Introduction
Tiles can make or break a bathroom. Get them right and they tie the whole room together; get them wrong and even the most expensive sanitaryware can look out of place. The good news is that once you understand the key decisions, choosing bathroom tiles becomes much more straightforward.
At Norbreck Bathroom & Tile Centre, we stock hundreds of tile options across our Blackpool showroom — from large-format porcelain to handmade ceramics. This guide will help you narrow down your choices before you visit.
Step 1: Understand Where the Tiles Are Going
The first question is always: wall, floor, or both? This matters because wall and floor tiles have different requirements.
- Wall tiles don't need to be slip-rated but should be water-resistant. They can be thinner and lighter.
- Floor tiles must be slip-rated (R9 minimum for bathrooms, R10 or above for wet rooms and shower trays). They need to be durable enough to withstand foot traffic.
- Rectified tiles have precisely cut edges and can be laid with very thin grout lines — ideal for a seamless, contemporary look.
Step 2: Choose Your Tile Size
Tile size has a huge impact on how a room feels. Here's a practical guide:
- Large format (600x600mm, 600x1200mm, 800x800mm): Makes small rooms feel larger by reducing the number of grout lines. Very popular in contemporary bathrooms. Requires a very flat, level substrate.
- Medium format (300x600mm, 300x300mm): Versatile and works in most bathrooms. Easier to cut around obstacles like pipes and corners.
- Small format (metro 75x300mm, mosaic): Adds texture and character. Great as a feature wall or shower niche detail. More grout lines mean more cleaning.
Pro tip: In a small bathroom, don't be afraid of large tiles. The fewer grout lines actually make the space feel more open, not more cramped.
Step 3: Choose Your Material
The most common bathroom tile materials are:
- Porcelain: The most popular choice. Dense, hard-wearing, low water absorption, and available in almost any look — including realistic stone and wood effects. Suitable for walls and floors.
- Ceramic: Lighter and easier to cut than porcelain. Slightly more water-absorbent, so better suited to walls than floors in wet areas. Usually more affordable.
- Natural stone (marble, travertine, slate): Genuinely luxurious but requires sealing and more maintenance. Can be cold underfoot. Best suited to lower-traffic bathrooms.
- Glass: Reflective and light-enhancing. Typically used as a feature or mosaic tile rather than full coverage. Not suitable for floors.
Step 4: Choose Your Finish
Tile finish affects both the look and the practicality of your bathroom:
- Gloss/polished: Reflects light and makes spaces feel brighter and larger. Shows water marks and fingerprints more easily. Not suitable for floors (too slippery when wet).
- Matt: Hides marks better and feels more contemporary. Easier to maintain on floors. Can feel slightly less bright in darker bathrooms.
- Textured/structured: Adds grip underfoot — ideal for shower trays and wet room floors. Also adds visual interest on feature walls.
- Satin: A middle ground between gloss and matt — some sheen without the high maintenance.
Step 5: Think About Colour and Pattern
A few principles that work well in bathrooms:
- Light colours (white, cream, light grey) make spaces feel larger and brighter — a safe choice for smaller bathrooms.
- Dark colours (charcoal, navy, forest green) create drama and intimacy — work well in larger bathrooms or as a feature wall.
- Neutral base, feature detail: Use a simple neutral tile for the majority of the room and introduce pattern or colour in a shower niche, splashback, or feature wall.
- Tone-on-tone: Using the same colour in different textures (e.g. matt wall tile with a structured floor tile) creates a sophisticated, layered look.
Step 6: Check the Slip Rating
This is non-negotiable for floor tiles. The R rating system indicates slip resistance:
- R9: Minimum for bathroom floors
- R10: Recommended for shower areas and wet rooms
- R11: For very wet or commercial environments
Always check the slip rating before purchasing floor tiles. Our team in the Blackpool showroom can confirm the rating for any tile in our range.
Step 7: Calculate How Many Tiles You Need
Measure the area to be tiled (length x height for walls, length x width for floors) and add 10-15% for cuts and wastage. For complex layouts or diagonal patterns, add up to 20%.
Always buy from the same batch (same batch number on the box) to ensure consistent colour. Order slightly more than you need and keep a few spare tiles for future repairs.
Step 8: Consider the Grout
Grout colour is a design decision, not just a practical one:
- Matching grout creates a seamless, continuous look — tiles appear to flow into one another.
- Contrasting grout (e.g. dark grout with white metro tiles) makes a bold design statement and emphasises the tile pattern.
- Use epoxy grout in shower areas for superior water and stain resistance.
- Seal grout lines annually to keep them looking fresh.
Ready to Choose Your Tiles?
Browse our full range online or visit our Blackpool showroom to see tiles at full scale before you commit. Seeing a tile in person — in the right light, at the right size — makes all the difference.