Many Romans decorated their homes with exquisite murals (frescoes) and durable travertine floor tiles. These design elements elevated the Roman household from a simple place to sleep and cook to a small palace worthy of entertaining even the wealthiest guests.
Fortunately, the elegance of Roman homes lives on today, thanks to steadfast archaeological efforts. But you don’t need to visit Italy or a local museum to enjoy the luxury and majesty of ancient Roman floor tiles!
Without further ado, let’s explore seven high-quality travertine floor tiles that can help you channel the best of ancient Roman decor.
7 Travertine Floor Tiles With Classic Ambiance
- Muniellos Light Oak Anti-Slip Wood Effect Tiles – Best Wood-Style Travertine
- Gorgon Sthenno Travertine Effect Floor Tiles – Best for a Classic Look
- Gorgon Medusa Travertine Effect Floor Tiles – Best Room-Brightening Option
- Stone Age Creamy Floor Tiles – Best Weathered Travertine
- Clifton Bone Floor Tiles – Best Neutral Floor Tiles
- Chalky Downs White Stone Effect Floor Tiles – Best Grey-White Travertine
- Diablo Beige Travertine Effect Tiles – Best Marble-Like Travertine
A bright, aged wood can complement any room and almost any decor style. And though this type of flooring is often associated with Scandinavian design, it’s also an excellent choice for homeowners looking to bring a classic Roman vibe to their homes.
Besides, this type of travertine may look like wood planks, but it’s porcelain! As a result, it’s far less pricey than standard hardwood options. In addition, due to its light-coloured neutral hue, it can brighten any living space, from bathrooms to living rooms.
Classic travertine was made of limestone, a slightly porous material that was far less dense and durable than marble or granite. This ancient flooring often had a slightly yellow colour, helping bring a little light into otherwise darkened rooms.
This Gorgon Sthenno flooring is an excellent reimagining of ancient limestone tiles, with a near-identical colouration but a vastly improved durability. Besides, with marble-like swirls of white permeating every creamy beige tile, this option can elevate any room, from bathrooms to entryways.
Medusa was a mythological creature whose gaze could turn you to stone. But you don’t need to worry about staring at these Gorgon Medusa travertine floor tiles!
In fact, these marble-like ceramic tiles are so bright and captivating that you may find yourself happily tracing the bright white and dark grey veins that run through them. Overall, if you enjoy the look of classic marble but hate the price tag, you’ll want to consider these breathtaking tiles.
These gently weathered travertine tiles are primarily off-white, with a subtle creamy hue that’s understated. But each porcelain tile has touches and swirls of stark white that add intrigue and individuality.
If you’re looking for a type of travertine tile that exudes natural beauty and looks like it was pulled from an authentic ancient Roman home, this option may be one of the better choices for you.
At its height, Ancient Rome stretched from the white-peaked mountains of Armenia to the sandy shores of Spain. These neutral travertine floor tiles would have looked perfectly at home in the latter territory!
This cream-coloured neutral option is soothing, with a modern anti-slip finish but a classic aesthetic. It’s not quite as bright as white travertine tiles, making for a more subtle and understated touch that’s ideal for everything from bathrooms to living looms.
Are you looking for grey travertine floor tiles to complement your neutral-coloured bathroom or kitchen? If so, you’ll likely enjoy these slightly weathered-looking grey-white square tiles.
The anti-slip finish makes them an ideal choice for areas prone to moisture. In addition, because these tiles are made of porcelain, they’ll be able to withstand humidity far better than traditional limestone travertine.
Another significant aspect of these tiles is their applicability. You can also apply them to walls for a seamless floor-to-ceiling look.
Many of the most opulent and well-decorated ancient Roman homes contained some type of marble. Whether it was marble flooring or marble busts and statues, this hard stone material is often associated with Ancient Rome and its people.
If you’re looking to imbue your home with a marble-like feel (at a much more affordable price), you’ll likely appreciate this marble-like travertine flooring. Though it’s primarily a light beige colour, it has gentle flecks and pools of white that give it a classically refined aesthetic.
