Different Textures

• Ceramic tiles come in all kinds of finishes, from a shiny, glass-like glaze to a matte that looks and feels like bare stone. Which one is right depends largely on your tastes and your room. Generally, you don't want very smooth, glossy tiles on a floor because they be slippery to walk on, but you can get variations on gloss that are somewhat shiny without being slick. Some level of glaze is best for kitchens and bathrooms because glazed tile is better at repelling moisture and stain. Flat, stony tiles are better for formal living rooms.
  
  

Different Sizes

• You don't have quite the available range of size on a floor that you have on a wall, because ceramic tiles of more than a square foot are likely to eventually crack under your feet. But smaller tiles are fine--in fact, they're stronger when laid properly. And there's no rule against mixing them up. Border with large tiles and lay small mosaics of a different color alongside them, or create a tile "throw rug" in the middle of the room with medium-sized tiles. Lay out your tile carefully, making sure the differing sizes will ultimately fit together enough to cover the floor.
  
  

Different Colors

• One of the big advantages of ceramic tile is that it comes in practically any color you want. There really are no rules regarding what colors you choose, but there are some issues to keep in mind. Very light-colored tiles, like light-colored anything, show dirt and wear more than darker ones. Darker tiles, though, tend to make a room feel smaller, so think twice about using them in very small rooms. Don't be afraid to mix up different colors of tiles--just remember that they're going to be there for a long time.