Remodeling Guides
Tile Floors Help a Hot Home Chill Out
Replace your hot-weather woes with a cool feel for toes when you treat your floors to deliciously refreshing tile
If the mercury spikes in your region much of the year, take a cue from homes in warm climates and fill your space with beautiful, refreshing tile to keep it cool in hot weather. Cooling your bare feet on tile floors may be just what you need to survive these hot summer months.
From sleek and modern stained concrete to classic red Spanish tile to mosaics inspired by ancient designs and more, there's a tile to suit every space and purpose. Deliciously cool underfoot, withstanding years of hard use and washing clean with ease, tile easily goes beyond the kitchen and bath.
Keep reading for inspiring ways to use tile all around the house.
From sleek and modern stained concrete to classic red Spanish tile to mosaics inspired by ancient designs and more, there's a tile to suit every space and purpose. Deliciously cool underfoot, withstanding years of hard use and washing clean with ease, tile easily goes beyond the kitchen and bath.
Keep reading for inspiring ways to use tile all around the house.
Create durability in a beach house. It's easy to clean and will stand up against gritty sand and dirty feet. Sleek rectangular tiles in a cool gray hue work with the whitewashed walls and ceilings in this beach house to create a carefree mood.
Define an open-plan space. Contemporary stone tilework defines the dining area in this home and hints at the exterior living space beyond the glass doors.
Create a courtyard feel indoors. Use rough-hewn stone tile in a dining room with access to the outdoors to blend the border between house and garden.
Read more about stone tile
Read more about stone tile
Vary sizes for a fresh look. If a single size seem a bit stale, consider mixing it up with smaller tiles for a more organic, random effect.
Let patterned tile stand in for a rug. In a family room or an outdoor living space, using patterned tile can create the same visual effect as an area rug, but it's much cooler and easier to keep clean.
Try stained concrete in a modern space. The stained concrete shown here is poured, but a similarly modern effect can be achieved with sleek concrete tiles. Colorful tile stair risers in this home add an eclectic touch and pick up some of the color used elsewhere.
Use tile in high-traffic zones. Unlike wood floors (or carpeting), tile stands up well to rough treatment for many years without showing signs of wear. Entryways, mudrooms, halls and stairs can all benefit from this hardworking flooring.
Create a bedroom escape with hacienda-inspired red tile. Wall-to-wall carpeting can feel stiflingly hot in summer. Imagine instead stepping out onto cool Spanish-style tile. In cooler months, you can layer up with area rugs, then strip them off again come summer.
Create a sleek, modern look with dark tile. Looking for a more urban vibe? Choose a smooth tile with a highly polished finish in a dark shade. Art gallery–white walls and floors create a chic, high-contrast look.
Give outdoor rooms a polished feel. Make your covered patio feel like a room in its own right with a tiled floor. The tile you choose should enhance your home's architecture, so look for a style that works with your house.
Consider a mosaic accent on walls or floors. The swallows shown here are part of a mosaic done on a bathroom wall, though a similar design would look spectacular on a floor as well. Mosaics do tend to cost more, but even a small area can make a big design impact.
Enhance your home's exterior with tilework. Look beyond your home's four walls to other areas that could be enhanced with tile. Paths, patios, exterior stairs, courtyards, pools, fountains and garden borders all hold wonderful possibilities for getting creative with tile accents.
More:
Guides to Working With Tile
More:
Guides to Working With Tile