Tiles have a significant influence on how a bathroom looks, feels and performs over time. They must cope with moisture, regular cleaning and daily wear while also fitting the style and proportions of the room.
With so many colours, materials, finishes and sizes available, it is easy to make a decision based mainly on appearance. However, suitability, maintenance and installation requirements are just as important. The right choice should remain practical long after the refurbishment has been completed.
If you are at the beginning of a larger project, it may help to start with our guide to planning a bathroom refurbishment before selecting individual finishes.
Consider Where the Tiles Will Be Used
Not every bathroom surface has the same requirements. Wall tiles around a basin experience occasional splashes, while tiles inside a shower are exposed to water every day. Flooring must also withstand foot traffic and provide a suitable level of grip.
Before buying, confirm whether the tile is recommended for:
- Bathroom walls
- Bathroom floors
- Shower enclosures
- Wet-room floors
- Underfloor heating
- High-traffic areas
A tile designed only for walls may not be strong enough for a floor. Highly polished tiles can also become slippery when wet, making them unsuitable for some bathroom floors.
Manufacturers and suppliers should provide information about the intended use of each product. This is more reliable than judging suitability from appearance alone.
Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles?
Ceramic and porcelain are two of the most common choices for bathrooms. Although they are similar, there are practical differences between them.
Ceramic tiles are generally easier to cut and can be a cost-effective option for walls. They are available in a wide range of colours, patterns and finishes.
Porcelain tiles are denser and absorb less water. They are often selected for floors, showers and other areas requiring greater durability. Porcelain can also reproduce the appearance of stone, concrete, marble or timber while requiring less maintenance than many natural materials.
The denser structure of porcelain can make it more difficult to cut and drill. This may increase installation time, particularly when a design includes niches, concealed fittings or numerous detailed cuts.
Natural Stone Requires Additional Care
Marble, limestone, slate and travertine can give a bathroom a distinctive appearance because every piece has natural colour and pattern variations. However, these materials normally require more care than ceramic or porcelain.
Some natural stone is porous and needs to be sealed before or during installation. It may also require periodic resealing and cleaning products that will not damage the surface.
Before selecting natural stone, consider whether its maintenance requirements suit the household. A material that looks beautiful in a showroom may not be the most convenient choice for a frequently used family bathroom.
Variations, small marks and changes in colour are part of natural stone rather than manufacturing defects. It is sensible to inspect several tiles together instead of choosing from a single sample.
Choose the Finish Carefully
Glossy tiles reflect light and can help a small or dark bathroom appear brighter. They are usually easy to wipe clean, although water marks and fingerprints may be more noticeable.
Matt tiles create a softer and more understated appearance. They may provide better grip underfoot, but textured finishes can sometimes require more effort to clean.
Polished surfaces can produce an elegant result on walls, but their suitability for floors should be checked carefully. In wet areas, safety and ease of maintenance should take priority over appearance.
Do not assume that every matt tile is automatically slip-resistant. Look for the manufacturer’s technical information and confirm that the product is suitable for the intended area.
Think About Tile Size and Room Proportions
Small bathrooms do not necessarily require small tiles. Larger tiles can reduce the number of grout lines and create a calmer, less interrupted surface. However, the dimensions of the room and the position of fittings will determine whether large tiles can be used effectively.
Very large tiles may require extensive cutting around corners, pipes, niches and sanitaryware. They also need flat, properly prepared surfaces. If walls or floors are uneven, additional preparation may be necessary before installation.
Smaller tiles and mosaics can work well on curved surfaces, shower floors and detailed areas. Their additional grout lines may provide useful grip, although they will require more cleaning.
The best tile size is one that creates balanced proportions and avoids awkward narrow cuts. Planning the layout before installation begins is therefore essential.
Plan the Tile Layout in Advance
Tile layout affects the finished result just as much as the product itself. The position of grout lines, corners, windows, niches and bathroom fittings should be considered together.
Important focal points might include:
- The wall behind the basin
- A bath surround
- The centre of a shower enclosure
- A recessed shelf or niche
- A feature wall
- The bathroom entrance
Starting from the wrong position can leave thin strips of tile along visible edges. A carefully planned layout distributes cuts more evenly and helps important features appear properly aligned.
Patterns such as herringbone, diagonal layouts and geometric arrangements require additional planning, cutting and material. They may also generate more waste than a straightforward grid.
Do Not Overlook Grout
Grout colour changes the overall appearance of a tiled surface. A close match creates a more continuous finish, while contrasting grout emphasises the shape and layout of each tile.
Light grout can brighten a bathroom but may require more maintenance in areas exposed to water, soap and dirt. Darker grout can be practical, although it may show limescale in hard-water areas.
The width of the grout joints should suit the type, size and dimensional consistency of the tiles. Very narrow joints are not appropriate for every product.
Grout should not be treated as the waterproofing layer. Shower and wet-room areas require a suitable waterproofing system beneath the tiles.
Check the Background Before Tiling
Even high-quality tiles will not produce a good result when installed over an unsuitable surface. Walls and floors must be stable, clean and sufficiently level.
Loose boards, cracked surfaces and excessive movement should be corrected before tiling. Timber floors may require additional preparation to reduce movement, while shower areas need appropriate waterproofing.
Large-format tiles are particularly dependent on accurate surface preparation. Attempting to correct major irregularities using adhesive during installation can produce uneven tiles and poor coverage.
Preparation is not the most visible part of a bathroom refurbishment, but it has a major effect on durability.
Consider Cleaning and Maintenance
A heavily textured tile may provide character and grip, but it can also hold soap residue and dirt. Numerous small tiles create more grout lines, while highly polished dark surfaces may show every dried water mark.
Consider how frequently the bathroom will be used and how much maintenance is realistic. A lightly used guest bathroom allows different choices from a shower used several times every day.
It is also worth checking whether specialist cleaning products or resealing will be required. Understanding this before purchasing can prevent frustration later.
View Samples in the Bathroom
Colours can appear different under showroom lights, daylight and bathroom lighting. Take samples into the room and view them at different times of day.
Place wall and floor samples together with any planned furniture, worktops, paint colours and metal finishes. Warm and cool undertones can become more noticeable when several materials are positioned next to one another.
A single tile may also look quite different when repeated across an entire wall. Ask to see larger displays or photographs of completed installations where possible.
Order Enough Tiles
Tiles should normally be ordered from the same production batch to reduce the possibility of colour or size variations. Allow additional material for cuts, breakages and future repairs.
The amount of extra material required depends on the layout, tile size and complexity of the room. A simple arrangement may require approximately 10% extra, while patterned layouts or rooms with numerous corners may need more.
Keep a few unused tiles after the project has been completed. Finding an exact match several years later can be difficult if the range has been discontinued.
Balance Appearance With Practicality
Bathroom tiles need to do more than look attractive in photographs. They should be suitable for their location, comfortable to live with and compatible with the way the bathroom will be used.
Begin with practical requirements, compare the available materials and inspect samples in the actual room. Careful planning of the layout, grout and background preparation will help create a bathroom that remains attractive and functional for years.
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