Renovating your bathroom? Congratulations! A beautiful new bathroom is a joy to behold, but there are lots of decisions you need to make before you can relax in style. One of the biggest decisions you need to make is the tiles, so here are a few of our quick tips to help you make the right selection for your project.
What size tiles should you select?
A general rule of thumb for selecting the right size tiles for your bathroom renovation is that the larger the space, the larger the tiles. However, this isn’t always true because it all depends on the layout of your bathroom. That’s because if you have to make too many cuts to fit around windows, vanities, tubs and shower cubicles, large tiles can appear disjointed and out of proportion.
It’s often the proportions between the tiles that make your bathroom look well designed, rather than the size of the tiles.
For example, if you want to use 300 x 300 tiles on the floor, then the tiles on the wall should be multiples of 300: 100mm, 150mm, 600mm or 900mm. This allows you to match the grout lines of the floor tiles with those on the wall and everything looks in proportion.
What style of tile is best?
The style of tile you select can have a big impact on the feel of your bathroom, as they quite literally, dictate your bathroom’s theme. Your first step is to decide on the style, feel or mood of your home, because you don’t want to combine a heritage home with an ultra-modern bathroom. You can, of course, use modern fittings, but the overall feel, in this instance, should be federation chic, not contemporary modern.
Patterned tiles.
If you want patterned tiles, they you can select either ceramic or porcelain. The latter tiles, however, whilst being more durable and harder than ceramic tiles are also more expensive. Both types of tiles, however, offer an endless array of patterns. Terrazzo (a combination of natural stone chips and cement) is also a popular choice, however they need sealing and maintenance to keep them looking their best. Then there is composite stone which is similar to Terrazzo, except it includes resins or polymers making it more scratch resistant than Terrazzo.
Mosaic and 3D tiles.
Other popular options include mosaic or 3D tiles, but mosaics are generally used as accents (due to their cost), whilst recently we have seen 3D tiles being used to cover entire walls. Small mosaic tiles can be made of glass, stone, ceramic and porcelain and are available in different shapes, such as fans, ovals, herringbone and hexagons. They, along with 3D tiles, are ideal for adding texture to your walls and definitely make an impact in your bathroom.
Natural stone tiles.
Then there are natural stones that can be left raw, polished or honed to give a matt finish. It’s the natural feel and appearance of these stone tiles that attract homeowners because it provides a timeless quality to your bathroom. Just like Terrazzo, however, natural stone needs to be sealed and maintained.
What about your budget?
Whilst there are many different sizes and styles of tiles available, most homeowners will be limited by their budget. However, whatever tiles you select for your bathroom renovation, as long as they suit your style and personality, they will look fabulous!
