Floorboards are an age-old flooring option (literally; hardwood flooring has been used since the 1600s). Whilst wood is a very traditional flooring/paving choice, there are a lot of responsibilities that come with maintaining wood flooring.

With wood flooring, you often live your life bound by rules as to how you must behave in your own home, all for the sake of your flooring; no shoes inside the house, no dragging heavy furniture, clean any spills immediately, clean with a microfibre cloth, use a variety of wood safe chemicals and solutions, varnish and wax regularly… the list goes on. And on. And on.

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For centuries, natural materials have been used in interior and exterior designs to create a traditional, rustic feel. Incorporating nature into your living space undoubtedly creates a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, but the problems start to arise when you learn how much maintenance natural materials require.

Whether it's, real wood flooring or natural stone paving, anything that you bring into your home from the outside world will need care and attention. We're sure, like most people, you live a very hectic, busy life where finding time to water the plants can sometimes be a struggle! So trying to avoid accidental spills and spending hours applying a sealant to your new floor probably doesn't sound very appealing. 

Luckily, there are alternative options that allow you to bring the natural charm of the outdoors into your home without demanding constant care and maintenance. Today we explore some of the ways you can use our natural-looking porcelain tiles to create a beautiful, natural, fuss-free space in your home!

All Natural

There's no denying that real wood makes a room look instantly warmer and cosier. Clean, all-white rooms can look really chic (but can also look a bit clinical). Thankfully, there are ways to achieve a real-wood appearance without worrying about potential drawbacks. In normal circumstances, it would be a terrible idea to use wood flooring for a bathroom. Just think about it, it would absorb water, warp out of shape and rot and eventually need completely replacing. 

Here you can see how this homeowner was able to create a cosy, wood-effect bathroom without the potential hazards of real-wood. To create this look, they used our Forest Grey Larch paving, some floating wooden cabinets and some soft grey furnishings to create a minimal, natural space that will last for years to come. 

Shop our Forest Range >

Combine Natural & Contemporary

Here you can see how our real-stone effect Quartz Twilight paving has been used to create an ultra-modern kitchen space. The homeowner has added lots of natural touches like the wooden worktops, the organic-shaped glass lampshades and (of course) the flooring. To contrast this, they've gone for bold black patio doors, floor level LED's and a cool grey feature wall. 

This looks like the perfect place to host parties and, luckily, with PrimaPorcelain paving this homeowner won't need to worry about red wine stains or muddy footprints. All that our Quartz Twilight paving needs is a quick wipe over with warm soapy water and any remnants of the night before will lift right off!

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Add a Splash of Colour

Another way that you can use natural-looking materials in your home, is as a neutral base for brighter pops of colour and pattern. You can see how the homeowner above combined our effortlessly elegant Richmond Silver paving with a bold, low-level yellow sofa and an assortment of naturally patterned cushions. The finished outdoor space is lively, vibrant and appealing - the perfect place to entertain guests or enjoy a summers evening at home.

The soft natural grey tones and real-stone texture contrast with the soft, sunshine yellow sofa work together wonderfully, but we're sure you could add whatever splash of colour you prefer. The benefit of choosing our natural-looking Richmond range for this bright outdoor space is that, unlike natural stone, it has a very low and consistent porosity level. This helps prevent the paving from taking on water and becoming cracked & damaged over time. 

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We hope you found our suggestions about how to use natural-looking materials in your home helpful. There are so many benefits to choosing manmade over natural, especially when it comes to care and longevity. Get in touch if you'd like to find out more about our natural-looking paving, then don't hesitate to get in touch 029 2080 3756. 

From living rooms to sunrooms, corridors and bathrooms, black and white porcelain tiles are a design feature that's been seen in homes for decades. This comes as no surprise as black and white tiles are extremely versatile, offering interior and exterior living spaces tastes of both luxury and minimalism. Which is why PrimaPorcelain is offering this comprehensive guide on how to use black and white porcelain tiles for your home or property so that you can bring a stylish monochrome palette with absolute confidence. Whether you're looking for a contemporary and modern aesthetic, or stylish and sophisticated, you can achieve it with black and white porcelain tiles. 

Classic Styling 

When it comes to black and white porcelain tiled floor, you won't find a more classic design than the tried and tested checkered-look. A timeless design that is sure to leave any and all guests wowed as they first set their eyes on it. If you're looking to make a real grand impression, your home's entrance corridor is the perfect place to lay your black and white porcelain tiles, giving your guests an immediate stunning impression of your property. You can complement your floor with luxurious furniture for an interior design that screams lavishness. 

