While a new bathroom should be a pretty relaxing space, planning it can a little daunting. As well as the look and layout of the room, you’ve got to consider the different materials - and with all that water around, there’s a lot to think about.
That’s where our bathroom tiles come in. Not only are they exceptionally stylish, they’re also durable, highly-resistant to humidity and exceptionally easy to keep clean. Exactly what you want in a busy family bathroom, in other words.
But with so many shapes and styles of tile available, knowing where to start can be hard. That’s why we’ve developed this buying guide - we’ll take you through everything you need to know to create your dream bathroom space.
What Are The Benefits of Bathroom Tiles?
Before we jump in, let’s quickly look at what makes our ceramic and porcelain tiles such a great choice for your next bathroom project.
Are bathroom tiles waterproof?
Unlike wood floors, ceramic tiles hardly absorb water, while porcelain tiles are virtually non-porous. This means they won’t swell or warp if they get wet - and they’re perfectly fine with steam as well. Bring on the hot showers!
Are bathroom tiles expensive?
Natural stones and marbles are undeniably beautiful, yet have a sky high price tag to match. On the other hand, porcelain tiles are much more affordable and side-by-side, it’s becoming impossible to tell the difference.
Are bathroom tiles on trend?
Take a quick look on Instagram and you’ll quickly see that bathroom tiles are a hot trend these days. And with good reason - they look fantastic! Produced using cutting-edge tech, our tiles have style printed all over them.
Can tiles be used with underfloor heating?
Yes! Tiles are a great conductor of heat and are completely unaffected by changes in temperature, unlike vinyl or timber.
Are bathroom tiles easy to clean?
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are difficult to stain, so they're really easy to maintain without the need for specialist cleaners.
How durable are bathroom tiles?
Porcelain tiles are extremely hard-wearing, making them perfect for busy family homes. They'll look great for many years!
Where Can You Use Tiles In Bathrooms?
As tiles are so versatile, the easy answer is pretty much anywhere! While they're commonly used to cover bathroom walls and floors, you can also clad other areas such as bath fronts.
- Bathroom Floors - Porcelain tiles are the ideal choice for bathroom floors, as they’re strong and waterproof.
- Bathroom Walls - Use ceramic and porcelain tiles for stylish bathroom walls that are easy to wipe clean.
- Splashbacks - Interesting designs and shapes add a designer edge to small areas such as back-splashes.
- Feature Walls - Patterned tiles can be used to create gorgeous feature walls that won’t stain when wet.
- Wetrooms - Create a modern wetroom with high-performance porcelain tiles, that are completely waterproof.
- Bath Panels - Instead of plain wooden panels, why not complete your space by tiling your bath front?
Hot tip: It’s always worth checking a tile’s suitability. While floor tiles can also be laid on walls, you can’t lay a wall tile on the floor.
Popular Bathroom Styles
Now that we’ve looked at why - and where - you should use tiles in your bathroom, it’s time to consider the overall look you’re trying to achieve.
As tiles are so visual, they will really help to determine the feel of your finished room. And with thousands of different designs available, from the classic to the contemporary, there’s a tile for every conceivable bathroom. But don’t worry if you don’t yet know how your perfect bathrooms will look - this is the really fun part!
For inspiration, we’ve featured some of our favourite bathroom trends below. And as well as this list, we’d recommend turning to your favourite home magazines or checking out Pinterest and Instagram.
Contemporary Bathrooms
Create a zen-like space that’s also warm and welcoming, by choosing large-format tiles in neutral tones. Their clean lines and crisp details will ensure you have a relaxing space that won’t date over time. Featured tile - Motion Sand
White Marble Bathrooms
One of the UK’s top bathroom trends, white marble tiles will add a luxurious and elegant feel, without being too dramatic. They can be used with both traditional or modern fittings and furniture. Featured tile - Florence Gloss
Vintage Bathrooms
Vintage bathrooms are always popular and will add charm to both period and modern homes alike. Get the look, by pairing a monochrome tiles like Harlow Black on your floor, with a classic white metro wall tile.
Hotel-Style Bathrooms
For an indulgent ensuite that feels like your favourite hotel, look to marble-style tiles such as Vogue Pink. Their impressive size and mirror-like finish will ensure your bathroom always has that five-star appeal.
Timeless Bathrooms
Understated and serene, a neutral bathroom will never go out of fashion. Rather than plain white, opt for stone-effect tiles to elevate your space and bring in texture through decor pieces.
Moroccan Bathrooms
Perfect for smaller spaces, Moroccan-style bathrooms have a rustic personality that’s full of character and bold colours. You can easily get the look at home by choosing zellige wall tiles and patterned floor tiles.
