If you think cream and beige are unexciting shades in home design, you will love the new trend sweeping the globe—patterned porcelain tiles. Porcelain is intensely durable and shines just about anywhere, indoors and out.
Of course, kitchens and bathrooms are the best places for it, but increasingly, designers and homeowners are using them in living rooms and bedrooms as well—to stunning effect.
Compared to solid hues that are so common around us, patterned ones add colour and character to a space. Use them as a backsplash in the kitchen, or in a niche in the bedroom or even lay them out in a carpet format in the living room, verandahs and balconies. You can even use them as coffee table and dining table tops, or on headboards for beds.
Among the many advantages of porcelain tiles are the strength and the ease of maintenance. What’s more, you can reduce the extent of cleaning by opting for larger format tiles in 24x24 and 18x36 with the result that fewer grout lines need to be cleaned.
A little cleaning and the tiles continue to look as good as new —regular sweeping or vacuuming gets rid of accumulated dust or dirt. But remember, you will need to mop with a mixture of vinegar and water for the sheen to remain.