The Mixtiles Classic and Bold photo tiles serve the same purpose but create a different visual impact due to their frames. The Classic style features a clean, thin border with a matte finish for a subtle, gallery-like feel that lets the photo shine, while the Bold style has a thicker, more pronounced frame with a semi-gloss finish to make the image pop and add visual weight.
Here’s what you need to know to decide which tile style is right for your walls and your photos.
Mixtiles Classic
Mixtiles Classic is the brand's original and most popular style, designed for a modern and understated look. Featuring a slim, minimal border, it frames photos elegantly without overwhelming them, creating a clean, sophisticated gallery wall that fits seamlessly into almost any decor style. Its non-reflective finish makes it a versatile choice for a variety of lighting conditions.
- What it is: Lightweight, repositionable photo tiles featuring a thin, clean-edge border and a matte finish.
- Key features: Stick-and-restick adhesive backing, no-nail hanging, damage-free removal, fade-resistant printing.
- Price: Around $12-$15 per tile.
- Dimensions: Available in several sizes, typically starting from 8"x8".
- Style: Minimalist, modern, and timeless. Designed to put the focus purely on the photograph.
- Materials/Construction: Durable lightweight core with a high-quality print and a non-reflective matte or semi-matte finish.
- Pros: Subtle frame keeps the focus on the photo, matte finish minimizes glare and reflections, blends easily with any interior design, slightly more affordable.
- Cons: Less visual impact than the Bold style, the minimalist frame may feel too simple for those wanting a statement piece.
This style is ideal for anyone looking to create a sleek gallery wall where the collection of photos tells the story without the interruption of heavy framing.
Shop this product: mixtiles.com
Mixtiles Bold
Introduced as a high-impact alternative, the Mixtiles Bold style is designed to make your photos stand out. With a thicker, more substantial frame, it adds depth, contrast, and a contemporary edge to your wall display. The semi-gloss finish enhances the vibrancy of colors, turning each photo into a distinct piece of wall art that commands attention.
- What it is: Repositionable photo tiles with a thick, pronounced border and a semi-gloss finish for a more dramatic presentation.
- Key features: Damage-free stick-on adhesive, easy to reposition, vibrant color printing, substantial frame look.
- Price: Around $15-$18 per tile.
- Dimensions: Offered in the same standard sizes as the Classic.
- Style: Contemporary, eye-catching, and statement-making.
- Materials/Construction: The same lightweight core as the Classic, but with a thicker frame profile and a semi-gloss finish.
- Pros: Makes photos pop with strong contrast, thick frame adds visual weight and a modern look, semi-gloss finish enhances color vibrancy, creates a dynamic, high-impact display.
- Cons: Slightly more expensive, bolder frame may not suit every decor style, semi-gloss finish may cause reflections in brightly lit rooms.
The Bold style works perfectly for those wanting to create a modern feature wall where the framed tiles are as much a part of the decor as the images themselves.
Shop this product: mixtiles.com
Mixtiles Classic vs. Bold Comparison
Style & Aesthetic
The primary difference between Classic and Bold is the aesthetic statement they make. The Mixtiles Classic offers a timeless, minimalist look. Its thin frame allows the photo to be the star, making it perfect for creating elegant, unobtrusive gallery walls that blend harmoniously with any room's decor, from traditional to modern Scandinavian.
In contrast, the Mixtiles Bold is designed to be noticed. Its thick border provides a strong visual outline that makes each photo pop with a contemporary and confident feel. This style is better suited for eclectic, modern, or high-contrast interiors where the wall art is intended to be a centerpiece.
Frame & Finish
The frame is the key differentiator here. The Classic style uses a razor-thin border that barely encapsulates the image, offering a clean edge. It typically comes in a matte or semi-matte finish, which is excellent for reducing glare from windows or indoor lighting, providing a clear view of your photo from any angle.
The Bold style features a frame that's significantly thicker, adding depth and definition. Its semi-gloss finish makes colors appear more saturated and vibrant. This glossiness can cause reflections in direct light, which is something to consider when planning your wall layout.
Price & Value
Both styles offer great value for creating custom, damage-free wall art. The Classic is the more budget-friendly option, typically costing a few dollars less per tile. For anyone planning a large-scale gallery wall with ten or more tiles, this small price difference can add up to noticeable savings.
The Bold style commands a slightly higher price (around $15-$18 compared to the Classic's $12-$15) due to its more substantial frame. The value here comes from its added decorative impact, you're not just buying a photo print, but a distinct piece of framed art that contributes directly to your room's style.
Placement & Styling
Because they are so visually light, Classic tiles are incredibly versatile. They work well in symmetrical grids, organic clusters, and long narrative rows down a hallway. They're an excellent solution for renters or anyone who likes to rearrange their decor frequently without committing to a specific, heavy look.
The Bold tiles have more visual weight, making them great anchors for a feature wall. A trio of them above a sofa or a dynamic arrangement up a staircase can create a powerful design moment. While you can mix them, their thicker profile requires more intentional spacing to avoid a crowded look.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Mixtiles styles are excellent, high-quality choices for displaying memories, but they cater to very different aesthetic goals.
Choose Mixtiles Classic if:
- You prefer a timeless, minimalist, or modern design aesthetic.
- You want your photographs to be the absolute main focus of the display.
- You are creating a very large gallery wall and want to keep it budget-friendly.
- The room you're decorating has a lot of natural light, and you want to avoid glare.
Choose Mixtiles Bold if:
- You want your wall art to be a high-impact statement piece.
- Your home decor style is contemporary, modern, or eclectic.
- You want to draw more attention to your photos and make colors look extra vibrant.
- You are decorating a feature wall and want the frames themselves to add to the design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Mixtiles Bold and Classic?
The key differences are the frame and the finish. The Classic style has a very thin, minimal border with a matte finish. The Bold style has a much thicker, more pronounced frame with a semi-gloss finish that enhances color vibrancy.
Do Bold tiles cost more than Classic tiles?
Yes, Bold tiles are typically priced a few dollars higher per tile than their Classic counterparts, reflecting the more substantial frame design.
Are both styles easy to hang and reposition?
Yes, both the Classic and Bold styles use the same signature adhesive backing that allows them to be stuck to the wall, repositioned, and removed without causing any damage or leaving residue.
Which Mixtiles style is better for a minimalist look?
The Mixtiles Classic is the clear winner for a minimalist aesthetic. Its clean lines and simple frame are designed to blend in seamlessly and keep the focus entirely on the photography.
Do the pictures look different on Bold vs. Classic?
The print quality itself is identical. However, the Bold style's semi-gloss finish tends to make colors appear more saturated and vibrant, while the Classic's matte finish provides a softer look with no reflections.
Can you mix Bold and Classic tiles on the same wall?
You can mix them, but it’s a stylistic choice. They have different depths and frame thicknesses, which would create a non-uniform, highly eclectic look. For a cohesive gallery wall, it's generally best to stick to one style.
Do the thicker Bold frames make the photo seem smaller?
The visible photo area is the same size, but the thick black border on the Bold style can create the illusion of a more contained image compared to the nearly borderless appearance of the Classic. The overall tile size remains the same.
Do Mixtiles fall off the wall?
When applied to a clean, dry, and relatively smooth surface as instructed, Mixtiles are designed to stay securely on the wall. The adhesive is strong but formulated for damage-free removal and repositioning.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
