In a 1950s home with plain cornices in the bathroom.

Agree a photo would be handy - how high are the ceilings and door frame?

Hi Belinda, a photo would be helpful. We, at Megasealed, suggest considering a few things before you go ahead tiling all the way to the ceiling.

1. Your budget.
2. How sturdy your plumbing is (you dont want to have to rip up tiles if pipes burst, break or leak).
3. How experienced you (or your tiling service) are in tiling.
4. What grout you are going to use (we suggest an epoxy grout with a low absorbency rate).
5. The type and size of the tile you want to use (we suggest ceramic tiles for these damp areas, as they are perhaps the most water resistant).
6. Whether your house is prone to mould (this may be the case if your bathroom doesnt have a window).
7. Whether you have the time to clean tiles and tile grout as regularly as you should.
8. How you will seal the tiles.

If you would like the opinion of a bathroom tiling professional, we also provide a free quote, and offer experience and tile sealing advice you can trust.

Belinda, I have a 50’s house. There really is no right answer, I have chosen in my bathroom reno this year to tile to ceiling on the shower walls to the wall corner and leave some walls as plaster to soften the room. I think it looks more delux than stopping at the top of shower and am very happy. But it does add some cost, although we had lower cost tiles

Thanks guys, here is a pic prior to renos. We have only stayed chipping out tiles. The ceiling is 2.6m and the door frame is 2.1m.

*started

Personally I'd tile to the original height. it's guaranteed to be right for your home. Tile to ceiling can look a bit public restroom in some spaces.

Is the layout staying same including bath?

Thanks, Austere. Kate, yes the layout is staying the same including bath.

This is an alternative , I have extended window sill across the end of bath to give an edge to finish tiles to. Other 2 walls tile to ceiling to balance

Also consider upgrading cornice. Back in 50’s the laundry and bathrooms were considered non public rooms so given very basic treatments. This is no longer the case for bathrooms so a more substantial cornice may help lift room if you have bigger cornices elsewhere

More photos of my bathroom to give you a better idea of look with some tile to ceiling. Again this is what I like. What’s important is what speaks to you. I hope you enjoy the process. It is challenging and lots of second guessing.

Hi Kate,
Great suggestions, awesome bathroom! We are using the same subway tiles for our kitchen splash back and have chosen similar grey tiles for our bathroom.

Most of the time the tiles only up to one foot below a door frame or window whichever the highest opening within the bathroom, also on this site, I saw several photos doing the same. Depends on your preference though.

Depends on how square your house is. Tiling to the cornicing won't work if it's an old home that isn't square.

Think about the size of the tiles and consider how they will finish and line up. Sometimes a feature tile or strip can create the difference needed to maintain the use of full sized tiles and provide a unique design that suits the architectural style of the home. The style can be complimented with the choice of colour, pattern and texture of the tiles :)

Should you tile to the ceiling you need to replace the cornice, otherwise looks cheap

Consider replacing ceiling..The existing ceiling is 50/60 yrs old, painted with oil base paint..

With the ceiling out, electrician can work quicker an you can have LED anywhere !

A number of " newer " design cornices available at Gyprock outlet.

Top of architrave is usually a good height if not going to the ceiling ...Window and door architraves are not often the same height.