10 Wood Look Tile Flooring Ideas
Transcending changing fashions and design influences, wood flooring has never been out of style. Warm, welcoming and totally timeless, wood’s natural grainy texture and cosy aesthetic have ensured its enduring appeal.
Beautiful though wood may be, it isn’t always the most practical solution for a floor. Affected by changing temperatures, moisture levels and other external factors, real wood can warp, rot, scratch and discolour.
That’s where wood look porcelain floor tiles come in. With advanced printing techniques and a vast number of designs, wood effect floor tiles have never looked better.
If you love the look of real wood flooring but need a more durable solution for your home, keep reading to discover the benefits of wood look tiles and learn some creative ways to lay them.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: Wildwood Oak
Wood look tile flooring ideas
Love the look of real wood but aren’t so keen on the upkeep? Porcelain wood effect tiles are a brilliant alternative. From realistic-looking timber effect planks to parquet-style tiles, we’ve curated the best wood effect tile ideas for your floors.
White wood effect floor tiles
As gorgeous as the natural, golden honey tones of natural wood are, there’s something special about white wood tiles. Clean, fresh and perfect for laid-back coastal and contemporary bathroom schemes, these floor tiles are a more durable and eco-friendly alternative to laminate and a dead-ringer for real wood.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: Naturae Snow
Wood look hallway tiles
Hallway floors need to be tough with heavy footfall, muddy shoes, bikes and buggies and everything else life throws at them. Porcelain tiles are one of the best options for high-traffic areas, withstanding scratches, chips and spills with ease.
Wood look tiles come in a range of colours and sizes and are usually shaped like real wooden planks, enabling you to lay them in the same way.
Image credit: @homeisno22
Recommended Tile: Timeless Ivory Advance Antibacterial
Large-scale herringbone floor tiles
The beautiful herringbone pattern is a design classic. Ideal for all types of homes, this ancient tile layout is an inspired choice if you’re looking for a floor style that won’t date.
Depending on the direction in which you lay the herringbone pattern, it can help to enlarge smaller spaces and works well in compact galley kitchens.
Image credit: @insidenumbersixteen
Recommended Tile: Naturae Willow
Wood effect tiles with white grout
Because wood effect tiles are made from porcelain, they need to be grouted to provide a seamless-looking floor that’s easy to clean.
If you have a modern home, light-coloured grout looks beautiful and will emphasise the pattern of the floor tiles. You can protect light grout with a grout sealant to ensure it stays pristine.
Image credit: @thehighlandhome
Recommended Tile: Naturae Silver
Traditional style wood look tiles
For a floor that looks like it’s always been there, we recommend choosing dark-coloured wood effect tiles. Combine them with a matching or dark brown grout for the most authentic look.
Wood look tiles are an excellent choice for bathrooms, withstanding water spills and splashes.
Image credit: @houseof5_
Recommended Tile: Woodlands Forest
Parquet style floor tiles
Wood effect tiles are available in many styles, including the short planks which make up traditional parquet flooring designs.
This busy floor pattern works well in all rooms and makes an attractive and practical addition to a kitchen area.
Image credit: @lifeasmrsbuilder
Wood look living room floor tiles
Tiled living room floors are becoming more and more popular. They are easy to clean, practical with young children and pets, hygienic and ultimately more cost-effective as they won’t need replacing or expensive cleaning.
We’ve shared a few homes with herringbone wood tile flooring, but traditional straight, chevron or diagonal patterns are equally as attractive.
Image credit: @insidenumbersixteen
Recommended Tile: Naturae Snow
Wood effect stair tiles
Tiled stairs are practical and durable and we love this clever combination of wood look and hexagonal mosaic tiles.
Almost all floor tiles have an anti-slip rating, also known as the R-value which ranges from 9-13. The higher the value, the more slip resistance the tiles will have. It’s worth checking the R-value of tiles for use on stair treads to ensure the safest possible outcome.
Image credit: @creativebuildingfinishes
Get the look: Naturae Wood Effect Hazel
Transitional flooring
Sometimes one type of floor tile just isn’t enough. Whether you’re using tiles to delineate zones within your home or switching between floor surfaces to create interest, versatile wood look tiles are one of the most popular choices.
You can transition between different tiles with ease and hexagonal tiles are a popular choice for this approach. Their multi-sided shape helps them blend into the surrounding tiles, creating an attractive alternative to a straight edge.
Image credit: @cvi_design
Recommended Tile: Woodlands Natural / Bali Grey Hexagon
Wood look patio tiles
With their durable surface, low water absorption and ease of cleaning, porcelain patio tiles are fast becoming the patio surface of choice.
There’s a wide range of tiles to choose from but wood effect tiles blend in with outside spaces, providing a natural-looking surface that’s resistant to scrapes, scratches and heavy footfall.
Image credit: @hamptons_in_england
We recommend: Weathered Multi
Is wood look tile a good idea?
Wood look tiles are an excellent alternative to natural wood. They are ultra-realistic, low maintenance and durable, making them suitable for use in all areas of the home.
Here are just some of the reasons why wood effect tiles are a good idea:
- Durable: Porcelain is one of the toughest flooring surfaces available. Porcelain tiles are fired under extremely high temperatures, creating a strong, dense material that’s resistant to chips, scratches and water damage.
- Versatile: Wood look tiles are beautifully neutral and will look good everywhere. Wood’s natural aesthetic suits all types of homes and because it’s timeless, you’ll be unlikely to ever go off it.
- Realistic: Wood look tiles have come a long way in recent years. Printing techniques and textures are now so realistic that tiles look and feel just like real wood. The grainy texture of wood effect tiles also helps to provide an effective non-slip surface.
- Easy to care for: Porcelain tiles are virtually maintenance-free and are an excellent option in busy areas and households with pets. Of course, porcelain tiles need to be regularly cleaned, but there is no need for sealing, varnishing or protecting them from water.
How should wood look tile be laid?
Wood look tiles come in varying plank widths and lengths, allowing you to create a range of attractive patterns. You can choose traditional straight layouts, classic herringbone patterns or get creative with more complex basket weave and parquet flooring designs.
You can also lay wood look tiles diagonally and blend them with other tiles to create an attractive transition.
Does tile that looks like wood need grout?
All wood effect porcelain tiles need to be grouted, whether they are used in the house or outside. This will protect the tiles from dirt and from contact with each other which can lead to cracks, breakage and uneven surfaces.
Atlas Ceramics stocks a large range of wood effect tiles. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our helpful experts for advice.