How to Make a Space Look Bigger with Tiles

Bring life to all your spaces

By Clay Imports

Tiles go beyond mere functionality; they serve as a versatile design element capable of transforming any space they adorn. They introduce color, enhance aesthetics, and have a noticeable impact on how spacious a room appears. In situations where space is constrained—be it in a bathroom, kitchen, or living room—the selection of the right wall and floor tiles can be a game-changer. In this article, we'll provide tips on using tiles to create the illusion of a larger space.

Large format tiles

If you want your space to look bigger using tiles, the size, finish, and layout all play a role in amplifying the illusion of spaciousness. The first way to make a room look larger with your tile choices is to select larger tiles rather than smaller ones. This works because larger tiles have fewer grout lines which removes the “business” from a room: the more grout lines you have, the busier your floor or walls will look, making the space appear smaller.

16” is the bigger tile size Clay Imports offers

Choose light colored and glazed tiles

Choosing lighter shades and colors is a fundamental, basic strategy, as they reflect more light, instantly brightening up the room. With light coloured tiles like whites, ivories or creams, you will highlight all the space of your rooms and let more light be allowed. Lighter colors also look less busy, and as we mentioned before, looking less busy is key in order for the room to appear much larger than it actually is.

Following this logic, we also recommend using glossy glazed tiles which reflect light within a space, making the room feel larger and brighter. One upside of choosing glazed tiles is that, thanks to their shiny finish, their color has less impact on the overall aesthetic over a matte tile  and will give you more options while blending color within your tiles.

Design by Kim Wolfe | Photo by Patrick Brickman

Plain tiles vs patterned tiles

Highly patterned tiles will… you guessed it, look busier in your space and make it look smaller. That doesn’t mean you must have to choose only tiles without any design; you can opt for tiles with very subtle design or even with a natural variance, such as our terracotta tiles. So opting for plainer or subtly patterned tiles is more recommendable if you want to give your space a little break. Our Linot and Emmeline tiles are perfect for this effect due to their larger scale pattern and less contrasting color ways, but you can find your favorite at our pattern tile collection.

Linot Moon 8” x 8”

Tiles layouts

After choosing tiles, the layout and patterns also contribute significantly to the perceived size of a space. You have to make sure that the way your tiles are laid will make the room appear as spacious as possible. You can take a look at our tile layout guide, to find the perfect tile layout option for your space.

When working on your floor tiles, the best pattern for adding space is a standard grid or elongating diamond layout. Following our principle of avoiding busy-ness, brickbond or staggered patterns will look busier and therefore make the room appear more limited.

For wall tiles, laying rectangular tiles vertically down the length of a room will further the eye into seeing the space taller. Running tiles diagonally, especially in smaller rooms, can create a dynamic visual impact, making the space feel larger and longer than it actually is.

Design by Bonnet Ventures | Photo by Will Strawser

Rooms to Transform

While the potential for enhancing space with tiles is vast, certain rooms benefit more from this design choice. For instance, small bathrooms can be completely transformed by using light-colored, large-format tiles on both floors and walls, creating a continuous flow. In kitchens, extending the same tile from the floor to the backsplash will bring continuity and elongate the visual lines. Hallways, often overlooked, can also benefit from the expansive effect of carefully chosen tiles, making them feel less cramped and more welcoming. It's not just about making a space appear larger but also about optimizing the functionality and aesthetics of each room.

Design by Bonnet Ventures | Photo by Leonid Furmansky

Conclusion

The impact of tiles goes far beyond as a mere construction material. They are a powerful tool that can redefine and enhance the perceived size of a space. By choosing the right tiles and playing with layout and patterns, you can master the art of making any space look and feel bigger. Don’t hesitate to look at our glazed and patterned tiles to find the perfect one for you. And if you think you need more help, you can always get in touch with us to book a virtual consultation or if you have more questions, don’t forget to reach out to us at contact@clayimports.com