According to a stress management report, space dramatically improves one's mood. And the good thing is that large-format tiles, of course, are a part of it.

The truth is that large-format porcelain tiles are ideal for creating a minimalist, streamlined, and modern look that expands your space. It even creates a cohesive look for your living area. Similarly, they have patterns remarkably similar to natural materials such as limestone, marble, granite, and wood.

It means that they can benefit your mood.

You can choose the most suitable design, pattern, and color for floors and walls that match your room’s theme. They are versatile and can be used in various spaces—such as kitchen backsplashes, countertops, showers, bathroom flooring, fireplace surrounds, and many other places you desire for a seamless appearance.

And yet, embarking on a tile project can be a thrilling yet challenging venture for many homeowners, contractors, and retailers like you. The struggle to visualize your finished product, limited choices on display, and sparse details available in stores can make your process seem daunting.

Fear not! This guide is your compass through the vast world of large-format porcelain tiles.

What are considered large-format tiles?

Large-format tiles, as defined by the Tile Council of North America, have at least one edge longer than fifteen inches. Depending on the manufacturer and market demand, these tiles can be square or rectangular—ranging from 12x24 inches to a whopping 5x10 feet or even larger.

Large-format tiles also offer diverse laying patterns and orientations. Whether you prefer an unwavering alignment, a disparate arrangement, a bold diagonal chevron, or a herringbone pattern, these tiles provide a canvas for your creative expression. Furthermore, they are becoming increasingly popular in the world of interior design these days. 

The different finishes and textures of large-format tiles

From the sophisticated matte finish to the lustrous and buffed surfaces, large-format tiles come to you in various finishes and textures—including matte, glossy, polished, honed, or textured.

So, whether you're aiming for a refined look or a patterned masterpiece, the options are as limitless as your imagination.

Moreover, matte finish tiles have a non-reflective surface and are ideal for creating a natural, rustic, or industrial look. Glossy finish tiles have a shiny surface that reflects light and are perfect for creating your living space’s modern, sleek, or glamorous look.

Here are two of the most popular matte-finish, large-format porcelain tiles in the market:

On the other hand, polished finish tiles have a smooth and reflective surface that’s ideal for creating a luxurious, elegant, or sophisticated look for your area. Honed or textured finish tiles have a matte surface with a slight sheen and are perfect for creating a natural, organic, or tactile look. Just take a look at these elegant large-format polished porcelain tiles from Otile:

When and where are large-format tiles recommended?

For starters, large-format tiles are ideal for spaces with high moisture content, such as bathrooms and kitchens. They are also suitable for commercial and high-traffic areas. Accordingly, they’re perfect for creating a minimalist, streamlined, modern look that expands your space and creates a cohesive look. In addition, they have patterns that mimic natural materials such as limestone, marble, granite, wood—and many more. Choose the most suitable design, pattern, and color for floors and walls to match your theme. 

If you prefer tiles that look like marble, you can read this article to learn more about this versatile material. 

Open and expansive spaces

Large-format tiles can transform your vast spaces like living rooms and open-concept areas. With fewer grout lines and a seamless surface, these tiles create a sense of continuity and spaciousness, adding elegance to your surroundings.

They’re ideal for areas with ample square footage, such as living rooms, open-concept spaces, and large commercial areas. Since it adds a sense of continuity and spaciousness, they can create a seamless and smooth surface, making the space appear larger and more open. The good thing here is that large-format tiles can also create a sense of flow and connection, as they can be used to cover different areas or surfaces, such as floors, walls, ceilings, or countertops, without breaking the visual harmony of the space.

Consequently, they can help you transform your tight spaces by creating the illusion of roominess or spaciousness. While many believe using small tiles in small spaces is the way to go, they can make your room feel even more cramped and cluttered. 

If you want to use large-format tiles (or any other tile) for your living room or other spacious areas, choose the best tile design, color, material, and installation method for your project. To help you with that, we have prepared this article that covers everything you need to know.

Flooring in high-traffic areas

Ideal for high-traffic areas, large-format tiles provide durability and easy maintenance. Their minimal grout lines make cleaning a breeze, contributing to a healthier and hygienic environment.

