Choosing the right floor tile might feel a little like a Goldilocks predicament — one tile’s too big; the other's too small. One is too light; the other is too dark. One is too polished; the other is too matte.
With so many materials, patterns, finishes, and performance features to consider, it can easily feel overwhelming and difficult to figure out which tile is just right.
The thing is that floor tile does a lot of the heavy lifting in a home. Not only does it set the tone for the entire room while anchoring your design choices and furnishings, but it also has a practical role to play, quietly standing up to spills, shoes, pets, and everyday life. So, it’s an important decision to make.
The good news? Once you understand how tile and flooring choices interact with each room’s function, traffic, and style, the decision becomes much easier and clearer.
This guide takes the overwhelm out, so you can make the right choice for your lifestyle and design style. We’ll break down how to choose the best floor tile for bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, and more, plus what to consider before you buy, how to complement your overall design, and how Riad Tile products fit beautifully into the picture.
What to Consider Before Choosing Floor Tile
Before diving into room-specific options and recommendations, let’s look at a few universal factors that apply to all floor tile decisions.
Durability for Foot Traffic
Floor and tile considerations are especially important in spaces like kitchens, entries, and hallways that experience heavy foot traffic. Tougher, more resilient materials like dense natural stones and cement tiles tend to hold up better over time.
Slip-Resistance Selling Points
Just as important for the floor and tile considerations is slip resistance, especially in bathrooms with tubs and showers. It’s generally not recommended to choose materials like polished marble for bathroom floor tile, as it can become a slipping hazard.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Some floor tiles are a bit higher-maintenance and require extra TLC — including periodic sealing — while others are more forgiving. If ease of care matters, understanding how to clean tile floors and how often they need to be sealed should influence your choice.
Another consideration is tile color. Lighter-colored tiles often require more frequent cleaning, as they show dirt and debris more readily than darker or patterned tiles.
Installation Preferences
Grout color and width impact both aesthetics and upkeep. Larger grout lines — or the wrong color or type of grout — can stain easily and also show wear more quickly.
That’s why it’s essential to do your research if you’re installing the tile yourself. Or, better yet, work with an installation professional who knows how to properly grout floor tiles for both aesthetics and longevity.
Best Floor Tile Options
Slate Tile
One of slate tile's most significant selling points is its features — the subtle changes in texture, the color variation, and the matte finish. It's a fantastic choice for homeowners and designers who want a natural look for flooring.
The sky's the limit for how you can cast slate’s character in a property. Because of its durability, it's incredibly versatile for a wide variety of applications, including indoor flooring across high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways. It’s naturally slip-resistant and boasts tactile durability.
Because slate tile is also weather-resistant (it's the stuff of mountains!), it is ideal for any outdoor living and dining environments, too, including patios and decks. It can also be integrated into garden pathways and more.
For inspiration:
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Consider the warm, earthy qualities of Riad Tile's Grey 10" Hex Brazilian Slate, which boasts a matte finish that pairs beautifully with most finishes in a bathroom.
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Or create an incredible slate tile floor pattern with the 12"x24" Rectangular Grey tiles.
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Large-format square slate tiles are a perfect choice for a space that seamlessly transitions from inside to outside. They're available in 12"x12", 18"x18", and 24"x24" varieties.
Terracotta Tile
The natural, organic warmth and rich, authentic texture of terracotta tile complements many spaces and styles — from modern farmhouses to Mediterranean villas and Southwestern casitas.
And one of the beautiful advantages of terracotta tile is that it's just as practical as it is pretty. Whether you're designing a rustic terracotta kitchen floor tile layout or upgrading a patio with terracotta outdoor tile, you can use this material almost anywhere.
For inspiration:
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Thanks to its earthen quality and weathered appearance, terracotta outdoor tile is a stunning choice that adds Old World charm to patios, walkways, and covered porches. Riad's unique Star & Cross motif adds warmth and character to this bright sunroom.
