Victorian tiles are most famous for decorating floors across Europe and North America in vibrant colours and bold geometric patterns. However, they have also been used to decorate other spaces, including walls, fireplaces, patios, and outdoor walkways. In addition, it’s common to find this Victorian-era flooring in Medieval churches, castles, and even pubs! Today, Victorian floor tiles are enjoying a revival of modern appreciation for their hard-wearing and stunning focal point qualities.
We have searched for the top ten Victorian floor tiles to add a lovely vintage vibe to your home. In the following sections, we will give you a product comparison of our top ten products, including what each product is best for. Then, we’ll take you through individual reviews of each product. Finally, we’ll discuss the best ways for choosing your Victorian floor tiles and answer some common questions.
Product Comparison of Ten Victorian Floor Tiles
Let’s take a quick look at the ten Victorian floor tiles in question today and discuss some of their particular qualities.
These lovely floor tiles create an understated charming pattern in a faded blue and white, reminiscent of delicate porcelain. They are perfect for creating a vintage look throughout your home, while their neutral colouring will go well with many designs already within your home’s interior.
These Harran Antique Vintage Blue patter Floor Tiles are best for the person who wants:
- To create a unique antique feel within the home
- An easy to clean surface that resists scratches and staining
- To use it in conjunction with underfloor heating
Product Details
Weight: 3.92 KG
Finish: Matt
Size: 450 x 450 mm
Tiles Per SQM: 4.94
Durability Grade: 3
Suitability: Floors
Material Type: Ceramic
Colour: Blue and White
Underfloor Heating: Yes
Anti Slip Grade: R10 / 10-19 Degrees
Rectified Edge: No
These charming floor tiles are larger than your average Victorian floor tile, but they come with a grid scored into its face to give them the illusion of four separate smaller, delicate tiles.
These tiles should be pre-sealed before grouting to help ensure the perfect finish and reduce future maintenance.
These Ledbury Charcoal Black Pattern Tiles are best for someone who:
- Loves a vintage look
- Doesn’t mind a little extra work now to save time later
- Appreciates the look of smaller tiles while also enjoying the ease of installing larger tiles
Product Details
Weight: 3.8 KG
Finish: Satin
Size: 450 x 450 x 10 mm
Tiles Per SQM: 4.94
Durability Grade: 4
Suitability: Floors, Walls
Material Type: Ceramic
Colour: Black and White
Underfloor Heating: Yes
Anti Slip Grade: R10 / 10-19 Degrees
Rectified Edge: No
If you’re looking for a classic black and white checkered design with an aged feel, then look no further than these stunning Moiety tiles. They’ll add a touch of retro class to any room. In addition, they come in a larger tile with four faux tiles grid lined overtop for easier installation.
These Moiety Tiles are best for someone who:
- Appreciates a classic, vintage feel
- Is looking for simplicity combined with a bold statement
- Wants a larger tile disguised as four smaller tiles for ease of installation
Product Details
Weight: 4.63 KG
Finish: Matt
Size: 450 x 450 x 11.5 mm
Tiles Per SQM: 4.94
Durability Grade: 4
Suitability: Floors
Material Type: Ceramic
Colour: Black and White
Underfloor Heating: Yes
Anti Slip Grade: R9 / 6-10 Degrees
Rectified Edge: No
These tiles evoke an old-world feel with their weathered blue and white design. Their geometric starbursts and simple flower patterns evoke a vintage feel while keeping the colouring subdued and understated.
The Aurora Blue Tiles are best for someone who wants:
- An aged and weathered appearance
- A pattern that will add old world charm while maintaining neutrality
- Durable ceramic
Product Details
Weight: 4.60 KG
Finish: Matt
Size: 450 x 450 x 10.5 mm
Tiles Per SQM: 4.94
Durability Grade: 4
Suitability: Floors, Walls
Material Type: Ceramic
Colour: Blue and White
Underfloor Heating: Yes
Anti Slip Grade: Unknown
Rectified Edge: No
These classic tiles are a fantastic alternative to the Moiety Tiles mentioned above. Particularly if you want that simple black and white retro look without the checkerboard effect. These tiles give the illusion of four smaller tiles due to the gridlines etched in its face.
The Octagon Charcoal Tiles are best for someone who:
- Desires a simple, understated vintage floor tile
- Enjoys the idea of smaller, more delicate tiles
- Wants a tile just slightly less bold than the classic checkerboard Moiety Tiles
Product Details
Weight: 4.63 KG
Finish: Matt
Size: 450 x 450 x 10.0 mm
Tiles Per SQM: 4.94
Durability Grade: 3
Suitability: Floors, Walls
Material Type: Ceramic
Colour: Black and White
Underfloor Heating: Yes
Anti Slip Grade: R9 / 6-10 Degrees
Rectified Edge: No
These small white porcelain tiles can be combined with others to create a bold, striking checkerboard effect or used alone to create a clean white space. The markings are firm and clear, without artificial weathering added. These tiles would look striking with a delicate tile trim. They’re also durable enough with a high enough anti-slip rating for outdoor use.
These Cava Victorian White Quarry Tiles are best for someone who:
- Wants crisp, clean lines with versatile uses while invoking an age of antiquity
- Wants extra durability for high-traffic areas
- Values anti-slip performance
Product Details
Weight: 0.45 KG
Finish: Matt
Size: 150 x 150 x 8.0 mm
Tiles Per SQM: 44.44
Durability Grade: 5
Suitability: Floors
Material Type: Porcelain
Colour: White
Underfloor Heating: Yes
Anti Slip Grade: R9
Rectified Edge: No
These tiles evoke a pattern reminiscent of gothic architecture’s star vault ceilings. The olive green and off-white colours have had a weathering effect added to increase their character. They immediately ensconce the room with a vintage feel. These larger tiles give the illusion of being four smaller tiles due to the grid lines that quarter its face.
