• The cost of floor tiles varies, as they are available in both cost-effective as well as expensive options. Hence, it is essential to figure out your budget and determine the average price per square foot for the tiles to be selected.
• One can consider using the costlier tiles in certain areas of the home, such as the living and dining area, which has maximum visibility, or in a bedroom so as to get the decor of your choice. Keep an additional budget for the tiles of those specific areas and calculate your budget accordingly. The rest of the flooring of the house can use more economical options.

• Before going for tile selection, the tile contractor should give you the exact quantity of tiles that you need to purchase. In case you are yet to commission a tile contractor then it is advisable to carry a floor plan of your home to the tile showroom or just take the room-wise measurements with you. The professional team at the tile showroom with help you to calculate the precise quantity of tiles and skirting that shall be required.
• Always purchase at least 5–10 per cent extra tiles that will take care of wastage during tile cutting or any kind of breakage.

Select the material
There are many types of tiles available in the market but here, below, are the most popular kinds:

• Vitrified tiles are the most popular and cost-effective tiling material and are easily available. These tiles gives a very airy and spacious look to the home.
• Ceramic and porcelain tiles are an all-time favourite. They are available in designs that replicate the look of natural stone and wood. Digital tiles are a recent innovation, where numerous designs can be achieved on the tile with high-resolution printing. These tiles are classified into five groups depending on their strength. It is advisable to go for Group-3 tiles that are suitable for areas with light foot traffic while Group-4 and Group-5 tiles are suitable for moderate and high-traffic areas.

• For a bold traditional look, nothing beats the beauty of hand-crafted cement tiles. These tiles are a great way to bring in an unconventional look to the home.
• Bring in a rustic look to your home with earthy terracotta tiles.
• If you love the beauty of natural stone materials, then opt for natural stone tiles that are polished and cut to a specific size.

Pay attention to the colour
Now it is time to select the colour and texture of the tiles. Make sure to choose a colour that matches with the overall colour scheme of your home or choose light-coloured tiles to give a spacious look to your home. Remember, your tiles are a life-time investment and are not going to be changed easily.

Choose the tile size
Did you know that the size of the floor tiles plays a crucial role in determining the look of the flooring?

• Smaller tiles, ranging between 12x12 inches and 16x16 inches in size, are suitable for areas such as the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.
• For small or medium-sized apartments, opt for vitrified tiles that come in a standard size of 2x2 feet for the entire home.
• Large tiles with fewer visible joint lines look best in spacious homes, where the width of the room is more than 16 feet wide so that the big tiles look proportionate.

Select the finish
Floor tiles are available in various finishes and each finish gives a different look to the home.

• Glazed tiles have a highly reflective finish so they should be used in a small space. The highly reflective surface bounces light, which makes a small space look bigger.
• Matte-finish tiles are recommended for high-traffic areas or the outdoors so that the tile surface is non-slippery. For better safety, it is advisable to go for non-skid tiles for the bathroom and outdoor balconies.

Choose the grout
Selecting the right grout is as important as selecting the right floor tile.

• Homeowners usually prefer a grout that matches the colour of the tiles to give a uniform look to the flooring. For a perfect look and finish, go for rectified tiles (with edges cut at right angles after they are kiln-baked) with a matching grout and a gap of at least 2 millimetres between each tile.

• Alternatively, one can consider contrast-coloured grouting for the floor tiles, as in this example.