Choosing the Right Bathroom Tiles for Your Space

When it comes to designing a bathroom, tiles are one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. They’re not just a functional element that protects your walls and floors from water — they also set the style and feel of the whole space. The right tiles can make a small bathroom feel larger, bring warmth to a minimalist scheme, or turn a plain room into a feature worthy of a design magazine. But with so many options available, how do you know what will work best in your own home?

Below, we’ll explore some of the most important things to think about when choosing bathroom tiles, from material to size and shape, and how to match them to your personal style.

Ceramic vs. Porcelain: Which Tile Type is Best

One of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to go for ceramic or porcelain tiles. Both look beautiful and both are excellent for bathrooms, but they do have differences that can help you decide which is right for your project.

Ceramic tiles are made from natural clay and fired at a lower temperature. This makes them slightly less dense and lighter, which is why they are often used for bathroom walls. Ceramic is easier to cut and handle, which is great if you’re planning intricate layouts like herringbone or metro patterns. For example, if you’re tiling a shower wall or a feature behind a sink, ceramic wall tiles can give you plenty of design freedom without making the job too difficult or costly.

Porcelain tiles, on the other hand, are made from a more refined clay and fired at much higher temperatures. This process makes them incredibly strong, dense, and less porous. As a result, porcelain is often the go-to choice for bathroom floors, where durability really matters. It’s also excellent if you want large-format tiles, stone effect tiles, or marble look designs, because the finish is very refined and long-lasting. While they’re heavier and trickier to cut, they deliver a luxury result that feels solid underfoot and will last for years.

So, how do you choose? If you’re creating a feature wall with metro tiles or a mosaic splashback, ceramic is a practical and cost-effective choice. If you want tiles that run across the floor and walls, particularly in wet areas like walk-in showers, porcelain gives you peace of mind that your surfaces will stay beautiful even with heavy use. Many homeowners end up mixing both: porcelain on the floor for strength, ceramic on the walls for design flexibility.

How to Pick the Perfect Size and Shape of Tiles

Tile size and shape have a huge impact on the look and feel of your bathroom. It’s not just about filling the space – it’s about how the tiles change the proportions of the room.

Large-format tiles are a popular choice for modern bathrooms. Because they cover more space with fewer grout lines, they make the room feel sleek, seamless, and often more spacious. A 120x60cm porcelain tile, for instance, can stretch across both walls and floors, creating that “hotel spa” vibe many homeowners love. They’re especially effective in smaller bathrooms, where fewer grout joints help avoid a busy look.

Small tiles like mosaics or metro styles bring a completely different feel. Mosaics add texture and detail, and they’re ideal for shower niches, feature walls, or even as borders. Metro tiles, whether glossy or matt, offer timeless charm and can be laid in different ways – horizontal, vertical, or herringbone – each changing the character of the room. A vertical stack of metro tiles can make a low ceiling feel higher, while a classic herringbone brings subtle movement.

Shapes are also worth thinking about. While rectangles and squares remain the standard, hexagon tiles have gained popularity for their geometric interest. A wall of hexagons behind a mirror or basin can turn a functional corner into a design highlight. For those who like a natural feel, wood-effect plank tiles mimic the warmth of timber flooring without the worry of water damage.

When choosing size and shape, always consider grout as well. Dark grout with white metro tiles gives an industrial look, while light grout keeps things soft and clean. Fewer grout lines with larger tiles mean easier cleaning, something most people appreciate in a busy family bathroom.

Large-Format Tiles

Read More

Small Tiles

Read More

Hexagon Tiles

Read More

Matching Tiles with Your Bathroom Style

The final piece of the puzzle is style. Tiles are available in every colour, texture, and finish you can imagine, so the key is to match them with the mood you want for your bathroom.

• Modern and minimalist bathrooms often use large-format tiles in neutral colours such as grey, beige, or soft white. A matt finish enhances the calm, uncluttered look. Pairing stone effect tiles with sleek fittings and frameless glass shower screens creates a design that feels fresh yet timeless.
• Classic bathrooms tend to embrace metro tiles, marble effect finishes, and subtle patterns. White gloss metro tiles with contrasting grout are an affordable way to achieve a traditional look that never goes out of style. For more elegance, marble effect porcelain in large sizes can make even a small bathroom feel luxurious.
• Rustic or natural bathrooms benefit from earthy tones and textured finishes. Stone effect tiles with warm beige or terracotta shades create a spa-like retreat. Combine them with wood effect flooring and brass fittings for a cosy, nature-inspired space.
• Bold and dramatic bathrooms use colour to make a statement. Deep green, rich blue, or burgundy tiles can transform a plain room into something full of personality. In these cases, balance is key – use bold shades on a feature wall and keep the rest of the tiles neutral. This avoids overwhelming the space while still achieving that wow factor.

Lighting also plays a huge role. Gloss tiles reflect light and make small rooms brighter, while matt tiles absorb light for a softer, more sophisticated mood. If you’re lucky enough to have natural light flooding in, consider how the tiles’ finish will interact with it at different times of day.

Final Thoughts – Our Gift to You

Choosing the right bathroom tiles is about more than finding something that looks good on a sample board. It’s about thinking practically – how they’ll perform on walls and floors, how easy they’ll be to clean, and how they’ll look years from now. But it’s also about creating a space that feels like yours. Whether you lean towards sleek porcelain slabs, classic metro patterns, or playful mosaics, the tiles you choose will define how you experience the room every day.

By considering material, size, shape, and style, you’ll be able to select tiles that not only suit your bathroom but also stand the test of time.

And if you’re not quite sure where to begin, we’re here to help. At Top Ceramics, we’ve helped many homeowners choose tiles that perfectly suit their homes, and we’re always happy to share advice. You can also use our free tile visualiser to try out different styles, colours, and layouts before making your decision. With it, you can design any room with our tiles – from a cosy bathroom to an open-plan kitchen or even a stylish hallway – and instantly see how it will look in your own space.