Bathroom Tiles: Lifting the Lid on Size, Pattern and Special Effects
From walls to floors, I show you the tricks of the tile trade to ensure you make a confident decision that is best suited to your needs
Tiles, tiles, tiles galore… With so many choices available, it can leave one gasping for breath and struggling to make a decision.
The ‘tile’ has been made by man for at least 4,000 years, having been used for practical and aesthetic reasons everywhere from ancient Egyptian, Arabian and Greek buildings, to the mosaics of Spain, Portugal and Renaissance Italy. The tile is intrinsically linked to art, decorative features and architecture, and to this day tiles continue to enter our homes for their practical and aesthetic features.
But for our own homes, it begs the questions: which tiles make a big space look warmer or a small space look larger? Which pattern should the tiles be laid in? And what colour grout should I decide upon? Here I hope to shed some light on your tile dilemmas.
The ‘tile’ has been made by man for at least 4,000 years, having been used for practical and aesthetic reasons everywhere from ancient Egyptian, Arabian and Greek buildings, to the mosaics of Spain, Portugal and Renaissance Italy. The tile is intrinsically linked to art, decorative features and architecture, and to this day tiles continue to enter our homes for their practical and aesthetic features.
But for our own homes, it begs the questions: which tiles make a big space look warmer or a small space look larger? Which pattern should the tiles be laid in? And what colour grout should I decide upon? Here I hope to shed some light on your tile dilemmas.
Porcelain perfection
Porcelain floor tiles are a great choice for wet areas as they are impervious to water and are highly durable, so recommended for high traffic zones; and handy too for doggie or baby zones as these tiles don’t absorb odours or bacteria.
Charcoal is my personal fave when it comes to tiles for the floor, as it doesn’t show up stains; you can go with dark grout, which won’t discolour, and the charcoal on the floor will mix perfectly with a white tile on the wall.
If safety is a priority for you and your family, opt for tiles with a matt or textured finish, as they’re less slippery when wet.
Porcelain floor tiles are a great choice for wet areas as they are impervious to water and are highly durable, so recommended for high traffic zones; and handy too for doggie or baby zones as these tiles don’t absorb odours or bacteria.
Charcoal is my personal fave when it comes to tiles for the floor, as it doesn’t show up stains; you can go with dark grout, which won’t discolour, and the charcoal on the floor will mix perfectly with a white tile on the wall.
If safety is a priority for you and your family, opt for tiles with a matt or textured finish, as they’re less slippery when wet.
Chess board
The black and white tile effect is a classic. In porcelain or ceramic tiles, it creates an elegant feel in a formal setting. For retro in the bathroom or kitchen, have fun with vinyl tiles – they are easy to lay and can be cut to size.
Read more: Luxe Additions That Will Take Your Bathroom From Bland to Grand
The black and white tile effect is a classic. In porcelain or ceramic tiles, it creates an elegant feel in a formal setting. For retro in the bathroom or kitchen, have fun with vinyl tiles – they are easy to lay and can be cut to size.
Read more: Luxe Additions That Will Take Your Bathroom From Bland to Grand
Glamour glazed
Shiny glazed tiles are undoubtedly glamorous – but can be slippery. So if you want that dash of drama in your bathroom, stick to decorative walls and feature tiles rather than floors and countertops.
Shiny glazed tiles are undoubtedly glamorous – but can be slippery. So if you want that dash of drama in your bathroom, stick to decorative walls and feature tiles rather than floors and countertops.
Size matters
When choosing tiles, size does matter. I recommend smaller tiles for smaller areas such as spashbacks or feature walls. As smaller tiles require more grout, they can be harder to keep clean, especially on the floor.
In regards to the look you want to convey in your home, large tiles do offer a sense of space and, used in a small area, can work wonders.
To really open up a tight space, I recommend rectangular tiles laid vertical (portrait orientation) for the illusion of height, and to match the grout and tile colour so that the look is seamless.
If you want variety in your tiling and design cohesion, mix square with rectangular; and hex with subway; but keep the tiles in the same colour throughout – the interest will be come through the texture and shape.
TIP: If you are limited in space but want to use a large tile, opt for laying them diagonally.
When choosing tiles, size does matter. I recommend smaller tiles for smaller areas such as spashbacks or feature walls. As smaller tiles require more grout, they can be harder to keep clean, especially on the floor.
In regards to the look you want to convey in your home, large tiles do offer a sense of space and, used in a small area, can work wonders.
To really open up a tight space, I recommend rectangular tiles laid vertical (portrait orientation) for the illusion of height, and to match the grout and tile colour so that the look is seamless.
