The Ultimate Flooring Guide: Marble Tiles

Welcome to our second instalment from The Ultimate Flooring Guide series, where we’ll be shining the spotlight on marble floor tiles.

Renowned as a classic and luxurious material, we’ll be delving deep into their best features, practical properties and exceptional versatility, as well as dishing up a whole lot of inspiration on how to marvel with marble floor tiles in your home.

What is marble made from? 

If you’re not 100% sure what marble comprises of, then let us start by enlightening you.

Marble in its purest form is an incredibly hard, natural stone that’s formed by calcite and other minerals in limestone rock being recrystallised through exposure to intense pressure and heat over long periods of time. 

These minerals are typically what gives marble its unique colouring and vein detailing which can span from pure white and pale cream to dark grey, black, brown and green, not to mention mixed colour blends. 

Having featured in building interiors and exteriors for thousands of years, marble has been a tried and trusted flooring option that brings with it a true sense of luxury and, in some cases, a high price tag. 

However, modern manufacturing means you can now find a more affordable marble floor option with faux-marble tiles made from porcelain or ceramic. Mimicking all the beauty and detail of the real deal, they can give you the classic look for less with plenty of added extras, too. 

Marble floor tiles’ top features

If you love the look of marble floor tiles, you’ll also love the raft of practical and aesthetic benefits they bring to the table, which include:

A unique finish: carved from natural stone, no two pieces of marble are the same, guaranteeing you an interior finish that’s one of a kind. If you’re opting for marble-effect tiles designed to replicate the look of real marble, you can also choose a pattern and design that still delivers that unique finish, whether it’s faux-marble tiles for kitchen floors, bathrooms or even your living room

Long-lasting style: as a classic interior choice, opting for marble floor tiles can help ensure your home updates have longevity in mind. That’s not all though – due to the hard, dense formation of marble, they’re fully equipped to withstand years of use, even in high-traffic areas. Of course, if you decide on marble-effect floor tiles, you’ll find porcelain and ceramic floor tiles deliver similar strength and durability, able to cope with whatever’s thrown their way

Practical properties: like most hard natural stones, marble offers outstanding resistance to scratches, water and stains, but this does require periodic sealing on your part. For this reason, marble isn’t an ideal choice for areas with direct exposure to water like bathrooms as without regular sealing treatments, even this robust stone could succumb to stains and discolouration. For a completely hassle-free alternative, marble-effect floor tiles could be the answer. With a high-performance glaze that repels water, you can enjoy marble floor tiles in situ on bathroom floors, kitchens and beyond without the worry or stress of damage occurring

Unparalleled versatility: one of the brilliant benefits of marble floors is how versatile they can be in pulling off a whole host of different interior designs themes. Conjure up a striking art deco feel with black marble or an ultra modern finish with funky off-white marble mosaics – whether you want contemporary or something more traditional, real and faux-marble floor tiles offer up endless styling possibilities

Marble tile colour, finish, shape and size options

When most of us think of marble, it’s likely we envisage the look of popular Carrara marble with its elegant white and grey veins running through it. And while we are huge fans of this beautiful marble, we felt it our duty to let you know that this isn’t your only option. 

In fact, you can get real and marble-effect floor tiles in a broad spectrum of colours, shapes, sizes and finishes, giving you even greater scope to pull off different design themes and colour schemes throughout your home. 

When it comes to colours, shades span from off-white with subtle grey detailing through to soft browns and creams, dove greys and eye-catching blacks – giving you plenty of hues to choose from that come in matt, gloss, natural stone and textured finishes. 

For a sleek and dramatic finish, large format glossy black marble tiles with gold veins running through them are sure to make your floors the star of the show. On the other end of the spectrum, Sahara honed marble tiles in bone or light brown marble-effect floor tiles with a matt finish can help add warmth and texture. 

These aren’t your only considerations, as you can buy marble floor tiles in a diverse range of sizes and shapes, too. For funky marble bathroom floors, tile the room with geometric shaped mosaics. Or why not go for an ultra glam look with marble tiles on kitchen floors in a large format like a 90cm x 90cm or a 60cm x 120cm that accentuates the feeling of space? 

Whatever shape, size, finish or colour you go for, with marble floor tiles in kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms and more you can be sure you’re bringing an undeniable touch of elegance and sophistication you’ll never tire of.

Where to use marble floor tiles

AAs we already touched on, you can use marble floor tiles in almost any area of your home, but here are a few ideas to help get your creative juices flowing when it comes to embarking on your own home renovation.

In the bathroom

• Hotel havens – replicate that luxury hotel bathroom feel in your own home with some stunning marble bathroom floor tiles. This look works well in modest and large bathrooms alike, using large format marble tiles with a soft grey colour and detailing that are complemented with twin vanities and a free-standing tub
• Natural vibes – use the beauty of natural marble stone to create a nature-inspired oasis in your bathroom. For a modern, playful finish use hexagonal Calacatta marble mosaic floor tiles set against plain white walls, natural wood accents and plants to enhance the organic feel
• Bold and beautiful – own the room with standout black marble bathroom floor tiles that demand attention. Teamed with brushed gold fixtures for a classic look or shiny chrome for a contemporary edge, this style isn’t for the faint hearted, but it will certainly bring some ambiance to your daily bathing ritual

In the kitchen

• Rustic living – rugged pink marble square tiles offer an ideal alternative to slate floors for rustic-style kitchens. With a tumbled texture and warm tone these will look beautiful paired with cream quaker cabinets and brass accents
• Cool and contemporary – the minimalist principles of an all-white kitchen don’t have to be stark and utilitarian. Use an off-white marble tile on kitchen floors to add interest and depth to the space without it taking anything away from the clean and chic aesthetic
• Classic luxury- give kitchens an up-to-date take on a classic, luxury using elegant grey marble tiles to set the overall tone. Finished with flourishes of gold accents and extravagant light fittings and you’ll have all the ingredients you need to create a grand cooking space

In the rest of the home

• Lavish living rooms – as a space to relax and unwind, living rooms offer the perfect place to indulge yourself with some marble floor tiles. For dark and cosy, darker hues could be the way to go – offset with pale oloured walls and splashes of colours and textures. Alternatively, keep things light and airy with white marble-effect tiles, pastel shades and organic fabrics like wool and linen
• Heavenly hallways – make sure your home gives an outstanding first impression with marble floor tiles that instantly add a sense of grandeur. Lighter tones here will also work wonders in making narrow, dimly lit spaces feel bigger and brighter

Marble floor tiles seem to be one of those materials that never really go out of style and it’s not hard to see why. From the varied colour and finish options to their durability and versatility, they can work in so many settings – bringing with them a timeless elegance that never loses favour. 

So, if you’re ready to embrace the beauty and benefits of marble floors, take a look at our extensive range of real marble stone tiles and marble-effect tiles right now. And don’t forget to keep visiting our blog for even more tiling ideas and tips.