Considering the Room You’re Tiling
- Bathrooms. When selecting the finish of your discount bathroom tiles, consider the size of your space. Ensuite bathrooms are typically modest in size, so polished tiles could be a good way to help light bounce around the space and make it feel spacious and airy. However, if you’re tiling a large family bathroom, matt tiles are a great way to hide water stains, so they could be preferable for these high-traffic rooms.
- Kitchens. In busy kitchens, mess is nothing out of the ordinary. Spills and splashes happen, so you need our discount kitchen tiles to be easy to clean and hide smudges and stains. Matt wall tiles are typically the best choice for this; however, opting for polished kitchen floor tiles to contrast this is a good way to still allow that reflective surface to make the space feel larger and brighter.
- Living spaces. Tiles in living rooms and bedrooms typically aren’t the top choice for walls or flooring, but it doesn’t mean they can’t work! Something softer, like a matt wood-effect floor tile for a bedroom, is a great choice if you’re looking for durable and low-maintenance flooring without losing that cosy feeling.
- Hallways and entrances. In these areas of the home, a combination of both matt and polished tiles is ideal. Polished finishes work well for hallway walls, as they help to elongate the space with their reflective look and make the space feel larger and welcoming.
How Colour Affects the Finish of the Tile
Interestingly, the colour of your chosen tiles will affect their finish. So, if you’re set on green kitchen tiles, you must think about their hue when deciding between matt and polished. For example, lighter, natural green shades, such as sage and pistachio, look beautiful in a matt finish. This helps their soft and muted tones stand out, creating a natural overall appearance in your space. On the contrary, if you prefer jewel-toned greens, opting for a polished finish allows their true colours to shine, reflecting their namesakes, such as emerald. Let’s take a deeper look into this using black and white; you can use these colour and light theories to help you find the best solution for your room, regardless of your preferred hue or finish.
Black matt tiles are modern and understated, providing an industrial look to your home. While they can darken a space, when used correctly, they can be very effective. Black polished tiles, however, are dramatic and provide a contrast between light and dark due to their dark shade but reflective properties. White matt tiles are elegant and give the perfect backdrop to a room, allowing other colours, patterns and textures to take centre stage. However, choosing white polished tiles is the best way to help open up a space and let light bounce around.
Let’s Talk Matt Tiles
To help you with your decision, we’ve compiled some pros and cons of each finish type; here are the benefits and drawbacks of matt tiles:
- Anti-slip properties. Their textured surface allows for better grip, making them ideal for bathroom and kitchen floors.
- Conceals imperfections. They are great for hiding smudges and fingerprints compared to polished tiles and, therefore, require less cleaning than gloss tiles.
- Can make a room feel dark or dingy. As they’re non-reflective, they can sometimes make a room feel dingy if it isn’t already well-lit.
- Stains can be challenging to remove. While small smudges can be concealed, matt tiles can sometimes be more prone to absorbing stains as they’re porous.
Image: Lavica Grey Stone Wall Tile
Considering Polished Tiles
Now, here are the benefits and drawbacks of polished tiles:
- Reflects light well. As discussed, polished tiles are ideal for helping light reflect around a room, brightening up dark areas and creating the illusion of more space.
- Easy to clean. Wiping polished tiles down is easy to do and removes most dust, spills, and stains quickly.
- Highlights imperfections. Their high-shine surface sometimes draws attention to scratches, smudges, and watermarks.
- Can be slippery. Although gloss is a beautiful finish for flooring, it can be slippery, so it could be hazardous if water is left.
Image: Rojo Blue Subway Tile
Choose Matt and Polished Tiles from Roccia Outlet
Whether you want the high-gloss finish of polished tiles or the understated aesthetic that matt tiles bring, make sure to choose Roccia Outlet for your discount tiles. We have an extensive range of options to browse, and if you’re unsure of your finish choice, why not order some FREE samples? We offer three free tile samples that you can then test against your existing fixtures and fittings and see how they look against various lighting around your home.
Get in touch with our team for more information, or explore our website to discover the matt and polished tiles you need in your home!
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