What should you pay attention to when choosing floor tiles for your bathroom?

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The bathroom is a special place in your home. It serves as your private spa and fulfils many practical functions; however, it is also necessary to mention that the humidity in bathrooms is usually pretty high. That is why selecting the right wall and floor finish is so important. How do you decide? See what factors you need to take into account when making your decision.

Stone, wood and concrete in the bathroom

There are many styles that can be used in modern bathrooms. However, the most popular design trends refer to the following styles:

minimalistic – with a focus on modest forms and large, monochromatic surfaces;
Scandinavian and eco-friendly – with clear references to materials such as wood;
industrial – raw, inspired by loft designs and other post-industrial spaces;
ethnic and glamourous – introducing more colour and pattern variance.

Wall and floor finishes are very important elements for each of the designs mentioned above. The Cerrad portfolio includes models that can be successfully used on both, floor and wall surfaces. What should you choose? In an industrial and minimalistic style for example, architectural concrete will look great; while wood is the right choice for a Scandinavian style; and natural stone is perfect in the case of a glamourous inferior design. Each choice, even though full of positive attributes, can also have some disadvantages. Wood and concrete for instance, are more susceptible to moisture absorption, while natural stone on the floor can increase the risk of slipping. But that does not mean that you have to completely abandon trendy textures, as each of these can be found in the Cerrad portfolio, in the modern stoneware and clinker tile collections! These tiles are more durable than the natural materials mentioned above, they have much better specifications, plus their design is almost identical. Therefore, you are able to achieve the same aesthetic effect without compromising on the materials durability.

What are the ideal specifications for bathroom tiles?

Design is not the only aspect that is worth paying attention to when choosing porcelain or clinker tiles for the bathroom. Other important factors include:

Size – you can choose fashionable large format tiles in the following dimensions: 60 x 60 cm, 80 x 80 cm, 17.5 x 90 cm, 60 x 120 cm or even 80 x 160 cm;

Specific parameters –low water absorption, non-slip properties, resistance to mechanical damage and ease of cleaning; It’s also important to buy 10-15% more tiles than you will need to cover all your bathroom surfaces. This way you won’t run out of materials in the event of possible shortages.

Cerrad Inspirations

If you choose Cerrad’s high quality modern floor and wall tiles, durability is not an issue you need to be concerned with. Below are some of our featured collections that follow the latest trends. These are some of our favourites:

Acero Ochra – wood-effect tiles, made of Colour body porcelain tiles in a darker, natural shade. You can combine them with wooden elements and accents, or use them in modern, industrial bathrooms with darker colours.
Concrete Graphite – imitation concrete, Colour body mass-dyed porcelain tiles. Perfect for floors and walls in industrial and glamourous interiors. An excellent match for wood-effect or plain white tiles.
Tacoma Grey –colour body porcelain tiles. An ascetic, minimalistic design for your bathroom. They can be complimented with decorative tiles for a more vivid touch.
Lussaca Dust – subtle clinker tiles that imitate rustic, wooden flooring. Give your bathroom a warm and natural feeling. They are a great match for blue, yellow or cream-coloured Scandinavian style accessories.
Mustiq Honey – clinker tiles that imitate a warm, honey shade of wood. Perfect for Italian or glamourous interiors. Combine them with exclusive, sophisticated lighting and bright tiles on the walls for a greater effect.

Of course, these are just a handful of suggestions out of many, many more. So please take a look at the Cerrad Tile Catalogue and find your design concept of choice.

What should you pay attention to when choosing floor tiles for your kitchen?

Decorating your kitchen? If so, you are probably wondering not only about kitchen cabinets and furniture, but also walls and floors. Aesthetics and technical specifications are two things that matter. This is primarily because kitchens are inherently exposed to both moisture and stains. You can’t’ afford to make compromises. This is why porcelain or clinker tiles are the best things to choose.

Kitchen in concrete, wood and brick

Concrete, wood, brick – these textures have been especially popular in recent years. No wonder – each of these brings a completely different ambience to the kitchen. How to make your decision? It all depends on your interests.

