Choosing bathroom tiles should be exciting. And it usually starts that way, until you are standing in a showroom surrounded by hundreds of options with no idea where to begin. Knowing how to choose bathroom tiles properly, not just which ones look nice on a display board, but which ones will work in your actual bathroom, last well, and not cause problems during installation, is something most homeowners only learn by making mistakes.

This guide is written from the fitter’s perspective. The decisions that matter, the things that get overlooked, and what to ask before you commit to anything.

Start Here: The Four Decisions That Actually Matter

Before you get into colours and patterns, there are four practical decisions that should come first. Get these right and the aesthetics become much easier to navigate.

• 1. Material: What type of tile suits your bathroom, budget, and lifestyle?
• 2. Size: What tile size works for the room dimensions and gives the finish you want?
• 3. Slip rating: Is the floor tile safe when wet?
• 4. Grout width and colour: This affects the whole look more than most people realise.

We will work through each one in turn.

Decision 1: Which Type of Tile Is Right for You?

Here is a straightforward comparison of the most common bathroom tile materials:

For most bathrooms across Cheltenham and Gloucester, porcelain is the sweet spot. It is durable, water resistant, available in every finish you can think of (including very convincing stone and wood effects), and holds up well on both walls and floors.

Decision 2: Size Matters More Than You Think

The Small Tile Myth

Many people assume that small bathrooms need small tiles. It is a very persistent idea and it is largely wrong. Small tiles create more grout lines, and more grout lines visually chop the floor into sections, making the room feel busier and smaller.

A 600x600mm tile on the floor of a compact bathroom, laid correctly, creates a calm, expansive feel. A 300x300mm tile in the same space looks more cluttered, even if the tiles themselves are beautiful.

Large Format: The Wall Prep Issue

If you want large format tiles (anything over 600mm in any dimension), the walls and floor need to be very flat. Large tiles do not flex or conform to surface variation the way smaller tiles can. If the wall is even slightly bowed or uneven, the tiles will either rock during fixing or crack after installation.

This is not a reason to avoid large format tiles. It is a reason to make sure your fitter properly prepares the substrate before fixing anything. At Timeless Bathrooms we always board and skim before tiling, not just tile over whatever is there.

Practical Sizing Guide

• Small bathroom (under 4m²): 600x600mm floor, 300x600mm or 600x600mm walls
• Standard bathroom (4 to 8m²): 600x600mm or 600x1200mm floor, 600x600mm walls
• Large bathroom or en suite: 600x1200mm or 800x800mm floor, 600x1200mm walls
• Shower enclosure walls: match or complement your main wall tile for a cohesive look

Decision 3: Slip Resistance Ratings (Do Not Skip This)

This is the one area where aesthetics should never override practicality. A wet bathroom floor is a slip hazard, and the tile you choose needs to have the right slip resistance rating for the application.

One important note: many beautiful tiles are only rated R9. They look stunning on a display board and are completely fine for walls. But put them on a wet shower floor and they are genuinely dangerous. Always check the rating before you buy, not after.

Decision 4: Grout Width and Colour

Grout is the decision most people make last and regret most. It has an enormous effect on the finished result.

Grout Width

Rectified tiles (tiles that are precisely cut to size with perfectly square edges) can be laid with very tight grout joints of 2 to 3mm. This gives a seamless, high-end look. Non-rectified tiles need wider joints (typically 3 to 5mm) to accommodate slight size variation between tiles.

Ask your tile supplier whether the tiles you are buying are rectified. If they are, tight joints are an option. If they are not, do not try to force them close together.

Grout Colour

Light grout with light tiles looks clean initially but shows dirt and discolouration quickly, particularly in a shower. Mid-tone grout (grey tones) is far more practical and still looks great. Dark grout on light tiles is a bold look that has become popular and works well, but it is difficult to change later.

Epoxy grout is worth the extra cost in shower enclosures and wet rooms. It is non-porous, does not stain, and does not harbour mould the way standard cement grout does. We use it as standard on all our shower installations.

The Mistake Most Homeowners Make When Buying Tiles

Ordering too few. Always add at least 10% to your calculated tile requirement for cuts, breakages, and pattern matching. For diagonal layouts or chevron patterns, add 15%. Tiles from the same batch have consistent colour and calibration. A new batch can vary slightly, and it will be noticeable next to existing tiles if you run short and need to reorder months later.

Order once, order enough. We always calculate tile quantities as part of our quote so there are no surprises on site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tile over existing tiles?

Technically yes, but we rarely recommend it. It adds significant weight to the wall, means you cannot inspect the condition of the wall behind, and often results in a surface that is slightly too thick for standard fittings like toilet frames and basin brackets. A clean strip-back always gives a better result.

How many tiles do I need for a standard bathroom?

For an average bathroom of around 5m² with walls tiled to full height, allow roughly 25 to 30m² of wall tiles and 6 to 7m² of floor tiles, plus the 10% waste allowance. We always calculate this precisely during the quotation process.

Are porcelain tiles slippery when wet?

It depends entirely on the surface finish and the slip rating, not the material itself. A polished porcelain tile can have a very low R rating and be extremely slippery wet. A textured or matt porcelain tile in the same material can be rated R10 or R11 and be very safe. Always check the rating, not just the material.

How long do tiles take to set?

Standard wall tile adhesive is set enough to grout after 24 hours. Floor tiles need 48 hours before grouting and 72 hours before foot traffic, particularly for heavy format tiles with thick adhesive beds. Rushing this stage is one of the most common causes of tile movement and cracked grout.

Disclaimer: All prices and information in this article are for general guidance only and may change over time. Actual costs and job requirements may vary depending on location, suppliers, and project specifics. We are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of this information. Always seek updated quotes or professional advice before making decisions.