If you want variety in your tiling and design cohesion, mix square with rectangular; and hex with subway; but keep the tiles in the same colour throughout – the interest will be come through the texture and shape.
TIP: If you are limited in space but want to use a large tile, opt for laying them diagonally.
Pennyround black
The ‘pennyround’ is back in black – both cool and functional and suits the floor, walls and splashbacks.
It is available in sheets, which makes laying it easier, and throws out that installation pattern problem (because there only is one pattern).
Pennyrounds are gorgeous teamed with marble. A dark pennyround and a neutral, natural stone show up each other’s different textures – structured rounds versus the organic unique colours and veining of marble.
TIP: If you do decide on marble, ensure it is honed and sealed, otherwise it will soak up every little splash.
Another reason to go ‘pennyround’
The ‘pennyround’ is back in black – both cool and functional and suits the floor, walls and splashbacks.
It is available in sheets, which makes laying it easier, and throws out that installation pattern problem (because there only is one pattern).
Pennyrounds are gorgeous teamed with marble. A dark pennyround and a neutral, natural stone show up each other’s different textures – structured rounds versus the organic unique colours and veining of marble.
TIP: If you do decide on marble, ensure it is honed and sealed, otherwise it will soak up every little splash.
Another reason to go ‘pennyround’
Pattern basics
Choosing the right installation pattern is another big decision – the pattern can affect the visual effect of room size and the decor scheme, and some tiles look better in certain patterns.
A general rule is that laying tiles horizontal will make a wall or room appear wider, while laying them vertically will make a room appear taller.
TIP: Purchase a few sample tiles from your chosen supplier and use the above as a trial to lay them out and to see what appeals to you.
Choosing the right installation pattern is another big decision – the pattern can affect the visual effect of room size and the decor scheme, and some tiles look better in certain patterns.
A general rule is that laying tiles horizontal will make a wall or room appear wider, while laying them vertically will make a room appear taller.
TIP: Purchase a few sample tiles from your chosen supplier and use the above as a trial to lay them out and to see what appeals to you.
Subway magic
These tiles are so versatile – they can look retro, traditional, country or industrial.
The look can be affected by the laying pattern and the grout used – whether you want your eye to move up or across effortlessly, or want to frame each tile.
A charcoal grout with a white tile offers a contemporary look in which the tile becomes the feature. Subways are available in a range of colours, edges and in matt or gloss.
These tiles are so versatile – they can look retro, traditional, country or industrial.
The look can be affected by the laying pattern and the grout used – whether you want your eye to move up or across effortlessly, or want to frame each tile.
A charcoal grout with a white tile offers a contemporary look in which the tile becomes the feature. Subways are available in a range of colours, edges and in matt or gloss.
Grout talk
Grout is important and shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought. Grout is the glue that bonds the tiles together, making them durable; but it also plays an aesthetic role and will determine whether you want to feature individual tiles or the tile pattern as a whole.
My general rule of thumb is to choose a grout in the same colour (or as close as possible) as that of the tile if you want a cohesive look.
TIP: If you want to stick to a white grout on the floor, go with an alabaster or off-white so that discolourisation is not as obvious.
SHARE WITH US
Which tile have you recently installed, in what room and where did you buy it? Tell us about it in the Comments section.
MORE
Household Headaches: How to Clean Tile Grout
10 Ways to Enjoy the Modern Charm of Subway Tiles
10 Fabulous Flooring Options for Your Home
Floor Tiles: Monochrome Marvels in the Bathroom
Grout is important and shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought. Grout is the glue that bonds the tiles together, making them durable; but it also plays an aesthetic role and will determine whether you want to feature individual tiles or the tile pattern as a whole.
My general rule of thumb is to choose a grout in the same colour (or as close as possible) as that of the tile if you want a cohesive look.
TIP: If you want to stick to a white grout on the floor, go with an alabaster or off-white so that discolourisation is not as obvious.
SHARE WITH US
Which tile have you recently installed, in what room and where did you buy it? Tell us about it in the Comments section.
MORE
Household Headaches: How to Clean Tile Grout
10 Ways to Enjoy the Modern Charm of Subway Tiles
10 Fabulous Flooring Options for Your Home
Floor Tiles: Monochrome Marvels in the Bathroom
If you love the look of floorboards but want to be practical in a wet area, then woodgrain tiles are the answer. Just like floorboards, these tiles come in a variety of shades, lengths, widths, and grains.
This bathroom has the white-washed antique effect, which reflects light around the room, suits a neutral palette and has a slight texture so it’s non-slip.