Selecting and purchasing tiles online has become incredibly simple over the last few years, with more streamlined processes and better technology becoming freely available and easy to use.
The process is simple with tile stores offering a range of services that will help you along your journey to create that perfect colour palette for your next interior design project, whether you are after new tiles for the bathroom or kitchen splashback tiles.
Seeking Inspiration
The first step when selecting your new tiles online is to seek out inspiration. Create yourself a ‘mood board’ by curating a collection of inspirational images from residential design magazines, online catalogues or social media; there are countless accounts on Pinterest for example that are bursting with inspiration on a range of creative different design styles you can achieve in your own home.
These images will form a ‘jumping off point’ of sorts, allowing you to define your interior design goals for your own project while also giving you the means of accurately communicating your preferences to your design professionals or builder.
Caption: You will be able to find inspiration images of tiles in use in design magazines and of course, through online publications and social media. These images offer an excellent starting point for your project as not only will you be able to see how your chosen tiles will look like installed but they will also offer you an idea of what types of materials and colours can be paired with your tiles to create the perfect colour scheme. This contemporary styled bathroom design scheme for example uses concrete look tiles on the floor and walls that are paired with soft greys and milky whites for a neutral and modern look.
Online Design Consultations
The next step in creating the perfect colour and materials palette using online services is to schedule an online tiles consultation with your local tile store. You tile consultant will be able to assist you with new tile selection with most good tile stores offering free virtual consultations where your consultant will offer you the best options that will tie in with your design vision.
You will be able to forward your inspirational images to your consultant as well, offering them a guide as to what your expectations and style preferences are.
Your online tile consultant will recommend the best options to suit your intended application, your budget and style preferences. They will be able to address any queries you may have in the care and maintenance of your selected tiles, recommend suitable grout types and colours, as well as advise on any specific installation methods that may be relevant to your tile selection. It is important to take note of this information as it will greatly impact your final tile selection as well as the outcome of your tiling project.
Caption: It is important to seek out your local tile store’s advice on your selected tiles prior to placing an order in order to ensure your new tiles are fit for your intended application and that you are aware of any specific installation instructions as well as any necessary care and maintenance techniques that may impact your decision.
Ceramic tiles for example are most often suited for use as a wall tile only as they are usually softer and thinner than tile flooring solutions while also normally featuring a more decorative finish. This is crucial information to be aware of before making your final selections to avoid disappointment!
Ordering Samples Online
During the process of your online tile consultation, you will also have the option of ordering tile samples that can be delivered straight to your door. Ordering samples to view in your home is a crucial step in the design process as this will offer you a realistic view of the both the colour and texture of the tiles themselves before you commit to ordering them.
As with all materials used in a renovation project, tiles can appear different in your home’s lighting than what they look like in images online or in print. Several different factors can influence the final appearance of your tiles from your home’s combination of natural and artificial lighting to the surrounding colours and finishes that may create a different perception of the tile’s main colour when placed together in the same space.
Caption: Tile samples can be ordered online during your consultation or directly from the tile store’s website. Viewing your selected tiles in your home’s natural light is a crucial step in creating the perfect colour palette for your next interior design project as the lighting in the space can vary from that of a showroom, altering the base colour of your tiles.
Marble tiles for example will often show many colour variations within their naturally occurring patterns so it is important to view these in person before making a final decision.
Confirming your Measurements & Tile Quantities
Once you’ve approved your new tile selections with the help of your online tile consultant and review of your samples, it is time to place your order! When placing an order for tiles online, taking note of your specific measurements is a must. Ensure your measurements are correct in establishing the total amount of tiles you will require for project.
If you are unsure, good tile stores will be able to assist you with the calculations if you send them through your interior designer’s floorplans and elevations which is always advised in order to ensure the most precise outcome. Your tile store will also recommend an amount of extra tiles (often referred to as waste tiles) to add to your order, once again to ensure a precise and quality outcome.
Waste tiles can be used in the case of any breakages or accidental cutting of your tiles during their installation and can also be handy to set aside in storage as a backup in case they are needed later on down the track.
As tiles are manufactured in batches, there are bound to be some variation in shape and colour between different batches; this means that if you do require more tiles to complete your project than originally expected or if you do require new replacement tiles later on, there is no guarantee that the new tiles will perfectly match up with your existing tiles which is why it is so important to ensure accurate measurements and sufficient waste tiles when placing your order.
Ordering tiles online is a simple and straight forward process that allows you more time to spend on other areas of your renovation or new home build project. You have the freedom of scheduling an online design consultation and having all your selected samples delivered straight to you, allowing you to make a better informed decision before finally placing your order.