Combination of tiles and laminate flooring: design ideas for the hallway and kitchen

High indoor humidity, the need for frequent cleaning, and higher risks of mechanical damage place high demands on the quality of kitchen flooring. When choosing a material for a kitchen floor among traditional options, it is important to evaluate the pros and cons of each of them.

The simultaneous use of tiles and laminate is becoming a trend

Floor Tile Design

Today, technologies for manufacturing porcelain stoneware flooring make it possible to apply any design to it.
This helps to imitate wooden surfaces and achieve maximum resemblance to laminate panels. In the hallway, the “wood” and “laminate” flooring looks stylish and expensive, and also combines all the advantages of tiled and wooden floors. The color range is truly wide: for decorating the hallway you can find samples with imitation of aged wood or brushed oak in different tones from light brown to dark wenge.

A special place in the range of ceramic products is occupied by tiles imitating marble, granite, or onyx: its natural texture looks like natural stone. In the hallway this noble texture looks especially elegant.

The photo shows a matte wood-like finish, similar to a wax coating. Manufacturers also offer a glossy finish to imitate varnish.

Products in the patchwork style are becoming increasingly popular: these are patterned tiles that resemble a patchwork quilt. A multi-colored floor in the hallway will fit perfectly into the Provence or Scandi style and enliven the interior.

Hexagonal tiles reminiscent of a honeycomb are also successfully used in decorating the hallway.

Types of floor tiles

All material offered by manufacturers can be divided into two types. These are extruded and pressed options. Separation by manufacturing principle is necessary to select the appropriate material for installation in certain conditions. Floor tiles can also have a glazed finish or remain natural.

You can make any room comfortable and unique using the following types of tile products:

• Simple ceramic tiles. Due to the colored glass coating, the elements receive additional hardness. Available unglazed and with an additional layer of enamel. It has many shades and excellent water resistance.
• Porous. Produced by single firing. Due to the high degree of moisture absorption, it is used only indoors.
• Porcelain tiles. A product with a homogeneous structure based on kaolin and quartz. The outer coating has a glass luster and durable structure. High impact strength and resistance to intense loads allow it to be used for installation in industrial enterprises.
• Metlakhskaya. Unglazed elements are produced by pressing after one firing. A material with high performance properties is used for street and home masonry. The incredible durability of the design is explained by the painting technology - each brick is soaked through with paint.
• Cotto. Dense, effective material, up to 3 cm thick. Enameling is not provided, so the tiles require constant maintenance. To reduce porosity, after installation it is treated with hydrophobic compounds and mastic.
• Clinker room. They are made from several types of clay, binders and dyes. The durable product easily contacts chemical irritants and any natural factors. The universal finish has a uniform texture and unlimited service life.
• Monoccotura. They are often used for decorative finishing and laying out certain patterns, despite the low degree of moisture absorption and dense structure. Monoccotura elements are subject to shrinkage and may differ in size in different batches.

Combination of tiles and laminate

With the existing variety of materials for flooring, no less attention has been paid to the aesthetics of the floor. One of the original ways to decorate the interior of a hallway is to create a combination of floor coverings in the form of a combination of tiles and laminate

Wood look tiles

Advantages of combined coating

As it became clear, both tiles and laminate are quite suitable for use in the hallway. But when they are combined, the practicality of the coating increases several times - the most “dirty” place at the threshold is decorated with tiles, and then a “warm” laminate is laid, which also visually connects all the rooms with the hallway.

Using a PVC threshold with a hidden fastening, curved joints are formed

The advantages of combined flooring include the following:

1. The hallway space is visually divided into two zones - due to this, the room becomes not only more functional, but also looks more spacious.
2. As noted earlier, a more durable material, tiles, is laid at the threshold, increasing the practicality of the flooring.
3. By successfully selecting both materials, you can decorate the hallway in an original way.
4. Can be used in a room decorated in any style.
5. It can be used not only in apartments and private houses, but also in public spaces.
6. It is an economical option due to the fact that you can use leftover material or purchase it in small quantities.
7. By laying more durable material in places with the greatest load, the service life of the coating as a whole is extended.
8. Both materials are environmentally friendly and safe.

PVC thresholds are matched to the laminate

Combined flooring in a small corridor

Both tiles and laminate are convenient because they allow you to play up the existing planning features in the room - protrusions, niches and other elements. Also, both of these materials create a smooth, reliable coating with an impeccable appearance.

The nuances of combining tiles and laminate

When creating a combined tile and laminate coating, you should take into account some nuances when choosing a material:

It is important to carefully consider not only the appearance of the two coatings, but also their thickness. Considering that the range of tiles is more diverse, they are selected according to thickness and texture to the laminate. If you do not take into account the thickness of the materials, then there will be a problem with obtaining an even coating and a larger amount of glue will be required to bring the tiles to the desired height. It is necessary to carefully consider the design of the coating and the method of laying the material, taking into account the pattern on its surface. The direction of the layout of the material can both adjust the geometry of the room and disrupt its symmetry - this is worth taking into account.

If you do not take into account the thickness of the materials, then there will be a problem with obtaining an even coating and a larger amount of glue will be required to bring the tiles to the desired height. It is necessary to carefully consider the design of the coating and the method of laying the material, taking into account the pattern on its surface. The direction of the layout of the material can both adjust the geometry of the room and disrupt its symmetry - this is worth taking into account.

Decorating the joint with mosaics

The method of designing the joint between the two materials plays an important role. The fact that it needs to be sealed is clear, because dirt, debris and moisture will penetrate into an unprotected joint, destroying the floor covering.

