 years ago
Please post photo's when it's complete.

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