Estimate tiles needed for floors, walls & backsplashes
Consider the room's use when selecting tiles. Porcelain tiles are ideal for high-moisture areas like bathrooms. Ceramic works well for general floors and walls. Natural stone adds luxury but requires sealing. Larger tiles (12×12 or bigger) create fewer grout lines and make spaces appear larger.
Straight lay is the simplest and wastes the least material (10% waste). Diagonal (45-degree) layouts add visual interest but increase waste to 15%. Herringbone and basket weave patterns are popular but may require 15-20% waste due to more cuts.
Always measure at the widest points of the room. Account for alcoves, closets, and irregular shapes separately. Buy all tiles from the same batch (dye lot) to ensure color consistency. Check if tiles are sold individually or by the box — this affects how many you need to purchase.