Making a joint with putty

There are several ways:

1. The use of flexible PVC profiles with a hidden fastening method. This material is especially necessary when creating smooth joints.
2. The use of aluminum thresholds with an open fastening method is the most practical and durable method.
3. The use of cork expansion joints with a decorative end edge matched to the color of the floor covering.
4. Using tinted sealant to form a thin joint to match the color of the tile.
5. Laying mosaics of the required shade.

Comparison of materials

In order to determine the optimal combination of coatings for the bath, kitchen, hallway, living room, bedroom, you need to compare these two materials.

Moisture resistance

This indicator is undoubtedly better for tiles. So granite absorbs no more than 0.05% moisture. Therefore, in places with high humidity it is worth using it. Such areas in the house are the kitchen, the bathroom, and part of the hallway near the door.

As for the laminate, in accordance with GOST, it should swell by no more than 20% when kept in warm water for 24 hours. But in practice, having installed this coating in the kitchen or bathroom, after a year it will have to be changed, and this does not really depend on the manufacturer and class.

An original combination of tiles and laminate

Hygiene

The tile is easy to clean and does not collect dirt. You don’t need any special conditions to wash it, just warm water. As for laminate, you need to work with it very carefully - no abrasives, chemicals or very wet rags. If installation is poor, it may be difficult to wash out dirt from them.

Note! Not all tiles are so easy to clean. Thus, matte tiles with roughness perfectly retain dirt. As a result, the non-slip and practical tiles get dirty very quickly.

Both materials have similar hygienic qualities, but this very much depends on the quality of installation and the type of collection.

Wear resistance and slip

Almost all floor tiles and laminates of class 32 have excellent wear resistance. That is why they are installed in high traffic areas. So, tiles and high-quality laminate in the hallway will be an excellent solution.

As for sliding, it will be comfortable in this regard on matte tiles and embossed laminate.

Combining tiles with laminate in a small hallway

Methods for joining laminate and tiles

There are several ways to seal the joints between tile and laminate flooring. Each of them differs in the complexity of implementation, as well as the feasibility in each individual case.

Grouting joints

If two finishing materials are laid at exactly the same height, the optimal way to join them is a special joint-to-joint method, which assumes the absence of any extraneous elements

It is also important that the distance between the coatings is minimal

It is important to choose the right grout material here. Available options:

• transparent or colored sealant;
• construction foam;
• special paste;
• fugue;
• liquid plug.

To ensure high reliability and long service life of the material, it must have excellent adhesion to tiles and laminates.

Cork gasket

Cork material is an environmentally friendly and durable option, so its use is considered relevant for any room. It is advisable to use it if the height of the coverings is the same, otherwise the joint will not be entirely aesthetic.

The essence of the method is to install a thin strip of cork (compensator) into the gap between the coatings. The method is ideal for straight and curved joints. For work, you can choose a compensator, the upper edge of which is treated with a protective varnish, painted or decorated with veneer.

The choice of a suitable method for joining different materials must be conscious

Vinyl sill

It is used for the design of curved joints, joining of single-level coverings and for the design of connections with different finishing heights.

The permitted height difference is no more than 0.8-0.9 cm. Consists of a base and a decorative nozzle.

Flexible thermoplastic thresholds can take any shape and give the designer a choice of colors.

Aluminum sill

It is most often used on door leaves to hide differences in levels and minor defects in work. Some types are coated with a special coating.

There are several varieties:

• standard with holes for self-tapping screws,
• with hidden fastenings.
• with self-adhesive.

Thus, the design of a kitchen floor can be done in different ways using different materials. The choice depends on the preferences of the owners, but should be based on the operating conditions characteristic of the kitchen.

DIY installation features

Despite the apparent complexity, most of the finishing work in your home can be done yourself if desired. Laying a combined floor with your own hands is no exception. There are some installation features that you should be familiar with in advance. This will allow you to avoid common mistakes and help you complete the planned amount of work efficiently.

To obtain a high-quality result, you should initially try to bring one part of the floor surface, finished with laminate, and the second, covered with tiles, to the same level. To do this, before you start laying tiles, you need to know exactly which laminate panels will be installed and what the thickness of the substrate will be.

If the difference is small and the tiles are thicker, the existing difference in height can be compensated by using tile adhesive. A layer of sufficient thickness is applied, and then the selected finishing material is applied. Otherwise, self-leveling will be required to level the surface and compensate for differences in height.

When laying laminate flooring, pay special attention to the manufacturer's instructions. It describes the procedure in detail and also indicates the need to compensate for gaps between the wall and the floor surface being laid. At the junction of the laminated panels and tiles, cut off part of the support and film, leaving about 10 cm of the base uncovered. We cut the laminate to size and check the quality of the joint. Remove the outer row and set aside.

We secure the outermost row of laminate flooring with plastic glue, which adheres well to both types of flooring and is sufficiently flexible. Apply the prepared composition onto a base previously cleared of substrate.

We lay a pre-sized row of edges on the applied glue. By laying the laminate, we ensure the formation of the same gap between the tile and the laminate. To achieve the desired result and simplify the work, special devices are used.

After a day, after waiting for the glue to dry completely, the joint can be removed. As a result, a perfectly flat surface is formed between the tile and the laminate.

Fill the space between the tile and laminate with sealant. It is advisable to choose a sealant that is similar to the color of the floor being installed. We ensure high-quality filling of the space between layers.