Travertine Floor Tiles: A Buyer's Guide
Investing in a new type of flooring can be exciting but nerve-wracking. After all, there are hundreds of options from which to choose, and each has specific benefits and potential drawbacks.
Before you choose new house tiles, you’ll want to take a few moments to educate yourself on your chosen tile’s type and its advantages. This guide will discuss what travertine tile is, why you might want to choose it, and how to select the best option for your property.
What Is Travertine Tile?
Travertine tile is made of limestone. People have been mining and building with limestone for thousands of years, making it one of the most ancient building materials on the planet.
This type of sedimentary stone slowly forms as calcium carbonate deposits meld together. These deposits erode and reform over time, giving travertine tile its distinctive swirls and divots.
Why Choose Travertine Tile?
There are several reasons one might decide to install travertine floor tiles in their home. Firstly, there’s the issue of aesthetic appeal. Travertine floor tiles have an elegant look that harkens back to ancient times.
Additionally, this type of flooring is often more affordable than marble or granite options. After all, travertine is traditionally comprised of limestone, which is far less expensive than other types of stone.
While limestone is softer than granite or marble, this quality makes it easier to cut and shape. Consequently, less labour is required to trim travertine tiles to fit a room’s size and shape. Manufacturers can also increase the durability of these tiles by applying sealants and resins.
Travertine tiles can improve the look of your home, they’re often more budget-friendly than other types of classic floor tiles, and they’re far more durable than carpeting or synthetic wood planks. These are the primary reasons you might want to install them in your home.
How To Select Travertine Tiles
If you’re determined to add a little classic elegance to your home, travertine floor tiles are an excellent choice. However, choosing the best type of tile can be tricky, as there are dozens (potentially hundreds) of travertine tiles from which to choose.
Still, you can make the selection process more straightforward by:
- Considering colouration
- Selecting a finish
- Comparing samples
Let’s take a moment to examine each of these tasks to discover why they’re a crucial part of the tile selection process.
Consider Colouration
Like marble floor tiles, travertine floor tiles are available in a wide range of colours. This variability ensures that you’ll be able to choose a colouration that matches your current (or planned) decor.
When choosing a type of travertine floor tile for your home or garden, you’ll want to consider colouration. After all, lighter-coloured travertine tiles can help make a room appear brighter and more spacious, but they may also stain more easily.
Alternatively, darker travertine hides dirt easily and may not stain as quickly, but it doesn’t have the same clean aesthetic as light-coloured options. Additionally, light-coloured travertine is far more reminiscent of ancient Roman households.
This quality makes the whiter, brighter travertine tiles a natural choice for homeowners looking to add a little classic charm to their property.
Select a Finish
Traditional travertine tiles are always a little rough. This is because they’re made of limestone, a naturally-occurring type of stone that features divots and pits. If you’re adamant about bringing Ancient Rome to life in your home, you may want to opt for this type of travertine tile.
However, smoother (often called filled) options are a little easier on bare feet. These filled travertine tiles may also be easier to keep clean, as fewer notches on the top of the tile trap dirt and grime.
If you’re unsure which finish might be best for your floors, you’ll likely want to order tile samples.
Compare Samples
If you’re caught between a handful of options, you might want to order samples of your top picks. Doing so will allow you to take a hands-on approach to choosing new flooring.
Ordering travertine tile samples are an excellent way to compare colour and finish. If you’re thinking of repainting or retiling the walls of your home, you can also use tile samples to ensure you select a compatible wall colour.
Final Thoughts
Travertine floor tiles are typically made of limestone. They can be rough and pitted or smoothed with resin. No matter which travertine tiles you choose for your home, you’re sure to imbue your living spaces with a classic Roman elegance that is bound to impress.
Still, installing floor tiles without professional help can be challenging. So if you’re thinking of laying down travertine floor tiles, contact us today! Our expert floor tilers can help you plan and complete your flooring project.