Choosing the Perfect Tiles for Your Bathroom
Understanding Tile Types
Not all tiles are equal — the material, finish and format all affect how a tile looks, performs, and ages in a bathroom environment.
Porcelain tiles are the most popular choice for bathrooms. Dense, low-porosity, and extremely durable, they cope well with moisture and underfloor heating. Large-format porcelain tiles (60x120cm or larger) are particularly popular right now for their seamless, luxurious look.
Ceramic tiles are slightly less dense than porcelain but perfectly suitable for most bathroom walls. They come in an enormous range of styles and are generally more affordable.
Natural stone — marble, travertine, limestone — is beautiful but requires sealing and a little more ongoing care. The natural variation in stone means every installation is unique.
Mosaic tiles are small tiles (typically 20x20mm to 50x50mm) often mounted on mesh sheets. They're great for shower floors, niches, or as feature panels.
Getting the Size Right
As a rule of thumb:
- Large tiles make a small bathroom feel bigger and have fewer grout lines
- Small tiles can add texture and interest but require more grout maintenance
- Mixing formats — large on the main walls, smaller as a feature strip or floor — is a classic combination
Wall vs Floor Tiles
Always check a tile's slip resistance rating (R-rating) for floors — R9 is the minimum for wet areas, R10 or R11 is better for shower trays and wet rooms. Most wall tiles are not rated for floors.
Thinking About Grout
The colour and width of your grout lines affects the finished look enormously. Wide joints with contrasting grout draw attention to individual tiles; tight joints with matching grout give a seamless, contemporary feel.
Layout Patterns
- Brick/running bond — classic and timeless
- Stacked/grid — clean and modern, especially on large-format tiles
- Herringbone — a statement choice, especially beautiful on smaller tiles
- Diagonal — can make a narrow room feel wider
Practical Advice
Always buy at least 10% more tiles than you need to account for cuts and future repairs. Check that tiles from different batches have the same shade code — colour can vary between production runs.
Our showroom has a wide selection of tiles on display. Come and see them in person — it makes a real difference when choosing.