The Scintilla Olive Green Star Pattern Tiles are best for someone who:
- Prefers a weathered, antique look
- Appreciates smaller, more delicate tiles but enjoys the ease of installing larger tiles
- Is interested in using the tile on walls as well as floors
Product Details
Weight: 4.63 KG
Finish: Matt
Size: 450 x 450 mm
Tiles Per SQM: 4.94
Durability Grade: 4
Suitability: Floors, Walls
Material Type: Ceramic
Colour: Olive Green and White
Underfloor Heating: Yes
Anti Slip Grade: R9 / 6-10 Degrees
Rectified Edge: No
These tiles offer a bold geometric white star pattern on a faded black background with additional, tiny starbursts found in the corners. This striking design has a bit of weathering added to it to give the tile a further vintage look and feel. This tile is sure to add a bold, antique effect to any room.
Product Details
Weight: 4.60 KG
Finish: Matt
Size: 450 x 450 x 11 mm
Tiles Per SQM: 4.94
Durability Grade: 3
Suitability: Floors, Walls
Material Type: Ceramic
Colour: Black/Charcoal and white
Underfloor Heating: Yes
Anti Slip Grade: R9 / 6-10 Degrees
Rectified Edge: No
These lovely tiles have a white star pattern laid atop a blue background, with smaller starbursts across the corners of the tiles. They have a weathered effect to give them the appearance of old age and character. These tiles will immediately add a robust and bold look to any room in which they are featured.
The Scintilla Sky Pattern Tiles are best for someone who:
- Desires a bold statement with a touch of flair
- Is looking for a blue and white Victoria tile pattern with a stronger look
- Values a strong R9 anti-slip grade
Product Details
Weight: 4.60 KG
Finish: Matt
Size: 450 x 450 x 11 mm
Tiles Per SQM: 4.94
Durability Grade: 3
Suitability: Floors, Walls
Material Type: Ceramic
Colour: Blue and white, weathered
Underfloor Heating: Yes
Anti Slip Grade: R9 / 6-10 Degrees
Rectified Edge: No
If you liked the Scintilla Sky Pattern Tiles, but they were just slightly too dark or too bold for you, then consider these tiles. Essentially the inverse of the previous tiles, they offer significantly more white space with the same charming pattern, just in a slightly more subdued manner.
The Scintilla Sapphire Star Pattern Tiles are best for someone who:
- Is looking for a blue and white Victoria tile pattern with a medium-bold look
- Wants a weathered look to add to the vintage charm of the tile
- Wants a slightly more durable tile than the Scintilla Sky Pattern Tiles but with a similar visual effect.
Product Details
Weight: 4.63 KG
Finish: Matt
Size: 450 x 450 x 10 mm
Tiles Per SQM: 4.94
Durability Grade: 4
Suitability: Floors, Walls
Material Type: Ceramic
Colour: White and blue, weathered
Underfloor Heating: Yes
Anti Slip Grade: R9 / 6-10 Degrees
Rectified Edge: No
How to Choose Your Victorian Floor Tiles
When choosing your Victorian floor tiles, it’s essential to consider your aesthetic preferences. It may help to ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the overall look I am trying to achieve?
- What colour scheme do I intend to use throughout the various rooms I am redesigning?
- What kind of antiquity am I hoping to call to mind by incorporating Victorian tiles?
- Do I want the Victorian tiles to be the room’s centrepiece or more of a complementary artistic touch?
Answering these questions together and then comparing your answers can help you determine the style of Victorian floor tiles that are right for your designing purposes.
Of course, beyond the aesthetics, there are also functional considerations to take into account as well. The following is a decent list of functional questions you may want to consider:
- What kind of slip-proof rating do you want for your floor?
- Will this be an indoor or outdoor floor?
- Do you prefer the ease of using larger tiles or the delicate intricacy of smaller tiles?
- What kind of durability requirements need to be considered for your flooring?
Answering these questions can help you to figure out certain parameters of the tiles to consider in the first place, such as the range of slip-proof rating preferred —if the floors sometimes will get wet, they may require a higher rating for safety. Should you look at tiles made of ceramic or porcelain — porcelain is better for outside. If you are laying the tile yourself, you may have a personal preference for the size or thickness of the tile. Tiles come in a 1-5 rating for durability. A workshop may require more outstanding durability from its flooring than a bathroom!
FAQ
What are Victorian floor tiles called?
Victorian floor tiles also come under the names Cuban tiles, encaustic tiles, cement tiles, and hydraulic tiles.
Are Victorian tiles expensive?
Victorian floor tiles typically cost triple that of basic tiling.
Do you grout Victorian floor tiles?
Yes, you should grout Victorian floor tiles.
Final Thoughts
In the end, when it comes to choosing the perfect Victorian tile to complement your home, it pays to invoke a bit of patience. First, choose a variety of your favourite tiles, and order a sample tile of each. Sometimes colours surprise you, and it’s certainly better to find out after ordering a single tile rather than a room’s worth of tiles!
Take your time, and hold the various tiles up to paint swaths, furniture, backsplashes, countertops, cabinets, and anything else the tile might be expected to match once it’s laid. Taking your time with a bit of extra research now will help to ensure you make the right decision and end up with the perfect Victorian floor tile to add a lovely vintage vibe to your home.