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The entryway or foyer of a home shouldn't be an afterthought. The inviting authenticity of terracotta tile can immediately bring a welcoming first impression to the main entrance. For more mysterious allure, consider the black Star & Cross terracotta tile on the floor.
Marble Tile
A lesson in classic luxury, marble is renowned for its smooth texture and dramatic veining. It's often used in interior flooring — across foyers, spa-inspired bathrooms, and even living rooms and kitchens.
From bold, black Nero Marquina Marble with sharp white veining to the gorgeous pink hues of Norwegian Rose Marble and the warm elegance of Casablanca Gold Marble’s creamy, golden hues, there are so many varieties of marble to indulge in — to fit every space.
For inspiration:
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This Calacatta Gold 4”x12” marble tile is swoon-worthy in a bathroom, with the floor covered in a herringbone pattern to help with slip resistance and the matching walls in a half-offset brick. The soft veining, mix of warm and cool tones, and natural movement make every piece feel unique.
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Here, there’s another marriage of bathroom marble from floor to ceiling with Bardiglio Grey 18”x18” marble on the walls and Italian Statuary Herringbone Mosaic and Italian Statuary 4”x12” marble cover the floors and ceilings. This natural stone is unmatched in scale, serenity, and style.
Checkerboard Marble Tile
Checkerboard floors add subtle pattern and timeless charm without overwhelming a space. With both classic and non-traditional takes on the checkerboard pattern, these natural stone tiles add timeless yet dynamic visual interest to floors.
For inspiration:
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Make an eye-catching impact with Calacatta Gold and Bardiglio Grey 12”x12” marble in either the main and back entrance of a home (or both) with this type of natural stone tile floor. Whether it’s a foyer or a mudroom, this pattern brings timeless allure.
Moroccan Limestone
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Speaking of checkerboard patterns, Moroccan limestone can get in the pattern game, too, with another way to create a memorable first impression in an entry. Here, the pairing of Octagon Azru Sand 12”x12” and Cinder 4”x4” Tumbled & Honed Moroccan Limestone creates an enduring, welcoming look.
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Moroccan stone also brings the warmth of nature underfoot in other high-utility yet high-style spaces, like laundry rooms and kitchens, pairing seamlessly with organic tones. The herringbone look here with Akal Dark 4”x12” Tumbled & Honed Moroccan Limestone creates its own rustic-refined pattern.
Ceramic Tile
If ceramic tile seems a bit lackluster — or even boring — you may never look at this material the same again.
When made with a handcrafted approach, ceramic tile has as much depth and visual interest as any natural stone, and it’s generally available in both matte and glossy varieties along with patterned and artisan options.
Its smooth surface, wide range of colors and finishes, and everyday durability make it one of the most versatile flooring options available — equally at home across many spaces inside the home.
One of the biggest advantages of ceramic tile is its low-maintenance nature. From classic ceramic floor tile to more decorative styles, it’s easy to clean, moisture-resistant, and well-suited for busy households where beautiful tile and flooring need to keep up with real life.
For inspiration:
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This jaw-dropping kitchen really gets its pop of flavor, thanks to Star and Cross Black & White ceramic tile. It’s a monochromatic statement that combines classic vibes with bold spirit.
This dazzling statement ceramic floor tile, created entirely out of 2”x8” matte tiles in a personalized palette of Deep Black, Clay, Petal, Latte, Aegean Blue, and Cactus Green is nothing short of dreamy.
Cement Tile
Encaustic cement tiles also bring artistry underfoot. Known for its rich pigmentation and handcrafted character, cement tile adds depth, pattern, and personality to a space — making it a favorite for statement floors.
Beyond its visual appeal, cement tile is also incredibly durable. When properly sealed, it stands up well to daily wear — both inside and outside — making it a practical choice for floor tile that feels both expressive and enduring.
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This primary bath sauna proves that cement tile can be a perfect fit for a wellness-forward space. The soft, matte color and subtle variation of the Blue 2"x8" Cement Tiles add depth and contrast, while bringing everything together with a calm, minimal color palette.
