Choosing Bathroom Tiles During Your Renovation

The tiles in a bathroom play a big part in the room's overall ambience. Covering such a large surface area, tiles are one of the most noticeable design features. To get the look you're after, you'll have to make several decisions. A few possibilities are explained below.

Tile Size

You need to pick a tile size for the bathroom. If you want to create an open feeling and give the sense of larger proportions, opt for large rather than small tiles. They'll produce a seamless effect with fewer grout lines interrupting the surface. You could continue the same tiles over the floor and walls to create a continuous flow around the room, which will give the illusion that it's bigger, especially if the tiles are light-coloured. However, you might want to lay a vertical feature panel running up the wall, in which case you could opt for miniature or mosaic tiles. Or, you could lay small patterned tiles on the floor for a decorative effect.

Gloss or Matte

Should you install glossy or matte tiles? Shiny tiles will reflect light and give surfaces more depth and dimension, and the room will appear to be larger as a result. However, some polished tiles can be slippery on the floor, so you could opt for matte floor tiles and polished wall tiles. If you plan to lay ceramic tiles that mimic timber planks or natural stone, matte tiles are best as they give a more realistic and natural appearance. Matte tiles tend to highlight the finish and colour of the tiles without a distracting gloss.

Material

While you can install ceramic tiles that mimic rock, you might want to install stone tiles made from travertine or limestone. These exhibit soft fawn, grey, pink, peach and ivory shades. They'll give your bathroom a plush feel with their organic colours and textures. However, porcelain, a type of ceramic, is often easier to look after than rock. It offers an impervious, water-resistant surface that is less susceptible to water damage. Whichever material you choose, make sure to follow professional recommendations regarding sealing the tiles.

Rectified or Cushion-Edged Ceramic Tiles

If you're installing ceramic or porcelain, you can opt for cushion-edged or rectified bathroom tiles. These tiles are made from clay that's moulded and baked in an oven. When the tiles are removed, they have naturally rounded or pillow edges. The tiles aren't totally flat, and they form slight valleys when laid on a surface along the grout line. If you're after a traditional feel, you may love this natural effect. However, if you want a sleek, smooth surface, rectified tiles are better. These tiles have been trimmed around the edges, so they're flat and sharp. They create more seamless surfaces.

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