If you haven’t had to remodel a bathroom before, you might be thinking that as far as tasks go, choosing bathroom tiles probably falls somewhere on the simpler side of the spectrum. After all, it’s not that large of a space, so how hard can it really be? The truth is, bathroom projects need just as much consideration as any other home reno you’re planning. Remember, your bathroom is your sanctuary, a place where you can wash away the day and restore a bit of your inner peace. So, considering the importance of your bathroom, you might want to learn a thing or two about how to choose bathroom tile before you begin your search for a ceramic tile supplier. Fortunately, we’ve pulled together some really great tips for changing your bathroom tiles that will help you get started.
How to Choose Bathroom Tiles?
What is a “must-have tile”? Well, consider it like the starting point of your tiling journey. It represents the one type or style of tile that absolutely needs to be a part of your bathroom’s final design, and one that will allow you to determine the other accents in the room. For some, the must-have tile will be chosen to create a jaw-dropping feature wall, for others, the must-have tile could represent an exotic place the homeowner once traveled to and fell in love with. Whatever the case may be, picking your must-have tile early in the process will make selecting the rest of your tiles much easier when it’s time to visit your wholesale tile supplier of choice.
Tips for Changing Your Bathroom Tiles
Ever heard the expression, “two’s company, three’s a crowd”? In the world of bathroom tile, that saying can be cast aside because using three different tile styles is a design sweet spot. Use your must-have tile and base your secondary tile selections off its colours and patterns. If your primary tile features bold colours or patterns, you might be wondering how to pick bathroom tiles that complement it. Simply pull out some of the more subtle colours from the primary tile and use those as your inspiration when choosing your accent tile. If however, your must-have tile is a classic white subway tile, you can add some interest by choosing bathroom tiles that feature a colourful accent or a unique shape to make the space more intriguing. Since most bathrooms typically have three different areas that you can tile (floor, shower, and walls) you should have no trouble finding the perfect place for each of your selected tile styles.
Stick to One (and Only One) Focal Point
With so many great home ideas out there it can be easy to get carried away. There are literally hundreds of stunning tiles for you to choose from, all hailing from different corners of the globe, but it’s important to reign in your enthusiasm. The reason is simple enough – like any stylistic choice, you want your tile to speak to your personal aesthetic and to create that “wow” factor for your guests. If you forcibly try to incorporate all of the different styles that you love, not only will your final bathroom design look incomplete and disjointed, the space simply won’t feel like “you”. Take your time on deciding what your (one) focal point will be and stick to that vision. The result will be a bathroom that will scream the virtues of classical design and timelessness.
Consider Maintenance and Upkeep
No one really likes to clean their bathrooms, do they? There are lots of nooks and crannies, and it can be awkward and difficult to clean the tub and shower areas. Ultimately, you want to spend your time enjoying your bathroom and not worrying about its upkeep. So, your tile choice should reflect the amount of maintenance you feel comfortable with. Generally speaking many, if not most, homeowners lean towards porcelain or ceramic tile for their bathroom simply because these options are pretty much maintenance free (though they may need to be sealed). Keep in mind that while some tile types – like natural stone – might look exquisite, but they may require more upkeep than you’re comfortable with in order to keep them looking their best (stone is much more porous than other materials, and that means they’ll hold on to dirt much more obstinately than other tile options).
Consider Scale
If you’ve been flipping through any home décor magazines over the last couple of years, you may have noticed that larger tile is being featured more prominently than it was before. While larger floor tiles are undoubtedly on trend, you might not want to use that large size throughout the entire space. For example, if in the bathroom itself you want to install 12 x 24 inch tiles on the floor, it might not be a good idea to install similarly-sized tiles on the shower floor, even if the colour and texture would otherwise be perfect. To keep the aesthetic consistent however, you could choose to cut down the larger tile into smaller 2 x 2 inch tiles and install them in the shower, effectively maintaining your chosen style .
When it comes to renovating a bathroom, nothing makes a bigger impression than tile – whether it’s on the floor, in the shower, or used for a decorative backsplash behind the sink. How do you choose good quality tiles? Start by choosing a tile you can’t live without and you’ll be surprised how quickly the rest falls into place!