How To Choose Bathroom Tiles, Whatever Your Budget

Choosing your bathroom tiles is obviously subject to taste, the space your working with and of course, your budget. However, there are a few key pointers that can help narrow down your search and ensure you transform your bathroom to make it last.

As a bathroom is used daily it should really reflect your home and your taste however there is an argument to say it should be simplified because it’s a room that is rarely renovated again. So how to weigh up personality over practicality whilst ensuring you love your room for years to come?

Regal Ash, Lampas Peacock with Ruzzini, Matrix Collection

It’s unwise to invest in something purely because it’s seen everywhere else, even if you don’t feel confident in your interior design skills, following the crowd is only satisfying if you truly love the trend itself.

Take inspiration from trends, like colour combinations, textures and shapes but then put your own spin on it and create the ultimate combination that you love and that suits the space you’re renovating.

It’s sometimes hard to imagine what a finished room will look like when you’re looking at a single tile, that’s why it’s important to use the technology available to help visualise your space.

Start with a mood board, based on inspiration you’ve seen around you and then manipulate this into a tile visualiser like Design My Home, based on your actual room to see if it works in situ. Remember to always get a physical sample before placing your order to make sure you’re happy with the tile itself.

When planning your renovation, consider the overall use of the room and who’s using it. For families and older generations, and for those that tend to get water everywhere, we’d recommend a slip resistant floor tile.

If you’re happy to part with your bathtub, a wet room is a great way to create more space, it’s also easier to clean!

You’ll also need to think about wall coverage and whether you need tiles on all the walls or just in certain splash zones. If you feel confident in a small number of tiles, make them a statement piece to really draw the eye.

Tiling either wall or floor, in the bathroom we’d always recommend a darker grout line, it helps hide soap scum much better than bright white and a matching silicone sealant will provide a professional finish.

When you’re on a tight budget renovating can be a little daunting, however with a little knowhow you can see where to compromise effectively.

If you’re buying a cheaper tile, it’s usually not as high a quality so it’s good to do your research to ensure you can get as good a quality as you can for your money.

Shop our Get The Look For Less edit for tiles under £25/m² that don’t forgo good quality or taste. If you are stuck with a regular tile but want to put your own spin on it, there are few things you can do…

Metro Blush, Complements Matt Black Trim, Metro Matt White

How you lay your tile can change both it and your room entirely. The humble rectangle can be recreated into a gorgeous herringbone, making it look more expensive whilst creating the illusion of a wider bathroom. You can read more on laying patterns in our useful guide.

If you’ve got a lot of space to cover then think about where to place your tiles, a great option is to tile half or three quarters up the wall and painting the rest. This is a great way to bring in colour and design whilst still ensuring adequate coverage on the applicable walls. If you paint the top half of the wall in the same colour as your ceiling, you’ll create the illusion of more height.

Similarly, to laying patterns, opting for a contrasting grout will add definition to your tile shape, draw your eye around the room and even make it look a more expensive tile. For something that you need to purchase anyway, it’s a great way to add a little depth and texture to your space when compromising on your bathroom tiles.

If you can’t invest more in tiles then invest in the trims, they will provide a high-end finish that looks professional whilst also protecting your tiles, so they last longer.

A great way to save in your budget is by doing the work yourself. Although it can be a little scary, our teams of knowledgeable experts in store can help get you started and you can read up on the how tos using our Knowledge Base guides giving you the confidence for some DIY.

Remember that preparation in a bathroom is key and is worth investing in, whether that be with professional help or the right equipment.

If you’re lucky enough to not need a budget it can still be a little intimidating trying to narrow down a huge range of choices. Our advice? Choose a theme and create your room around it, here’s a few luxury bathroom tile ideas to get you started.

Victorian Flooring Darlington Blue, Victorian Mosaic Black & White, Minton Hollins Country Rustic Raspberry

Many period properties have lost their original features over time including traditional Victorian bathrooms. Capturing Victorian bathroom ideas can include certain colours, patterns and of course tiles.

Invest in our Victorian Flooring range to encapsulate traditional Victorian design with a modern aesthetic. If you’re looking for modern Victorian bathroom ideas then read our previous blog all about Victorian tiles and colour schemes.

For the walls, check out our Minton Hollins range, full of beautiful colours and glazes, these hand finished tiles are made in the UK and pay homage to original Victorian design.

Apuano, Flute Terracotta, Spectre Milk

Adding different textures into a space instantly adds a luxury edge, for example mixing smooth brass with glossy marble or a suede-like matt finish with wood grain. We’re hooked on Spectre though, perfect for a contemporary style bathroom, the holographic finish creates a stunning feature.

For a classic finish with a twist, try a matt white based marble like Carrara Honed. It’s muted surface finish still has the elegance of marble whilst feeling more modern, it pairs well with Crittal style fixtures. Fluted or ribbed textures are on trend but by picking a muted tone from a range like Flute, it adds a touch of longevity to your tile choice.

The Williamsburg Hotel, Pinterest, Nordroom

The roll top bath has reigned supreme over the last few years however, taking inspiration from traditional luxury spas in Europe and contemporary chic boutique hotels in the US, tiled baths are back.

Whether you want a natural finish, a complete marble extravaganza or a neon graphic feature, tiles are the ideal way to get achieve your desired finish.

There you have it, budget it or not, there’s lots of options for achieving your dream bathroom. With a little research and inspiration, you can achieve a look that suits both you and your home for years to come. Shop our bathroom tiles now.