Bathrooms are one of the most challenging spaces in your home when it comes to selecting the right materials. Unlike living rooms or bedrooms, bathrooms face constant exposure to water, steam, and humidity — not to mention the daily wear and tear from foot traffic. That’s why choosing the right bathroom tiles isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s also about finding surfaces that can withstand moisture, prevent slips, and remain easy to clean for years to come.
Whether you’re planning a complete bathroom renovation or simply refreshing your shower area, understanding the different types of tiles available and their specific properties will help you make informed decisions.
In this guide, compiled with the help of experts from the Tile & Floor shop and design centre in Bath, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selecting bathroom floor and wall tiles that combine practicality with style.
Understanding Your Bathroom’s Practical Needs
Before diving into colours and patterns, it’s essential to consider what your bathroom actually requires from its tiling. The right bathroom tiles need to tick several important boxes.
Moisture Resistance is Non-Negotiable
Your bathroom is essentially a wet room, even if it’s not technically designed as one. Steam from showers, splashes from sinks, and general humidity mean that moisture-resistant tiles are absolutely essential. Water that seeps beneath or into your tiles can cause mould growth, structural damage, and costly repairs down the line. Look for tiles with low water absorption rates — this is where porcelain particularly excels, absorbing less than 0.5% of water.
Safety Through Slip Resistance
Wet bathroom floors are notoriously slippery, making slip-resistant flooring a critical safety feature, especially if you have young children or elderly family members. Tiles are rated for slip resistance, with textured or matt finishes generally offering better grip than high-gloss options. For bathroom floors, consider tiles with a slight texture or those specifically rated for wet areas.
Easy Maintenance Matters
Between soap scum, limescale, and everyday dirt, bathrooms require regular cleaning. Easy-clean bathroom surfaces save you time and effort in the long run. Glazed tiles with smooth surfaces are typically easier to wipe down than heavily textured options, though you’ll need to balance this with slip resistance for floor areas. Large-format tiles also mean fewer grout lines, which reduces the areas where dirt and mould can accumulate.
Porcelain vs Ceramic: Which Should You Choose?
One of the first decisions you’ll face when choosing bathroom flooring and wall coverings is whether to opt for porcelain or ceramic tiles. Both are popular choices, but they have distinct characteristics.
- Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles are made from clay fired at lower temperatures than porcelain. They’re generally more affordable and come in an enormous range of colours and designs. For shower wall tiles and other wall applications, ceramic tiles work beautifully. However, they’re more porous than porcelain, which means they absorb more water and may not be the best choice for floor areas that see heavy use or significant water exposure.
- Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain is fired at much higher temperatures, creating a more dense, harder, and less porous tile. This makes porcelain one of the best waterproof tile options available. Porcelain tiles are highly durable, resistant to staining, and suitable for both floors and walls. They’re particularly excellent for high-traffic bathrooms or wet rooms. The trade-off? They typically cost more than ceramic, but many homeowners find the durability worth the investment.
Bathroom Tile Finishes Explained
The finish you choose dramatically affects both the look and functionality of your bathroom tiles. Here’s a breakdown of the most common options:
- Gloss Finish
High-shine glazed tiles reflect light beautifully, making small bathrooms feel larger and brighter. They’re easy to clean but can be slippery when wet, so they’re best reserved for walls rather than floors. Gloss tiles work particularly well as shower wall tiles, where they create a sleek, contemporary look.
- Matt Finish
Matt tiles offer a more subtle, sophisticated appearance and provide better slip resistance, making them ideal for bathroom floors. They’re also better at hiding water spots and soap marks between cleans. The slightly textured surface provides the grip needed for safe slip-resistant flooring.
- Satin or Semi-Gloss
Sitting between matt and gloss, satin finishes offer a gentle sheen without being overly reflective. They provide reasonable slip resistance while still being relatively easy to clean, making them a versatile middle-ground option for various bathroom areas.
- Textured
Heavily textured tiles, such as those mimicking natural stone or wood, provide excellent grip but can be more challenging to clean due to the grooves and grain where dirt accumulates. Consider these carefully for floor areas, weighing safety against maintenance requirements.
Choosing the Right Tile Size for Your Bathroom
Tile size affects both the visual impact and practical aspects of your bathroom.
- Large Format Tiles
Large tiles (typically 600mm x 600mm or larger) create a seamless, contemporary look with fewer grout lines. This means easier cleaning and less opportunity for mould growth — a significant advantage for easy-clean bathroom surfaces. They can also make small bathrooms appear more spacious. However, large tiles require a perfectly level surface for installation and can be more expensive.
- Medium Tiles
Standard sizes like 300mm x 300mm or 400mm x 400mm offer versatility and are generally easier to install, particularly around awkward spaces, pipework, or fixtures. They’re a safe, classic choice that works across most bathroom renovation ideas.
- Small Tiles and Mosaics
Smaller tiles, including mosaics, create visual interest and work wonderfully as feature areas or borders. Their smaller size makes them ideal for curved surfaces or shower niches. However, the increased number of grout lines means more maintenance. Small tiles also offer excellent slip resistance on floors due to the grout providing additional texture.
Bathroom Tile Colour and Style Considerations
Once you’ve nailed down the practical elements, it’s time to think about aesthetics. Here are some tips to take into consideration when choosing tiles to suit your taste and the character of your bathroom décor:
- Light Colours for Space and Brightness
White, cream, light grey, and pastel shades make bathrooms feel larger and brighter — particularly valuable in small or windowless bathrooms. These timeless choices also provide a neutral backdrop that won’t date quickly and allows you to change accessories and colour schemes without retiling.
- Dark Tiles for Drama
Darker bathroom tiles create a luxurious, spa-like atmosphere. Charcoal, navy, forest green, or black tiles make a bold statement, though they can make small spaces feel more enclosed and show water marks more readily. Consider using dark tiles as feature walls rather than covering entire bathrooms.
- Patterns and Textures
Patterned tiles, whether geometric, floral, or traditional encaustic designs, add personality and visual interest. Use them strategically — perhaps on a single wall or as a shower surround — to avoid overwhelming the space. Wood-effect and stone-effect porcelain tiles bring natural textures into bathrooms with none of the maintenance issues of actual wood or stone.
Practical Tips for Different Bathroom Areas
- Bathroom Floors
Prioritise slip-resistant flooring with a matt or textured finish. Porcelain tiles offer the best combination of moisture resistance and durability. Ensure tiles have an appropriate slip rating, particularly if you have vulnerable family members.
- Shower Walls and Wet Areas
Look for waterproof tile options with low absorption rates. Glazed porcelain or ceramic tiles work excellently as shower wall tiles. Consider using large-format tiles to minimise grout lines, where water and mould can penetrate.
- Vanity Areas and Dry Zones
These areas offer more flexibility since they experience less water exposure. You can experiment with different finishes, colours, or decorative tiles that might be less practical in wetter zones.
Where to Find Quality Bathroom Tiles
Finding the right tiles for your bathroom renovation needn’t be overwhelming. Specialist retailers like Tile and Floor of Bath offer an unparalleled range of floor and wall coverings sourced from trusted suppliers around the world. They also make bathroom upgrades or new bathroom installations easy with their comprehensive bathroom design service. If you need some advice and inspiration for your bathroom, pop in to the Tile and Floor Design Centre to pick up some samples, or get in touch to make an appointment with one of the in-house specialists to talk through your design ideas in more detail.
If you live in Wiltshire you can visit the Tile and Floor Warehouse Showroom near Chippenham (call 01249 848486).