Have a room or patio at home that desperately needs TLC but has you stumped as to where to start even with millions of inspiring ideas on Pinterest (pretty please follow my boards!)? Learn More About Cement Tiles, Stencils & Where to Use Them Now explores both options for a tile look.
Learn More About Cement Tiles or Cement Tile Stencils Now!
The kitchen at our new house is going to get its share of tile, but what kind of tile do you suppose?
After all, I AM partial to white marble. Even a little bit of tile can work wonders!
My humble little laundry room (a pass through between the garage and center hall) was an utter embarrassment until we tiled the wall with marble subway tile and added color and bead board to the walls.
An option I considered (after spying projects using tile stencils) was stenciling the walls. After all, if you still want to tile after seeing the stenciled effect, it’s easy enough to tackle that more labor intensive project later.
But first…
I think cement tiles began appearing on my radar with the dawn of a popular home improvement show: Fixer Upper.
Did you see this episode where Joanna chose a plaid cement tile for the laundry room floor?
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Cement Tiles (Also Called Encaustic Tiles)
Encaustic or cement tiles are popular for mud rooms, bathrooms, kitchen backsplashes, and more.
What makes them a popular choice in a variety of custom design projects?
The tiles are handmade and hard wearing.
Cement tiles are easy to care for and live with.
There are definitely critical issues to consider though so if you’re contemplating using this material, read this article from HGTV.
An All Time Favorite Cement Tile
There are such gorgeous examples, and the one below is still my favorite!
What a beautiful light grey tile!
They Cost More & When You Learn How They Are Made, You’ll Get It
Kitchen With Cement Tile Backsplash
Breathtaking Mud Room to Inspire
Field Tiles That Resemble Cement Tiles
If you love the look of cement tiles but don’t yet have the budget, check out these poser possibilities…they may not be handmade, but the price is right and the installation is standard.
Faux Cement Stenciled Tiles
How fun is it that you can try out the effect of cement tiles without any mess or much expense at all! Just a few hours and a quality stencil may help you achieve the look!
What is especially smart about going this route is that even though encaustic tiles have been around since the 1850’s, they continue to trend. If the look falls from favor, it is as easy as painting right over the stenciled wall, floor, or patio.
Here is my favorite stencil which mimics the look of real cement tiles.
Charcoal grey paint to get this effect: RIGHT HERE.
Faux Cement Tile Stencil Tutorial
They don’t just make it look easy – it truly is as easy as rolling over a stencil with a little bit of paint – matching up registration marks – securing with painters tape – and repeating.
Isn’t it a good looking wall which cost next to nothing!?!
More Stencils To Get a Cement Tile Look!
My Stenciling Projects
Need a Louis Ghost Chair or 6? I love them for desk chairs, extra seating, and outdoor entertaining. A cool beans bonus? They stack. Find them HERE.
Script Stencils I’m Crushing On!
I have been working with stencils for various creative wall treatments since the early 90’s, and stencils have come a long way!
Script style stencils remain a favorite of mine, and this example below is one I used in a bedroom.
I have seen all sorts of stenciled pillow covers online, and the effect is especially successful on vintage canvas fabric. (You can always add fabric sizing medium to paint on fabric).
This Parisian inspired stencil can be used for a variety of projects – imagine a rustic wood box, a pillow case, a door, and of course, a decorative sign for the wall.
If you have shopped for antique grain sacks from Europe then you know how pricey they are. Here’s a low cost alternative to creating something suggestive of an antique. The lettering is so Old World and authentic!
YOUR TURN: Have you used a stencil to transform a wall? Have you used cement tiles in any of your spaces?
p.s. Find more inspiration for laundry rooms and mud rooms RIGHT HERE.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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You have just solved my ugly powder room problem. Pepto-Bismol pink tiles must go.
We went with “fake” cement tiles in our renovation because the real thing is expensive and more delicate, which seemed like a bad idea for rentals.
Author
Yay! I hear you – tgere are plenty of situations where cement tiles are less desirable. The sheer weight of them is an important consideration! As I consider my options, I realized it made sense to start with a stencil and from there decide if I will like living with tiled walls in there. 🙂
Just one question about stenciling. I noticed when they finish one section and move to another one, their tape goes right over the previous section; don’t you have to wait until the paint is dry before you tape over it? Just curious. It is adorable.
Author
Great point. I’m guessing the video editing leaves that detail out. I do know from my own projects that there is so little paint on the roller/brush that it is like drybrushing and it dries very quickly. Chalk paint dries quickly as well compared to regular latex.
I love cement tiles and considered them for my laundry room. The fact that my washing machine vibrates with a heavy load, such as towels, prevents me from doing so. I believe it will crack them or the grout. I wonder if there is good quality cushion floor that mimics tiles?
I clicked on Follow My Boards and it said they didn’t exist.
Author
Thanks a bunch for letting me know about that link! Boo! I think I fixed it right up. I hear you about the noise level thing and not wanting to create a nightmare in the laundry room. Cushion-y faux cement tile flooring sounds trippy imaginative to me! Maybe you discovered a gap in the marketplace! We have hardwood floors in the laundry room, and no complaints!
stone tiles are unbeatable and more durable than cement tiles . They are also harder than granite
Author
We have installed stone tiles but don’t have experience with cement tiles yet. I have heard they can be a beast to do yourself so better to have a pro do it.
yes, they can and make you a lot of cleaning when you are fussy
Author
🙂
grout is not my favorite!
I love these style of tiles because I love Morroc. Old technique but so stylish and the design embellishs every room
Author
Yes indeed – Moroccan tiles are so timeless and look so perfect across so many design styles. I dream of a cottage with lots of blue and white tiles… 🙂
I would like to install cement tiles. Because cement tiles are durable and family-friendly. I love these tiles for so many design styles.
Author
Let us know how the install goes – readers are always curious about the difference between installing cement and ceramic tiles!