We level the sealant and use a special device to remove the excess amount. If desired, it can be placed at an angle and form a beautiful bevel in the passage of the laminate to the tile. A rubber spatula is constantly immersed in soapy water to prevent streaks from appearing on the floor surface.

This should be done as often as possible in order to ultimately get a high-quality result.

If you decide to use window sills to decorate the transition, then the work will be done somewhat differently. In this case, there is no need to align the mating surfaces in the same plane. We recommend watching a video that will help you get high-quality results without much effort:

The technique for forming a non-standard joint is presented in the following video:

Color combinations

It is important to keep in mind: you should not select the exact shade of tiles and laminate. Firstly, this will not work, since the slightest discrepancies will in any case be two or three tones. Secondly, this technique makes the flooring boring and unattractive.

Thirdly, the texture, which is different in any case, will be lost against the background of the general color spot

Secondly, this technique makes the flooring boring and unattractive. Thirdly, the texture, which is different in any case, will be lost against the background of the general color spot.

In order not to rack your brains about how best to choose a shade and create a stylish design technique for floor covering, it is worth considering three main ways of combining tiles and linoleum:

Neutral reception

A mix of shades of the same color scheme is an inconspicuous flooring option with an emphasis solely on functionality, excluding emphasis on space.

These can be approximately the same light or dark tones that do not contrast with each other:

• universal (light wood + gray, beige + coffee with milk, sand + caramel);
• bleached with gray and beige (white + arctic, light gray, gray marble + bleached, pale sand + diluted khaki);
• honey and chocolate tones (golden + beige, chocolate + dark beige, brown-gray + gray).

If the question of choice is open, and laying tiles is no longer tolerated, it is better to buy a café-au-lait color in one tone or with a stone-like texture. Any type of laminate will work with this tile.

Game of contrasts

The technique in which one shade is much lighter than the other is the most popular. This makes it easier to choose two tones, especially if they are both neutral. This will allow you to further furnish the hallway with any furniture and accessories. In this case, it makes no sense to go to extremes, opting for a “black and white” solution that has a spreading effect.

It is better to choose such contrasts:

• textured with light (brown + pale gray, cream, vanilla, beige) or rich with khaki or marble gray;
• dark wenge with vanilla, zebrawood with beige, bright brown with sand or gold;
• mocha + honey, light gray wood + marsh granite, white laminate and sandstone.

Imitation and drawing

In this case, the combination involves a bright tile pattern and a muted tone of the laminate. The technique is divided into two groups: the use of patterns and wood, marble textures, as well as a combination of textures and plain tiles.

The most interesting color schemes are combinations:

• terracotta and sand, dark beige and brick red (an excellent solution for dark rooms);
• bleached beige with coral, powdery, peach;
• cold beige with diluted turquoise and lilac.

For harmony, you can use a pattern in which one of the shades matches the color of the laminate

However, it is important to consider: there should not be a lot of support for one tone: this way the shade can merge into a single spot

Advantages and disadvantages of combining

The combination of tiles and laminate in the hallway has its advantages.

• Increases the practicality and service life of the floor, both in terms of resistance to mechanical stress and in terms of maintenance of the coating. The tiles are placed in places where the load on the floor is especially high, and the laminate serves as a kind of transition from the threshold to the rest of the hallway.
• Due to the division into 2 sections, decorated with different materials, the space in front of the entrance becomes visually larger.
• The combined floor looks original. Moreover, it is possible to decorate it in any style.
• The use of laminate and tiles, on the one hand, makes it possible to lay expensive materials, and on the other hand, the costs for them are not so high, given that only a small amount is needed. Sometimes it is enough to use something that was not useful during repairs at another facility, or to use the remnants of an unsold batch of material in a store. The price of such products is often reduced.
• Both laminate and tiles are environmentally friendly. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the well-being and health of your household.

There are also disadvantages to combining.

You need a reliable base for the tiles. If you lay it in the hallway of a house with wooden floors, you will first need to make a screed with reinforcing mesh. This will cause the floor level to rise. This, in turn, will make it difficult to open doors or join the tiles to other areas of the flooring.

The joints themselves are the least reliable place on the floor where laminate and tile are combined. As cleaning progresses, the grout is washed out and the joining materials break down.

To prevent this place from becoming “sick” for as long as possible, you will have to take care of purchasing the highest quality materials and ensure that specialists pay special attention to the accuracy of connecting the two sections. There are much fewer color options for laminate than tiles.

In addition, you need to take into account the texture and thickness of the tile covering when selecting it for combination with laminate

There are much fewer color options for laminate than for tiles. In addition, you need to take into account the texture and thickness of the tile covering when selecting it for combination with laminate

If you are guided only by how both materials look from the outside, during the repair you may find unpleasant surprises that will negatively affect the result.

Drawing up a drawing that includes all the nuances of the arrangement of pattern elements and their adjustment taking into account the joint takes time. In certain situations this is also a disadvantage. And if you decorate “by eye”, you can get the opposite effect than intended.

Styles

There are no restrictions when a creative designer gets down to business. He knows how to combine the incongruous in such a way that the combination of materials looks appropriate, demonstrating his commitment to any style.

If we take the ideas of professionals as a basis, we can perform this cladding in the style of:

• classic;
• modern;
• minimalism;
• high tech;
• avant-garde;
• English;
• Empire;

• Arab;
• art deco;
• loft;
• African;
• Biedermeier;
• bionics.

When choosing a style, color and texture are important: in some cases, the interior needs matteness and nobility, some modern trends breathe simplicity, ethnic styles need a touch of vintage.

