So, you've decided to give the kitchen or bathroom a bit of a makeover and tiles are going to play a large part in the new look of the room.

But you haven't got a clue of what you should be buying to fit into the space you are redesigning.

Do you need floor tiles? If so, what size or type. And the same goes for wall tiles - just one trip to a tile stockist could leave you more confused on what to buy than before.

First, don't be afraid to ask for help when you are at the stockists. They are the experts and should be able to guide you to the perfect tile for the job.

Here's some tips from Homebase to help you make the right choice:

Ceramic tiles are the most popular choice in tiling. A key benefit is that they don’t need to be sealed after they’ve been fixed in place. They are available in a huge range of designs, colours and effects, as well as a variety of sizes. They are a cost-effective tile choice as they are easy to maintain and clean. Ceramic tiles are only suitable for indoor use and are recommended for light traffic areas, such as cloakrooms and bathrooms.

Made in a similar way to ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles are more durable and hard-wearing and are therefore suitable for more heavy traffic areas, such as kitchens and living rooms. Some porcelain tiles are frost proof and can be used outside but always check the packaging for details. Porcelain tiles are suitable for walls, but as they are heavier than ceramic tiles, you need to be sure that the wall structure can withstand the weight. Porcelain can be finished either glazed, unglazed or polished.

Glass that's been cut, coloured and hand-finished can be fashioned into a wide range of styles, shapes, textures and colours to make an exciting range of wall tiles suitable for use in living spaces, kitchens and bathrooms. Glass tiles naturally reflect light, which can give the illusion of depth. Glass tiles require specialist cutters, as they can be difficult to cut. You can also get glass mosaic tiles, which you can mix and match with other tiles to create truly unique and personalised designs.

Made from natural stone, travertine tiles are packed with character, and no two tiles are ever exactly the same.

Travertine tiles come in two finishes; natural tumbled or polished. Tumbled travertine has a more open, sponge-like texture, while polished travertine tiles are filled and buffed to a sleek, shiny finish. Travertine can be used inside and outdoors but these tiles do need to be sealed both before and after grouting.

Another option perfect for creating individual and characterful bathroom designs, marble tiles come polished with a high-shine finish. As with travertine, every tile is unique. Used throughout the ages to provide a feeling of cleanliness, opulence and luxury, marble is a timeless classic that will never go out of fashion.

An ultra-contemporary option that will fit into minimalist and modernist design schemes, metal tiles come in a number of different smooth and textured finishes. Usually used in conjunction with other types of tiles to add small areas of detail, colour or pattern, they can come supplied in mosaic strips or sheets for easy mixing and matching.

Mosaic tiles can be made of any material and come in sheets containing many smaller tiles, so you can mix and match them to create your own design.

The size of tiles you need will depend on the size of the room, the size of the area being tiled and your personal preferences. Large tiles in small rooms can make the space look smaller while using small tiles on large areas can be impractical from a fitting point of view.

When buying tiles, always check the pack coverage, but remember that this figure doesn’t allow for breakages, pattern matching or mistakes. It is always a good idea to budget for these occurrences as it might end up costing more in the long run if compensations aren’t made.

When calculating how many tiles you need, measure the area and add an extra 10 per cent (or a little more if you're doing a patterned border).

This way, you're allowing for breakages, cutting, waste and pattern matching. If you're unsure, buy more tiles than you need as unopened boxes of tiles can always be returned to store for a refund or exchange, providing you return them within the standard return period.