When it comes to remodeling your Orange County home or adding on a new space, selecting the right floor tile size means more than just making a design choice. Consider this decision a strategic one. Ask any experienced flooring contractor, and they will tell you that the tile size you select affects room appearance and even how easy the floor is to maintain.
Use the advice from Inspired Remodels, an Orange County flooring contractor, to help you pick the best size tile for your home. Learn the many ways tile size impacts your flooring project.
Common Floor Tile Sizes
Porcelain and stone tiles come in a wide range of sizes. Here are the most common formats available for Orange County homes:
- Small tiles: 2″x2″, 4″x4″, 6″x6″ are great for mosaics, shower floors, or detailed patterns.
- Standard tiles: 12″x12″, 12″x24″, 18″x18″ offer versatility that makes them popular for residential floors.
- Large-format tiles: 24″x24″, 24″x48″ work well with the open-concept spaces so popular in Southern California and enhance modern designs.
- Plank-style tiles: 6″x24″, 8″x48″, 12″x36″ come into play when you opt for wood-look porcelain floors.
Courtesy Novo Drain
Why Tile Size Matters
The tile size impacts everything from the look of the floor to how easy it is to maintain.
Visual Impact on Room Size
Larger tiles make small rooms feel bigger by reducing grout lines. Large format tile like a 24″x24″, 24″ x 48″, or varying sizes of wood-look porcelain tile create a sleek, open feel in a kitchen or living room. Smaller tiles, by contrast, add texture and pattern but can make small areas feel crowded. So, use large tiles in open areas and smaller tiles where detail or traction is needed, like bathroom floors.
Design Goals and Aesthetics
The tile size you pick should complement the aesthetic of the overall design of the space. Whether you aim for a modern, traditional, or eclectic look, make sure the tile and the tile size itself supports your goal.
In general:
- Modern spaces thrive on large-format tiles with minimal grout.
- Traditional homes may benefit from medium-sized tiles with a warm pattern.
- Rustic or eclectic designs often use mixed-size tiles or tiles that create mosaic patterns.
So, don’t ruin your modern design with small, polygon tiles.
Grout and Maintenance
One overlooked advantage of larger floor tiles is less grout to clean. Fewer joints mean fewer places for dirt to settle. Smaller tiles require more grout, and more grout means more maintenance. If easy maintenance is a priority, tile size should be part of the conversation with your flooring contractor. Also, discuss sealing grout or using grout with an integrated sealant to prevent staining and keep grout lines clean.
What Flooring Contractors Recommend
Every space is different, but flooring contractors apply these general guidelines for most Orange County projects:
- Bathrooms: Use 12″x24″ tiles to elongate the space or mosaics for traction in wet areas like the shower floor.
- Kitchens & hallways: Depending on the size of the space, larger format tiles reduce grout lines and look modern.
- Open living areas: 24″x48″ tiles create a seamless, spacious feeling to rooms.
Work with a Flooring Contractor to Get It Right
The right floor tile size balances beauty, function, and cost. Whether you’re going for bold and modern or timeless and classic, tile size plays a central role in the success of your remodeling or renovation project. Work with a trusted flooring contractor and use their expertise to help you make a decision that elevates your space, beautifully and practically.