Laminate in different architectural styles

Color is perceived differently in different styles of architecture:

1. Classic. This style is based on conservatism and smooth lines. The classic interior looks expensive and old-fashioned. The colors are deep and soft with a matte finish. Natural elements predominate (wood, stone, fabrics, wool). Laminate flooring should also be made in a classic style. Suitable imitation of oak, maple, beech, dark walnut, mahogany.
2. Country. The style exploits deliberate rustic simplicity and functionality. Unpretentious natural materials are used. Color solutions are built around wood. Both bright and muted color schemes are appropriate here - it all depends on the designer’s idea. Laminate flooring in bleached oak, cherry or teak is ideal for country style. Combinations of different types of wood, as well as specially worn surfaces, look great.
3. Provence. Close to country, as it represents the rural style of the Mediterranean region of France. Characterized by soft light yellow tones, milky and grayish colors. Artificial aging of materials is used.
4. High tech. The style is based on clear, cool tones. Pastel halftones are practically not used here. Popular colors are gray, snow-white, platinum, steel, and black. A laminate that imitates a metal or plastic surface looks great.

1. Minimalism. Close to hi-tech. It has even less decor, and the characteristic color is white.
2. Baroque, Empire, Renaissance. The styles are from different eras, but, like classics or neoclassics, they are designed to clearly emphasize the richness of the setting. Unlike classical interiors, Baroque contains redundancy, pretentiousness, and pomp. Laminate imitates expensive types of wood, marble.
3. Ecostyle. A design direction where the natural environment—raw natural materials—is at the forefront. Cork, rough bark of other types of wood, bamboo, genuine leather, and linen are imitated. A variety of shades are used, as long as the colors do not seem artificial and cold.
4. Modernism. There are variations in style. For example, in the USA the movement was called Art Deco. The style is based on the rejection of standard architectural solutions, canons, and stereotypes. Abstractions, asymmetrical elements and contrasts abound. The main role belongs to playing with colors and patterns. Any color of the laminate with various geometric patterns and colorful inserts is possible.
5. Scandinavian style. It is considered a Scandinavian variation of country and Provence. The main idea is rustic simplicity in the interior. There is a large amount of untreated wood. Furniture can be painted with oil paint. Plastic imitation is used. The color background is light.

Placement methods

There are several methods for placing laminate flooring on hallway walls. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Horizontally

By fixing the slabs parallel to the floor, it is possible to visually stretch the room and expand its boundaries. Corridors decorated in this way become more spacious, light and airy; such a solution looks especially impressive if it is reinforced with small inserts of darkened mirrors.

The slats can be placed exactly above each other, or they can be laid in an intricate mosaic - here everything depends only on your personal preferences and the stylistic decision of the decor as a whole. The panels can be the same or have different lengths, but in any case their thickness must be the same, otherwise the pattern will be shifted and the design will lose its decorative effect.

Vertical

Vertical fixation of the slats visually lifts the ceiling, especially when the shade of the boards is combined with the finish of the floor. Moreover, the smaller the ornament on the slab, the more conceptual the entire room looks. It is advisable to choose only one wall opposite the window for vertical design - solar lighting will create stylish accents on it and make it much more catchy.

Vertically located lamellas are most often used for cladding hallways - this room in typical high-rise buildings is small, and thanks to a simple technique this shortcoming is visually compensated.

If you like unconventional solutions in the interior, then try installing laminate diagonally - such a design looks harmonious in both large and small spaces, the main thing is that the slats have the same width.

Making the floor in the hallway

The combination of laminate and tiles in the hallway has great practical significance. After all, it allows you to make this small part of your home more practical without compromising aesthetics.

Traditionally, the tile insert is placed directly next to the front door. This way they mark a place to take off your shoes.

The tile in this case can be matte or glossy. Many experts recommend the first option, since it is less noticeable scratches and abrasions, which are inevitable due to the heavy load on this small area.

The size of the elements for installation should not be too large so that the composition is not too visually cumbersome.

Regarding the color scheme, there are several stylish ideas:

• The shade of tiles and laminate in a small room can almost match. In this regard, the room will be perceived holistically and will appear more elongated.
• Contrasting combinations. They are best used in square or rectangular hallways, in which the distance between opposite walls exceeds 3 meters. This type of design looks very impressive, but can hide some of the space. Therefore, it is better to create an asymmetrical composition in the form of a beveled drop or wave.
• Playing with textures. Today, manufacturers often offer familiar floor coverings with images of natural materials. This can be an imitation of stone, sand, water surface, grass, quartz and the like.

Colors and combinations

A beautiful interior plays a huge role in the design of modern housing.

In this case, special attention is paid to its color palette

Since the flooring is one of the main components of the design, its color must be chosen correctly.

Decorative tiles for laminate are presented in a chic range, ranging from natural shades to contrasting, trendy tones.

For example, “walnut” and “light chocolate” look beautiful in living rooms and hallways. And to create a romantic atmosphere in the bedroom, you can lay the floor in lighter colors, such as “birch” or “bleached oak”.

Design games with palettes and unusual combinations of shades allow you to achieve the following effects:

• Expansion of the premises. To do this, combine dark tiles with pale walls;
• Reducing height. Achieved by harmonizing the dark ceiling and floor;
• Emphasizing horizontal lines. The white covering with a black ceiling looks original.

Docking without threshold

Joining without a threshold
First of all, it is worth determining where laminate and tiles are best combined in apartments. When performing a combination, laminated and tiled coverings are combined, for example in the kitchen, where such a composition gives almost the same advantages.

