Big or small, colourful, plain, or textured, bathroom tiles are an instant pick-me-up for the most tired of homes.
When designing a new bathroom, or simply looking for a lighter refresh, choosing the right type of tile is one of the most important decisions you have to make. Every element of bathroom design holds its weight, but tiles form one of the few decorative elements in what is otherwise a predominantly practical space. But with so many options out there, how do you know which tile to go for? This handy guide will help you to pick the right bathroom tiles for your space and your scheme, with plenty of inspiration, to boot.
What type of bathroom tiles should you use?
There is a wealth of bathroom tile ideas and options out there, which can make it hard to choose, but aesthetics and budget will probably dictate roughly where you land. Some popular types at the moment include Moroccan zellige tiles, which have an uneven surface that bounces light around the space and creates a wonderful textural richness in a bathroom – they look especially wonderful when covering three walls of an enclosed shower to create a cocooning effect. Metro tiles are the brick-shape, rectangular tiles that were, as the name suggests, used in the underground train systems of New York, London and Paris.
Plain tiles are great for a bold, ‘colour drenching’ effect, while patterned designs will add a touch of interest. Try mixing and matching your tiles. For instance, you could choose plain tiles for the majority of the bathroom, and introduce a contrasting colour or patterned tile forming a trim along the middle of the wall or above the bath. Or why not combine two colours for a striped tile effect, which is always eye-catching, as is a chequerboard arrangement if you are using square tiles. Mosaic tiles can be very tricky to install, but sheet mosaic can be a good alternative and will still create the same decorative effect.
SourcE: www.houseandgarden.co.uk