If your home is lucky enough to boast a big bathroom, then large black and white porcelain checkered tiles are an excellent choice to make a bold statement. Couple your checkered floor with classic bathroom fittings to create a traditional look that's sure to never go out of fashion. If, on the other hand, your bathroom is a little on the smaller side, a mini-checkered style floor will give the illusion of a larger space. Pair your floor design with plants and accessories to complete this gorgeous monochrome look!

Switch It Up 

For those of you who are feeling a tad more adventurous, a recent trend that has been sweeping homes up and down the country has seen white porcelain tiles paired with darker-styled wood tiles. This high contrast look offers all the same benefits of the classic checkered look but with added texture, perfect for those looking to push the boundaries. This style is particularly effective in a living room or in front of a traditional fireplace, bringing a new dimension to your living space in the most beautiful way possible. 

Another option that you could try is is to combine black and white porcelain tile to define sections within an open plan place. Black wooden flooring, for example, can be used in areas of your home that are in desperate need of a little more warmth such as dining and living areas. Couple this with some beautiful white porcelain tiles to clearly indicate where your kitchen space begins for a modern design that doesn't compromise on functionality.

Pleasure with Patterns 

If you're looking to add an element of fun with your black and white floor, why not add some eye-catching patterns that mimic an original feature of an older property? Geometric tiles are an artistic way that you can add detail and intricacy to your home while paying homage to a classic aesthetic. If you're looking to create a more contemporary interior design, however, an escher-esque box tile flooring design will add a look that will be impossible to ignore. Couple this with white gloss furnishings and monochrome accessories for a dramatic look that stands together and makes an instant impact. 

And there you have it! Our guide to white and black porcelain tile for your home. We hope that you will now be well-equipped with the inspiration needed to add a monochrome vibrancy to any room in your property. Be sure to browse our extensive collection of black and white porcelain below to find the flooring product that suits you. 

Black Porcelain Tiles >                   White Porcelain Tiles >

For more information on our collection of black and white porcelain tiles, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the PrimaPorcelain team today by calling 02920 803 756 or emailing info@primaporcelain.co.uk. 

Our porcelain tiles are perfect for contemporary kitchen designs. A couple of months ago, we received some photos from a customer who had used our stylish 8mm Bolzano Grey tiles in her kitchen - we think the results are truly outstanding!

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British weather often gets a bad rap for being dull, grey and generally a whole lot wetter than we would like.

However, despite this negative stereotype, British summertime can actually be surprisingly hot – particularly in the summer.

In fact, the climate of British summertime has rivalled that of the continent in recent years, with UK temperatures reaching as high as 35.5 degrees Celsius in 2018.

In order to escape the heat and keep your property cool and comfortable inside, here are a few handy tips to help make your interior design feel as cool as it looks, even when the sun is blazing outside.

The science behind cool flooring

From a scientific perspective, the temperature of your flooring largely comes down to the conductivity of the material.

Materials that are good conductors can transfer heat faster, giving the perception that the surface is colder.

On the other hand, poor conductors will take time to transfer heat, giving a warmer sensation underfoot.

As such, flooring that’s an excellent conductor of heat – such as tiles – will naturally feel cooler in the summer than a material that is a poor conductor of heat.

Indoor tiles for summer comfort

Carpet is a poor conductor and retains heat, which can make you feel uncomfortably warm during the summertime. The hot air in the room gets trapped in the carpet fibres, acting as an insulator and retaining the heat in the surface.

Luckily, the same can’t be said for indoor porcelain tiles. Porcelain tiles are traditionally very conductive, making them considerably cooler to walk on than carpet due to their structural makeup.

One of the biggest perks of tile flooring is that it’s also great for keeping you cooler when the heat of summer is at its scorching peak. For a cool interior design, ditch the carpet in favour of the vastly more conductive and considerably cooler tile option.

Porcelain tiles in your home

Indoor tiles are commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens within the homestead; however, it’s increasingly common for them to be found in living rooms and hallways, as well as anywhere else in the house.

For a cool, tactful tile with cooling, tactile style, look no further than porcelain tiles from PrimaPorcelain.

For more information on our vast range of indoor porcelain tiles and outdoor porcelain pavers, why not drop us a line? Call now on 029 2080 3756 to find out more or hit the button below to get in touch online.

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