Materials you’ll need:

• Sandpaper
• Hardboard underlay sheets
• Tiles
• Adhesive if required
• Chalk line
• Tacks
• Paper or soft wire

Tools you'll need:

• Measuring tape
• Heavy-duty scissors
• Rolling pin or paint roller
• Notched spreader or trowel
• Nail punch

One of the quickest and easiest ways to transform a dull looking room is with a new floor tile. The tiles can be put down very easily with a minimum of fuss and mess. When choosing tiles, decide whether to use self adhesive tiles, use your own adhesive and whether the tile should have a ready-polished finish, low sheen or whatever. Next, measure the room and take the measurement to your tile supplier.

Tiles are usually sold in packs of nine tiles to cover one square meter so your supplier will probably calculate your needs to the nearest full pack of tiles over your actual requirements. This allows for waste and odd shapes in the room. Whatever tiles you choose, most are put down in a similar way.

The floor must be clean, smooth and in good condition. Any flooring nails should be punched below the surface. If the surface is in poor condition, put down an underlay of hardboard sheets first. These must be laid in a particular manner, and will ensure you get a good finish. See your local manufacturer for specific details on how to lay correctly. Skirting boards are best removed and put back when the tiles are down for a neater finish.

1. Find the exact centre of the longest walls, rub a line with chalk (or any white powder) and tie to tacks at the centre of each wall, stretching from wall to wall. Snap the line against the floor to leave a chalk mark. Mark the centre of this line and snap another chalk line through the centre from the midpoint of the two short walls. Where the lines cross is the centre of the room.

2. Starting from the centre, lay a row of tiles (without adhesive on them) to the midpoint of each wall. If the last tile in any direction is less than half the width of a full tile, slide the tiles back and forth until you have an equal border pace at each end. The centre tile may now be slightly out of position. So mark the position of this tile. This will give you a line to work to.

3. Now you are ready to start fixing the tiles. Do about half the room at a time, spreading adhesive on the floor about a square meter at a time, cantered on the chalk line. Cheek the backs of the tiles.