Designing a living room that feels open, welcoming, and spacious can be challenging, especially if you’re working with limited square footage. However, choosing the right floor tiles for the living room, particularly GVT tiles, can make all the difference. GVT tiles have become quite popular, known for their durability, aesthetic appeal, and design versatility. Fostering a sense of spaciousness in smaller rooms may seem challenging, but with modern living room floor tiles, you can transform even the cosiest of rooms with an open and airy ambience. Glazed vitrified tiles or GVT are the best tiles for the living room floor as they are available in a wide range of patterns and designs and can be customized to suit your needs.
How GVT Tiles Make a Room Look Larger
GVT tiles are like ceramic tiles, but with an extra coating of glaze, which creates a glossy finish. The top layer of glaze makes it possible for GVT tiles to replicate the look of different materials, like wood, stone, marble, etc. The glaze also ensures that the tiles remain water-resistant, bacteria- and mould-resistant, and scratch-resistant as well. You can also get various designs printed on GVT, which is one of the reasons why they are the best tiles for the living room floor.
You can use modern living room floor tiles to create an illusion of spaciousness, and using GVT floor tiles for the design of your living room allows you to transform the space into an elegant and welcoming environment.
What Goes Into Selecting the Right GVT Tiles
When you need the best GVT tiles for your living room floor, keep aesthetic appeal on the forefront. At the same time, the tiles should also be sturdy and able to withstand high foot traffic. GVT tiles can bring a touch of elegance to your living room, offering high design flexibility. However, when it comes to choosing floor tiles for the living room where space is at a premium, the following factors become important.
Choosing the Right Colours: It is a well-known fact that lighter colours are the best choice for making smaller spaces appear larger. In this regard, natural tones also work well in smaller rooms. Another great option is to go for GVT tiles with a wooden look. You can also consider mixing and matching with dual-tone settings and glossy tiles. Light colour floor tiles, combined with natural hue walls are also a very popular choice for small living rooms.
Focus on Large Format Tiles: For smaller living rooms, it is always a good idea to choose large format GVT floor tiles. Larger tiles expand the space, making the room appear larger and more open. Large format tiles also mean fewer grout lines. This creates a seamless look, ensuring visual continuity, and making the space seem more expansive and less cluttered.
The Layout: Give thought to the overall placement and layout of the GVT floor tiles to make your living room appear larger. Usually, one of the best floor tile layouts for small living rooms is a diagonal or criss-cross pattern. This layout creates an illusion that expands the size of the floor. However, if your living room is thinner and longer in size, perpendicularly placed GVT floor tiles will work better.
Decor Elements that Complement GVT Tiles
Furniture Placement
The furniture placement in a small living room is key for maximising the available space to create an environment that appears open and inviting but is also functional. Creating distinct zones within the living room and outlining different areas for various activities, like a seating area, entertaining area, etc., enhances space organisation. It is also important to go for custom-made furniture that fits into the measurements of the room.
Lighting
The illusion of spaciousness must be supported by the right lighting solutions. Using dimmable ceiling lights and smart LED battens and bulbs, you can create an inviting atmosphere in your living room, without the space appearing cramped.
Maintenance Tips for Your GVT Tiles
GVT tiles are highly durable and require minimal upkeep, that’s why they are a popular choice for both residential and commercial spaces. With proper care, their beauty and functionality can be preserved for years. Here are some maintenance tips to keep the design of your floor tiles for the living room in pristine condition:
Routine Cleaning: On a daily basis, you should sweep or vacuum the floor to remove any dust and dirt that may have accumulated. At least once a week, you should use a damp mop with a mild detergent or a pH-neutral cleaner to wipe the tiles down. Avoid using harsh chemicals or acidic cleaners, as they may damage the glaze.
Preventive Measures: Use furniture pads or felt protectors under chairs, tables, and sofas to prevent scratches. Position doormats or rugs at entrances to reduce dirt and debris being brought into the room.
Caring for the Grout Lines: Grout lines can attract dirt over time. Clean them gently using a soft brush and a grout cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water. In high-moisture areas, it is important to seal the grout annually to prevent water absorption and staining.
Removing Stains: If there are any tea, coffee, or juice stains, use a mixture of warm water and mild detergent to clean them. For oil or grease stains, a gentle degreaser or dishwashing liquid diluted with water is effective.
Preserving the Look: To maintain the shine of glossy GVT tiles, use a tile polish or buff with a soft, dry cloth on the tiles after cleaning them. Avoid using wax or oil-based products as these can make the floor slippery. For matte-finish tiles, clean them with a microfibre mop to maintain their texture and appearance.
It is always a good idea to use GVT floor tiles for a modern living room design. You can explore a wide range of GVT floor tiles online at Hindware Italian Tiles for high-quality products. With an expansive range of colours, designs, sizes, finishes, and more in GVT floor tiles, Hindware Italian Tiles ensures that there’s something to suit the style preferences of all customers.