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Interior Design Floor Tiles

You can change a room with paint. You can elevate it with lighting. But if you want the kind of transformation that makes people stop and say, “Wow—this feels designed,” you start from the ground up.

Here’s the open loop most design posts skip: floor tiles don’t just finish a space—they define it. They control the mood, the movement, the contrast, and the “visual rhythm” of the entire home. The right Floor Tiles can make a small space feel larger, make an open-plan home feel cohesive, and give kitchens and bathrooms a designer look without extra décor.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose interior design floor tiles that fit your style and your lifestyle—especially cement tiles (also called encaustic cement tiles), a top choice for homeowners, designers, architects, contractors, and tile showrooms looking for standout patterns, durability, and value.


FLOOR TILES

Why Floor Tiles Matter in Interior Design

Floor tiles are the largest visible surface in many homes. That means they impact:

  • How bright or warm a room feels
  • How spacious a layout reads
  • How “finished” the design looks
  • How well the space holds up to daily traffic

A great floor is both aesthetic and functional—especially in kitchens, bathrooms, entries, laundry rooms, and indoor-outdoor transitions.


Why Cement Tiles Are One of the Best Floor Tile Choices

If you want flooring that feels high-end, unique, and built to last, cement tiles are a top option.

Product Benefits (what buyers care about most)

Durability for high-traffic living
Cement tiles are dense concrete tiles that perform well as durable floor tiles in busy spaces like entryways, kitchens, and commercial areas.

Handmade quality that looks custom
Because they’re handmade tiles, cement tiles offer pigment depth and subtle variation that makes a space feel curated—not mass-produced.

Affordable luxury + best pricing
You can get a bold, designer look with affordable cement tiles, especially when choosing in-stock cement tiles for fast timelines and fewer delays.

Style versatility
Cement tiles can read:

  • modern and minimal
  • farmhouse and ranch-inspired
  • Moroccan and Mediterranean
  • mid-century modern
  • classic black-and-white

If you’re exploring styles, start with Shop Cement Tiles and save your favorites.


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Interior Design Floor Tile Styles That Never Stop Working

Moroccan Cement Tiles: Timeless Pattern That Feels Boutique

Moroccan cement tiles create instant character—perfect for entryways, powder rooms, kitchens, and statement floors.

If you want bold pattern direction, explore Shop Moroccan Tiles.


Zellige-Style Tiles: Soft Texture for Modern Interiors

Zellige-style looks add artisan texture and warmth without heavy pattern. They’re ideal for:

  • kitchens and backsplashes
  • calm modern bathrooms
  • coastal and contemporary homes

They also pair beautifully with warm woods and soft neutral palettes.


Checkerboard Tiles: The Classic That’s Trending Again

Checkerboard tiles are having a major moment, and for good reason: they’re timeless, structured, and easy to style.

Best uses:

  • entryways
  • laundry rooms
  • kitchens
  • small bathrooms

For a softer look, choose warm neutrals instead of stark black and white.


Modern Patterned Tiles: Clean Geometry and Architectural Rhythm

Modern patterned tiles work best when the rest of the room is clean and restrained:

  • simple cabinetry
  • calm wall colors
  • matching grout for a seamless look

These are perfect contemporary floor tiles for open-plan homes.


Mediterranean + Terracotta-Look Tiles: Warm and Grounded

Terracotta-inspired palettes bring warmth to modern spaces and help rooms feel inviting, especially when paired with plaster whites, warm metals, and natural textures.


Black and White Tiles: Graphic, Clean, and Always Current

Black and white tiles work across farmhouse, modern, and mid-century styles. They’re bold enough to make a statement, but classic enough to stay timeless.


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Applications by Room: Where Floor Tiles Make the Biggest Impact

Entryways: The Highest ROI Floor in the Home

Entryways take the most wear and create the first impression. Patterned cement tiles work beautifully here because they:

  • hide dirt better than many solid floors
  • create a “tile rug” look without clutter
  • instantly set the design tone

If you want fast shipping, start with Shop In-Stock Tiles.


Kitchens: Floor Tiles That Hold Up and Look Designer

Kitchens need floors that handle spills, traffic, and constant cleaning.

Kitchen floor tiles
Patterned cement tile anchors the kitchen and hides daily crumbs better than plain light floors.

Kitchen backsplash tiles
A matching or coordinated backsplash gives the kitchen a finished designer look—especially behind ranges and open shelves.

A smart strategy:

  • bold floor + calm backsplash
  • or calm floor + statement backsplash

Bathrooms: Boutique Style, Practical Performance

Bathrooms are perfect for pattern because they’re smaller spaces where impact feels intentional.