Concrete gives your kitchen a loft-like, industrial feeling that borders on homey cosiness and a bare-bones factory floor feel. It looks great in combination with whites and cold shades or wood and contrasting furniture colours.
Wood is the perfect choice in Scandinavian or eco-friendly interiors and in rustic kitchens. It works well in combination with white, blue and beige furniture and accessories, but also with darker tones as well.
Brick is a great addition in loft-style, traditional and eclectic interior designs. Combine it with unadorned dark wood furniture or with designer glamour-style furniture in lighter colours.

Remember: there is no need to spend money on wooden floorings or actual brick walls if you want these styles on your walls or floors. Modern clinker or porcelain tiles with such patterns are the perfect choice to achieve this effect. The Cerrad range includes a wide selection of such styles.

What factors do you need to take into account when choosing kitchen tiles?

There is no doubt that tiles are the best way to cover both kitchen walls and floors – they are durable, easy to clean and can be tailored to your stylistic preferences. Now it’s time to choose a specific style. But design is not the only thing to be considered when making your choice. There are several key specifications for kitchen tiles, such as:

non-slip properties – this property is particularly important in the case of kitchen floors, which are often wet and covered with wet patches;
hardness – is also particularly important in the case of floors, because it determines the resistance of tiles to mechanical damage;
abrasion resistance – choose tiles with a high abrasion resistance class to keep the aesthetic and functional value of your interior regardless of extensive use;
low absorbability – no more than 3%,
stain resistance – the higher the resistance, the easier to clean your surfaces are.

What about size? It all depends on your preferences. For example, you may have smaller tiles that resemble white painted bricks on your walls and longer tiles on the floor, as large as actual wooden floorboards – 20 x 120 cm. You can also opt for more standard sizes, such as 60 x 60 cm, 80 x 80 cm, 60 x 120 cm, or even 120 x 120 cm, in porcelain tiles that imitate concrete.

Cerrad Inspirations

The Cerrad range includes various tiles that will be the perfect choice for both the walls and floors of modern kitchens. If you want to follow the latest trends, keep an eye on the models that imitate the most fashionable textures. Some of the tile collections are:

Batista Dust Lappato – minimalist porcelain tiles with a concrete and natural stone pattern;
Foggia Bianco – imitating white brick, perfect for walls in rustic and loft-style kitchens;
Fuerta Honey – stylish imitation floorboard porcelain tiles,
Lukka Bianco Lappato – large-format porcelain tiles perfect for floors, inspired by concrete designs;
Tassero Beige Lappato – structured surface porcelain tiles with a concrete aesthetic.

Browse the entire Cerrad range and pick your own kitchen interior style.

A record breaking Cersaie for Cerrad

A 161 000 m2 exposition area, 869 companies from 40 different countries (including 338 from overseas), and among them an exceptional presentation by Cerrad. During this year’s unveiling of the International Ceramic and Bathroom Amenities Cersaie Fair, Cerrad presented dozens of brand-new products at the impressive 2004 m2 display area.

During September 23rd to 27th, attention of the entire ceramic industry was turned towards Italy’s Bologna. The Cersaie International exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings is the most important event in the trade, for the whole of Europe. For five days, the best manufacturers on the market presented their products, dictated trends, collected opinions and drew inspiration.

This year’s edition of Cersaie holds great significance for Cerrad. This was the first time in Cerrads exposition history, where the firm introduced exclusively all brand-new products, manufactured specifically for this occasion.

We confronted our vision of spatial design with opinions from the best experts in interior design and architecture. The information we gathered will allow us to make decisions, which in turn will help us complete our rich and extensive product portfolio. We are well aware of the vast differences in our Client’s expectations, which makes us that much happier that our displays and array of products were met with such great enthusiasm and interest – commented Karol Dzik, Chief Marketing Officer

As a global brand, Cerrad exports its products to over 50 countries worldwide, and has been present at the Bolognese fairs for five years now. This year was the first time that the firm’s exposition area covered an impressive 204 m2.

The Cersaie fair is an excellent opportunity for us to present our products in new and unique arrangements. The exhibition area, which we prepared especially for this year’s fair was a modern showroom where we present to our visitors dozens of our newest products inspired by the beauty of the world that surrounds us – commented Tomasz Glegoła, Director of Marketing

Cerrad collections were greatly appreciated by those who visited our exposition area, which is proof that Polish manufacturers take an enormous part in dictating world-wide trends, and are fully capable of satisfying the needs of interior designers and architects alike.

