Create warmth this winter with wood-look tiles

Wood-look ceramic and porcelain planks combine the natural beauty of wood with the durability and practicality of tiles. Medium and lighter shades are currently trending, as well as patterned tiles.

The inspiration for many of these wood-look patterned tiles comes from the original inlaid tiles as seen in many Moorish designs.

Ink-jet printing technology allows for very high definition printing on uneven surfaces. This has led to the development of tiles that look exactly like wood and natural stone. Inkjet printers give realistic and detailed patterned finishes, allowing every tile to be different.

Wood-look tiles are popular because of their natural look. They work well with most design concepts as they provide a natural base colour from which to work.

There is an increased demand for butt jointed and virtually seamless flooring. This is specifically the case with tiles that are pretending to be something else, like wood lookalikes. It ruins the effect if there are wide grout joints.

Wood-look tiles complement open-plan living areas beautifully and work just as well in the kitchen, bathroom and on the patio. They are ideal to use in the bathroom and outdoors as they offer a complete water resistant finish.

Select a tile with a slight grain to give slip-resistance in wet areas. Wood-look tiles with a textured finish that look like decking is perfect for the patio as they have the aesthetic appeal of wood without the maintenance such as sanding and sealing associated with real wood decking.

You can choose the same shade for inside and outside or you can use a lighter hue inside and a darker shade and textured finish outside that will be more forgiving with dirt.

Before deciding on the right type and shade of tile for your space, consider the following:

• What will the area be used for and who will use the space
• A smooth surface finish will be easier to clean
• Consider a matt glaze with good texture for a more slip-resistant installation
• Lighter neutrals will enhance space in a small area, while mid to darker shades will create drama and interest
• Ceramic wood-look tiles are suitable for walls and floor indoors, while a porcelain tile would be better suited for an outside area that experiences dramatic drops in temperature

How to invest smartly in your kitchen and bathroom

Times and styles may change but kitchens and bathrooms will always play an important role in the home.

New homeowners usually refurbish these two rooms to suit their families’ needs whereas potential buyers are considering the investment they’ll have to make to bring the rooms in line with their personal tastes.

More often than not, families and guests congregate in kitchens. People are drawn to the room as this is where the food is prepared and it’s usually warm, airy and welcoming.

The bathroom is another room in which people tend to spend a fair amount of time as it is where they prepare for, and end their day. Many people also see this room as a relaxing, private space in which they can just escape the world for a while.

Given the role of these rooms, it’s important that they are properly invested in both from a personal enjoyment perspective and from the point of view that inevitably, there will come a time when a homeowner wants to sell and move on.

A good guideline amount to collectively invest in these rooms is approximately 5 to 10% of the value of the property. For example, if your property is worth R1-million, you should invest up to R100 000 on these rooms to keep them as up to date and attractive as possible.

Of course it’s important to consider such an investment carefully. Bathroom and kitchen makeovers can be carried out at any time but typically occur when the rooms are outdated and you intend living at the property for some time or when you are preparing to sell the property.

Weigh up whether or not it’s worth it when updating to sell. If you don’t owe a lot on your bond then it will probably work in your favour to upgrade the rooms as they will bolster your asking price. However, if you owe a fair amount on your bond and don’t think the state of the rooms will detract too much from your asking price then it’s probably better to leave such an upgrade to the new owners.

Watermeyer also warns against overcapitalising. “Do your homework, ask an estate agent for a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and see how much properties in your area are selling for on average. Doing so will enable you to scale back or gear up your refurbishment plans accordingly.”

Alison White of Pam Golding Fourways Gardens says that the decision to refurbish depends on the condition of these rooms and whether the seller thinks it will detract significantly from his or her asking price. “If these rooms are in moderate need of attention, by all means carry out a few basic repairs and improvements such as applying a fresh coat of paint. Other than that consider asking a realistic price and leave the rooms to others to personalise and make their own.”

White explains that she has come across some strange refurbishments and additions in her time. “The strangest to date was the addition of urinals in every bathroom which the owner thought were fantastic,” she says.

When selling a home, White advocates presenting a neutral, de-cluttered palette which will enable others to envision their own space. She also advises purchasing local taps and fixtures over imported varieties as local versions can be more easily repaired.

“Whatever the case, if you choose to refurbish prior to selling or refurbish as a new home owner, it’s advisable to select a fairly neutral, classic look and incorporate fixtures and finishes which won’t date and will appeal to a broad market come time to sell,” says Watermeyer.

Other refurbishment tips Liza recommends include:

• Create a contingency budget: Inevitably when revamping there will be unexpected problems that crop up. Having a contingency budget in place will offset such issues.
• Keep in mind potential buyers’ needs: Many buyers simply want to move straight in to a property and not have to deal with any hassles such as a poorly planned washing up area, lack of flow, damp or suspect tiling. Utilising the services of professional, reputable kitchen and bathroom planners and contractors will go a long way towards avoiding such concerns.
• Provide plenty of storage space: Families are always on the lookout for bathrooms and kitchens that feature a decent amount of neat and convenient storage space so incorporate as much of this as possible.
• Invest in quality appliances: Quality appliances always create a good impression and denote that you care about what you use and by association, your surroundings too.

