Homeowner guide
Choosing Bathroom Tiles That Will Still Look Right
Tiles are chosen in a showroom under bright light on a small display board, then fitted in a real room with a window on one side. That gap is where most tile regret comes from.
Size changes the room more than colour
Large tiles mean fewer grout lines, which makes a small bathroom read as larger and calmer. The trade-off is that large formats need a genuinely flat wall and floor, so preparation costs more. Small tiles and mosaics are forgiving on uneven substrates but visually busier, and the grouting labour is significantly higher.
In a compact bathroom we usually recommend a medium to large format on the walls and something with grip underfoot on the floor.
Finish and slip rating
Gloss tiles bounce light around and suit a dark room, but they show every water mark and are a poor idea on a floor. Matt and textured finishes hide marks and grip better. For a shower floor or a wet room, ask for the slip rating rather than guessing, because a beautiful floor tile you cannot stand on safely is a failure.
- Gloss: bright, reflective, shows limescale, not for floors
- Matt: forgiving, modern, easiest to live with
- Textured or anti-slip: essential for wet room floors
- Natural stone: beautiful, porous, needs sealing and ongoing care
Grout is a design decision
Grout colour changes the whole effect. Matching grout makes the surface read as one plane. Contrasting grout emphasises the pattern and every imperfection in the set-out. In a shower, a mid-tone grout stays looking clean far longer than brilliant white.
Order more than you need
Allow at least ten per cent extra for cuts, and keep the offcuts. Tile ranges are discontinued constantly, and a box in the loft is what lets a future repair be invisible instead of obvious.
Frequently asked questions
Are large tiles more expensive to fit?
The tiling itself is not slower, but the substrate has to be flatter, so preparation can add cost in an older property.
Can I tile over existing tiles?
Sometimes, if the existing tiles are sound and well bonded. It is rarely the better option in a wet area, where we would prefer to remove and re-board.
What grout colour is easiest to maintain?
A mid grey or a warm neutral. White grout looks superb for about six months in a shower and then starts showing every mark.
Do natural stone tiles need sealing?
Yes, before grouting and periodically afterwards. If nobody wants that ongoing job, porcelain that imitates stone is the sensible choice.
How much extra tile should I buy?
Ten per cent minimum, more for a complex layout or a diagonal pattern, and keep the spare boxes for future repairs.
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