Designer Bathrooms
One of the trends of the 2020s, bathrooms are the perfect place for terrazzo tiles. Whether you go all-out or just tile a small feature, you can be sure of maximum visual impact. Every single time! Featured tile - Arlo Light
Cottagecore Bathrooms
The cottagecore look is all about rustic simplicity and creating a relaxing haven - perfect for a bathroom retreat, in other words! Natural colours and materials are in, bolder tones and patterns are out. Featured tile - Locke Almond
Stylish Bathrooms
While white metro tiles are a classic choice, longer subway tiles offer a more modern finish, especially in richer tones such as emerald green. Perfect for sophisticated spaces, they're sure to add statement style. Featured tile - Opal Emerald
Popular Colours For Bathroom Tiles
As well as styling, it's important to consider the tone of your tiles. Being the sensory creatures that we are, the overall colour of a bathroom can have a psychological impact and dramatically affect our feelings.
It's worthwhile considering your particular space and how you wish to use it. For example, pale neutral tones are ideal for creating a private and relaxing bathing space, while fresh blues will bring energy to your morning showers.
Blue Bathroom Tiles
Traditionally a popular colour throughout the home, blue is synonymous with water and makes a natural fit for bathrooms.
- Lighter blues like Soho Aqua reflect the shades of the sky, making for a calm and bright space
- Use deeper navy tones such as Brooklyn Blue, to create a dramatic and glamorous space, especially in smaller bathrooms
- Blue always pairs well with white, so why not combine with Carrara style tiles on your floor?
Green Bathroom Tiles
Green is fast becoming a go-to hue in our homes. It’s both a calm and uplifting choice for a bathroom, perfect for a space where we need to relax and unwind.
- Use richer shades such as Dwell Emerald to create a welcoming and indulgent room.
- While bottle greens are a classic choice for walls, they can be paired with pinks for a modern designer look.
- Paler sage greens such as Grace Mist can be used almost as a neutral, so they’re perfect for tranquil vibes.
Pink Bathroom Tiles
As Instagram will confirm, pink’s a huge interior trend right now and has moved beyond the nursery into every other room. So why not make your bathroom come alive with this sweet and versatile shade?
- For a modern look, pair shimmering Marais Rose tiles with inky black walls. It’s a dramatic look that works well in smaller en-suites.
- Use large format Vogue Pink onyx tiles to create a glamorous and eye-catching room, just as Mother Nature intended
- Delicate blush pinks like Concorde Rose will create a more soothing atmosphere, so they’re great for create a relaxing retreat.
- While Palm Springs Pink hits all the right notes, you don’t have to go all out. Why not opt for a hint of pink, to give your home a quick refresh?
Beige Bathroom Tiles
There’s a reason why beige tiles are an eternally popular choice for bathrooms - this timeless neutral offers a soothing and muted warmth few other colours can match.
- For easy to live with elegance, pair stone-effect wall tiles with traditional wooden furniture and chrome fittings. Add a decorative panel to create a feature and break up the space.
- Large format marble-style tiles create that show-stopping hotel style, without dominating the room - see Imperial Marble. Keep furniture simple, to let the dramatic veining shine.
- Textured tiles such as Locke Almond Decor can be used to add interest to walls, whilst still keeping the overall scheme plain and neutral. If you have a smaller room, glossy tiles will help increase the sense of space. Add colour through your basin furniture or accessories.
Black Bathroom Tiles
Like your bathroom inviting and intimate? Then black tiles could be a perfect match. Perfect for turning smaller en-suites into glamorous boudoirs, you can also use darker hues to create sophisticated and luxurious family bathrooms.
- Use glossy black tiles such as Dwell Black to create simple yet dramatic feature walls.
- If you don’t fancy going all-out, tone things down by pairing black floor tiles with white walls. Mono Black hexagon tiles will offer a geometric twist.
- White marbles are beautiful, but black marbles are undeniably more dramatic. Be daring and cover your entire room in the same tile.
- Monochrome tiles are a beautiful choice for classical interiors. Use a patterned floor tile like Harlow Black to add interest to your floor, while keeping your walls a lighter shade.
White Bathroom Tiles
White tiles and bathrooms are a match made in heaven, helping to increase the feeling of space in what can often be a smaller room. And banish any notion of sterile tiles - whether your taste is classic or contemporary, there’s sure to be a design to suit your home.
- To create a sleek designer bathroom, run the floor tiles onto your walls. We’d recommend using plain, polished tiles like Super White.
