How to enhance your home with elegant Victorian tiled floors

From information on the history and patterns to bespoke designs and installation tips, I’ll cover everything you need to know to make an informed decision before you buy.

Why choose these floor tiles?

Firstly they have timeless charm and appeal, can feature a myriad of intricate pattern, offer many colours & a whole host of elegant designs. Bespoke Victorian tile designs provide traditional & contemporary options, which is ideal if custom looks appeal to you. Then regular cleaning, repair and restoration are key to keeping these tiles looking great for years to come.

Tile charm with Victorian tiles

These tiles have been captivating the hearts of British homeowners since the 19th Century thanks to their patterned styles, many colours and elegant designs. They’ve evolved over time but still have that unmistakable charm and appeal. From plain and white to patterned for residential and commercial use there’s a style to suit everyone, so you’re bound to find the perfect design for your home or business.

Whether you want to recreate a grand hallway style fit for a period property or a contemporary home, there are huge design selections when it comes to picking Victorian floor tiles. With their history and intricate designs, they can instantly add a touch of luxury and timeless charm to your home.

Our new Original Style Salisbury Blue on Dover White Tiles has been hand-crafted and they feature a beautiful repeating pattern

History and popularity

Victorian floor tiles became popular in the 19th Century when their beautiful designs and patterns were a status symbol. From public buildings and churches to traditional homes, these tiles were used in many grand spaces, showcasing the craftsmanship and artistry of the time. Then the introduction of different geometric shapes and original designs during this period made them even more popular.

Victorian tiles were not only a display of the owner’s wealth but also a status symbol, often used in the porch. Over the centuries, they have kept their charm, influencing homeowners to buy them with their unique patterned designs, colours and timeless appeal. These tiles are hugely versatile too whether you're planning to create a new front path or transform a kitchen or bathroom floor or wet room.

Victorian floor tile patterns

These beautiful tiles are famous for their geometric shapes, which often feature bold colours and intricate styles. The art of tessellated geometric tiles dates back thousands of years and the Victorians perfected this style to create stunning works of art. Encaustic tiles were often used at the joints of tessellating patterned styles to add to the complexity and beauty of the design.

Victorian floor tiles offer a wide range of designs for homeowners and designers, from floral and checkerboard to border designs. The development of these patterned tiles also reflects the social and cultural changes of the time, the Gothic Revival and the Middle Ages, and the advances in painting and dyeing. The result is a diverse and beautiful collection of tiles that still inspire.

Our new Original Style Salisbury Green on Buff Victorian tiles will add an intricate pattern to your floor

Choosing your Victorian tiles

Choosing the right tiles for your space requires careful consideration of colour, pattern and durability. With so many to choose from, plain and white to bold and colourful, finding the right design for your home can be great fun. To make sure they blend in seamlessly it’s worth thinking about the overall look of your space and how the tiles will fit with your existing decor.

Popular colour combinations:

·       Reds and yellows

·       Pinks and greens

·       Aqua, green, pink and yellow

·       Classic black and white

Try different colours and patterns to create a one-off look that reflects your personal style. Look for hard-wearing and robust tiles, such as porcelain, and check whether they can be used for interior and exterior use if you're thinking of creating a statement patio.

Black and white tiles

Black and white tiles are classic and timeless. They are understated and will fit into any space, traditional with period features or modern and minimalist. The monochrome tones will work with contemporary and period trends and tend to be a key feature for a front path or fireplace hearth.

Plain black and white Victorian tiles provide a blank canvas, to add other colours for a beautiful look. White tiles can be used as a border or frame for colourful patterned tiles to create a striking contrast. Or they can be used to highlight a particular area or pattern within a larger tile design. With the right use of pattern and plain, this can create a balanced look for a more distinctive tile design.

Colours and combinations

Colourful Victorian tiles can be combined in many ways to create original, striking designs, from subtle to bold. You can choose delicate creams, subtle greys or deep burgundies for a more muted look. Or go for the bold colours, such as aqua, green, pink and yellow.

When choosing colours for your tiles consider the size and layout of your space. Smaller areas can benefit from lighter colour palettes and smaller tile sizes to make the space look bigger. With a bit of creativity and experimentation you can create a beautiful and unique look that matches your home’s decor.

Hard wearing and durable

Victorian tiles are hard wearing and durable and are perfect for high traffic areas of your home. Think kitchen floors and bathrooms for example. Their strength and resistance to damage is due to the density and vitrification process during manufacturing. They can be a robust choice, particularly if you use a hard-wearing surface such as porcelain, so they are more resistant to damage and wear than wood or laminate flooring.

Whichever tile design you choose, it's essential to get the installation right and you maintain them regularly. Taking the right precautions and addressing any issues promptly will mean that you can enjoy your tiled floors for years to come. 

Our new Original Style Salisbury Green on Dover White Tiles features intricate patterns in a classic style in this bathroom 

Bespoke tile designs

You can customise your look from traditional and classic to ultra-modern with bespoke Victorian tile designs. Work closely with design professionals for a highly customisable and individual look so you can enjoy your own design.