Designing kitchen flooring. What tile size should you choose?

Kitchen is the heart of every home. We spend a lot of time there, and it is exposed to increased risk of damage. Therefore, when decorating it, use materials of the highest quality so that it remains in good condition for many years to come. Which flooring type works well in the kitchen? Discover a few of our practical ideas.

Are you wondering what type of flooring you should choose for your kitchen? Stoneware kitchen tiles are still the most popular solution as they are the most practical and versatile. Unlike wooden floors, they are easy to keep clean and are water and stain resistant. They are also available in multiple patterns and colours, including styles inspired by concrete, stone and wood. In addition, they are available in a few different sizes to choose from. What size is suitable for the kitchen?

Kitchen tiles – what specifications should you consider?

What should you consider when choosing kitchen tiles? It is good to know the properties of the tiles for each surface in question. When choosing floor tiles for your kitchen, check if they have the following parameters:

Abrasion resistance: minimum class 3,
Scratch hardness: minimum 5 6 on the Mohs scale,
Easy to clean surface,
Low water absorption,
Anti-slip properties.
High stain resistance, minimum class 4, making them easy to keep clean,
High load bearing strength and resistance to mechanical damage.

It is also a good idea to check if the same or similar patterns from one collection can be applied on the floor, but also on the walls as the backsplash for instance. This unique and modern transition effect is certainly worth using in your kitchen.

What size should you choose?

When choosing tiles, you should answer the following questions:

Do you want to apply the tiles from one collection to both, the walls and the floor?

If the answer is yes, then it is a good idea to choose a collection suitable for both surfaces. In this case, stoneware tiles are the perfect choice as they meet all requirements of floor tiles and because they transfer the decorative effects from the floor to the walls. The effect of cohesive surfaces can be achieved with the Apenino bianco collection, which has tile sizes in 60×120 cm for floors and 60×60 cm for walls.

Do you wish to visually enlarge the room?

This effect is easy to achieve if you are working with the right materials. For instance, just apply large tiles that give the impression of cohesive surfaces. A smooth surface in a light colour, like a subtle concrete grey, will make the room look and feel more spacious. For this effect, choose tiles in 60×120 cm, from the Batista dust lapatto collection for example.

Brick background for a terrace with a relaxed ambiance. What is the best way to design it?

How can you create an aesthetically pleasing space that will not only look great but also remain in good condition despite the changing atmospheric conditions? Find out about our terrace decorating ideas where we use brick as the key element!

A terrace often creates one of the first impressions in your home; hence, it is important to design it in such a way that it remains in good condition for many years to come. To ensure such long lasting durability, you should use top-quality materials. As a consequence, you will not have to waste time and money on maintenance; also, keeping the terrace clean will be easier and less time-consuming. How do you get started on designing an impressive, practical and lofty terrace? Let’s begin with the materials.

Brick wall

A brick like wall can be made with clinker tiles, which have the specifications that allow for applications on facades: they are tough as well as frost and sunlight resistant. Another advantage of clinker tiles is their appearance, as they resemble brick. How should you apply clinker tiles?

A wall design that looks like brick can give a raw and lofty character or it can be part of a facade designed in earthy colours. It all depends on the tile colour of course. The first look can be achieved with clinker tiles in warm reddish or orange tones, like Retro Brick Chili or Retro Brick Curry. The second look is a neutral effect in beige, that can be achieved using the Honey, Piatto Sand, Piatto Terra collections. This look will warm up this part of facade, but still keep it looking stylish and innovative.

The clinker tile colour choice is up to you of course, although it is a good idea to match it to the colour of the house facade. Too great a contrast can make it stand out too much from the composition and look unattractive.

Terrace floor tiles

Flooring is the foundation of a terrace and it has to meet several important criteria. First of all, it needs to be resistant to various atmospheric conditions such as frost, rain or ultraviolet rays. This is why the best solutions are stoneware and clinker floor tiles. These materials are frost resistant (dimensional stability), slip resistant and they do not lose colour when exposed to sunlight. In addition, it is very practical choice since they are easy to clean and do not require maintenance work and waterproofing. More importantly, stoneware tiles allow for multiple designs as you can choose from a wide variety of sizes, patterns and colours.

