Perfect Pairings: Classic Tile Color Combinations for Lasting Appeal
Color trends come and go, with each new generation leaning into a palette that punctuates an era. Bold, primary, technicolor hues characterized 1930s design, while pastels dominated the ‘50s. When you see a kitchen in harvest gold, burnt sienna, and avocado hues, you can bet it dates to The Brady Bunch era. Shades of pale gray and millennial pink are hallmarks of the 2010s. Choosing trendy colors is fine for paint and accent decor like pillows, but when it comes to the relative permanence of tile color combinations, sometimes it’s best to select classic palettes that will carry you from one decade to the next. Here are a few traditional pairings that offer timeless appeal.
Tonal White
Few color palettes are more enduring than tonal white, which employs subtle variations of bright white, off-white, and cream to create a crisp, clean interior.
Particularly common in kitchens, this interior design style could include icy white cabinets with tile color combinations like brilliant white subway tiles or a soft white marble look, such as Calacatta, for added dimension and visual interest.
Using fun shapes or antique tiles is another way to bring texture and depth to a monochromatic palette.
Black and White
Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, entryways, and virtually any room in the home can benefit from the inclusion of iconic tile color combinations in black and white.
These neutral hues deliver the high contrast that allows them to stand independently. Still, they also support any other scheme, whether you want to add warm wood cabinets, a bold, jewel-tone accent wall, or patterned wallpaper in navy with metallic gold accents.
A dark floor tile paired with light wall tile helps a room feel grounded but breezy. You can add a black-and-white mosaic backsplash to serve as a buffer between upper cabinets in white and lowers in black. Floor and wall tiles featuring black-and-white patterns could be from any era and will transition to the next.
Gray and White
Cool grays have dominated interior design for the last decade but are not exactly new. Pairing gray with white or cream shades is a time-tested means of creating calming spaces while adding an air of sophistication to your design.
More recently, warm greiges have shown up in tile color combinations, helping make grays a little more accessible and inviting. Whether you want refined style or a casual ambiance, gray and white tiles are a great choice for spa-like bathrooms, modern kitchens, and even inspired fireplace surrounds.
Sandy Shades
For a cozy, welcoming aesthetic that never goes out of style, you can’t go wrong with a palette featuring warm neutrals, with combinations like creams, beiges, and tans paired with plenty of wood accents.
There are endless tile color combinations to explore here, from Calacatta Gold looks with a white background and gray and gold veining to travertine styles dominated by clouds of soft cream and beige.
These colors pair well with the richness of cabinets in honeyed oak or mahogany, especially with white walls. For a slightly more modern take on a warm, neutral interior, consider throwing greige tiles into the mix.
Blue Hues
A more colorful take on the high-contrast motif is blue and white, often relying on a bold royal or navy blue to contrast shades of white or cream. A warmer aesthetic could depart from bright white by pairing blue with beige for a softer look, or you could opt for nautical tile color combinations by adding pops of yellow to bright white and navy.
The serenity of the blue palette, in general, is what makes certain shades timeless additions to living spaces. When pairing tiles with other elements, you may want to consider a range of tonal hues, from warm turquoise or robin’s egg to soft gray blues to vibrant cobalt or indigo.
Natural Colors
Natural elements help create soothing interiors. How do tile color combinations contribute to this aesthetic? Consider starting with a foundation of wood-look tile flooring that pairs beautifully with accent wall tile in shades of earthy moss, brilliant shamrock, or rich seaweed.
This makes for a breathtaking bathroom space that’s anything but ordinary. You could also pair wood look tile with a palette that includes primarily cream or beige hues and touches of green for a sophisticated, primarily neutral interior.
Seascapes
The cool, seaside vistas of the North Atlantic serve up style inspiration that transcends trends and timelines. Decor and tile color combinations feature pale grays and steely hues with soft, pastel shades of mint, seafoam, and baby blue.
It’s a slant on the typical whitewashed backdrop of coastal design that’s a bit softer and more livable, with a calming, nearly monochromatic aesthetic.
Picking Your Preferred Tile Color Combinations
Tile plays an important role in creating your preferred ambiance. It should complement your home style, contribute to your overall design, and represent your personal taste. Many homeowners also prefer tile that won’t go out of style and date the interior just a few years down the road.
By choosing classic color combinations, you can ensure that your kitchens, bathrooms, and other living spaces will look just as great 10 or 20 years from now as they do today.
The experienced and creative team at Atlas Marble & Tile is always ready to help you find the best materials to meet your needs. Contact us now to learn more, or drop by our showroom location to browse products and tile pairings.
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