Cement tiles are popular as:

  • bathroom floor tiles
  • powder room statement floors
  • vanity feature walls

Showers: Feature Walls and Niches That Look Custom

Cement tiles can be used in showers with:

  • proper waterproofing
  • correct setting materials
  • a sealing plan designed for moisture

If you’re choosing grout and sealer combinations, Order Samples helps you confirm the final look.


Patios: Extend the Interior Design Story Outdoors

Even though this post is interior-focused, patios matter because indoor-outdoor continuity is a major design trend.

Patterned cement tile patios look best when:

  • drainage and slope are correct
  • sealing is designed for outdoor exposure
  • patterns are readable at distance

Laundry Rooms: The Easiest “Before and After”

Laundry rooms are a perfect place for patterned tile because it hides lint and dust and elevates a functional space quickly.


Fireplaces: A Feature That Anchors the Whole Room

Fireplace tile ideas are back in a big way—especially in modern living rooms and open-plan homes.

Cement tile works beautifully for:

  • geometric modern surrounds
  • Mediterranean pattern features
  • zellige-style texture

For real installed inspiration, browse Check Projects Gallery.


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How to Buy Floor Tiles Online (Without Regret)

Choose In-Stock for Tight Timelines

If you’re remodeling on a schedule, in-stock cement tiles reduce delays. Browse fast-ship options in Shop In-Stock Tiles.

Always Order Samples

Samples let you confirm:

  • undertones in your lighting
  • pattern scale in the room
  • grout contrast direction
  • sealer finish appearance

Start here: Order Samples.

Customize When the Palette Needs Precision

Designers and architects often need:

  • a specific off-white
  • softened black tones
  • coordinated indoor/outdoor palettes
  • brand colors for hospitality projects

That’s when Contact Us for Custom Colors helps.

Use Real Projects to Make Decisions Faster

Seeing installed projects makes it easier to approve patterns and scale. Use Check Projects Gallery for inspiration and stakeholder buy-in.


Installation & Maintenance Basics for Floor Tiles

Cutting cement tiles

  • Use a wet saw with a diamond blade
  • Cut slowly to reduce chipping
  • Dry-lay patterned tiles before setting to confirm orientation and repeats

Sealing (important for cement tile performance)

Cement tiles are porous. Sealing helps protect:

  • stain resistance (kitchens and bathrooms)
  • water performance (wet areas)
  • long-term cleanability

Common best practice:

  1. pre-seal before grouting
  2. seal again after grout cures

Grout recommendations

  • Matching grout = calmer, more modern
  • Contrasting grout = graphic and bold
  • Mid-tone grout = most forgiving for daily life

Cleaning

  • Use pH-neutral cleaners
  • Avoid acidic cleaners
  • Sweep often (grit dulls surfaces over time)
  • Wipe spills quickly
  • Reseal as recommended based on traffic

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FAQs: Interior Design Floor Tiles

1) What are the best floor tiles for high-traffic areas?

The best floor tiles for high-traffic spaces are durable, easy to clean, and visually forgiving. Cement tiles are a strong option when installed and sealed correctly.

2) Are cement tiles good for kitchens?

Yes. Cement tiles are widely used as kitchen floor tiles and can also be used as kitchen backsplash tiles. Sealing and practical grout choices help long-term performance.

3) Are cement tiles good for bathrooms?

Yes. Cement tiles are popular as bathroom floor tiles and statement surfaces. Proper sealing and correct wet-area installation are important.

4) Can cement tiles be used in showers?

Yes, cement tiles can be used in showers with proper waterproofing and sealing. Samples help confirm grout and finish behavior before installing.

5) Do cement tiles need to be sealed?

Yes. Cement tiles are porous, and sealing helps protect against stains and moisture—especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways.

6) What grout color is best for patterned tiles?

Mid-tone grout is often most forgiving for everyday life. Matching grout feels modern and calm; contrasting grout is bolder and more graphic.

7) How do I choose a tile pattern that won’t feel too busy?

Use pattern on one hero surface (entryway floor, powder room floor, kitchen rug zone) and keep the surrounding finishes calm. Also match pattern scale to room size.

8) Should I buy in-stock tiles or custom tiles?

Choose in-stock for fast timelines and easier scheduling. Choose custom when you need exact color matching or a unique pattern direction.


Final Takeaway: A Great Floor is the Best Interior Design Shortcut

When you choose the right Floor Tiles, you don’t just “finish” a room—you define it. Cement tiles offer the rare combination of artisan character, durability, and design flexibility that works across modern, farmhouse, Moroccan, Mediterranean, and mid-century interiors.

FLOOR TILES