Creating a simple, elegant and timeless bathroom

The contemporary theme has only ever been associated with living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms. Lately it has been carried to the bathroom as well. Contemporary bathroom designs are clean, fresh and have sleek lines, but are still welcoming.

To create your own contemporary look bathroom, you’ll need to pay special attention to fixtures, lighting, bathroom ware, colour and decoration.

A main feature of contemporary bathrooms is straight and simple lines. Whether it is the bathroom cabinets and vanity or other fittings, the designs need to be uncomplicated and simple.

A contemporary bathroom design can easily be highlighted through the use of bright lighting. Bright and crisp lights simply give way to a sleek and fresh look.

Bath fixtures and fittings are known to play an important role in the contemporary look. One-piece toilets, simple and sleek tubs, squared-off taps and other accessories and fixtures in a combination of materials featuring metallic and subtle warm shades are some popular elements of contemporary design.

The ideal colour scheme for a contemporary bathroom should be a blend of neutrals as well as bold colours.

The most important aspects to remember are;

• Using the right colours could even give your bathroom a spa like feel
• Oversized and colourful artwork makes great focal points
• Keep the decor simple but make it stand out with elegance

Creating decorative looks with tiles

If you’re looking to give a certain area in your home a facelift why not consider using tiles to decorate the space? Tiles can be used to create patterns on the floor, walls, in the kitchen and even around a fire place. As a surface covering, tiles have many useful attributes; apart from being durable and versatile, they’re also easy to clean and come in a variety of colours, textures and finishes to suit all budgets

Tile Africa shares some tips on how you can apply tiles to different areas in your home to create visual appeal.

How to restyle your floors

Certain tiles suit different areas of the home, for example natural stone tiles are ideal for outdoor areas whereas ceramic or porcelain tiles suit the interior of the home. Likewise, some colours work better in particular areas, for example a white polished porcelain tile is great for a sophisticated lounge or dining room, but not practical in a family kitchen where darker shades are advisable to make spills less visible.

Use different tiles to distinguish between the wet and dry areas of the bathroom. Mosaics can be used to great effect in the shower, either on the floor to create a textured non-slip surface, or as a border against the wall. Pebble mosaics are also a great choice if you’re after a textured surface that echoes nature.
Use tiles in different colours and shapes to create a pattern on the floor. Patterns work well in the entrance area, kitchen and bathroom. A black and white checkerboard floor is ideal for kitchens and bathrooms with a vintage flair, as it is classic and won’t date.
Create borders either on the floor or on the wall with the use of mosaics or tiles cut into different shapes.
A touch of luxury for your walls

Create a focal wall in your shower. Achieve this look through bold colours and interesting borders and patterns. Choose which section of the wall you would like to draw attention to. Once this is done, it is up to you to decide how you would like to decorate the wall and which types of tiles you will use.
Consider using two or three different shades of tiles to create a tonal patchwork.
Install rectangular tiles vertically in order to emphasize the geometry of the space and give the illusion of height.
Create wide or narrow, horizontal or vertical borders with colourful mosaics, beautiful listelli or tiles cut into narrow stripes. Square tiles can be cut in half or thirds to fashion brick-like patterns or vertical lines to create the illusion of height. These narrow tiles are also great for tiling curved surfaces.
To create an accent wall use ceramic or porcelain tiles and lay them in an interesting pattern such as a 45 degree angle or cut them into different sizes to create interest. Another option is to add colourful mosaics or natural stone cladding to an entire wall. Alternatively, create columns from the ceiling to the floor. Glass mosaics add colour and shimmer while sandstone cladding provides texture and warmth to a wall.

Brighten up your kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home and the one place where family members socialise and catch up on the day’s activities while preparing meals. Always think in advance of your family’s requirements. Don’t be afraid to use colour. Introduce it in a unique way through a splash back and mosaic effect.

In the kitchen, tiles can be used to create a splash back behind work surfaces. Decorative mosaic tiles are suitable for kitchen walls as well as stove and sink splash backs. They also allow for a unique style and creativity. Bring warm colours into the kitchen by using, for example, red glass mosaics as a splash back behind a stove.
Ceramic tiles can also be used to tile your kitchen countertops. They create a durable and easy to clean surface. Be sure to consider tiled counter tops because you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of colours, textures and designs.
Don’t forget to seal your grouting if you opt to tile kitchen counters and splash backs.

An eye-catching fire place

Tiles can also be used to turn a fire place into an attention-grabbing design feature in the living room.

Use multi-coloured glass mosaics or mixed-material mosaics as a surround for your fire place.
For an opulent fire place, opt for shiny glass mosaics. These will glisten in the light and add luxury to your living room.
Rectangular tiles that mimic dark wooden planks also work well as cladding around a fire place. They create a natural look and provide a sense of warmth.
For a touch of comfort, use warm-coloured tones such as suede, auburn and burgundy around your fire place.