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Staring at the floor is totally understandable in this beautiful bathroom, which also uses the blue tile — but in a whole new way, organized in a herringbone pattern with white grout. It’s a perfect example, too, of how to grout floor tiles to make a distinct impact. The simplicity of the space exemplifies how pared-back materials can still be transformative.
Cement tile can also be used to construct a floor-to-ceiling masterpiece, as with this cool variation on patterned tile that melds geometry, shadow, and shape. It’s a sophisticated combination of Nola Black, Vertex Black, and Solid Black Cement Tile.
Terrazzo Tile
Terrazzo tile is a type of cement tile that offers a perfect blend of retro vibes with modern design. With its signature spotted mix of colors, terrazzo creates a layered, textural look that feels playful yet refined — ideal for contemporary kitchens, bathrooms, and open living spaces.
What makes terrazzo especially appealing is its longevity. This floor tile is known for its strength, easy upkeep, and ability to age beautifully over time.
For inspiration:
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The sophistication of black gets a modern-minimalist upgrade in this bathroom that’s grounded in Black 12”x12” Terrazzo.
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Midcentury modern style has been on the trending radar — and this Blush 12”x12” Terrazzo Tile is the perfect nod to the aesthetic while keeping things fresh.
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This midcentury modern kitchen is such a sweet treat, thanks to Turron 24”x24” Terrazzo Tile, which covers the floor in an outburst of color — only to be matched by the vibrant furnishings.
Room-by-Room Factors to Keep in Mind
Entryway and Hallway Floor Tile: Foyers set the tone for your home, and are always high-traffic corridors that don’t have to be afterthoughts. They are a great place to use bold or patterned floor tile — and because these areas often see frequent traffic, materials must be durable and forgiving.
Bathroom Floor Tile: Beauty meets function in the bathroom, where the tile must balance style, water resistance, and safety. The best floor tile choices for bathrooms are non-slip, durable, and easy to clean. Smaller-format tiles are highly recommended, too, for better traction, especially when using a honed material like marble on a bathroom or shower floor.
Kitchen Floor Tile: Durable and design-forward qualities are important in the kitchen — after all, it’s one of the hardest-working rooms in the home. Spills, heavy foot traffic, and constant cleaning mean scratch-resistance and easy maintenance are key. And if you’re wondering how to clean tile floors in a busy kitchen, sealed tiles with minimal texture are often the easiest option.
Living Area and Bedroom Floor Tile: While tile may not be the first thing you think of for bedrooms or living spaces, the right floor tile can bring warmth and texture. Consider larger-format tiles, as the square footage can handle it. Area rugs layered over tile can help you achieve softness.
Outdoor Floor Tile: For outdoor living spaces like patios and decks, it’s important to use weather-safe materials that can withstand the elements. For this reason, ceramic is generally not recommended for outdoor use, but cement tiles and terrazzo tiles, as well as natural stones like slate, are great options.
If you’re wondering how to install tile flooring in a bathroom — or any other space, for that matter — it’s generally best to use a professional contractor unless you have proven DIY experience. That’s because the installation process requires both precision and know-how to do it well and ensure long-lasting, high-quality results.
Matching Floor Tile to Your Overall Design Style
Your floor tile should complement the rest of the room and serve as a foundation for everything else. Here are a few ways to think about tile coordination with your aesthetic:
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Minimalist interiors: Stick to solid or lightly textured tiles.
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Traditional spaces: Patterned tiles can add depth and a modern twist on tradition.
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Eclectic or bohemian homes: Mix colors and motifs confidently.
Find the Right Floor Tile at Riad Tile
At Riad Tile, every tile is crafted with both function and beauty in mind. Whether you’re choosing bathroom floor tile, kitchen floor tile, statement flooring for a foyer, or something else entirely, Riad’s collections offer timeless materials designed to elevate any space.
Explore Riad Tile’s tile collections to find a floor tile that fits your home, your lifestyle, and your design vision.
Riad also has installation guides for how to install tile flooring in a bathroom or any other space, or can provide recommendations for professionals to install it for you.
Learn more at riadtile.com.
