Multigenerational living is on the rise, and with several age groups using the same kitchen and bathroom spaces they need to be safe environments for all – Ca' Pietra marketing director Grazziella Wilson reveals her top 5 tips for choosing the right tiles.
Picture the scene – your client's house is also home to their young kids and elderly parents who need a little extra TLC. Blended family living situations with many ages under one roof are super common these days as multigenerational living continues to rise. The more the merrier, right? What this does mean, though, is that your kitchen or bathroom design needs to be perfectly suited to the needs of everyone who lives in the home. It needs to be safe, comfortable and accessible, all while looking great too. No mean feat, but totally do-able – when it comes to tiles, you just need to pick styles that have good credentials in the safety, practicality and style stakes.
1. Slip resistance
Slips account for a large proportion of accidents in the home, especially among older generations and teeny tots. Make this your first consideration when sourcing tiles and narrow down the search to designs that have an R rating of 10 or above. This basically means that the surface has been tested to ensure it has sufficient resistance when used as flooring. We advise a minimum of R10 for bathrooms and kitchens, but if your clients are after a wetroom, go for R11. Tiles with higher slip resistance will have a bit of a texture to them.
2. Underfloor heating
Persuade your client to seize the opportunity to install underfloor heating. Why? Well, not only will it free up wall space for other things like grab rails, artwork or furniture, it will prevent any accidental burns if little fingers or bigger hands happen to grasp radiators. Not only that, in a bathroom, underfloor heating reduces moisture and helps dry the floor tiles quicker, which in turn will also help to prevent slips. Most of our tiles work with underfloor heating, from marble, to limestone, terracotta to porcelain.
3. Easy-clean tiles
For multigenerational living, wall and floor tiles that are easy to maintain are a winner to save homeowners excess effort on chores. Porcelain is arguably the most resistant to wear and tear and comes in a huge array of designs – from wood effect like Carpenter Porcelain, marble effect like Sculpture Grande Porcelain Carrara and so many patterned options we’ve lost count. We love Jungle Porcelain by Clarissa Hulse and Sardinia Porcelain Masseria. Natural stone is a good option for a kitchen, as long as it is properly sealed. Opt for a mid-tone shade which is a bit more forgiving. And when it comes to the grout, an epoxy resin formulation is resilient and comes in a range of shades.
4. Stick to one level
Keep changes in levels to an absolute minimum. Of course, structural necessities like stairs can’t be altered, but when it comes to room design, try to keep things as level as possible. In the kitchen, avoid steps between rooms or different areas, and in the bathroom, take a sleek approach. If you’re installing a shower enclosure, make it a walk-in with tiles that blend seamlessly into the wet zone. What about Mermaid’s Garden Porcelain which can be used on walls and floors and is great for a wetroom?
5. Take a seat
To make things accessible for all, how about creating a bench seat within a shower area to provide a place to perch when bathing? Or if your clients are bath fans, build out the sides of the bath and tile the surface to create a wider ledge. Not only will this make getting in and out a bit easier, they can take a seat when the kids are in the bath too.
