The Five Most Popular Premium Tile Installation Upgrades

Upgrades Create a Highly Customized, Luxurious Space

When it comes to tile installation, there is a wide spectrum between a low-budget, standard plan and a very personalized, high-end design. Aside from material selection, which will obviously impact the overall aesthetics of a space, custom upgrades can improve the functionality, comfort, and elegance of your installation. If you want your home to feel like a highly customized, luxurious space that reflects your personality and lifestyle, adding custom upgrades to your tile installation is the way to go. In this article, you’ll learn about the five most popular upgrades we provide.

Fireplace Surround

The warmth and light a fireplace brings makes it a natural space for relaxing and chatting with family or guests. A fireplace serves as an architectural feature that is the centerpiece of a room’s decor. Even when a fireplace is not in use, it creates visual interest in a room. If you are renovating your kitchen or bathroom or having new tile floors installed, consider adding a stone or tile surround to the fireplace in your home.

To create a sense of continuity throughout your home, select materials for your fireplace surround that match or compliment the stone or tile in other rooms. That way, you can showcase your fireplace while also harmoniously connecting it with the rest of your home. You might also consider extending your fireplace surround from floor to ceiling to create an accent wall.

Accent Walls

If you do not have a fireplace, an accent wall with artwork or shelves and well-placed furniture can create a similar affect. In a bathroom or kitchen, a floor-to-ceiling backsplash could be considered an accent wall. Other common locations for accent walls include behind a bed in a bedroom, behind a TV in a living room, behind a buffet in a formal dining room, and as a backdrop for a coffee station or bar. 

The location of your accent wall is important, since it is a focal point in the room. This is especially true of an accent wall near an entrance, where first impressions are made. If your accent wall has a doorway or window, we can add a decorative border or even create an arch. 

Bathroom with 3-D wall tile
Using textured or 3-D tile and strategically positioned lighting is a dramatic way to highlight the depth and dimension of an accent wall. Dimmer switches will allow you to control the mood of the space.

Heated Flooring

Heated flooring is a surprisingly affordable add-on that will take your tile installation to the next level of luxury and comfort. Copher Tile & Stone installs radiant heating systems that distribute warmth evenly across your tiled floor, creating an atmosphere so cozy and comfortable you may even want to make heated tile the flooring choice for your entire home. “Everyone who has a heated tile floor installation has absolutely raved about how much they love it,” says Adam Copher, owner of Copher Tile & Stone.

Not only does heated flooring add an extra layer of comfort to your home, but it can also help to reduce your energy bills. Learn about these and other perks in our article, The Benefits of Radiant Heated Tile Floors.

Niches

A tile niche is a stylish alcove built into a wall. Although niches are most commonly found in showers, they can be built into almost any vertical tile installation, such as walls or backsplashes. Niches can be functional or decorative depending on what room they are in, as well as the location within the room. They can hold shampoo bottles, soap, and other shower essentials, cooking spices and pantry items, books, small plants, decorative items and artwork, laundry detergent and fabric softener, etc. 

Benches

Like niches, built-in tile benches are most commonly found in showers, but they can be installed almost anywhere. In mudrooms and entrances they can provide a place for people to sit while they put on or take off their shoes. As window seats or in pool and patio areas, they make fabulous seating for entertaining. Your guests will want to stretch out, relax, and make themselves at home. With washable cushions and pillows for added comfort, tiled benches can even be installed along corner walls in your kitchen. Add a table and a couple of chairs to create a unique and durable breakfast nook. 

The design possibilities for benches are endless in terms of shape, size, color, and material. The only limitations would be your budget and available space. We can build a classic rectangular shape bench with a standard frame or build the bench with foam to create a unique curved or angled design. Although foam is lightweight, it is very rigid, durable, and moisture resistant. It is also completely customizable, so you can really get creative with the design. 

Budget-Friendly to High-End Tile Upgrades

The introduction to this article pointed out that there is a wide spectrum between a low-budget, standard plan and a more personalized, high-end design. Let’s revisit that concept. A standard kitchen or bath tile installation involves selecting a basic tile design, avoiding expensive materials, and staying within the boundaries of a room. A premium installation may include custom design features and luxurious materials, and the tile installation may extend throughout the home.

If your budget is limited, you may be able to crunch numbers and shift gears to open up the opportunity for a custom feature. Going with a less expensive material is an option, but if you have your heart set on something specific, we do not recommend this. You will likely have regret later. You could simply delay the custom upgrade until you are ready. However, this option is only possible with some upgrades. Others, like a shower niche, shower bench, or heated flooring, will need to take place at the same time as your main installation project. 

The possibilities for tile upgrades are unlimited if cost is not a concern. Your dream project can incorporate rare or exotic materials and unique, extravagant designs. All of your desired upgrades can be completed without compromise.

Regardless of your budget, feel free to reach out to discuss your situation or ask for specific recommendations.

Copher Tile & Stone proudly stays up to date on ways to upgrade tile installations with ongoing education with Mapei Technical Institute, Ardex Academy, the National Tile Contractors Association, Laticrete, and Schluter. Copher is a Certified Tile Installer (#1644).

by Alice Dean

Do you have questions or want a quote for tile upgrades? Contact us online or call 805-286-7460. We are San Luis Obispo County’s preferred tile installation company, serving Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, San Simeon, Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, Shell Beach, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, and Grover Beach.
Contact us today!