Tiles, unlike laminated coatings, are not afraid of moisture, are durable, and are not afraid of frequent cleaning or spilled liquids. Therefore, when creating a combined floor, it is used in the cooking area, and the slats are left for the relaxation area. For small cooking areas, it is preferable if the coatings match in color. Contrasting tones will make the room heavier and visually smaller.

The junction of the laminate and ceramics will look high quality if the gap between the coatings is the same along the entire length of the segment. When humidity changes, the laminate increases in size and may swell. Its edges are coated with sealant to increase service life.

With cork compensator

Cork compensator

One of the popular ways of joining laminate and tiles is using a cork expansion joint. Its advantages:

• allows you to connect 2 coverings without a threshold;
• made from natural materials;
• subject to coloring;
• easy installation;
• does not harden; you can connect both straight lines and joints in the form of smooth lines.

Before laying it in the connecting channel, it is necessary to carefully sand the edges of the joints with sandpaper. Installation is done using wood glue.

One of the disadvantages is that with prolonged use, dirt gets into the seam. And such a compensator cannot be used to connect joints if the laminate and tiles are laid at different heights.

In small kitchens it is preferable to use tiles that match the color of the laminate. And, if you want to perfectly match materials by color, then an excellent replacement for tiles is vinyl tiles, which are a durable and strong material that is resistant to fungi and mold. Its surface imitates wood and natural stone; these tiles come in a variety of colors.

With grout for seams

And therefore, in absolutely all respects, it is suitable for installation in the dirtiest areas, which often require wet cleaning. And its boundaries clearly mark the territory where you do not need to enter with dirty shoes.

To avoid visible scratches from the soles, it is recommended to use matte tiles. If the hallway is small, it is preferable to use light shades of tiles for decoration and choose a laminate that is similar in color to create a more harmonious room.

And if the dimensions of the corridor are sufficient, it is possible to use lamellas of contrasting color. And to put an end to finishing the floor, you need to make a beautiful joint. This can be sealed with tile grout, which is a mixture of cement and polymers.

The ends of the laminate are treated with silicone sealant, and the space between the tiles and the laminate is filled with it to 2/3 of the height and wait until it dries completely. After this, they begin grouting. Its main task is to protect the inner surface of the decorative coating from moisture, dirt, and insects.

With cork sealant

Cork sealant is an elastic mass of cork chips, acrylates and water; it is one of the assistants in joining tiles and laminate flooring without a threshold. It takes 2-3 days for the seam to dry completely.

Benefits of using cork sealant:

How to care for tiles?

If the tiles are chosen and laid correctly, if all stylistic and technical recommendations are taken into account, the floor will initially be beautiful and comfortable. But how long this will last depends on proper care. Ceramic coatings must not be cleaned with hard steel brushes. It is better to spend more time scrubbing away dirt with gentler products than to create permanent cracks, scratches and splits. The detergent composition is selected individually for each type of material and even for its modification. In this case, you cannot neglect the recommendations and prohibitions of the manufacturers. So, ordinary soap is more likely to stain the tiles additionally than to remove dirt. Porous materials cannot be cleaned with abrasive agents - as a result, the contamination will only become deeper. An almost ideal option is to wash with warm water with the addition of ammonia or glass cleaner.

Stains containing grease are destroyed with an aqueous solution of baking soda. Blood stains will disappear in minutes upon contact with hydrogen peroxide. At the entrance to a tiled corridor, you should put a fabric or rubber mat. Street dirt will remain on it and will cause less inconvenience. The tiles are often treated with a mixture that reduces adhesion - it reduces the amount of accumulated dirt. The seams separating the tiles should be impregnated with sealant immediately after laying. This composition should prevent the formation of mold. As practice shows, it also contributes to the long-term preservation of the original color. If the grout is made with cement mixtures, you can clean it only with soft sponges and gentle reagents. Epoxy reagents are more resistant to aggressive substances.

Beautiful examples

To create a stylish interior, it is not necessary to resort to particularly original techniques. The connection between the laminate part and the tiled part on the floor in the hallway can be made in ordinary straight lines. The sophistication of this solution is added by the use of a narrow mosaic insert between one part of the floor and the other.

The combination of tiles at the entrance and laminate in an arc gives originality to a small hallway. Design “sophistication” does not deprive the small space at the door of practicality. The tiles are easy to clean, but you don’t have to stand on a cold tiled floor for a long time, and you can take off your shoes and quickly step onto the “warm” laminate.

The combination of bright tiles and dark laminate is a bold decision. But if there are bright wall decorations, it is justified.

Combining laminate with different tile patterns in the hallway leads to an interesting result. Using patterned and stone-look tiles allows you to create something like a colorful rug in front of the doors, while the rest of the area is occupied by laminate flooring.

To learn how to make a joint between tiles and laminate, see the following video.

How to combine

How to combine ceramic tiles and laminate in the kitchen? Here are some tips to help you navigate the choice of color and installation method for combined flooring.

Light shades of laminate and tile are suitable for a north-facing kitchen. In addition, light colors give the room visual space and volume. A dark floor will look better in a spacious kitchen. Please also note that dark floors are more easily soiled than light ones. So, if frequent cleaning is not your lifestyle, choose light-colored floors.

Large tiles look better in modern kitchens, while small ones are perfect for decorating a kitchen in a country or classic style.

