Bedroom flooring doesn’t usually stir up much discussion. Carpet, wood, maybe herringbone if you’re feeling adventurous. And then someone mentions tiles, and suddenly everyone has an opinion. Bedroom Design What is supposed to be about softness and warmth, after all – and tiles in the kitchen and bathroom, surely? Well, that thinking is changing.
Bedroom floor tiles are appearing in more homes than ever, and not just in minimalist interiors that look better in magazines than in real life. Well done, they’re practical, beautiful and surprisingly comfortable. Done badly, they feel like a mistake that you’ll remember every morning when your bare feet hit the ground.
So we asked tile experts what works, what doesn’t, and how to get it right. Here’s what they said.
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What are the advantages of bedroom floor tiles over carpet or wood?
Before mood boards and content samples, Bedroom flooring It comes down to one vague question: Will it last? Bedroom carpetAs cozy as it feels underfoot, it’s essentially a dust trap. It contains allergens, shows wear and has a limited lifespan that no amount of professional cleaning can extend indefinitely. Wood is better, but it scratches, it dents and it reacts to changes in humidity in a way that can leave you with gaps, warts and a floor that looks older than it is.
Floor tiles, in contrast, just get on with it. “Unlike carpet, which inevitably takes on dust, allergens and the normal wear and tear of everyday life, tiled floors remain beautifully consistent year after year,” explains Lesley Taylor. Baked tiles.
Damla Turgut, Founder Otto TilesAgrees: “Tiles are more resistant to wear and tear than carpet or wood. Once properly sealed, they are much easier to maintain and deal better with spillages or everyday marks.”
For allergy sufferers in particular, the argument becomes even more compelling. Carpet fibers are notorious for harboring dust mites and pet dander—neither of which tiles have any interest in collecting. In warmer climates, tiled bedroom floors have always been the norm for this very reason. The rest of the world is slowly catching up.
Lesley Taylor is a designer with over 25 years experience in both residential and commercial property. A registered member of BIID – British Institute of Interior Design – Leslie has written 10 books on interior design.
Damla Turgut is the founder and creative director of Otto Tiles, a London-based tile studio known for its use of color, pattern and craft materials.
Does a tiled bedroom floor feel cold?
This is the question that stops most people in their tracks, and rightfully so. No one wants to get out of bed on a cold morning to find an icy floor. But the cold-tile problem is largely solved, and has been for some time.
Underfloor heating The most direct answer is “It completely transforms the feel of a tiled bedroom floor,” says Lesley Taylor, “creating a soft, yet warm feel that emanates from the room rather than being concentrated around the radiators.”
No underfloor heating? Area rugs do more than people give them credit for. “The addition of generous rugs, woven runners or layered textiles around the bed brings the softness that people associate with bedrooms while still letting the beauty of the tile pattern guide the design,” says Leslie Taylor.
What tile finish works best on a bedroom floor?
When it comes down to it, experts are consistent on one point: avoid high gloss. “Highly reflective surfaces look more comfortable Bathroom floor Damla Turgut says, or visually cools the kitchen and space. Leslie Taylor echoes this: “Highly polished tiles can sometimes feel a bit too formal or tacky for a bedroom environment.” The consensus is firmly in favor of matte finishes and subtle surface textures. These surfaces absorb it and leave you feeling lighter instead of lighter.
Color undertone is worth thinking about more carefully than color itself. Damla’s advice is particularly useful here: “Instead of focusing on the color itself, look to see if the tile has warm undertones rather than cool. Even gray or blue can feel warm in a room if its undertones are warm rather than cool.”
Materials like imitation stone ceramic, cement tiles and textured porcelain tend to hold their own on bedroom floors precisely because they have a softer, more natural quality that polished surfaces simply can’t replicate.
Are there structural considerations for upstairs bedrooms?
The short answer is yes, but don’t let that put you off. A conversation worth having sooner rather than later is a reason to abandon the idea altogether.
Weight is a major consideration. Tiles, especially natural stone, marble or traditional cement, can be heavy, and upstairs floors have load limits that are worth checking before you do anything. “It’s important to check with your builder or contractor beforehand that the floor structure can support the weight of the tiles you’re considering,” says Damla Turgut. “An uneven substrate can lead to problems such as cracking over time, so it’s worth making sure the floor is level and suitable for tiling before work begins.”
Fortunately the tile industry has largely anticipated this problem. Lightweight formats and engineered options have made it much easier to achieve the look of stone or cement upstairs without structural headaches. Otto Tiles, for example, offers a slimline version of their cement tile range made with a more advanced cement composition – lighter, but with the same aesthetic result.
Mineral collection of Ca’ PietraAs a floating floor, it completely eliminates most of the problems. “Floating installation means that floors are often laid over existing surfaces without structural changes,” says Grazie Wilson. Ca’ PietraCreative Head of
Grazie has worked in the interior industry for more than a decade. At Ca’ Pietra, one of the UK’s leading stone and tile brands, she leads creatively, overseeing the product collection as well as the company’s distinctive brand, look and feel.
How to style a tiled bedroom floor?
Start with the tile itself. A bedroom floor doesn’t need to make a statement like a kitchen splashback, but it should have some character. Subtle patterned cement tiles, large-format stone-effect porcelain, warm-toned matte ceramic – these are floors that provide a considered backdrop without demanding all the attention. The tile should feel like it belongs in the room, not like it wandered in from somewhere else.
Rugs are non-negotiable, and not just for warmth. A well-placed rug defines space and instantly softens the entire room. Be generous with the size – a rug that is too small will make the room feel cluttered. Layering a runner at the foot of the couch with a large rug works especially well with patterned tiles, allowing the floor design to breathe while still adding texture.
The rest follows naturally. Soft fabrics, warm lighting, tactile materials on the bed and walls. All these tiles work to make the bedroom feel like a bedroom rather than a showroom. “A well-chosen tile floor creates a beautifully grounded backdrop in a room,” says Grazie Wilson, “capturing color and pattern in a way that fabrics can’t always achieve.”
Buy floor tiles in the bedroom
Monza Mineral Pure Matt Click Tile
These matte marble-effect click tiles can be installed with no fuss and look well worth their price.
Istria Ravni patterned tile
Available in three designs, these decorative tiles create a soft, calming space, perfect as a bathroom tile or kitchen tile.
Are you thinking of tiling your own bedroom floor? Make sure the groundwork is in place before you commit to anything. As Damla Turgut points out, uneven subfloors are one of the most common causes of cracking and long-term tile failure, so read on. Our guide to tiling uneven floors Before you begin.
