January 12, 2023
Colour is a great way to bring a fresh and distinctive look to bathroom and kitchen refurbishment projects. There are no better colours than blue and green for the home, so a mixture of both in turquoise and teal tiles is a winner all around. This article explains how to get the best from turquoise and teal tiles and the innovative ways to ensure these fascinating organic shades make the most impact in your décor.
Brick Vetri Blue 33.3X59.2 (Available in-store)
Unlike straightforward blue tiles or green tiles, to get the most out of turquoise and teal tiles the secret is shape, texture and finish. Through this article, we will be providing you with some practical advice on how to showcase turquoise and teal tiles in imaginative and original ways. Why are texture and laying patterns important when it comes to tiles? The reason is to do with the way that light hits walls and floors. Have you ever asked why the very same colours look so radically different depending on the context? If you have, then, we will explain below.
Why are shape, texture and finish such critical considerations for turquoise and teal tiles? Because of the delicate colour combinations of both hues, together with the subjective perception of colour. Although both turquoise and teal are a combination of green and blue, broadly speaking, teal is greener in hue, while turquoise is bluer. When natural, or artificial light hits these colours, the design of the tiles influences how they are perceived.
The most common categories with regard to tiles, both floor and wall tiles include the following.
#01
The most important differentiation between turquoise and teal tiles finishes is gloss and matt. Gloss tiles reflect the light while matt absorbs it.
#02
Rustic or distressed tiles have a very different quality than smooth tiles. Texture captures light and shade in ever-changing ways. With turquoise and teal tiles, the texture impacts the perception of the amount of green and blue in the respective shades.
#03
The grouting is the key to choosing regular or shaped tiles. The smaller and more complex the shape, the more impact the grouting will have on the final aesthetic result.
#04
The type of turquoise and teal tile and how they are laid also impact the perception of these colour tones. Especially, with textured mosaics which throw subtle shadows over the day depending on exposure to natural light.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles, by their very nature, are the most appropriate material for humid environments, on walls and floors. Blue is one of the most reliable colours for the bathroom or kitchen. Add a hint of green to make it more interesting. With turquoise, we are tapping into qualities associated with precious gems, with the horizon and crystalline waters shimmering in the sun. The colour combines warm and exotic attributes in equal measure.
Turquoise is a colour that suggests sky and water, as one of its component colours is blue, which is traditionally associated with water. The colour is appropriate for walls and floors. However we typically use a matt tile for bathroom floors and either matt or gloss, or a combination of both on walls. Because of the complexity of turquoise, we can use the colour (in complimentary shades) throughout.
Malaga Aqua 25X44.3 (Available in-store)
The backsplash is the ideal area of the kitchen to feature turquoise tiles. Normally, there’s a window within or adjacent to the backsplash, which adds greatly to the perception of turquoise. Even a very simple and plain tile in turquoise adds an impacting look to the kitchen, no matter the style.
Teal tiles and turquoise tiles are both blue-green colours, however, teal tiles have a more muted, subdued tone than the brighter, more brilliant turquoise tiles. Moreover, whilst turquoise tiles are more likely to have blue undertones, teal tiles are likewise more likely to have green or grey undertones.
For neophytes and interior design beginners alike, teal is a great choice for adding extra pizazz to the kitchen. It’s a failsafe option because green is the predominant shade in teal but made more interesting and warmer with the addition of blue. These colours evoke the energy and freshness that are closely associated with all things food related.
The days when white was the only colour tile for bathrooms are long gone. Luckily for us. Introduce teal bathroom tiles to specific areas, or panels like the shower enclosure or over the WHB to radically alter the bathroom experience. The shade is not only restful and calming but also regenerative.
When teal tiles and white sanitary ware are combined in the bathroom the colour properties are heightened. The greenish hue of teal is reflected by the hard reflective surfaces and takes on unexpected qualities. We recommend combining different shades of teal tiles in the bathroom to fully exploit the colour’s potential.
As a rule, the deeper colour shades tend to be moodier and more dramatic on walls. This quality is important if you want to create a more impacting décor. For spaces with a lot of natural daylight, the look can be warm and characterful. Teal is a very versatile colour; traditional style tiles can look contemporary and modern tiles look warmer in teal.
Colour isn’t just for walls. In fact, the use of colour for floor tiles can be highly impacting. With a tone like teal, the floor becomes a canvas upon which the entire décor can be created. Even a neutral décor when set against teal looks characterful.
Teal and turquoise tiles are popular for their unique and vibrant colour combinations that add a pop of colour to any space. The most popular styles include metro tiles, Moroccan tiles, and mosaic tiles such as hexagonal, fish scales, and herringbone.
Regarding wall tiles, the metro tile is the ‘go-to’ tile for anyone hesitant about choosing a wall finish. Traditionally the metro tile was only available in white, but that has all changed nowadays. By choosing turquoise and teal tiles this classic versatile shape is transformed. The entire look of a kitchen backsplash or bathroom wall is transported into the 21st Century.
Teal looks best when contrasted against white sanitary ware, timber furniture or lighter colour kitchen cabinets. Combine the strong darker shade of teal with the metro tile with a lighter grout to offset the light absorption. The unmistakable silhouette together with the characterful colour makes for a killer combination.
The blueish hue of turquoise metro tiles, on the other hand, is recommended for areas where there is less natural light available. As with teal, the visual effect is dependent on grouting and the laying pattern.
▶ Related content: Metro Tiles: A Buyers’ Guide
We refer to hand-made tiles or rustic tiles as Moroccan tiles. Turquoise Moroccan tiles have a quality that evokes the hammam, that conjures the ancestral beauty of handicrafts and water. This type of tile holds a certain charm that actually improves over time. When combined with slick sanitary ware or kitchen cabinets, the look is timeless. Choose matt or gloss, as illustrated to lend an even more contemporary twist to this traditional style.
▶ Related content: The magic of Moroccan tiles
For UK homes, finishes like turquoise and teal tiles look good anywhere and should not be confined to just the bathroom or kitchen. Under the northern latitude light, these colours project an earthy and organic warmth. The colour is a great choice for teal mosaic tiles in dining rooms and hallways while turquoise lends bedrooms and smaller spaces (like en-suites and dressing rooms) an open character.
We strongly advise anyone interested in these two characterful shades to visit a showroom under natural lighting conditions. Only then can one appreciate the differences in both colours and decide which works best in specific spaces.
▶ Simply click here to find your nearest Porcelanosa Showroom. Or alternatively, follow this link to make an appointment.
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