A combination of different floor coverings is often chosen to create a more vibrant and interesting floor. But keep in mind that only one part (or tile or laminate) should be really bright, and the other should act as a background. It’s more convenient to make the tiled part of the floor bright: lay out a pattern, add mosaic elements, or choose tiles of different colors or sizes.

Combining glossy and matte tiles is an original solution. You can even combine tiles of different sizes. But at the same time, the laminate should be as inconspicuous and simple in design as possible.

The smaller the kitchen, the simpler the flooring design should be. An abundance of colored inserts, patterns or strong contrast between laminate and tiles will “eat up” precious meters. Contrasting combinations are the specialty of spacious kitchens.

The tile coating can imitate stone, marble, leather, even textiles. The more noble the appearance of the tile, the darker the laminate should be. It is the dark color that gives laminate flooring luxury and sophistication.

If you use tiles of different colors, then one of them should match the color of the laminate. It is enough even if these are miniature tiles woven into the pattern of your tiled floor. This achieves the feeling of a “single” gender.

Choose colors of tiles and laminate of the same “polarity”: either both from the “warm” range, or from the “cold” range. The same goes for color. For example, if you have gray tiles, then the color of the laminate should also have a gray tint.

The shape of the joint depends on the style concept and type of your interior. If the kitchen is dominated by regular geometric shapes, the furniture fronts are strictly rectangular, and there is a square table in the dining area, then it is better to choose a straight joint.

The wavy line at the junction of two floor coverings must somehow be repeated in the interior. For example, if the general line of furniture facades is also curved. Or you can add the same “wave” on the ceiling. This is convenient if you have two-tier ceilings.

It is easier to create a zigzag at the joint if the tiles are laid in a checkerboard pattern

When doing this, pay attention to the direction of the laminate boards. If the kitchen is narrow, then it is better to lay the laminate diagonally - this will give the room visual volume

And finally. Remember that the floors in the kitchen have to be washed more often than in other rooms. Therefore, it is desirable that the laminate be waterproof and that the tiles have a sufficient strength index.

Why are combined floors laid?

None of the above floor coverings can be called ideal, since each option has disadvantages. You can solve the problem by installing a combined floor in the kitchen. A combination of finishing materials of different types will also help to divide the space into functional zones.

Pros and cons of combined flooring

Stylish combination of different materials on the kitchen floor
A modern popular trend is the visual division of the kitchen into a dining room and a food preparation area. When approaching the issue of combined floors, you need to pay attention to the combination of floor coverings.

The main advantages of the combination of materials:

• the ability to make the kitchen cozy more economically;
• it’s easy to keep the food preparation area clean, and to create a more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable surface near the dining table;
• proper zoning of the kitchen space;
• practicality and hygiene;
• protection from premature wear of materials in those areas that bear the maximum load.

The disadvantages of this combination include the difficulty in selecting materials from which a harmonious combination can be made, the need for additional processing of joints, and the asymmetry of the room in case of ill-conceived placement of different surfaces.

If combining laminate with traditional porcelain tiles is not difficult, then the combination of tiles and linoleum should be considered at the stage of leveling the surface.

Types of tiles for the kitchen

Manufacturers offer a huge variety of tiles that can be used as flooring in the kitchen. It comes in a variety of designs and is divided into groups depending on its appearance.

All offered decorative facing tiles can be divided into several types, depending on the material of manufacture:

• ceramic tile;
• glass;
• stone;
• porcelain stoneware

Kitchen tiles come in matte, glossy, sprayed finishes; in an assortment of glass types, you can choose transparent or colored options.

Choosing a laminate

Features of choosing a laminate
Laminate can be used as a flooring for the kitchen, but subject to the correct choice of type and class, as well as proper preparation of the base. When choosing laminate or porcelain tiles in the kitchen, it is worth considering that the first one is pleasant to walk on even barefoot.

Parameters to pay attention to:

• Wear resistance class. The higher it is, the greater the load the coating can withstand.
• Level of moisture resistance (the presence in the description of markings with drops of water, a tap, the words water resistance, waterproof, aqua block, aqua protect).
• Lock connection type. A more reliable and convenient option is the Click dismountable system.
• Manufacturer and guarantees. If your budget is limited, it is better to choose linoleum or tiles.
• Thickness. For a kitchen, hallway or corridor, a coating no thinner than 9 mm is recommended.
• Presence of chamfer. Models without chamfers are more suitable for the kitchen, since dirt and moisture are always retained in the recesses.
• Formaldehyde emission class. Health-safe markings - E0 or E1.
• Anti-slip surface.

The best choice is a moisture-resistant laminate of class 33, 8-12 mm thick, with a durable top protective layer, matte, slightly embossed, non-slip surface.

Transition between tile and laminate in the kitchen

Using combined materials in the kitchen has many advantages. However, many are afraid to use tiles and laminate in the same space due to the difficulty of joining two different coatings. The distance between materials must be required. If you fill the seam with epoxy resin, after some time the laminate will begin to warp, the floor will quickly lose its attractive appearance and become unusable.

Cork gasket

If, when installing the floor covering, the installation of thresholds, strips or overlays is not expected, then the materials are combined with each other using a cork gasket. It is installed simultaneously with laying the main covering and securely fixed between the ends of the tile and laminate. The main advantages of a cork gasket are that it does not creak, does not sag, does not lose shape and reliably secures the joint.

Some combination rules

• Don't try to match the coating color to color. Such a coincidence is only possible if the manufacturer of the materials is the same, plus he produces collections of laminate and tiles in the same style.
• You shouldn’t split up the combination – the patchwork stylist is not appropriate here. The zones must be clearly demarcated and not mixed.
• When choosing color combinations, you need to focus on the room as a whole, and not on specific materials and their combination with each other.
• When selecting, special attention should be paid to the manufacturer. You should not save on either one or the second coating. If one of them fails, the entire floor finish will have to be replaced.

