Choosing the right tiles for your bathroom is not just about picking your favourite colour, following the latest trend or avoiding a style that might rapidly outdate. It’s more about what fits within the context of your overall home, how much time you have to clean and maintain the room, and what makes it an enjoyable to spend time in.
Many visual and practical factors influence how well your choice of tiles works in the bathroom. To help guide you through this exciting yet sometimes confusing design process, we’ve compiled a list of our top three tips for choosing bathroom tiles that have great form and function.
1. Pick Your Colour Palette
Whether you favour a little or a lot of colour is a matter of personal taste. But when it comes to selecting tiles for your bathroom, try to stick to either a warm or cool colour palette rather than mixing both. Choosing colours that have the same base will create a stylish, cohesive look that compliments rather than distracts from the overall design of your bathroom.
Tip: Use bold colours and patterns sparingly. Keep large areas of tile fairly low key and neutral, then add a coloured trim or decorative feature tile to provide contrast.
2. Consider the Effects of Lighting
The colour and texture of tiles can vary significantly depending on whether they’re viewed in natural or artificial light, and the direction the light comes from.
Generally speaking, small or poorly lit bathrooms will benefit from light, glossy tiles as they will help brighten the room and make it feel more spacious. Heavily textured and natural stone tiles can appear shadowy or even dirty if there’s insufficient light, so keep it to a minimum unless you have a spacious, well-lit bathroom.
Tip: If possible, always ask for a sample of the tiles and place them against the wall/floor where they will be applied before committing to a design!
3. Minimise Maintenance
If cleaning the bathroom tiles every day is not high on your list of priorities, it’s wise to choose a tile that won't show every little speck of dust. In this case, opt for lighter colours and minimal gloss. Soft patterns and textures can also work well in between cleans, as they are generally better at masking signs of everyday use.
Tip: Make sure that you double check if your tiles need to be sealed. Natural stone tiles tend to hold dirt as they are more porous so will need to be sealed to minimise maintenance.
Selecting the right tiles can make a huge difference to the overall look and feel of your bathroom which is why we offer our clients full flexibility when it comes to choosing tiles. You’re not locked in to a set range of options which means if you find a design you love, we can make it happen. And don’t worry if you don’t have something particular in mind, our team can provide advice on colour schemes that will work with your bathroom’s natural features, your lifestyle needs and are in line with overall design principles to help create a room you will love for years to come.