For a terrace with a brick background, the best option is stoneware imitating wood or concrete. The first idea resembles a rustic style, for instance red clinker tiles and wood-effect stoneware. The second, is the combination of light, sandy clinker tiles with concrete to achieve a more modern look.

The power of handy accessories

Terrace decor also needs suitable and functional accessories. No terrace is complete without a table of course. However, keep in mind, that all accessories must be properly treated before outdoors use, or you need to choose materials that are already treated with a protective layer. The same of course goes for the chairs. If you are considering buying a lounge suite for your terrace, remember to maintain it properly and choose materials that have been treated with moisture protection. Fortunately, there is a wide range of waterproof and water-resistant terrace cushions available on the market. You may be tempted by impressive and fun cushions made from other materials, but they are not practical as they will soak through and stain. And let’s not forget about romantic lighting, by choosing some fun LED solar lamps or lanterns. Plants are also a key element on a terrace. Design your own herb garden or use exotic palms as perfect decorations. Green will look great against the red clinker tiles and it will contrast well with their sandy tone.

Light or dark tiles? What colour best suits the bathroom?

The bathroom is a place of relaxation, so it needs to be as comfortable as possible. This is why you should pay attention to its aesthetics. A trendy bathroom should be both pleasing to the eye and soothing. Ceramic tiles are the key aspect here. What colour should you choose? Take a look at our ideas.

Having to choose from the wide variety of available colours and patterns may seem a bit like a challenge. The interior must be designed functionally and tastefully. If you are trying to decide between light and dark bathroom tiles, bear in mind that current trends do not favour one option over the other. The key is to use suitable materials and keep balance between the colours being used. You should also consider the size of the room, although nowadays fewer people agree with the idea that dark colours should not be used in small spaces. However, dark shades should not dominate so that the bathroom does not feel closed in and small.

We present three inspirations for bathroom decor in light and dark colours.

What should you consider when choosing bathroom tiles?

The purpose of bathroom tiles is to serve for many years, so it’s important that you pay attention to the technical specifications, which in turn are proof of the tile quality and comfort of use. Due to the specific moisture conditions in bathrooms, stoneware tiles are the recommended material for these interiors. Unlike the popular glazed tiles, stoneware tiles have a higher resistance to water absorption, they are slip resistant and highly universal. Stoneware can be applied on both the floor and walls, as opposed to glazed tiles, which are not at all suitable for floors. In addition, stoneware has one more advantage over the glazed tiles: it is durable and therefore resistant to scratches as well as mechanical damage.

Our bathroom decor ideas

Are you looking for an inspiration? Would you like to create your own exclusive bathroom space? Take a look at a few of our ideas where we use both light and dark stoneware tiles:

a bright minimalistic space (light bathroom tiles)

The combination of white and light wood material is a universal solution which is never out of fashion. The reason why the minimalistic style has stolen the hearts of so many interior designers is that such compositions match every room, regardless of its size; besides, it is the most popular way to make the room visually more spacious. In fact, using shiny tiles on the walls will make the room look and feel more spacious thanks to the light reflection effect they create. This result can be achieved with the following Cerrad collections:

Cool concrete (dark bathroom tiles)

A simple and muted interior has its own character, which is why we can’t omit interiors with concrete-type tiles. This is an excellent option in the minimalistic style, with simplicity and proportion as its dominant features. For those who like to have a clean and organised space, the best option will be concrete, which is suitable for both small and big bathrooms. Although it is dark, the room will not feel muted and closed in.

To design an interior in a similar, modern style, use tiles from the following collection:

Batista steel

The compromise: light and dark tiles

A perfect solution for those who like both, but cannot decide, and really shouldn’t have to!!! By combining light and dark tiles you achieve a fabulous effect, while at the same time dividing the bathroom space into its own respective areas. This decor will work well in both modern and classic interiors.

This effect can be achieved by combining tiles from the following collections:

Trendy bathroom design. What stoneware tiles should you choose?

If you are looking for a solid, durable and resistant material for your bathroom floors and walls, stoneware is the perfect choice. Especially since it is one of the current trends in bathroom decor!

The latest bathroom trends

Bathroom decor trends are constantly changing. Currently, some of the most fashionable styles are concrete, stone and wood interiors.

