Household Tips and Improvements
The bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in a home, and thus, one of the most important. Selecting tiles for your bathroom can seem an overwhelming task. Tiles cover more surface area in the bathroom than in any other room of the house. Your tile selection will directly impact the look and […]
The bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in a home, and thus, one of the most important.
Selecting tiles for your bathroom can seem an overwhelming task. Tiles cover more surface area in the bathroom than in any other room of the house.
Your tile selection will directly impact the look and feel of your bathroom.
The fact that there is a plethora of styles, shapes, colours and materials to choose from doesn’t make it any easier.
Image from: DarthZuzanka
Factors to Consider When Selecting Bathroom Tiles
Determine Your Budget
Before you choose your bathroom tiles, set your budget.
This way, you will only consider the options available to you within your budget.
Establishing a budget early on in the project helps narrow down your options, making the selection process a lot easier.
It also helps you track your spending during the renovation. You don’t want to run out of money right in the middle of your bathroom renovation, do you?
Develop a Bathroom Design
Your bathroom design should give a subtle nod to the rest of your home, and be a natural extension of the house as a whole.
For example, if you have a contemporary home, this style should flow through to the bathroom with sleek tiles in modern colours.
Likewise, if you have a period home, you can pay homage to the rest of your home using classic tiles with a stately pattern.
Choose a Colour Scheme
Image from: WarrenMae
Lighter-coloured tiles reflect more light and make your bathroom look bigger.
Darker tiles can make the bathroom appear smaller and cosier. They also give it an air of warm sophistication.
Consider the kind of mood you would like to set in the bathroom to determine your colour scheme.
You can start by choosing the cabinet and vanity colours first, then build your bathroom tile palette from there.
Consider the Tile Size
Large-scale tiles on the bathroom floor are all the rage right now.
When using large floor tiles, consider the same tile cut in smaller sizes for different areas of the bathroom.
For instance, if you are using a 12 x 24 tile, you can use the same tile in a 2 x 2 on the shower floor to provide continuity and slip protection in the shower.
Larger tiles are also ideal for walls and shower benches. They are more comfortable to sit on.
However, avoid using them on the shower floors and next to bathtubs to reduce slip and fall accidents. Smaller tiles are better for wet surfaces because they offer more slip resistance.
With large bathroom tiles, ensure a minimum grout joint width of 3/16 of an inch and at least 90 per cent mortar contact beneath the tile. Big tiles are prone to cracking; this will help prevent that.
Get in touch with an expert tiler to ensure the proper installation of your large tiles.
Image from: midascode
Choose Your Statement Tile
When you start on a bathroom renovation, you may have one tile in mind that you KNOW you need to use. Pick that tile out first and use it as a starting point for all the other tiles you will choose for your bathroom.
Your statement tile may be anything from a unique accent tile to a simple white subway tile.
Your statement tile will ground you and form a base for all other tiling decisions in your bathroom renovations.
Tile Material Matters
There are different kinds of tiles to pick from for your bathroom, with each of them bringing something unique to the table. Your options are:
Glass Tiles
Traditionally, glass tiles were used sparingly, mostly for mosaic accents, on splashbacks or inside a niche.
But glass is making a big comeback in modern bathrooms! Its reflective quality makes small bathrooms look bigger.
Glass tiles offer a wide variety of different colours and styles that inject a bit of personality into your bathroom.
However, glass tiles are not budget-friendly. They are also very slippery when wet, so you shouldn’t use them for the floor.
Image from: 1zoom
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic is the most popular tile type. They check off some of the most sought-after features in a tile:
- Durable
- Easy to install
- Waterproof
- Stain-resistant
- Odour-resistant
However, the pattern on ceramic tiles sits on top of the base or “biscuit.” This means when tiles chip, the pattern doesn’t go all the way through the tile.
Image from: GregoryButler
Porcelain Tiles
Made from more refined material and baked at a higher temperature, porcelain tiles are a lot tougher than ceramic tiles.
And this makes them more expensive, too!
Porcelain tiles are also less absorbent, making them an excellent choice for your bathroom.
Natural Stone Tiles
Natural stone tiles provide a unique texture and pattern to your bathroom.
They have beautiful inconsistencies that give a timeless appearance and exude elegance.
However, natural stone tiles need more maintenance than other tiling options. Natural stone is more porous and will hold on to more dirt and grime.
You can cut back on the maintenance by using them outside the shower, but it’s still going to cost more to install compared to the other options.
Image from: PIRO4D
Balance Different Tile Types
Matching different tile types can help give your bathroom a timeless look.
Select different tile types that each bring a desirable element to your bathroom.
For example, a natural stone style can bring a touch of elegance. Incorporate a glass tile as an accent to bring a bit of colour. And finally, use porcelain as the neutral tile.
Embrace the Rule of Three
Stick to no more than three tiles when creating a unique design with tiles that have a similar colour palate.
With so many beautiful tiles available to choose from, it is easy to get carried away.
Settle for just one show stopper and two other tiles for contrast and texture.
This creates a timeless look in your bathroom and allows your accent tile to shine as it does not compete with anything else for the spotlight.
Image from: Pxhere
Consider the Grout and Grout Lines
The grout design you choose plays a critical role in the design of your bathroom.
Grout fills the void between the tiles and binds them. It also protects the edges of the tiles from chipping.
Matching the grout to the tile colour accentuates the tile. Contrasting the tile and the grout highlights the pattern.
Lighter-coloured grout also requires more regular cleaning and maintenance, as it gets dirty and grimy.
Sample Before You Buy
Most people don’t think it’s necessary to bring their bathroom plans with them when choosing their bathroom tiles.
It is essential to bring your plans and even pictures of bathrooms you like so that your tiler knows precisely what you are going for.
You can also bring tile samples home with you to test out how they look and get a feel for the overall outcome.
Consider the Amount of Maintenance
The amount of cleaning and maintenance should guide your choice of tile.
Different tiles need different levels of maintenance.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles, for example, are virtually maintenance-free.
Natural stone tiles require the most maintenance and will need regular sealing if used in the shower.
Opt for a Neutral Floor and Ceiling
Lighter or neutral-coloured floors and ceilings make your bathroom look brighter and feel more open.
They also create the illusion of a taller bathroom, especially if the shower tiles reach the ceiling.
Neutral floors and ceilings also create a much cleaner and more finished look.
Image from: Pxhere
Ultimately, your choice of bathroom tiling boils down to personal preference. But with these factors in mind, the selection process should be much easier.
Call our professional tilers today to discuss options within your budget. You can also get several quotes for different tile options to find out which tiles yield the best value for your money!