Brown Tiles

Shades of brown

Brown has come back in a softer, earthier form. This range runs from light clay and sand through noce and walnut to deep chocolate tones with a hint of burgundy. Many tiles here come in several colours, and this page shows each tile's brown variant, so you only see the warm earth shades.

Materials and looks

• Natural stone: tumbled noce travertine squares and subways, earth-toned limestone and marble mosaics. See travertine tiles.
• Clay and terracotta looks: brown clay kit kat mosaics and brick-look wall tiles with a Mediterranean feel. Browse terracotta tiles and kit kat tiles.
• Timber looks: wood-effect porcelain planks that give the warmth of timber with the water resistance of tile.
• Terrazzo and slate: earth-toned terrazzo and slate-look Italian porcelain for floors.
• Glazed wall tiles: gloss handmade-look subway tiles, Italian subway tiles and Kazoku hand-glazed Japanese mosaics.

Where brown tiles work

Brown suits rooms that should feel warm and settled: bathrooms with timber vanities, kitchens with stone benchtops and living areas that open to a garden. Gloss brown subway tiles make a rich splashback. Matt and textured brown floors hide dirt well in entries and laundries. Natural stone in this range should be sealed, while the porcelain needs no sealing. If you are unsure how much brown a room can take, start with a splashback or a single shower wall and keep the floor lighter. Brown also works well outdoors in earthy pavers and French pattern stone-look porcelain for patios.

Pairing brown tiles

Grout: cream, sand or warm beige grout softens the pattern and suits travertine and clay tones. A matching brown grout gives a solid look on kit kat and brick layouts. See tile grout.

Tapware: warm metals belong here. Bronze, copper and brushed brass all sit naturally against brown. Pair brown with lighter beige tiles or cream walls to keep the room bright.