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Flooring Design Dilemma Kitchens

Expanding tile from Kitchen throughout the home

Hillary Hornbeck

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi, My husband and I just purchased a new home. In the kitchen, there is a whitewashed tile as pictured below. We really like the large planks, which are currently 12x24. Unfortunately, they don't make those sized tiles anymore, but they do make 8x48.

I'm curious, how would it look if we replace the hardwood floors with the same whitewashed tiles, but 8x48?

A follow-up to that, how would it impact the look if we were to replace the hardwood floors with the same whitewashed, sized 8x48, and layer them in a chevron pattern?

Thanks for your input!

Featured Answer

Nadya

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

If you are asking whether it's a good idea to replace hardwood floors in the living area with tile: my vote is no. I am not sure where your house is, but in most of the American climatic zones, tile in the living space is weird. It is appropriate in the tropics or the Caribbean, but not the U.S. Here is appears low-rent or just odd.

To give you an example, in my area there is a top-budget luxury builder who puts up multi-million dollar mansions. He's from Iran originally and it clearly shows in his choice of finishes - like marble floors in expansive public areas of the house. All I can think when I see this is that marble floors must feel cool and restful in Tehran but here in Washington D.C. they are just cold, slippery and uninviting.

Re: chevron - I think this is something that may really date your house to a particular period. The fashion for chevron is bound to be short-lived.

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Comments (9)

PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
You want to replace beautiful real hardwood floors with cold grey-washed faux wood tile? Not a great idea. It seems like the wood has held up well and tile everywhere doesn't seem like it would be appropriate. Real hardwood adds value to a home, tile does not. Also, the white/grey wood is a trend that is dying so putting it everywhere isn't a smart idea.

Nothing is as timeless as real medium stained hardwood like you have.

If anything I would replace the wood tile in the kitchen as it's too washed out with your white cabinets. There isn't enough contrast between the too. Running the real hardwood into the kitchen would create a much nicer look.
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I live in Florida too and as you say, tile throughout the house is a common-and practical-look down here. I think you should definitely do that last bedroom too. If you are doing the rest of the living space, it is going to be somewhat weird and offputting to have just one room different. Not sure what you plan WRT future moves, but for resale value it would for sure be a negative. Not to mention unless you want to go ahead and buy enough of the same tile and store it (in which case you might as well install now anyway), you are running the risk of the tile being discontinued so you can't get it. Even if you can buy it later the match might not be perfect. And logistics come into play. Redoing floors is a MAJOR pain when you are living in the space. If you are going to put yourselves through that, just do it all and be done. Good luck Ann
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I've built several banks of cabinetry with uppers. In my MBR I have, well, actually those are 18" deep cabinets. Kitchen ones I cut down to fit along a wall. It's a 16' 10" Tansu style. I am still in progress, but it's fabulous, if I do say so myself. In my dining room I have a 6' w x 90' tall bank of wall cabinets that I've built in. A new take on a boring pantry, I guess. :) Laundry room the same. 72" w x 90" tall. I get "orphan" cabinets are a reuse center for $2.00 each. Base cabinets are $5.00. I wait and stalk them until I can find some nicely made, plywood cabs. I use my own doors and have veneered the sides to make them look like one unit. I am all for and love this idea! Yeah!
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Hardwood will always give you a warmer/earthy ambiance. With prefinished hardwood the price for an entire first floor isn't what it used to be, and it it has a very positive effect on your resale. If your worried about high traffic, pets or kids I would suggest something that has some distressing to hide any marking that does occur. Your only concern will be humidity, as it is necessary to maintain a consistent humidity of 35 - 55%. Anything out side of that zone may cause gapping or cupping.
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We just had over 2,000 sq feet of wood look tile installed in our home. We're in South Florida so there weren't many other options that I would consider. I am not a fan of laminate or LVP so it was either real wood or porcelain tile... and in south FL with a pool, humidity, etc we decided on tile. People on here say the tile planks are going out of style but it's just not true. It's durable, has a great texture (isn't shiny), elongates the home if you run it the right way, and has that look of warmth on the floor instead of the usual cold square builder grade tile that is all over down here. Many will also say it'll never pass as real wood and I agree but who is trying to pass it off as real wood? It's not even close lol. But it looks amazing for what it is! I like a seamless floor throughout so I'd do that whatever option you choose. We are in the middle of our reno so the floors are very dusty and some parts are covered but here are a few pics:
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User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
In Florida, Arizona, or California, tile floors are sought after. But anyone who put gray fake wood in is already regretting it. Bad fad. Going away. And that wood is the only warmth that house has. Other than that, it’s cold and personality-less.
PRO
Filipe Custom Woodwork
5 years ago
Agree with all of the above. Hardwood floors are more sought after than tile. Even if you can get the same material it will not match as the dye lots are different by now. The look of the house needs more interest and the hardwood adds to that. I would not change it.
tqtqtbw
5 years ago
You probably paid a premium for those hardwood floors in your purchase price. They are a major enhancement to your home. If your home in not in south Florida, I think it would be a mistake to replace the wood with tile, even if you could match the exact tile you have in the kitchen. You have timeless wood floors.
chiflipper
5 years ago
BIG PROBLEM - unfortunately, you will never be able to "match" your current tile...the "dye lot" will be glaringly different. You have to pull up the old tile and start from scratch. I am the voice crying in the wilderness as I prefer tile to wood.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
I also agree that the wood look tile is dying quickly .To be honest I am not set on wood floors as the be all but I would think long and hard about replacing all that wood with tile.Tile is really hard on legs, knees feet and from the look of your furniture rally not something that goes with that style and no to the chevron pattern ever
jslazart
5 years ago
I live in Arizona and still wouldn't touch those wood floors. Even if they were badly damaged, replacing with wood would be better than extending that tile, IMHO.
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
5 years ago
That is a really bad game dea. Keep the hardwoods. Change them out and you significantly cheapen the house. I live in California an dono, hardwoods are far more desirable than tile.

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