We all know a Karen…
The one who can’t make up her mind. She’s renovating the master bathroom. She’s saved the money, made a plan, appointed a contractor, a designer and a plumber. The walls are down, the floors are up, and the towels are already chosen.
But, try as she might, Karen can’t settle on a tile. She’s torn between travertine and limestone. She’s daydreaming about terracotta. She’s tempted by the grape subway tile, but fearful of regret. There are fifteen tile samples scattered across her kitchen counter and 12 different Pinterest boards open on her laptop. The moods range from ‘barely beige’ to ‘bold Manhattan penthouse’.
Karen can’t make up her mind.
The choice and decision paralysis are topics the team at Stiles face every day.
‘We get it,’ says Design Consultant Calli Scott. ‘The choice of tile is a big decision and a big investment.’ While the taps, towels and robe hooks can be changed and upgraded over the years, tiles tend to stay put, for decades. ‘Clients often want to be sure of their choice,’ Calli explains. ‘They want to picture themselves in the space.’
Enter: The Stiles Tile Visualiser
The latest in artificial intelligence technology from Stiles, the Tile Visualiser app brings augmented reality straight into your renovation journey. Available now on the Stiles website, this intuitive digital tool lets users instantly overlay any room with tile designs from Stiles’ curated collection.
‘We wanted to find a way to make tile shopping easier for our clients,’ explains Chief of Operations, Johan Drom van Tonder. ‘The Tile Visualiser app now allows you to virtually re-tile your entire bathroom in seconds.’
You can upload a photo of your own space or experiment with demo rooms from the Stiles gallery. Either way, the experience bridges imagination and reality, without buttering a single tile.
How it works
- Log on: Visit Stiles’ website and select TileVisualiser from the top menu.
- Capture or upload: Point your camera at the space you want to tile, snap a photo, or upload an existing one.
- Surface detection: Use the on-screen prompts to identify the wall or floor surface.
- Browse tiles: Filter by style, colour, size or finish – or search by name or SKU (Note: Some special-order tiles may not appear in the visualiser).
- Adjust the look: Test different patterns (stack, brick, herringbone) or swap between the wall and floor surfaces.
- Compare options: Jump between tiles to see what clicks.
- Save, share, revisit: Download, share or save screenshots for your designer or installer.
- Take the next step: Click through to the product page to request a quote or chat to a Style Consultant
Why it matters
According to the Journal of Sustainability (2023): ‘One of the major problems that the construction sector is experiencing today is decision-making delay’. And in home renovations, those delays add up.
A full master ensuite redesign can involve at least 50 design, material and fixture decisions. ‘The Tile Visualiser is a great tool to give a representation of what the tiles will look like in your own room,’ says Kimberley Richmond, Interior Designer at Beautiful Spaces Cape Town. ‘I think it is highly useful to help clients make informed decisions before purchasing.’
George-based Interior Designer, Susan Smit from Nouveau by Susan Smit agrees, describing how the Stiles’ Tile Visualiser ‘bridges the gap between imagination and reality.’ She summarises: ‘It means that tile shopping with my clients is no longer guesswork.’
Pro tips for the perfect preview
- Photo quality: Use a clear, front-facing image of the existing space with even lighting.
- Scale cues: Include a door, bath or vanity to help the tool judge proportions.
- One surface at a time: Select the floor, or any of the walls and apply one tile.
- Try multiple scenes: Use a demo room similar to your layout if your own photo is tricky.
(And remember: the Tile Visualiser is for reference only, your tiles will look even better in real life!)
Ready to style before you tile?
Design confidence starts with visualisation. Skip the second-guessing, ditch the 12 Pinterest boards, and see your dream bathroom come to life instantly at Stiles.
Also read:
Picture: Supplied
