10 Common Tile Selection Mistakes

## 1. Choosing Overly Glossy Tiles for Wet Areas Glossy tiles become extremely slippery when wet, particularly dangerous in bathrooms and kitchen areas. Choose tiles with a rough surface or anti-slip tiles with a high friction coefficient for these areas.

## 2. Using Tiles Too Small for Large Spaces Small tiles (30x30cm) in a spacious living room create a cluttered feel with too many grout lines. Choose large-format tiles (60x60cm or 80x80cm) for open spaces to create a more seamless and luxurious effect.

## 3. Ignoring Anti-Slip Ratings Many people focus only on color and pattern, forgetting to check slip resistance ratings (R9, R10, R11). Bathrooms, terraces, and outdoor areas need tiles with at least R10 slip resistance.

## 4. Not Considering Color and Pattern Choosing tiles too dark makes the room feel dim and cramped. Stone-vein or wood-grain tiles must be carefully checked for pattern repetition — too much repetition looks artificial and less premium.

## 5. Choosing Low-Quality Tiles to Save Costs Cheap tiles often have high water absorption, easily staining and cracking after a period of use. Investing in quality tiles from the start saves more than replacing them after 2-3 years.

## 6. Using Too Many Polished Tiles in the Living Room Polished tiles strongly reflect light, causing glare and an unpleasant 'ice rink' effect. Instead, consider matte tiles, honed tiles, or stone-vein tiles with a natural surface.

## 7. Not Calculating Tile Size vs Room Proportions 60x120cm elongated tiles can make a small room appear longer but also narrower. Calculate tile direction and room proportions before deciding on tile size for the best visual effect.

## 8. Ignoring Water and Stain Resistance Glossy glazed tiles have better water resistance than unglazed matte tiles. For kitchen and bathroom areas, choose tiles with water absorption below 0.5% and surface stain treatment for easy cleaning.

## 9. Not Coordinating Wall and Floor Tiles Mismatched wall and floor tiles create a disharmonious and patchwork feel. Choose wall and floor tiles in the same color tone or from the same collection to ensure spatial consistency.

## 10. Buying Tiles Without Checking the Actual Batch Tile colors can vary between different production batches. Always request to see actual products, check batch numbers, and purchase 10-15% extra for future replacements.

Conclusion: Choosing tiles seems simple but hides many pitfalls that first-time buyers can fall into. Hopefully, the 10 common mistakes analyzed above will give you a clearer perspective and help you make wise decisions for your home. Always remember: investing correctly from the start saves many times over compared to future repairs.