In today’s design world, your options extend far beyond wood or carpet flooring. In fact, very few people have constrained themselves to either or, or both, throughout their entire home. There is nearly always one room, or several, that has a different variation of flooring, that has ceramic tile, marble or granite.

Often it is the kitchen or bathroom that will have this flooring, but you shouldn’t feel limited to those rooms. You can put tile wherever you like. It is relatively versatile, easy to take care of and comes in so many styles you can easily match it to the walls, pre-existing furniture or your favorite color scheme. Use restaurants, hotels and other commercial establishments as inspiration - they put tile everywhere, using it to liven up small and large spaces, and relying on it as an easy way to maintain a clean building.

When selecting tile, keep in mind that you will be spending slightly more than you would for other flooring. So it’s important that you get it right the first time. You cannot afford to install an entire floor, decide you hate it and redo it. Carefully consider which materials are correct for you, which color and which pattern. If you are thinking of a stone-type finish but cannot afford granite, ceramic tile comes in a number of finishes and glosses that can mirror other types of flooring. This may be the best option for you.

Once you’ve decided on a material, head out to the store. But don’t head out empty handed. Take with you the dimensions of the room (or rooms), the plan you have in mind and samples of nearby carpeting, wallpaper or wall colorings, so you can adequately match everything. Visit several stores to get a full picture of what is available and don’t be afraid to shop around for the best deal. This is a big step in your home design - you deserve to take your time.

When installing, unless you know exactly what you are doing, hire a professional. He should lay down the floor with no flex to the foundation beneath the tile and no break to the tile. If he does it properly, your floor will last as long as your home.

Of course, that’s assuming that you maintain your tile. You can’t install it and ignore it. You have to take care of it, too. Thirty days after it has been installed, seal the grout with a silicone sealer. If you have chosen ceramic tile, dry sweep and damp mop it with warm water, using a scrub pad to get out persistent stains. If you have granite or marble, use a soft brush to remove dust and occasionally damp mop. Use a marble polish to finish.

Choosing a marble, granite or ceramic tile floor is a fun, innovative and easy way to add a little extra design to your home. And if you follow the steps above it will be a move you’ll be happy you made for years to come.