Concrete in the bathroom is an option for those who are looking for solid materials that are easy to keep clean. It is cheaper and easier to work with rather than a natural stone, whereas its smooth surface prevents dirt from accumulating in its crevasses. A concrete bathroom will certainly be minimalistic, subtle and muted. Such an industrial interior works well with both warm and cool coloured accessories.

It is definitely an option for those who prefer modern and subtle interiors. However, grey walls and/or flooring can be warmed up with soft fabrics or accessories in vivid colours like yellow or red. Both, light and dark furniture, with light coloured fittings will look amazing in this type of interior.

A stone tile bathroom is timeless and universal. Especially since the stone is available in various colours, providing countless decor possibilities!

Those who prefer classic elegance should consider a bathroom with marble elements. This extraordinary stone is available in different tones, ranging from white and beige to grey and black.

A bathroom decorated with wood provides a completely different atmosphere. Contrary to stone or concrete, wood makes the room feel warm and welcoming, whereas the various wooden tones and deep colours will cater to everyone’s design needs. You should pay attention to the softness of the wood, which breaks falls better than the previously mentioned materials. However, some wood may absorb water and become warped as a consequence. Therefore, choose a type of wood resistant to temperature changes and increased moisture content.

Wooden bathrooms offer numerous design possibilities: wood can be placed on the floor or walls, or maybe just on one wall as an accent. This decor will look great combined with pastel, white, and even stone-effect tiles. The look can then be completed with wicker accessories, such as a laundry basket or a mirror frame, natural sponges and stone soap dispensers or soap dishes.

Finally, the last trend on the list concerns bathrooms with gold and copper accessories. This is an idea for those who fancy bold décor styles. The effect achieved is strongly dependant on the amount and type of accessories used. To avoid excess, you can place gold or copper sink fittings, handles, or discrete decorations such as small bathroom features and lighting. The effect will be incredible, especially against a grey background.

The power lies in the detail

As you may know, bathroom decorations are not just dependant on walls and flooring. Accessories, their colours, style and placement are equally as important, and it’s crucial that hey match the materials used in the room.

Ceramics are one of the most important elements in the bathroom. You can opt for the classic oval shape, or go for something more atypical like rectangular or round shapes.

Of course, another important bathroom element are the fittings. Bath, washbasin and shower taps should match the style of the interior and they should be made of solid materials.

Of course, any bathroom would not be complete without a mirror.

Stoneware: the ideal option for the bathroom

What should you use for your bathroom floor and walls? The prefect solution of course is stoneware. This material is resistant and is characterised by low water absorption. In addition, it’s available in a wide variety of colours and sizes, it’s easy to clean and its appearance does not degrade over the years.

When choosing stoneware suitable for bathrooms, you should take into account these 3 qualities:

minimal abrasion class: 2
water absorption up to 3%,
stain resistance of at least: class 3 4 ,

Tiles from the Cerrad collection meet all these requirements and are suitable for bathroom décor in one of the trends presented below:

Acero ochra and its wooden flooring-effect refers to the traditional style; combined with grey concrete, it will look amazing on the bathroom floor.
Concrete graphite is a suggestion for those who opt for a toned-down bathroom with an elegant interior with the cool shades of a concrete
Tacoma grey imitates stone perfectly and it will delight everyone who values durability and simplicity in interior design.

How do you choose kitchen flooring? See for yourself!

When choosing kitchen floors, let’s think about the style of the interior first. Then, choose the most suitable tiles. What is the best approach?

Stylish kitchen – the latest trends

Enthusiasts of light, spacious and simple interiors will definitely love the Scandinavian style, characterised by functional minimalism. Kitchens designed in this style are usually dominated by monochromatic white and grey colours, which are then combined with light, most often wooden furniture. Then, to add some colour, they are accented with vivid or pastel colours. Flooring is an important element of the Scandinavian style. In order to keep the flow, the design should be light, have a wooden texture, or be constructed using grey or white tiles.

Those wanting to take it one step further when designing a simple and functional kitchen should consider the minimalistic style. Cooking or eating in such an interior has a soothing effect, as you can easily relax and clear your head. What is more, a minimalistic kitchen is easier to keep clean as there are no unnecessary accessories, everything is hidden, and the geometric form prevails in the decor. Simplicity and harmony are the key here; this style is characterised by a few colours, cohesive furnishing and top-quality materials. Large, shiny tiles on the walls and floor only emphasize the raw decor. This style of kitchen will be ideal for those who value tidiness and who have an open kitchen-living room space.

