Talking Of Tiles (Part 1)

How you lay the tiles depends on the optical effect you want to create. A designer or good retailer will help you work out a good laying pattern once you have chosen your tiles.

A successfully tiled floor is down to the quality of the tiles as well as a number of other elements that have to be worked together.
One such process is laying the tiles whereby the ceramic tiles are attached to the floors or walls.
According to the Ceramic Tiles of Italy Guide to Laying Tiles, tiling is "satisfactory" when it is:
- even and neat: i.e. when the tiled surface is flat, without bulges or depressions, and with straight, regular tile joints, without steps between the tiles, etc.
- whole, i.e. without gaps or cracks;
- durable, i.e. strong enough to fulfil its technical and aesthetic functions and not at risk of deteriorating as a result of use;
- safe, i.e. won't cause accidents (such as a fall from slipping)

Visual effects

How you lay the tiles depends on the optical effect you want to create.
A designer or good retailer will help you work out a good laying pattern once you have chosen your tiles, such as whether to use closed-or open-joints, running or staggered tile-joints, in a parallel, herringbone or diagonal pattern.
In general the tiling patterns, colour choices and quantity of material to order need to take into account several factors: the size of the space, the lighting and the style of kitchen.

Even if they have the same dimensions, dark-coloured tiles absorb light, while white or lighter tiles deflect light making the space appear larger.
A light and even floor visually make a room larger and is recommended for smaller spaces.
Meanwhile contrasting tones appear to reduce the size of a space.
Vertical lines create an illusion of length, horizontal lines make a space appear wider while checkering both lengthens and widens.