Whether you need to recreate the grandeur of a period hallway or simply wish to introduce a little 'old fashioned' charm to a new home, bespoke tile designs can provide the ideal solution. In this sense, you can consider every style, from traditional and classic ideas down to contemporary interpretations.

Traditional and classic ideas

These tile designs are hugely popular and they typically display:

• Elaborate designs

• Deep colours

• Geometrics

• Florals

• Elaborate borders

• Vivid colours like red, blue and green

• Elaborate designs

• Symmetry

There are so many styles available that reflect traditional and classic Victorian floor tiles, you can easily create a timeless, fashionable look in your home that reflects the care and craftsmanship you would have expected in the past. Whether you opt for a bold geometric or a more subtle floral, you'll be sure to make a style statement.

Modern interpretations

This style of tile can now reflect contemporary designs, colours, and patterns to give you a fresh look on old classics. This combination of old and new, therefore allows you to go creatively crazy on your designs, yet this will still work just as well on period and contemporary homes. Examples include:

• Elaborate patterned tiles in geometrical shapes and flowers

• Black and white front path designs leading to the front door

• Statement tiles in contemporary interior design

• Collections of tiles inspired by lepidopterists

Whichever you choose for a contemporary home or period property, let your tile choice reflect your taste, personality and style. You can opt for either strong intense colour or softer hues, the choice is yours.

Using a tile specialist

Working with experienced tile experts will enable them to expertly fit a perfect Victorian tile design into your house. Our tile knowledge at Hyperion Tiles will give you the ability to design a beautiful and coherent look for your home to achieve that perfect finish.

Installation tips for Victorian tiled floors

When it comes to laying these tiles, preparation, precision, grouting, and sealing will result in a professional finish. Follow our expert advice and best practice, and you'll have a beautiful and durable floor for years to come.

Below are some of the best tips and advice on how to prepare the surface, lay the tiles, and grout and seal a Victorian tiled floor. This, together with the right information and guidance, will give you a perfect installation, however we tend to recommend that you should work with an experience tiler for your design to look its best.

Preparing the surface

The following is how the surface should be prepared:

1. Clean the surface, free of dirt or loose material

2. The surface should be levelled using a levelling tool

3.  Give the tiles a base to stick to

These are the fundamentals needed in a great installation and a floor that will last the test of time.

If your surface is a wooden floor, we would recommend a coat of SBR primer diluted down and allow it to dry out prior to tiling. If you take the time to get the prep right, you'll have a good solid base to lay your tiles onto and a stunning floor.

Laying the tiles

Tile laying requires precision and, also, attention to detail for getting the designs right. Planning the layout, using the appropriate tools and materials — in particular the tile-cutter, adhesives, and spacers — is necessary for high-quality finishes.

When laying the tiles, follow these steps:

1. Align and space the tiles, putting in small plastic spacers between corners of the tiles

2. Use the right adhesives for the job

3. Follow our guidance and best practice for a professional finish

Grouting and sealing

Ideally your Victorian tiled floors would be grouted and sealed; so both the tiles and the surface can be washed and worn time after time. This is once the tiles are all laid and the adhesive has dried. Using and properly applying the right grout will give a stunning finish.

Follow these tips to grout and seal your floor:

1. Several coats of a sealant should be applied to protect the tiles from dirt and stains, and for easy cleaning

2. This is done by layers - as each layer dries, another layer is applied

3. Observe the proper procedure considering the manufacturer's instructions on how to apply, paying attention to the time it will take to dry and how to place the sealant

When you grout and seal this floor type properly, it will last for years and look new

How to care for your floor tiles

To take care of your Victorian floor tiles, clean them regularly and repair and restore them when necessary.

Some cleaning tips, repair advice and maintenance of your Victorian Floor Tiles

With the right information and care, you will be able to enjoy them looking stunning for many years:

Regular cleaning

Cleaning your tiles regularly will ensure they remain in top condition and avoid dirt and grime accumulation. We recommend that you clean with a mild soap-based cleaner or a pH neutral detergent two or three times on a monthly basis

By cleaning your Victorian floor tiles and looking after them, you'll not only keep them looking beautiful but also protect them from damage. With regular care and attention, they'll look their best and add to the overall beauty of your home

Repair and restoration

Professional repairs and restoration of any worn or damaged tiles can be made in order to maintain them looking beautiful for many years. Whether damage includes loose, cracked, or chipped tiles or an issue with the screed lying beneath the floor, professional repair and restoration services offer expert advice and guidance.

By fixing any problems and keeping up to date with maintenance you'll be able to prevent more damage. With proper ongoing care and attention they can remain a key feature in your home for years to come.

Protecting your investment

Protecting your Victorian floor tiles means applying protective mats, pads, and dealing with issues arising to prevent further damage. You can also avoid scratching and damaging the tiles by placing protective pads under heavy furniture. Regular inspections will also help to resolve problems before they start to get serious.

Victorian floor tiles are classic, charming, and can be added to any space, from traditional homes to contemporary interiors. They are unique in design and fashionable, with available patterns to make your home beautiful. So why not get the Victorian tile look and turn your home into a stylish living space?