Connecting molding

• The best connection option would be straight, clear lines. It’s simply not possible to create winding ones yourself and without experience, although they will look original and beautiful. Moreover, if there is any bend on the floor, then it should be a “projection” of the walls or ceiling.
• To join materials, you need to use a special molding. It covers the joints and at the same time holds the materials as one whole sheet. But although this element is reliable, it does not always fit into the overall style of the room.
• If, when combining materials, a problem arises with a difference in floor level, it can be solved by using special metal or plastic thresholds. They will make the transition smooth and barely noticeable.

Thresholds for material combinations Thresholds for material combinations

Main technical characteristics of the floor covering

When choosing material for the floor in the hallway or kitchen, you should not be too demanding about the technical characteristics - you still won’t be able to notice much of a difference, but still you shouldn’t completely discount them. Now we will look at the main ones that may influence the home master’s decision when purchasing.

Porosity of flooring material

This parameter determines the strength and frost resistance of the tile. Typically it ranges from 3 to 10%. The lower the percentage, the higher the quality of the material, and therefore its cost. But for the flooring of the kitchen and corridor it does not play a special role. Of course, if you don’t plan to roll heavy carts on metal wheels along it and freeze the hallway in the winter. During normal use, you can turn a blind eye to this indicator.

Hardness and wear resistance of floor tiles

This parameter is measured by class, in the PEI category and can be anything; for an apartment it also does not matter. But it is worth understanding that the higher the wear resistance, the more expensive the material will be. Then the question arises, what is the point of paying extra money for something that is completely unnecessary? It is up to the master to draw conclusions.

Professional styling using a laser level

Flooring strength characteristics

The Mohs scale requires a score of 5 or 6. It turns out that these are just average values. Nothing bad will happen if you take a more durable floor covering, but given the area of ​​​​the hallway and kitchen, this can “make” a hole in the budget.

Safety requirements

This is where it is worth paying attention. On a thirteen-point scale, the friction coefficient should not be lower than 0.75, and the anti-slip index should not be lower than 10 out of 13

Otherwise, there is a high risk of injury from falling on a slippery floor.

Chemical resistance

This indicator is also quite important. After all, the apartment often has to be cleaned with the addition of various chemical-based detergents. After all, it won’t be very pleasant if the floor covering quickly becomes unusable due to their use. The indicator for this criterion for floor tiles must be A or AA.

When cleaning the floor, this edging saves the walls

Bathroom floor color

The day begins and ends in the bathroom; it should both stimulate work and calm you down after a busy day at work. Correctly selected floor color helps solve these mutually exclusive problems. The subjective perception of the room depends 40% on the color of the floor, the walls and ceiling have another 50%, and the remaining 10% depends on the accessories.

Blue self-leveling floor in the bathroom

Nowadays, most designers do not subscribe to the widely held belief that bathrooms should have as much white as possible. This rule existed 20–30 years ago and was explained by the small range of materials for flooring. Excess white color makes the room boring, it does not evoke any positive emotions, and is always associated with a hospital ward. The only advantage of white is that it increases illumination. But today's lighting devices easily solve this problem in any color scheme. The time spent in bathrooms is very limited, so you should not pay attention to the safety parameters of artificial lighting for vision.

White bathroom design

How to lay tiles on the floor with your own hands

Dark, gloomy bathroom floors are considered inappropriate. Such premises may look stylish on the pages of glossy publications, but it is unlikely that there will be anyone who wants to use them all the time. Dark colors, in principle, cannot evoke the positive emotions needed in the morning and evening.

The best flooring solutions are light green, blue, light gray and lavender.

Bright bathroom in mint shades

Purple bathroom

Bathroom design in white and gray shades

The color of the floor in small rooms can match the color of the walls and ceiling; in large bathrooms you can experiment with different combinations. Although the use of more than three shades is considered a lack of taste.

Hexagonal tiles in the bathroom

Lovers of bright and saturated colors are somewhat limited in their choice. Red should not be used, it has too active an effect on the nervous system. But yellow and pink look natural in rooms and do their job perfectly. Of course, the choice of floor color should take into account the style of the bathroom. The classic style requires a sand-colored floor; for Japanese, a brown floor is recommended. The French prefer white, and Mediterranean countries are fond of light green and blue floors.

Large bathroom

A spacious room will provide more opportunities for implementing a variety of design ideas. Here you can experiment with unexpected solutions and color combinations.

In a large bathroom, wall decoration in both white and dark colors will look beneficial. And patterns and large panels will help highlight the necessary accents.

Bright contrast and the use of several colors at the same time would be appropriate here. In this case, it is desirable that the floor is darker than the walls.

However, the color of the floor should be present at least in small quantities in the decoration of the walls of the room. The mosaic cladding will also look beautiful.

The most interesting design solutions in the hallway using laminate

Laminate of the same shade, laid evenly along the entire corridor, is a classic choice for floor design. But there are other, no less attractive solutions that are not difficult to implement.

A large number of colors, patterns, and textures give the laminate excellent decorative properties.

Just look at these photos of laminate flooring in the hallway:

• Dark color in combination with white or light baseboards;
• Combining different colors of laminate - plain with a pattern;
• Using laminate not only on the floor, but also on one of the walls;

For a corridor, the best option is a material with a special texture. It completely imitates natural wood, matte, non-slippery and non-staining.

