"Don't be swayed by what you think you should do or what someone else thinks you should do. Do what you love and want to live with."

There's an escape act going on in homes all over the country. Those tiles that get stepped on every morning in the bathroom are no longer content to live in only one or two rooms of the house.

Instead, gorgeous tiles are adding style and function to nearly every interior space imaginable—and a few spots outside, too. "From a style standpoint, tiles come in more shapes, colors, finishes and materials than ever before," says Tristan McManaman, marketing director for Sylmar, Calif.-based stone and tile company, Walker Zanger.

And all those choices inspire creative design decisions. "I want tile to act like wallpaper," says Erin Adams of Erin Adams Design Inc., Albuquerque, N.M., whose tile line is distributed through Ann Sacks tile and stone showrooms. In a previous home, she completely covered one wall in her bedroom with glass tiles featuring an organic, interlocking pattern.

She says this green-and-white mosaic created a bold focal point without looking cold or hard. It's a fearless approach she's continued in her current house, where she tiled concrete columns near the pool to turn them into architectural elements.

In fact, McManaman believes tiles provide the perfect opportunity to add character to new homes lacking in details. Homeowners are embracing tile everywhere from the fireplace to the dining room floor and the hallway to the garden. Since tile is so durable and easy to clean, homeowners can spend less time worrying about red wine spills and mud tracks, and just enjoy the vibrant addition to their home. Tiles can also add splash to a room in smaller ways as a border or to liven up a valance, Erin Adams suggests.

The real challenge may lie more in selecting a tile style than in deciding where to put it. In addition to all the patterns and colors on the market, there are tiles made from everything from porcelain and ceramic to bamboo, metal and glass. Other choices include stainless-steel covered tiles or porcelain tiles made to look like concrete or sisal. Nancy Epstein, CEO and founder of Artistic Tile in Shrewsbury, N.J., says her company recently introduced tiles with gold, copper and silver leafing. These offer homeowners an elegant look without the worry—the clear glass tile protects the fragile leafing.

There also are porcelain tiles embossed to look like leather. "The effect is so good that it literally fools the eye," McManaman says. "When you see it, it literally looks like leather." He says these might make a good choice to cover a living and dining room floor. One client used a crocodile version of the product to create a headboard in a niche behind the bed. This project featured the leather-look tiles from floor to ceiling, which were studded with small bronze tiles for a tufted effect. McManaman is also excited about a new tile line called Mizu Umi that includes ceramic tiles 24 inches long with widths ranging from one to four inches. They feature a glaze that resembles pooling water and can be used vertically or horizontally to dramatic effect.

And don't worry about buyer's remorse; choosing tile doesn't need to be stressful. "Don't be swayed by what you think you should do or what someone else thinks you should do," says Angela Adams, a Portland, Maine-based designer, whose graphic tile designs are available through Ann Sacks. "Do what you love and want to live with." Epstein suggests starting with your favorite colors and overall style, then thinking about lifestyle. If you have small children running through the house, for example, it probably isn't a good idea to pick a light colored floor tile that shows dirt easily. Her kitchen has cobalt blue tiles on the floor, which are so easy to live with that she can't remember the last time they needed mopping.

Cost also factors into the decision-making process, but it doesn't need to be a deal breaker. "There's always room for budget-conscious people to put in a little bit of sparkle," Erin Adams says. "It doesn't have to be the entire wall. When someone says they can't afford it, I say, 'Come on, let's figure it out.'" She might suggest doing a floor with inexpensive 12-by-12-inch ceramic tiles, for instance, and every once in a while putting in a 12-by-12-inch mosaic. There's always room to add at least small areas of tile.

Erin Adams also believes that tile offers a handmade touch that can make a home more attractive to potential buyers. "We've never had to put a For Sale sign on any house," she says. Still not convinced? You can try tile outside the bathroom without making a long-term commitment. Angela Adams suggests tiling small end tables and moving them from room to room. This might give you a feel for where you're comfortable with a particular tile, color and pattern. Another idea: Create tile mosaics on backings that can be hung on the wall like artwork. There's a tile—and tile idea—for every taste, budget and comfort level.

Before You Shop
Ready to spice up your home's interior with tile? Tina Krashna, president of Ceramiche Tile & Stone, Pittsburgh, offers a few tips for making your tile shopping trip a success.

Think function
Know how you're going to use the tile before you start making a selection. If you're trying to spruce up the kitchen floor, for example, you'll need to find something durable. Wall tiles typically don't need to withstand the same abuse. A showroom staff can tell you what tile works well for a given application.

Bring pictures
Take a few snapshots of the room where you want to use the tile, so the professionals can see the lighting and help you assess how it will interact with a given tile choice. It's also a good idea to bring magazine clippings that feature homes you admire to help narrow down your likes and dislikes.

Measure twice, buy once
Break out the tape measure to figure out exactly how much area you need to cover. Besides knowing how much tile to order, these figures will help you pick out a style and material that won't bust the budget.