Function

• Decorative tiles can be used in a variety of places around the home and in many different ways. While most people think of floor tiling, there are many other places that can be given a fresh look with tiles. They can also be used on kitchen counters, walls and in bathrooms.
  Tiles can be great to put on walls behind kitchen and bathroom sinks or around bathtubs as backsplashes. Using tiles as borders around rooms is an effective way of creating a new look. Replacing an old floor with new tiles can create a floor that is easy to care for and doubles as a piece of art.
  Decorative tiles can also be used on an individual basis. Tiles that are decorated with a single scene or picture can double as wall art. Purchasing a few plain tiles and decorating them by hand is a great way to create one-of-a-kind art, specially tailored to an individual room.
  
  

Benefits

• Replacing old wallpaper and flooring with decorative tiles can create a whole new look for a room, without dipping too far into the budget. While it's not uncommon to do a whole floor or wall in tile, they can also be used as accent pieces and borders.
  Decorative tiles are durable and easy to clean. Weathering tiles, specifically made for outdoor use, can be not only extremely resistant to the elements, but a good source of insulation as well.
  Ceramic tiles can be excellent backsplashes for kitchen and bathroom sink, eliminating the problems that occur when walls and wallpaper get wet.
  
  

History

• Decorative tile has been around since the beginning of recorded history. In fact, some of the earliest records were created on tile that was carved, fired and then preserved in the libraries of kings. Even the glazing of tile has long been practiced, seen in archaeological finds such as the Ishtar Gate of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II (dating to around 575 BC).
  Tiles were used in mosaics throughout Greece and Italy, often depicting intricate scenes of religious and cultural value. Roman baths were often decorated in tile mosaics, some of which still survive.
  Early use of decorative tiles was a privilege that was restricted to the upper class and the clergy. The use of ceramic tile became more widespread in Europe during the Middle Ages. Italy was a major producer of such tile, and still is today. Tiles used in cathedrals throughout Europe can still be seen today, a testament to their durability.
  
  

Types

• Decorative tiles can be made from a number of materials. Some of the most common tiles are ceramic; these are the tiles most frequently found on the walls of kitchens and bathrooms. Tiles can also be made from natural stone, glass, terracotta, marble and porcelain. There are also special tiles that can be used for outdoor patios and roofing.
  
  

Potential

• With such a wide variety of materials for tiles and no limits on size, shape, pattern or color, the possibilities are endless. Decorative tiles can be used in so many ways that there is no limit to the creativity that can go into homes. Tiles can allow a person's individual touch to be added to his home in any number of ways, whether it be a unique combination of colors, a personal mosaic or a simple, elegant border.