However, for those who are not fans of these simple designs, but who still like minimalism, we recommend the industrial style. An industrial kitchen is usually spacious and has multiple accessories in dark colours. Its distinctive features are steel elements, open cupboards, bare beams, hooks for kitchen ware and industrial lamps, usually only located above the sink or table. Concrete flooring is usually combined with concrete countertops in this type of kitchen.

However, if this is not your individual style, you may want to choose something completely different, like the English style, where tradition is cleverly combined with modernity. These types of kitchens are warm and cosy, pastel in colour, and full of glass cases and adorable boxes for small items. Stylised, quaint accessories, like a kettle, dinnerware or a coffee machine will only emphasize the desired aesthetics. The floor does have to be light, but preferably covered with wood or tiles in white, vanilla, beige or ecru.

Kitchen flooring from A to Z

The kitchen is often called the heart of the home, and this is not without reason. This is the place where we gather with the whole family, cook, eat and sometimes even throw parties. Therefore, when renovating or decorating it from scratch, you should remember a few important rules and focus not only on cupboards and accessories, but most of all, on its key element: the floor.

Apart from the aesthetic values and coherence with the interior design, resistance to wear and tear, and durability are the most important qualities of a kitchen floor. All in all, it is a busy place, things often fall on the ground, and everything often gets dirty and needs cleaning. This is why you should choose tiles which are:

abrasion resistant (minimum class 3).
easy to keep clean.
stain resistant (minimum class 4 ).

Interestingly, stoneware tiles are the most popular choice for the kitchen as they are easy to clean, they are resistant to abrasion and chemicals, and of course are durable.

Cerrad inspirations

Cerrad has an amazing range of stoneware tiles suitable for kitchens, some of which are listed below:

Mattina beige –floor and wall tiles with a textured surface and beige as a main colour, perfect for the industrial and English styles as they imitate wood,
Fuerta honey –floor and wall tiles with a smooth surface and orange as the main colour, which will emphasize the English style as they imitate wood,
Batista dust lappato –floor and wall tiles with beige as the main colour, suitable for the minimalistic and Scandinavian styles as they imitate concrete,
Apenino gris lappato –floor and wall tiles suitable for kitchens in the minimalistic or Scandinavian styles as they imitate concrete.

How do you fashionably design kitchen walls? We’re here to help.

Before deciding on what kitchen furniture, equipment and accessories you would like, it is first worth picking the floor and wall designs.

How do you design kitchen walls?

When we think of kitchen renovations, the first thing that comes to mind are the floors, furniture and household appliances. However, there is one more very important element which must match the rest of the room: the walls. They are responsible for creating a particular style, provided they have been properly designed.

Brick, wood, stone and architectural concrete are among the current trends in kitchen wall materials, Each of them offering their own unique style and look:

brick has soundproofing qualities, and it is an impressive and practical solution since a brick wall matches most floor tiles,
wood gives a warm and cosy character,
stone is a timeless solution that makes the kitchen look stylish and trendy,
architectural concrete provides a modern style and looks good in a minimalistic interior.

Furniture vs. kitchen style

To make everything flow together, it is important to match the furniture to the colours and materials used on the floor and walls. In fact, the possibilities are endless since you can choose similar or completely different textures and combine similar or contrasting colours. However, it is a good idea to consider the style of your kitchen, and the look you are trying to achieve first.

For example, with the rustic or classic style, you can combine light brick with white furniture; the result is an interior that is both cosy and bright. If you prefer something more minimalistic, think about architectural concrete and furnish your kitchen using closed cupboards with hidden handles and smooth surfaces. In this case, you can choose any colour you desire. However, experts recommend white, charcoal grey or black furniture with high gloss surfaces, or maybe even furniture in bold colours for a greater contrast depending of what you prefer.

Wall design to match room size

Before deciding on a particular kitchen style, you should consider what materials will be most suitable for the room size. Small interiors should be decorated with light colours, as dark ones may make them visually smaller. Of course, this rule is very general because a lot depends on whether the walls, floor and furniture work well together. Accessories are also important. Remember that bigger floor or wall tiles usually look better in a small kitchen.