They’re an excellent choice for flooring in high-traffic areas, such as hallways, entryways, and commercial spaces. Their size reduces the number of grout lines, providing a smoother surface that is more durable and easier to clean.

Finally, they are even more resistant to wear and tear, as they have less grout, which is usually the most vulnerable and problematic part of tile flooring. They are also more hygienic and healthier, as they have less grout to accumulate dirt, dust, mold, and bacteria, which can affect the air quality and the comfort of your space.

Contemporary and modern designs

Your large-format tiles' glossy, smooth surface reflects light—creating a sleek and sophisticated atmosphere. Their minimalist appearance adds a touch of tranquility to any of your modern or contemporary designs.

For instance, tiles can add a touch of modern drama while still sticking with your clean and sleek aesthetic. With digital printing advancements constantly improving, the technology allows for tile that looks like wood, stone, concrete, metal, and more.

Lastly, it offers the same beauty as its natural alternatives but in ultra-durable porcelain with minimal maintenance and slim grout lines. 

So, if you’re looking for more contemporary tile ideas and designs, here’s an article about floor tile trends to watch out for in 2024.

Commercial spaces

Large-format porcelain tiles are a popular choice for commercial spaces, as they create a professional and sophisticated atmosphere that impresses and attracts your customers and clients.

Likewise, they can create a consistent and coherent brand image for you, as they can be customized and personalized to match your business’s logo, color, and style.

Most importantly, they can also create a comfortable and productive work environment, improving your space’s acoustics and thermal comfort and reducing noise and temperature fluctuations.

Outdoor applications

Large-format porcelain tiles are excellent for outdoor spaces like patios, pool areas, and kitchens. Their durability and resistance to weather conditions make them an excellent choice for extended outdoor use. They are more durable and resistant to climate changes, such as rain, snow, sun, or wind, as they have less grout to absorb water or moisture and a thicker and stronger body. In other words, these can withstand temperature changes and physical impacts.

They’re also more attractive and versatile for your outdoor spaces, as they can mimic the appearance and texture of natural materials, such as stone, wood, or concrete, and blend in with the landscape and the environment.

Advantages of large format tiles

Large tiles are ideal when creating different patterns and orientations combined with other tiles or elements, such as mosaics, borders, or accents. Hence, blending other tiles or elements allows you a wide range of design possibilities—from classic and traditional to modern and contemporary. The following are some of the other advantages of using large tiles.

Seamless Appearance

Large-format porcelain tiles are an excellent choice for creating a seamless appearance in your space. Because these tiles are larger than standard tiles, they require fewer grout lines to cover a given space.

This creates a smooth and uniform surface that adds to the elegance and simplicity of your design. Fewer grout lines also make the tiles more prominent and noticeable, drawing more attention to the tiles’ shape, color, and texture.

This can significantly impact the perception of space, making it appear larger and more open. These tiles also create a sense of depth and dimension, making the space appear larger and more open.

Visual illusion of space

Large-format porcelain tiles can create an optical illusion of space, as they trick the eye into perceiving the space as bigger than it is. They can also reflect more light, as they have more surface area and less grout, which makes the space brighter and airier.

They can also emphasize the height and width of your living area, as they can be installed vertically or horizontally, from floor to ceiling or wall to wall.

For instance, large-format porcelain tiles can create a smooth look and a feeling of spaciousness, bringing unexpected drama to your home. Using the same tile on the floor and the wall creates a unified look and visually elongates your room. 

Easier cleaning and maintenance

Large-format porcelain tiles are easier to clean and maintain than smaller tiles because they have less grout, which is usually the most challenging and time-consuming part of tile cleaning.

Less grout also means less dirt, dust, mold, and bacteria accumulation, improving the space’s hygiene and health. Additionally, it even means less staining, cracking, and fading, which preserves the beauty and durability of your tiles.

Disadvantages of large format tiles

Large-format porcelain tiles are heavy, fragile, and difficult to maneuver, which makes them challenging to handle and install. They require special tools and techniques to cut, trim, and lay them correctly.

Therefore, hiring experienced installers with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle them is essential. Inexperienced or unskilled installers may cause damage to the tiles or the substrate or create uneven or misaligned surfaces, which can affect tile appearance and performance.

