Different tile finishes can be used in the same interior, particularly when floor and wall tiles have different requirements. A matt floor with a gloss wall tile, for example, can add variation while keeping the colour palette consistent. Matt, gloss and textured finishes each have a different appearance under natural and artificial light. The choice also depends on whether the tile is intended for a floor, wall, splashback or another surface. TILEX has a selection of floor tiles and wall tiles in different colours, sizes and finishes for kitchens, bathrooms, living areas and other parts of the home.
Matt and gloss finishes can be combined within the same room without using different colours. A matt floor with a gloss wall tile is a common combination for kitchens and bathrooms. For example, a matt grey floor with gloss white wall tiles keeps the floor understated while giving the walls a brighter surface. Similar results can be achieved with beige, cream and other neutral colours. Using the same colour in different finishes is another option. A matt grey floor and gloss grey wall tile maintain the same colour palette while giving each surface a different appearance.
Matt tiles have a low-reflective surface and suit floors and walls in a range of residential areas. They are commonly selected for living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and hallways. Matt finishes are particularly suited to stone-effect, concrete-effect and other natural-looking tile designs. They give these designs a less reflective appearance and allow the colour and pattern of the tile to remain the main visual element. For wall applications, matt tiles suit larger areas where a softer surface appearance is preferred.
Gloss tiles reflect light from the surface and are commonly selected for kitchen walls, splashbacks and bathroom walls. White and light-coloured gloss tiles are useful in rooms where additional light reflection is preferred. Coloured gloss tiles can be used on a selected wall or splashback when the tile itself is intended to stand out. For flooring, check the manufacturer's product specifications to confirm whether the particular gloss tile is suitable for the intended application and whether its slip rating meets the requirements of the area.
Textured tiles can be used with matt tiles when one surface needs more visual detail. A textured wall tile with a matt floor is one example, particularly in bathrooms, kitchens and selected living areas. Textured tiles are available in different patterns and surface depths. More pronounced textures may require additional cleaning, especially in kitchens where grease and food residue can collect on the surface. For this reason, a textured tile may be more suitable for a wall or splashback than for a heavily used floor.
Different finishes do not always need different colours. Matt and gloss versions of a similar shade can give a room variation while keeping the overall palette simple. A bathroom, for example, could use matt grey floor tiles with gloss grey wall tiles. A kitchen could have matt beige flooring with gloss beige splashback tiles. This approach also makes it easier to use different tile finishes without introducing another colour into the room.
Kitchens usually have several surfaces where tiles may be used, including floors, walls and splashbacks. This makes it possible to select different finishes for different areas. A matt floor tile can be combined with gloss splashback tiles, while a textured tile can be selected for the wall behind a hob or worktop. The existing kitchen finishes should also be taken into account. If the cabinets and worktops already have reflective surfaces, matt floor or wall tiles can provide a different surface appearance. With matt cabinetry and worktops, gloss wall tiles can provide more light reflection.
Bathrooms are another area where different tile finishes can be used together. Matt floor tiles with gloss wall tiles are suitable for many bathroom designs, while textured tiles can be selected for a shower wall or another section. The finish should be selected according to the tile's intended application. A tile suitable for a bathroom wall may have different specifications from one intended for flooring. For bathroom floors, refer to the manufacturer's product information for the tile's suitability and slip rating.
Open-plan kitchens and living areas can use different finishes without making every surface look unrelated. For example, a matt stone-effect floor tile can continue through the kitchen and living area, while gloss tiles are used only on the kitchen splashback. This keeps the flooring consistent while giving the kitchen wall its own surface finish. Another option is to use different finishes from the same colour family. This provides variation while keeping the flooring and wall tiles visually connected.
Before selecting different finishes, compare the following:
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