Happy holiday weekend! Maybe you landed here because you need tile inspiration ideas, painted hardwood floor inspo, or shopping options. Maybe a checkered floor always stops your scroll. But maybe you simply are in the mood to smile at a collection of pretty sweet designs. I’d love you to peek at more ideas on my Pinterest (pretty please follow my boards!) and there’s more pretty HERE.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Sweet Whimsical Floors
Warmer Toned Tile Floor
The sky’s the limit as far as color options. What do you think about the mix of this terracotta color on the floor with blue wall tile?
Here’s another warm tile combination in a beautiful porch space that feels so cozy:
A check pattern certainly need not always feel whimsical. But doesn’t it work magic juxtaposed with a bunch of elegance:
For me, they evoke feelings of childhood innocence. What say ye?
Even when they reflect timeworn age and history, there’s a familiar charm:
Whimsical Tile Ideas
Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mud rooms are pretty prime places for tile that feels fun, artful, and even daringly modern.
The colorful whimsical tile above was handpainted by the creative homeowner! Yes, we are free to do this. Do you need a reminder from me that you are allowed to fulfill your heart’s whims. Design can be such a stuffy space on the internet and where editorial is concerned. Forget snob factor and over-thought, over-wrought schools of thought about interiors. Set your spirit free and watch it surprise you.
In this bath in our son’s condo, we removed vinyl sheet flooring and added these fun encaustic look tiles. A smile every time you enter!
Encaustic (cement) tiles require a different installation process since they are much heavier and different to work with from porcelain or ceramic.
If you’re a DIYer, sometimes because of the tricky installation, an encaustic look is more realistic.
The advantage of getting creative is there is typically a cost savings.
But should your heart be set on cement tiles, there’s no shortage of gorgeous examples.
This tile above is still a favorite! And I always think of this mud room when I think of checkered tiles:
Right? What a beautiful place for light grey tile! Bria Hammel’s utility spaces are always my favorite!
Patterned Encaustic Tiles
Encaustic tiles appeal since they are known to be durable.
For a deeper dive into the topic, see this article from HGTV.
Encaustic Tile Production
Seeing how they are made is eye opening.
Encaustic Tile Lookalikes
If you love the look of cement and are looking for patterned tiles, check out these alternatives. They may be mass produced, but there are lovely low priced options.
Faux Cement Stenciled Tiles
Some folks skip demo altogether and paint a tile look over vinyl or even existing tile. While this probably isn’t a permanent flooring solution, it can be 1.0 until you’re ready for 2.0.
If your floor is hideous and you like DIY, how fun to try out the effect of cement tiles without the mess and expense. Just a few hours and a quality stencil may help you achieve the look!
What may be savvy about stenciling the floor is that even though encaustic tiles have been around since the 1850s, they continue to trend. If the look falls from favor, one could paint 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.
Find more checkered floor inspiration in THIS STORY.
Stencils To Get a Cement Tile Look?
p.s. Find more inspiration for laundry rooms and mud rooms RIGHT HERE.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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I love every single idea! Difficult decision with all the beauties you have shared lol! I also wanted to pick your brain about the cabinet color from the 1st photo of the Milieu laundry room in your Post. You are a pro and always know what it is or something similar to it. It is gorgeous! This is a stunning Post with awesome pictures. I look forward to perusing your Posts every single morning. Thank you for all your hard work!
Author
Thanks for reading! This cabinet color reminds me of Benjamin Moore Creamy White and Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige – I can see the green undertones which I have found to be especially helpful in rooms receiving a lot of sunlight. Keep that in mind if the space you’re addressing lacks natural light in which case you may want less green in the neutral color. Feel free to keep the discussion going if you have more questions or thoughts. 🙂
Thank you! I knew you would have some ideas for me. I love the color of that cabinetry in that picture! It is very unlike me to pick a color like that for the walls but I am going for “sort of nautical themed room” which is totally unlike me to ever do!! I never do themed anything BUT my husband and I bought a seasonal beach cottage that is located in my original home state that we moved from 30 years ago! I have been begging to go back and this little cottage is a wreck (I seem to always buy the ones that need all the work but the price was fantastic). Anyway, the interior is very dark because of the surroundings. I want a deep color as the same as the cabinetry in your Post. I will be covering the wall will many antique nautical oil paintings that have been in the family. Cheesy, yes. I hope the wall color doesn’t go green 🤞🤞🤞
Author
How fun for you guys! Make sure to see this post where Leslie used F&B Light Gray (but it’s not really gray) in her former den with gallery wall. It’s such a dreamy beach cottage with so many ideas: https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/2026/01/coastal-inspiration-la-jolla.html There is nothing like bringing a run down cottage back to life, and I don’t blame you at all. I would love to do the same, and a small cozy place is sounding more and more attractive as I try to keep up with the responsibilities inside and out of our place while we are here. I love the work, but we’re not 40 anymore! 🙂
We are not young anymore. We have renovated 16 fixer uppers. This little beach place will be the hardest because the problems that come with it, we unfortunately have to hire foundation experts. We were well aware of the lopsided floors needing lots of love and money thrown at them prior to purchasing lol. Hopefully it will be well worth it in the end. This place is a keeper because I am finally back in my home state that I have begged, cried and pleaded for us to move back to. I will be able to enjoy the 3 seasons and then it closes for winter (which is fine with me because I dislike snow). Very similar to you, heading south for the winter. Thank you so much for your paint recommendations! I deeply appreciate all your suggestions! Nobody knows paint like you ❤️Warmest regards, Jeannie
Author
That’s so awesome! It’s so gratifying to give these neglected places a chance and learn more and more with each challenge. We just added 1,000 square feet to the Georgian here so we’re happy to be out of the dust and grit of that. We may do a little more to our Arizona place unless we find something else before we start tearing it apart. Best to you in this new project and congratulations on getting that location you longed for!