It’s also important to note that large-format tiles require a stronger substrate than standard tiles. The surface should be structurally free of contaminants such as oil, grease, dirt, or other chemicals. Any damaged or uneven surface should be repaired and leveled before installing large-format porcelain tiles.

Weight Issues

Large-format porcelain tiles are heavier than smaller tiles and exert more pressure and stress on the substrate and the structure. Some installations, such as walls, ceilings, or countertops, may not support the weight of large-format tiles and may require additional reinforcement or modification to prevent sagging, buckling, or collapsing. Thus, hiring experienced installers with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle large-format tiles is essential.

Limited design flexibility in small spaces

Large-format porcelain tiles may only be suitable for small spaces, such as bathrooms, closets, or hallways. They may require more cutting and trimming, resulting in more waste and less aesthetic appeal.

They may also overwhelm or crowd the space, making it appear smaller or darker. They may not even match the scale or proportion of your living space. In cramped or confined areas, they may create a monotonous or boring look, as they have less variation and contrast and may not complement the style or theme of the space.

However, there are ways to incorporate large-format tiles into small spaces that maintain design flexibility. For instance, you can use large-format tiles on one wall or floor and pair them with smaller tiles on the other walls or floors.

This creates a visual contrast that adds depth and dimension to the space. You can also use large-format tiles in a diagonal or herringbone pattern, which creates a sense of movement and flow that makes the space appear larger.

How do you choose the right large-format tile?

Choosing the right large-format tile ensures your project looks great and functions well. There are several factors to consider when selecting large-format tiles, such as space, substrate, design, and application.

Consider the size and shape of the apace

Choosing tiles that complement the scale and proportion of the area is crucial. For instance, rectangular or elongated tiles are recommended for small or narrow spaces to create a visual illusion of space. These tiles can make the space appear larger and more open.

It’s also important to note that the tiles' size and shape should match the space's size and shape. Large-format tiles are ideal for large spaces, such as open-floor kitchens and living rooms, while medium-sized tiles are suitable for medium-sized spaces, such as bathrooms. Small tiles are best for small spaces, such as closets and hallways.

Think of the type and condition of substrate and underlayment

Initiating the tile selection process requires thoughtful consideration of individual design preferences and the overarching theme of the designated space. Acknowledging these factors' profound impact on choices is imperative, ensuring a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing outcome. Consider using big, smooth, elegant tiles if you like modern and straightforward styles. These tiles can have different surfaces, such as shiny, smooth, or dull, that match well with the modern look.

Conversely, a shift towards dynamic and authentic tile options is proposed for spaces intending to embrace a natural and organic theme. This includes textured tiles and those mimicking the appearance of stone or wood. Flat or uniform tiles are discouraged in such scenarios, as they may compromise the desired authenticity and natural ambiance.

Start with your preferred design and overall theme

Starting with one's favored design and overarching theme is crucial during the tile selection. The choice of tiles should be meticulously aligned with these aesthetic preferences to ensure a harmonious and visually appealing outcome.

Opting for large-format tiles characterized by sleekness and sophistication in contemporary and minimalistic styles is advisable. These tiles may encompass polished, glossy, or matte finishes, contributing to a modern aesthetic.

By conscientiously considering the design and theme at the outset, you can navigate the myriad tile options more effectively, ensuring a cohesive result in line with the intended style of the space.

Strike a balance between functionality and applicability

When you choose tiles, you need to achieve an optimal balance between functionality and suitability, considering the specific application and purpose of the tiles. For flooring, the emphasis lies in functionality, which means advocating for the choice of large-format tiles that are not only slip-resistant but also durable.

Honed or textured variants are particularly recommended, providing an added layer of safety while ensuring longevity. These tiles are tailored to withstand the rigors of floor usage while preserving their aesthetic appeal.

By striking this careful balance between functionality and applicability, one can make informed choices that align with the specific requirements of each surface, optimizing both performance and aesthetics.

Where in California can I get large format tiles?

Otile stands as your premier tile distributor in California. Explore our exquisite selection of large-format porcelain tiles, ensuring the perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality.

Large-format porcelain tiles offer a world of possibilities for homeowners, contractors, and retailers. Their versatility, durability, and aesthetic appeal make them a standout choice for various applications. Explore our collection at OTILE.COM and transform your spaces with the elegance and sophistication they deserve.