4 Tips for Choosing a Tile That Matches a Company’s Brand
Tile is an elegant and diverse material that can amplify your branding with a fresh, complementary aesthetic. Here are a few key considerations and tips to help a business achieve your desired impression.
Consider the Space
Before you start exploring color, shape, texture, and size, determine the best place to feature tile elements. Put practical needs first. Tile is functional as well as decorative, and it often performs multiple roles. Businesses that require frequent cleaning may benefit most from tile flooring. A doctor’s office is a great example. Bakeries, restaurants, and bars could also use a stylish floor that’s easy to clean.
Backsplashes are another functional element that can boost your brand in public spaces. A backsplash is easy to clean and a durable investment. If you work with anything messy, like coffee, pets, or potted plants, that’s a critical consideration.
If your budget isn’t large enough to accommodate everything you want, prioritize viewpoints. Walk the path customers will follow. Where will they need to go? What is the first thing they’ll see? What’s the last impression they’ll take away? Moving key elements like registers and product displays to those areas boosts the tile’s overall value as an impactful and practical branding choice.
Bring Your Brand’s Mood Board
Keep your established branding at the center of your design choices. Having your initial color swatches, text fonts, and aesthetic goals on hand makes finding the right products for your goals simpler. If possible, bring early drafts with secondary colors and designs that didn’t make the final cut. These can give you a head start on finding complementary shades and patterns that support primary branding elements without endlessly copying them.
Create mini mood boards with potential tile colors, textures, and finishes. Compare them with your logos, printed business materials, and ads. Does your brand’s story transition smoothly to the prospective design? Keep volume and placement in mind, too. If you want an accent wall, where would it go? Does it overshadow or highlight your established branding materials? It’s easier to make decisions when you have all the pieces in one place.
Experiment with Size and Scale
Consider using a variety of tiles throughout your space. Using various sizes often helps guide customers’ attention, creating an elevated experience that aligns with brand goals. The right mix can change perspective, leaving an impression of a larger, brighter space or a cozier, private niche. This empowers businesses to make the most of their space. For example, large-format tiles on the floor leading to a reception desk with a smaller tile backsplash create an exaggerated sense of depth. Conversely, a counter backed by large format tiles can draw guests in, managing traffic patterns in large, open interiors.
Think Outside the Business Card
Business cards are designed to stand out, and since they’re small, they often utilize sharp contrasts and flashy highlights. An office, sales floor, or dining area won’t benefit from the same principles. You have much more than a few inches to work with, and tile helps you explore patterns, tones, and textures that add to your core branding. Every surface is an opportunity.
