How to Choose the Perfect Tiles for Your Bathroom

Choosing a tile may sound like a simple task, but many homeowners who are flippant about the decision are often left with buyer’s remorse. From colours, shapes and patterns, the right tile will either make your bathroom the beautiful space your home deserves or become overcrowded and feel claustrophobic.

As a leading supplier of tiles online in the UK, we will provide a step-by-step guide to help through the decision-making process.

Understand Your Space

Before a tile comes into the picture, begin by understanding your bathroom space. Look into the size, functional needs, and style you aim to achieve. Is it petite and cosy, or large and spacious? This initial step will guide you in choosing the perfect tiles to complement and enhance your bathroom’s aesthetics. Assessing the room can mean measuring the dimensions for the scale and observing the light play — how much natural light comes in and where it falls. This could emphasise or downplay certain aspects of your bathroom.

An interesting point is that contrary to common thought, large format tiles can greatly benefit small spaces. For example, tiles like Porcelanosa Durango Acero are a stunning choice. Measuring 59.6×59.6cm, their generous size and beautiful natural stone aesthetic create a unique and exclusive space. The large format also minimises the number of grout lines, making a smaller space feel much bigger, and the subtle colour gradients simulate a fossil look, adding depth and interest.

Explore Tile Types

When choosing the perfect bathroom tiles, looking into the variety of available materials is essential. Each type has pros and cons; understanding them will help you find the best tile for your bathroom. For example, our Fondant Ceramic Blue tile combines a hand-crafted look with a sheen reminiscent of traditional glazed ceramics. These easy-to-maintain wall tiles, available in five colours, effortlessly blend captivating patterns and contrasts with functionality, making them ideal for busy homes.

The right material can make all the difference to your bathroom, so let’s take a look at the most popular:

Ceramic

Ceramic tiles are made from clay and fired at high temperatures. They are popular due to their affordability, durability, and ease of maintenance. They come in a wide range of colours, shapes, and sizes. However, they can be prone to cracking if the subfloor is not properly prepared.

Porcelain

Porcelain tiles are similar to ceramics but fired at higher temperatures, making them denser and more durable. They are resistant to water and stains and can withstand heavy foot traffic. However, they tend to be more expensive than ceramics.

Glass

Glass tiles are known for reflecting light and adding a touch of elegance. They are stain-resistant, waterproof, and versatile but can be expensive and susceptible to scratches.

Stone

Natural stone tiles come in various materials like marble, granite, and limestone. They offer unparalleled beauty and variation but require proper sealing and maintenance to retain their appearance.

Whether you are trying to be more convenient with wooden effect tiles or looking to make a statement with our Original Style Divine Mosaic, deciding which tile will suit your space is essential.

Choosing the Right Colour

The selection of tile colour plays a massive role in your bathroom’s overall aesthetic and feel. Light shades can open up a space, creating the illusion of a larger room, while dark tiles can inject drama and capture depth, albeit best suited for larger bathrooms due to their ability to absorb light.

One example is the Original Style Glassworks Dione Brick. These high gloss, radiant brick tiles showcase a hypnotic dark purple shade that positively glows under variable light conditions, thanks to their unique undulating, liquid-like surfaces. Although beautiful, their dark shade may ideally suit larger bathrooms where the darker hue would not make the space feel compact.

In contrast, light-coloured tiles like the Ca’ Pietra Atlas Blue Porcelain tile can work wonders in small bathrooms. The light background shade opens the space, whilst the darker, contrasting geometric pattern adds an element of style and intrigue without overpowering.

When choosing tile colours, consider the overall aesthetic of your home and the amount of natural light in the bathroom. Strive to sustain some contrast between the tiles and the fixtures. Remember, your tile choice should complement your space, not intimidate it.

Sizes and Layout

Choosing the right tile size and layout can significantly impact your bathroom’s overall appearance and feel. Here are some key points to consider when making your decision:

• Large-format tiles

• Ideal for creating a spacious feel in both large and small bathrooms.
• Reduced grout lines give a clean and unbroken surface, enhancing the perception of space.
• Contribute to a modern and minimalistic look.

• Small tiles

• Can make small bathrooms feel busier due to increased grout lines.
• Perfect for adding intricate detail and pattern to a space.
• Great for borders or accents to break up large format tiles or create eye-catching designs.

• Tile Layouts

• Different laying patterns like brick, herringbone, and chevron can significantly impact the bathroom’s overall style.
• Brick (staggered) pattern creates a timeless, classic feel.
• Herringbone and chevron layouts add movement and elegance.
• Grid or stack-bond patterns create a contemporary look.

When selecting tile sizes and layouts for your bathroom, consider the space’s dimensions, shape, and desired aesthetic. Choose a combination that enhances the overall look and feel while adding a touch to your unique personality.

Functional Considerations

Opting for bathroom tiles goes beyond aesthetics, centring on vital functional aspects. Considering the typically moist environment of a bathroom, factors such as slip resistance, water absorption, and maintenance requirements become critical. Safety is a primary concern with floor tiles, making high slip-resistant tiles an ideal choice. The added grip that textured tiles provide prevails over polished tiles that can potentially become slippery when wet.

Water absorption forms another significant aspect, with porcelain and glazed ceramic tiles excelling due to their lower absorption rates, making them apt for moist surroundings. However, natural stone tiles demand attention here. While undoubtedly beautiful, these tiles are more porous, requiring regular sealing to tackle potential water damage.

Finally, maintenance factors into your decision, too. While tiles like porcelain and ceramic offer ease with cleaning, natural stone tiles or unglazed options might necessitate more intricate care and frequent sealing. Therefore, when selecting tiles, the functionality must compete with aesthetics equally, ensuring your chosen tiles exhibit beauty in concert with fulfilling safety and maintenance needs.

Get the Ideal Tile Online

Selecting the perfect tile for your bathroom is complex, juggling visual appeal, sizing, safety considerations, and maintenance demands. However, remember that the thoughtful selection of tiles can significantly enhance the ambience and practicality of your space, making your bathroom a true reflection of your style and taste.

Amid these considerations, we can help with our free tile samples. Making the right choice from the beginning is important, so we offer nine tiles for free to help you make the right decision. Browse through our collection of bathroom tiles online every day to find the inspiration for your space.