Contrary to a popular belief, concrete (or concrete effect) is suitable for small interiors as long as it is brightened with other features in light colours, like the furniture for example. The grey tones of this material combined with white will visually enlarge the space and give it a classy and elegant look. If you have a small kitchen, you can put concrete on one wall, which will make it more exposed.

When it comes to using wood in a small kitchen, its colour should not strongly contrast the colour of the remaining interior elements. This will make the room look a bit bigger. And as a general rule, light wood will usually look better than dark wood when it comes to small spaces.

Stoneware on kitchen walls

Stoneware is a timeless classic, and ideal for use in the kitchen. Its advantages are numerous: it has a high load bearing strength; it is highly resistant to mechanical damage, abrasion and chemicals; and it is easy to keep clean. It can be used for both, the walls and floors.

Cerrad range of products offers some interesting stoneware collections, which are excellent for kitchen walls:

the Batista dust lappato, the Lukka bianco lappato or the Tassero beige lappato –concrete tiles, especially with large, shiny surfaces, will work well in minimalist interiors or when trying to visually enlarge a small kitchen;
Foggia bianco – light brick looks great in the rustic or traditional style;
Fuerta honey – excellent option for decorative wood enthusiasts which will look best with light coloured furniture.

Designing a small bathroom? What tiles should you choose to visually enlarge it?

Designing a small bathroom does not have to be a problem. It turns out that in order to have an aesthetically pleasing and a more spacious bathroom, you simply need to make the right preparations. The key in such a scenario are properly chosen materials. Find out which tiles are best in order to achieve this effect.

Small bathroom, great possibilities

Owners of small bathrooms often dream about having a spacious and functional interior. And with the right materials, it’s a dream that’s within reach and there is really no need to worry about renovation. And contrary to what you may think, you do not need a complicated design project either. The bathroom can look bigger just by using materials in a variety of patterns and colours which give multiple design possibilities.

Bathroom tiles – what should you know

There are some things to consider when choosing bathroom tiles. First, let’s take a look at their technical specifications. The most suitable tiles will have the following features:

abrasion class (AC): minimum 2,
water absorption: up to 3%,
stain resistance class: minimum 4

Apart from their technical properties, you also need to carefully consider the tile colour and surface. The colour, surface and size of the tiles will also be one of the main factors helping to decide whether the space looks and feels enlarged successfully.

Why is stoneware worth choosing?

Do you need to choose bathroom tiles? Stoneware tiles are a perfect option for these types of interiors. They are one of the most popular bathroom solutions and for a good reason! Stoneware tiles allow for various design possibilities and create spectacular compositions. They are universal as they work on both floors and walls, thus achieving a cohesive look. Moreover, stoneware has excellent technical specifications. Why is it suitable for bathrooms in particular? Here are a few key reasons:

it has low water absorption (of 0.5-3%),
it is slip resistant,
it is easy to keep clean,
it is suitable for use with underfloor heating

Go big

One of the ways to visually enlarge a bathroom is by covering the entire wall, from floor to ceiling, with tiles. This can be done with large format tiles, like for example with the lapatto surface bathroom tiles from the Apenino bianco collection. This pattern is available in the 60×120 cm size, which will help to brighten up the space, therefore, enlarging it.

Shiny surfaces

Using light reflection is also a clever idea. By choosing tiles with a shiny surface, you will achieve a unique result and a visually enlarge the space at the same time. The lappato tiles deserve a special mention here, like for example the Batista desert tiles in the 60×60 cm size. This particular type of stoneware takes on the look of concrete. It even looks great in small places, without making them feel closed in.

Combine different patterns

White colours are what is normally used to enlarge a room. Monochromatic surfaces are always a safe and universal solution. However, you may want to break this rule and here are a few reasons why… Interior designers have been suggesting that similar results can be achieved by applying and combining different patterns on the floor and walls of an interior. Combinations of light wood with concrete, like the Laroya desert and Lukka gris for instance, are a great match and still very much on-trend. Not only does this allow for the room to be naturally divided (for example, a separate washbasin and toilet areas) but it also combines the raw feel of the concrete with the warm feel of the wood. It might also be a great idea to choose a classic motif, and for example, accent the walls by horizontally applying the wood-effect tiles from the Fuerta marrone collection.