Tile Edge & Trim Design Ideas

Finish your tile project with a stylish accent by choosing the perfect trim tile, border or edging. This step serves an important function by softening the raw edges of tile walls and floors to ensure proper installation. Plus, it adds a high-end designer effect to the look. The Tile Shop offers a wide selection of colors, patterns and textures that can add the ideal complement to your next project.

After investing a lot of thought into a room’s tile design, many homeowners overlook how critical it is to properly finish the edges of their tile project. By removing the exposed edges, trim softens the transition where your tile ends, adding a high-end look and effectively outlining your tile installation. But trim pieces are also an important design feature. Layering trim tiles can elevate the entire design, accent a certain feature and create interest and individuality. These borders, trims and accent tiles can seamlessly blend into your design, stand out or highlight another feature in the space by repeating a finish or material. Keep in mind how the finer details of your project can impact the look and feel of the room.

It’s important to make sure that you’re ending your wall and backsplash tile at the right spot because installing tile where the edge is visible will leave your project looking unfinished. A smooth, rounded bullnose edge is a great way to give your tile a clean finish and streamlined look. Since it’s far less likely to chip or break, bullnoses add increased durability to your tiled areas. Used at the top of a shower wall or kitchen backsplash, rounded tiles can provide a smooth transition and a clean, polished appearance. Trim can also add framing effects, arch features or distinctive ending points like chair rail molding to your wall. Add elegance to your space by ending with skirting at the floor or a chair rail piece at wainscot height. From marble to ceramic, these pieces come in a wide variety of finishes.

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Trim isn’t just for your vertical tile installation—don’t forget to complete your project by effectively framing out your floor design. While the majority of the floor can be one tile, consider bordering the room with a contrasting shape or pattern. To ensure a smooth transition from one space to the next, you should install threshold pieces, which are available in natural stone or a variety of metal finishes from DURAL. In addition to crafting a sophisticated look, edging your floors will make them much easier to clean and maintain.

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For edging purposes, a combination of materials can be mixed and matched to create a rich sense of depth in your room. Get creative with contrast by pairing ceramic and glass or installing glass tile with stone accents. Natural stones, like marble, granite and travertine, can be polished so that the edges appear finished. Pencil wall tile is a classic accent piece that helps produce an even tone for easy matching. Metal edge trim is a quickly growing trend that’s available in a wide array of styles and finishes. Use metal trim in your bathroom to create a clean and contemporary transition to another surface that also matches the finish of your sink faucet or shower head. If you’re installing subway tile, turn your tile vertically to create a defined edge at the top or border. Any questions? Learn more about edging from our experienced store associates at The Tile Shop.