Your home's entryway is your first opportunity to make a good impression and show off your interior design choices. It sets the stage for the other areas of the house, so it deserves a little extra attention. Not only that, but it’s also one of the highest-traffic areas of the home. With people frequently coming and going, the entryway is likely to encounter plenty of moisture, dirt, and debris.
In today’s blog post, we’ll discuss the best tile types for your entryway. We’ll cover what to look for, which materials are best, and our top recommendations for entryway tile.
5 Things to Look For in Entryway Tile
There are five main things to look for in entryway tile:
- Style and material
- Color
- Durability
- Type of installation
- Required maintenance
Read on to learn more about these components.
Style & Material
As far as style goes, you’ll want your entryway tile to complement your design choices throughout the rest of the house.
Maybe you have a modern aesthetic, in which case a light wood-look porcelain or large-format stone would look excellent. Or perhaps you have more of a classic interior design, in which case you might prefer a traditional black and white tile.
Your entryway tile selection should introduce the overall style that makes up the rest of the house’s interior design.
Materials often come along with certain styles and aesthetics, and the best materials for entryway tile include porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone. We’ll talk about each one's pros and cons later in the article.
Color
Color is another important component to consider as you choose your entryway tile. Similar to selecting the style of your tile, the color should complement the color scheme throughout the rest of the home.
You may also want to consider selecting a darker color, rather than a white or beige, because it’ll show less dirt in such a high-traffic area. Neutrals are always a safe bet, but feel free to go wild with bright colors if that’s the look you’re going for.
Durability
Durability is crucial for entryway tile since it gets so much traffic. You want to choose a tile that can hold up to being walked on frequently and getting dirty on a regular basis.
Type of Installation
The type of installation required should also be a part of your decision. Whether an entryway tile can be installed as a DIY project or requires professional installation can make a big difference in its overall cost.
Required Maintenance
You’ll also want to think about how much maintenance is required for your chosen tile. Is it a low-maintenance material like porcelain, which only needs to be wiped down and cleaned regularly? Or is it an expensive natural stone that needs to be sealed and resealed as time goes on?
The Best Materials for Entryway Tile
Porcelain
Porcelain flooring is hard, dense, and resistant to moisture, scratches, and stains. Not only that, but it’s also resistant to fading, fire, harsh cleaning products, scorches, and heavy loads.
You'll find porcelain tiles in a wide range of colors, designs, and textures. Porcelain is excellent at imitating the looks of other materials, such as concrete, wood, and natural stone. You can choose a porcelain lookalike for nearly any material, combining the visual appeal you want with porcelain’s many advantages.
It’s very easy to clean and maintain porcelain. You won’t have to wax, polish, or seal it; cleaning with a damp mop is enough to keep it looking brand-new.
Porcelain does come with a couple of drawbacks, however. Since it’s very hard, that means it’s also very difficult to cut and drill, so it usually requires professional installation. It’s also heavy and can be slippery if you go with a glossy finish. Some porcelain tiles are on the expensive side as well.
Ceramic
Ceramic is very similar to porcelain and has many of the same benefits. It comes at various price points, with a huge range of colors and designs. It’s resistant to water and stains, and it’s non-allergenic. Glazed ceramic is extremely easy to maintain, only requiring regular sweeping and mopping. There's no need to worry about harming or damaging it with harsh cleaners, either.
On the other hand, ceramic tile is quite hard and cold, so it’s not the most comfortable underfoot. It’s heavy like porcelain and typically needs to be installed by a professional.
In addition, if you select an unglazed ceramic tile, you’ll need to seal it, adding to your list of regular household maintenance tasks.
Natural Stone
Natural stone is beautiful, long-lasting, non-allergenic, and energy-efficient. It’s one of the most durable materials on the market and is especially nice for homes in warm climates because of its natural cool temperature.
The major drawback of choosing natural stone is its high price. You’ll need a professional to install natural stone tile, so the cost of installation adds to the already expensive price of the tile itself.
Wet stone can be slippery, and it tends to be susceptible to water damage. It’s also quite hard and heavy. Slips and falls on stone can be more dangerous than on other materials because it doesn’t provide any kind of cushioning.
Maintaining Your Entryway Tile
Aside from the maintenance mentioned for each type of entryway tile material above, there are some other things you can do to help your tile look its best.
An area rug or welcome mat with a rug pad underneath placed in front of the door can protect your floor and help keep it clean. You can switch out your rug seasonally or anytime it starts to look worn.
We also recommend having a shoe tray or organizer nearby so that the family’s shoes aren’t sitting directly on the floor and getting it dirty.
Our Top Picks for Entryway Tile
Scroll down to see our favorite tile selections for your entryway.
Natural Stone: Crema Marfil 12x12 Polished Field Tile
This creamy beige stone is elegant yet neutral and matches well with many different interior design schemes.
Wood Look: Navona Rovere 8x48 Wood-Look Porcelain Tile
Here we have a lovely wood-look porcelain tile that will add a subtle, earthy touch to your entryway.
Beach Pebbles: Mix Marble Pebbles Tumbled
These marble pebbles make for a truly unique entryway with a beachy feel.
Graphic: Marrakech Modern 8x8 Porcelain Tile
Eye-catching and bold, this porcelain tile is sure to make your entryway stand out with a truly modern flair.
Geometric Pattern: Glam Nero Marquina + Gold Brass Squares Mosaic
Opulent and glamorous, we love this mixture of Nero Marquina marble and gold brass.
Black and White: Simple Black and White Penny Round Ceramic Mosaic Matte
Penny tile is a fun choice for the entryway, and this classic black-and-white combo is simple yet dynamic.
Large-Format: Skye Beige 32x32 Porcelain Tile
Open up a small space with this large-format beige porcelain tile for an industrial and minimalistic look.
Encaustic: Malaga Heritage 8x8 Porcelain Tile
Inspired by traditional cement tiles, this gorgeous encaustic design beautifully merges classic and modern themes.
Concrete Look: Urban Brick Gris 3x12 Ceramic Tile
This concrete-look ceramic tile features plenty of definition and texture and is a highly versatile choice.
Herringbone: Calacatta Gold & Mother of Pearl Herringbone 1x4 Mosaic
Our last entryway favorite is this classic Calacatta Gold marble tile paired with Mother of Pearl for true sophistication.
Find Your Entryway Tile at Tilezz.com!
Whether you’re in search of something classic or modern, neutral or colorful, we have the tile you’re dreaming of for your entryway at Tilezz.com. Take a look at our full product line here. And don’t forget–we guarantee fast shipping, insured shipments, and easy returns with every order. If you need more inspiration before you shop, you’re in luck! Our blog is filled with interior design tips, tricks, and product recommendations.