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How Do I... Choose Tiles for a Small Bathroom?
The right tiles can work wonders in a teeny-tiny bathroom – here's how to buy with confidence
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and design questions. Here, Christie Wood, strategic designer at Beaumont Tiles, shares the lowdown on selecting the right tile colour, shape and size for a small bathroom.
When it comes to choosing tile colour:
Tip: Light the corners of a dark-tiled room to make it appear bigger. Another tip; choose tiles with a gloss finish if you want to reflect natural daylight around the room.
- If you like a light Scandi or costal look: Consider layering different shades of white in your wall and floor tiles, then adding in stone and timber tones in the benchtop and vanity.
- To make a dramatic statement: Opt for darker tiles for floors and walls. Keep the look clean and simple by choosing large-format tiles with minimal grout lines.
- To frame a white feature bath: Contrast is key; go for dark-tiled walls and floor to make a striking, white bath stand out.
- Blues and greens are trending right now: Tiles in these hues will add a calm and peaceful feel to your small bathroom.
Tip: Light the corners of a dark-tiled room to make it appear bigger. Another tip; choose tiles with a gloss finish if you want to reflect natural daylight around the room.
Which neutral colours work best?
Tip: Choosing the right fixtures for a small bathroom is just as important as choosing the right tiles. Wall-hung vanities and toilets will reveal more of the floor and create the illusion of more space; while frameless shower screens and mirrors reduce visual clutter and allow your statement tiles to stand out.
- Stone-look tiles in grey and brown look luxurious in small bathrooms and are great for hiding dirt and dust between cleans.
- Timber-look tiles have a contemporary feel and will add natural appeal to your bathroom.
- Unless you plan to mop or vacuum every day, it’s best to steer clear of white or cream tiles for your bathroom floor. If you have your heart set on a pale floor, consider on-trend white marble or terrazzo, both of which have a fleck of forgiving colour in them.
Tip: Choosing the right fixtures for a small bathroom is just as important as choosing the right tiles. Wall-hung vanities and toilets will reveal more of the floor and create the illusion of more space; while frameless shower screens and mirrors reduce visual clutter and allow your statement tiles to stand out.
Any tips for success when it comes to colour and pattern?
- If you’ve opted for a brightly coloured tile, use it with restraint so you don’t overwhelm your small bathroom. Bright hues are often best in small doses in a compact bathroom, such as on a splashback or at the back of a recessed storage nook.
- In general, warm-toned tiles tend to advance and appear in the foreground of a room scheme, while cool-toned tiles will recede and sit in the background.
- Delicate and finely patterned tiles work better in a small bathroom than bold patterns, which can overwhelm the space.
- Using textural contrasts can be a very subtle and effective design strategy in a small bathroom. Consider layering gloss- and matt-finish tiles in the same colour for a sophisticated and interesting look.
Which floor-tile sizes work best in small bathrooms?
- Both 200x200-millimetre and 400x400-millimetre tiles are practical choices for a compact bathroom as they are small enough to be laid on a slightly sloping surface, which will allow water to drain to your central floor waste.
- Saying that, large-format tiles are gaining popularity for bathroom floors. If you have a strip drain (rather than a central floor waste) you can choose all manner of sizes – from 300x600 millimetres all the way up to 600x1,200 millimetres.
- Large-format tiles with rectified edges give you a sophisticated and seamless look.
- Tiny mosaic tiles can look great too on a small bathroom’s floor – just be sure to seal the grout to minimise cleaning.
Which sizes do you recommend for wall tiles?
- Slab tiles of 800x1,600 millimetres and above are a brilliant choice for walls in small bathrooms. Think shower cubicles with no grout joints, which means no mould or mildew scrubbing, no cracking grout, no grout discolouration – and only ever a quick wipe to clean.
- Classic 75x150-millimetre subway tiles look great in a small bathroom and will add a touch of character to the space.
Will unusually shaped tiles work in a small bathroom?
Absolutely. Some of my favourites include:
Absolutely. Some of my favourites include:
- Hexagons, triangles, circular and square tiles.
- Arabesque- and fan-shaped tiles, or a mix of the two, can create an eye-catching feature in a small bathroom, but are best used in small doses such as on a splashback, the hob of a bath or shower, or in recessed shelves so as not to overwhelm.
What are your top tips for success?
1. Focus on choosing a tile you love as you will probably be living with it for several years to come.
2. Embrace optical illusions to make a small bathroom look bigger: arrange floor tiles on the diagonal to make the room appear larger or visually extend a low ceiling by laying rectangular wall tiles vertically.
3. Choosing wall and floor tiles in the same colour will give your bathroom a clean, cohesive look.
4. I always recommend matching the colour of the grout to the tile, unless you want to highlight the shape or layout of the tiles.
5. Epoxy grout is durable and very easy to clean compared with traditional cement grout. It’s also stain-proof, hygienic and long-lasting.
1. Focus on choosing a tile you love as you will probably be living with it for several years to come.
2. Embrace optical illusions to make a small bathroom look bigger: arrange floor tiles on the diagonal to make the room appear larger or visually extend a low ceiling by laying rectangular wall tiles vertically.
3. Choosing wall and floor tiles in the same colour will give your bathroom a clean, cohesive look.
4. I always recommend matching the colour of the grout to the tile, unless you want to highlight the shape or layout of the tiles.
5. Epoxy grout is durable and very easy to clean compared with traditional cement grout. It’s also stain-proof, hygienic and long-lasting.
Tell us
Which bathroom tiles do you have your eye on? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Planning on redoing your bathroom this year? Find a tile supplier near you and chat through the possibilities
Which bathroom tiles do you have your eye on? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Planning on redoing your bathroom this year? Find a tile supplier near you and chat through the possibilities
There’s a common misconception that a small bathroom needs to be decorated with a light palette, but that’s not necessarily so. While it’s true that light-coloured tiles can look beautiful in a compact space, darker colours can make a bold statement and add a touch of luxury.
The key to making a small bathroom work is to reduce visual clutter, so whether you choose light or dark tiles, aim to keep the overall look clean and minimal.