- Create a bathroom that won’t date with white marble tiles like Celine White. Break up the space with a textured decorative tile.
- Simple white tiles don’t have to be plain. Geometric shapes such as Mini Hex White will add flair to your walls - play around with contrasting grout colours to add interest.
- For country-style bathrooms, look to whites with a warmer undertone like Zellige Pearl. They’ll offer a more traditional and calming aspect to your space.
Grey Bathroom Tiles
Classic, minimal or modern, grey is suitable for almost any bathroom style you can think of. A timeless choice, grey tiles should be seen as a sophisticated and versatile neutral, rather than plain and clinical.
- Pale grey stone-effect tiles are an understated alternative to all-white walls. Add character by combining with a textured decor tile
- Laying rectified grey tiles on both your walls and floor will create a sleek, contemporary space
- Moody and dramatic, darker greys will transform smaller bathrooms into intimate and inviting spaces
- Grey wood tiles will create a contemporary floor. You can layer up the room with paler grey wall tiles, or opt for something different as a contrast.
What Shape and Size Bathroom Tiles Should I Use?
When it comes to making the most of your bathroom, the shapes and sizes of tiles you choose will play an important role. For example, larger tiles will help to open up the space in a smaller bathroom. Conversely, mosaics will add finer detail to a wetroom floor.
Rectangular
As with squares, rectangular tiles are extremely popular for both bathroom walls and floors. Smaller subway tiles always look great when laid in a brick-bond pattern on walls. While 30 x 60 cm is the most common size for walls, for a modern finish why not lay larger 60 x 120 cm tiles vertically?
Metro
The classic metro tile - with bevelled edges - is a bathroom staple. And for good reason, it’s a tried-and-tested way to give your walls a fresh look without breaking the bank. If you’re renovating your space on a tight budget and want a punchy look, we recommend pairing white metro tiles with a patterned floor tiles.
Square
Square tiles are available in a huge range of sizes, nearly all of which are suitable for bathrooms. Smaller square tiles, up to 15 x 15 cm, are a great choice for splashbacks. Larger sizes are usually a good choice for floors. However, it’s becoming more popular to use large 60 x 60 cm tiles on walls, especially with concrete or marble designs.
Fishscale
Fan or fishscale tiles are a great way to add interest in a bathroom. Due to their distinctive silhouette, they’re usually more expensive than regular shaped tiles - so they’re often laid over smaller areas such as splashback or a single feature wall.
Plank
Plank tiles are a great way to add detail to your floors, especially if you lay in a herringbone pattern. As bathrooms tend to be smaller, we recommend choosing planks that are up to 60 cm long - unless you have a larger floor space.
Hexagon
By their very nature, hexagon tiles will add eye-catching geometry wherever they’re laid. Why not choose a patterned hexagon tile such as Palm Springs? Their lily pad design can be used to create feature walls or to zone out different areas.
Small Bathroom Tiles
Size doesn't always matter - small tiles are big on style! For example, patterned tiles tend to be smaller, but pack an almighty punch when it comes to design. And as many bathrooms are tight on space, metro and subway tiles are a natural choice for shower walls and basins.
Large Bathroom Tiles
Larger tiles can work in bathrooms of all sizes. In a smaller room, they can actually increase the illusion of space as there's fewer grout joints to distract the eye. For a luxury finish, look to premium 60 x 120 cm porcelain slabs that emulate marble and natural stones.
Mosaics
There's a reason why mosaics have been used in bathrooms since Roman times - they're functional, always look great and are really versatile too. You can use a couple of sheets to add style behind a washbasin, or to give designer grip over a wetroom floor.
What's The Best Tile Finish For A Bathroom?
As with the style and colour of a tile, the finish you choose is largely down to your personal preference. However, due to the functional nature of a bathroom, it's worth considering tiles with a matt or anti-slip finish for wet floor areas.
Matt
Matt and satin tiles are ideal for a contemporary, understated bathroom and can be safely laid on both walls or floors. As the surface is unreflective, they're less likely to show dried water droplets than gloss tiles.
Gloss
Gloss tiles are perfect if you're looking for a more luxurious finish in your ensuite or bathroom. Their polished surface will bounce light around a room and is easier to clean, although they may be slippery underfoot when wet.
Textured
Because they offer more grip underfoot, textured tiles are a great choice for bathroom floors. They can also be used to add an extra dimension to walls, especially if you use a multi-levelled splitface tile design.
Crackle Glaze
An ever-popular choice for bathrooms, crackle glaze tiles can be used to add traditional charm to any wall. While most crackle tiles require sealing, some designs offer a 'printed' crazed effect that needs no special care.