5 Tips to Picking the Perfect Tile for Your Kitchen or Bathroom

It’s tile time! Don’t let your home renovation bog you down so much that you no longer find it fun. Choosing the materials, colors, and textures of your fixtures and finishes can start to feel like a chore. But it doesn’t have to! We’ve gone through the tile process countless times with homeowners across the Sacramento region and Bay Area, so we’ve learned a thing or two over the years. Tile has the ability to set the tone for your space by adding personality, functionality, and style. Don’t underestimate it.

We recently shared our thoughts on 2025’s tile trends in House Digest, so this topic is fresh on our minds. If you’re struggling with where to start or how to finish picking out the new tile for your home, here are five tips from our team of kitchen and bathroom renovation experts.

1. Get Inspired

Before you start shopping for tiles, slow down and let yourself get inspired. Browse Pinterest, flip through design magazines, or scroll through online galleries. Save or make notes of any colors, patterns, and designs that catch your eye.

This step helps you figure out what you like and gives you a clear direction for your project. Get creative with designs and feel free to explore bold colors, fun patterns, and unique textures that could make your kitchen or bathroom stand out.

2. Match Your Home

When picking tile, make sure to consider your home’s overall style. You want your tile to work cohesively with your home’s aesthetic, not against it. For example:

• Natural stone or matte-finish tiles look great with cozy, farmhouse homes.

• Geometric tiles in neutral tones can work well with mid-century modern styles.

• Large-format tiles or bold patterns complement sleek, contemporary homes.

3. Explore Tile Sizes

The size of tiles makes a huge difference for how the room will feel. Explore different sizes to see what would work best for your vision.

• Smaller Tiles: Great for compact spaces like small bathrooms. Mosaics or penny tiles create balance and make the most of tight areas.

• Larger Tiles: Perfect for making a space feel bigger. Fewer grout lines mean a cleaner, more open look.

4. Make the Most of Color and Texture

Think about what you want the room to feel like when you’re in it. Homeowners often want to promote relaxation and wellness in their bathrooms, so they opt for less-busy colors and textures like smooth stones in soft grays, beiges, or muted greens. The kitchen can be looked at as a creative, shared space with rich tile patterns and bold, dark colors. What’s most important is that you consider what atmosphere you want to promote in your space and then work those colors and textures into it, whatever they may be!

5. Don’t Overlook Grout

Grout might not seem like a big deal, but it will absolutely change the entire look and feel of your tilework. Choosing a grout color that contrasts with your tiles will draw attention to the pattern and add character. If you prefer a seamless, subtle look or want to keep the attention on the tile design itself, consider using a grout color that blends into the tile.

Which Tile Trends Are Going Out of Style in 2025?

Some trends come and go while others remain timeless. When it comes to tiles, here’s what’s currently on its way out (generally speaking):

• Minimalism: The stark, bare look is giving way to cozier, more lived-in designs.

• All-White Kitchens and Bathrooms: Once a classic, these spaces now feel too basic for most homeowners.

• Uniform Finishes: Matching everything in one material or finish is giving way to mixing textures and colors.

• Glossy Tiles: Matte and satin finishes are taking over, as they promote a more comfortable and natural feel.

Sacramento’s Top Tile Specialists

When it comes to remodeling your home, there are endless decisions to be made. Arguably the most important is your choice of contractor. At HEX, we’re proud to be a small, family-owned business of Sacramento natives. We’ve spent decades earning the trust of our neighbors with high-quality home renovations and personalized customer care. We know how important a home is, so we emphasize using the best craftsmen, tools, and materials for every project. When it comes to kitchen or bathroom tile, it's more than a functional choice. Tile makes a statement about your style. So if you need any additional help discovering that for yourself, we can also assist with professional interior design.

At HEX, we’re with you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free estimate and experience true customer care.