Ideas for ceramic flooring for the entire house

In the previous article, we shared ideas of ceramic wall tiles for the whole house.

As seen, it is possible to create confortable spaces with ceramic tiles in all areas of a house, even those which could traditionally be covered with other materials.

Today we will see innumerous possibilities which ceramic floors offer for the entire house, besides the usual areas such as kitchens and wash-rooms.

We share with you some suggestions on how to cover diverse areas in a house with ceramic tiles.

The kitchen

We start with the kitchen, which is an area where ceramic tiles are favoured; as referred to in our previous article, being a space with high levels of humidity, smoke, odours, stains, grease build-ups, amongst others, it is clear that ceramic tiles is the most sensible solution to use, due to its resistance and ease of cleaning.

Amongst other materials such as wood or marble, ceramics present the best performance in relation to aggressive agents mentioned earlier (humidity, smoke, odours, stains, grease) due to its physical and chemical characteristics compared to other materials, like wood , natural stone, laminates or vinyls, and as such, obviously makes for the most suitable choice. 

As the kitchen is a common area as well as a work space, where families get together to prepare or enjoy their meals, it is also an area succeptible to dirt accumulation. Therefore, there are key factors that should taken into consideration for the selection of a floor tile;  it should be easy to clean and maintain, resistant to abrasion and staining, and have a low or non-existent water absorption rating.
Ceramic tiles are therefore the best choice for this space.

We have selected two examples which demonstrate this choice of coverings for this area of the house.

In the first example, we have a a tile which simulates the elegance of natural stone.

The irregularity of the veins reproduce a very natural look.

A trend for those who like a clean and contemporary style.

This is the PIAZEN collection:

In the second example, we have selected a collection which, besides its functional characteristics, also offers a decorative aspect – a porcelain tile, suitable for floor and wall applications, and due to the versatility of the sizes, is able to reproduce a variety of patterns originally seen in wood floorings.

These patterns emerge now reinvented in ceramic tiles with a new design and diversity of colors, and with the possibility of also being used on the walls, creating areas where functionality and decorative aspects conjugate.

We chose the DETROIT collection to illustrate this last aspect; we have a back-splash wall, which is an especially senstitive area of the kitchen, covered in two color tones and fixed in a chevron pattern, whilst for the floor we used only one of the color tones in a square application.

Another trend is the use of wood in kitchens; however, as referred to previously, natural wood has some disadvantages when fixed in sensitive areas such as kitchens.

Using the most recent digital technology, a perfect reproduction of natural wood in ceramic tiles is now possible, combining the natural aspect with the robustness of ceramics, resulting in a good choice for those who like this trend. As an example, we have selected the Noble series:

For those who like spaces where work and living areas combine, this is the perfect solution due to the fact that having one single floor gives an impression of a larger space, associating also a visual confort of wood in the living area with the necessary robustness for the kitchen space.

The bathroom

The choice of a floor covering in the bathroom have the same considerations which make for the same option most suited for kitchens:  resistance to humidity and ease of cleaning and maintenence.

In this area of the house, resistance to water is imperative, and so ceramic options, namely a porcelain tile, where water absorption is practically non-existent, makes for the best choice.  

This is a characteristic which should always be taken into consideration, especially in these areas, as there other materials, such as vinyls, which even though they do not absorb water, are succeptible to fine cracks through which water may pass into the sub-structure, resulting in fungus and mold accumulation.

There are many options in the market, from classic styles, reproduction of natural stone, more urbanistic solutions like cement looks, use of colors, together with the functionality of sizes and their asthetic and decorative aspects.

Such as in spaces where kitchens interact with living areas, the integration of bathrooms in the bedroom spaces are very common.

As these are usually small areas, a method to project a larger space is with the use of the same floor choice in both areas.

 A porcelain floor tile with a wood look is an excellent choice because it combines the confort of a wood finish with the robustness of ceramics.

In the following three examples, we present suggestions of different types of stone replications in ceramics, creating elegant, relaxing and harmonious spaces. 

Please see the full collections in the following links: https://aleluia.pt/en/collection/urban-stone/|  https://aleluia.pt/en/collection/balance/ | https://aleluia.pt/en/collection/natura-kalacata/

Another less classical and more contemporary example is the use of ceramic tiles which reproduce a concrete look.

The CONCRETE collection is an example of this; besides the modern and functional aspects, it offers a decorative element with the use of the decoration tile on the floor, which can also be used as a wall accent area.

The end result is a jovial and modern space, full of light and personality.

The bedroom

As we have already referred to, the bedroom is possibly the area where ceramic tiles are least used.

Traditionally, when we think of a floor for a bedroom, wood is almost always the first option, followed by laminates and vinyls.

However, we cannot ignore some aspects:  their vulnerability to scratching and wearing, its maintenence, and resistance to fire and termal variations.

Ceramics offer advantages in all these aspects.

A good way to maximize the advantages and benefits of ceramic tiles is to choose reproductions of wood which create a sensation of comfort and well-being.

Another interesting option is to choose a floor which allows for fixing in the bedroom as well as an adjacent bathroom.

Ceramics is clearly the best solution due to the above-mentioned characteristics and high resistance to water absorption.

Asthetically, this results in a visually larger space, with a harmonious, warm and confortable feel.

The living room

The living area is a space where the use of ceramics is growing in trend due to various factors:  its performace, easy of cleaning and maintenence, price and diversity of options.

As a result of technological advances in the ceramic industry, almost perfect reproductions of natural materials such as wood and stone are obtained, which are commonly used in the conception of residential spaces.

The sensation of confort which more traditional materials like wood offer is replicated in ceramics with warm ambients.

We present here two exemples of ceramics in well-being areas:
In the first example, we created a ample, modern and clean space.
This area is commonly connected to a work space – the kitchen.
A dining room area may also function as an extension of the kirtchen.
A harmony between these two spaces is possible and desirable, and the use of ceramics in this context is an excellent solution.

In the second example, we present an option composed of a ceramic wood reproduction, creating a very confortable and inviting space.

The last example is very interesting in terms of the use of tapestries which are commonly used in living room areas.

The geometric designs create a confortable sensation and offer a unique and sophisticated style to the space.

Fresh spaces, extremely easy to clean.

As we have already referred to in a previous article, ceramic tiles transform into many advantages in comparison to other materials like wood, laminates and vinyls:

• recreates a nice visual look and confortable feel of wood
• it is resistant to scratches and staining
• fire-resistance
• does not absorb water (cause of fungus and mold)
• offers low termal variations
• requires no maintenence
• robust and durable

The office / studio

Often, these spaces are found in relatively small areas of a home.

These are work spaces usually shared by various family members and as such, required to be functional and of easy maintenence.

Ceramics is a good option for this space, where chairs are moved and over time results in wearing, or where there may be materials which cause staining on the floor.

As it is a work area subjected to scratching, staining and wearing, to keep this space appealing, requires a higher maintenence.

As such, when we plan work space areas, we naturally think of costs and more importantly durable materials, with easy cleaning and little or no maintenence needs; if we are able to aline all these aspects with a visually appealing product, we then have an ideal solution for our space.

We offer the following example of an office / studio space where ceramic paving was used, creating a luminous, clean area with a more urban spirit.

We hope that our suggestions have been useful!