The most popular is combination with ceramic tiles to create a safer zone of high humidity.

The choice of laminate color is determined by the dimensions of the hallway, its design and the wishes of the owners of the house or apartment.

You can play with not only the colors of the panels, but also combine their textures. We must not forget about the plinth - there are original design ideas where there is no plinth in the hallway at all.

Laminate with a smooth surface.

Features of choosing tiles for the hallway

The serious loads to which the flooring in the hallway is exposed requires the use of a reliable, practical and moisture-resistant material that can be wet cleaned several times a day. Tiles have all these qualities.

The pattern of tiles on the floor in the hallway allows you to visually make the room more spacious

This material of any shapes and colors, plain and patterned, with imitation of the surface of any materials, matte and glossy, is widely represented on the modern construction market. However, for the hallway, where there is always a possibility of moisture getting on the floor, it is better to purchase matte tiles, since they do not slip.

Tile marking

The advantages of the material include the following:

1. High resistance to mechanical stress.
2. A wide range of shades, patterns, designs, shapes and sizes.
3. Possibility of use in a heated floor system.
4. Long service life of the material without loss of the original appearance of the front layer and the technical properties of the coating.
5. Easy care and repeated wet cleaning. The ability to use any detergents and cleaning agents, as well as the ability of the material not to absorb pollution into its structure.

Natural stone tiles

The disadvantages of tiles include the following:

1. Hardness and rigidity of the coating.
2. Surface that is cold to the touch.
3. Difficulties during installation may arise for people with a lack of experience.
4. It requires skills in choosing not only high-quality tiles, but also mortar and grout material, as well as skill in working with them.

Note! The question often arises - how advisable is it to tile the entire floor area in the hallway. A more practical option is a combined type of floor, when the tiles are placed at the entrance, and the rest of the surface is made of laminate or other material.

The reverse side of the tile has symbols and indentations to improve adhesion to the adhesive

Ceramic floor tiles are a strong and durable material, but when choosing it you need to take into account some nuances:

1. When visually inspecting the tiles, it is important to make sure that the packaging contains elements of the same size with smooth edges and the same color.
2. The tiles are checked for cracks, chips and unevenness.
3. Overheated tiles are brittle and fragile. You can understand how high-quality the material is by studying the back of the product. The shine and unevenness of color, which is not typical for high-quality tiles, are signs that this material should not be purchased.
4. High-quality tiles make a dull sound when tapped.
5. The color is chosen so that minor scratches and dirt are not very noticeable.

Combined type of tile covering for a spacious hallway

Floor tiles are assessed according to several parameters:

1. The Mohs hardness scale for floor tiles must be at least 7.
2. Wear resistance on a five-point scale should correspond to grade 4-5.
3. Water absorption should be no more than 4%.
4. Slip resistance in numerical equivalent is not lower than 9.

Mohs scale

Hallway design with tiles

There are many ways to organically fit tiles into the interior of the hallway:

1. In a spacious room, you can use elements of different sizes and colors to create an original pattern on the floor, which can visually make the space larger or smaller.
2. Tiles can be combined with other floor materials, correctly taking into account the degree of load on the coating in different areas of the hallway. In addition, this solution will visually make the small hallway room more spacious.
3. When combining materials, a joining profile , which allows you to form not only an even, but also a smooth bend of the joint.
4. The tiles are selected in accordance with the design of the room and its color scheme.

Layout schemes for floor tiles

Table 2. Cost of floor tiles

Laying technology

When working with floor tiles, you will need to prepare the following materials and tools:

1. The tiles themselves are purchased with some reserve (5-10%).
2. Glue solution.
3. Notched trowel.
4. Building level.
5. Plastic crosses. Their thickness corresponds to the width of the seam.
6. Tile cutter
7. Master OK.
8. A drill with a “mixer” attachment and a container for diluting glue.
9. Pencil.
10. Knee pads.

Tools for working with tiles

Important! Before starting to lay the tiles, prepare the surface - clean it of dirt, degrease it and, if necessary, level it.

Laying occurs as follows. The adhesive solution is applied in portions to an area slightly larger than the size of the tile.

Applying glue

The glue is leveled using a spatula with teeth.

Leveling the glue

The adhesive is also applied to the back side of the tile and spread over its surface with a notched trowel.

Floor tiles are larger than wall tiles, so adhesive is also applied to the back side of the tiles.

To fix the tile in a given position, use a rubber hammer, which is tapped not on the surface of the tile, but on the backing.

Aligning tiles

To form the seam, special plastic crosses are used.

Seam formation

When several tiles are laid in a row, they are pressed with a rule and their general horizontal position is checked - the entire row should be located in a single plane. Subsequent rows are performed in the same way.

Checking horizontality

A tile cutter is used to cut tiles.

The cut is made along the marking line on the surface of the product

Shaped sawing occurs as follows:

Apply markings

Using a special tool, trace (scratch) the cutting line

Pinch off excess with tongs

At the final stage (after 24 hours), the joints are grouted.

Grouting joints

Primary requirements

Floor materials in the hallway must meet the following requirements:

1. Be practical.
2. Impact resistant.
3. Moisture resistant.
4. Have a wear-resistant face layer.
5. Do not absorb dirt.
6. Have a long service life.
7. Be aesthetically attractive.

Pet claws are a serious threat to flooring

It is desirable that the material be universal and combined with many style solutions. Not many coatings meet these requirements, but tiles and laminates meet them fully.