Whether you're looking for a rental or buying a home, the quality of the bathroom often becomes a make or break situation when making the decision to move. Bathroom tiles play the most crucial part in making this space feel airy, spacious and uncluttered. Choose the wrong design, and you may even feel claustrophobic in the space. Here are 13 types of bathroom tiles that are ideal for small bathroom tile designs.
13 Types of Bathroom Tiles That are Great for Small Bathrooms
Glass Tiles
Glass tiles are often used to cordon off spaces in the washroom, say from the bath area from the commode. Glass tiles can be used in various sizes to create pretty patterns. Since they're easily breakable, you could use them on backsplashes or as space separators. They need minimal maintenance, make sure to clean them with a soft cloth if they come into contact with hard water, since the water can leave stains behind on them.
Granite Tiles
Along with being one of the most popular choices for flooring in the rest of your home, granite tiles are often chosen for a bathroom space to maintain uniformity. Sometimes, a lower grade granite is used to create a grittier, anti-slip surface. Granite tiles look uber sophisticated when used on the walls. If you'd like to use them as flooring, we recommend using anti-slip mats to avoid accidents.
Cement Tiles
While cement tiles are often thought of as a boring choice, you can create several patterns with them, inlaying them with different coloured materials and tiles. They're great if you have kids or elders living with you, needing you to pick surfaces that aren't slippery. Based on the finish of the tiles, you can choose smooth ones that add aesthetic value to your bathroom or slightly rougher ones. You could make the rest of the bathroom with similar materials to maintain the rustic theme.
Marble Tiles
Often used interchangeably with granite, marble tiles are a completely different material with different levels of porosity. Since marble is more porous than granite, it's best to use them on wall tiling or backsplash instead of the floor. Just like granite, it has the most stunning look and can make your bathroom look like a million bucks.
Ceramic Tiles
One of the most popular choices for wall tiling, ceramic tiles are often chosen for their hardy nature, easy maintenance and the variety of colours they come in. If you don't wish to make your entire bathroom colourful, pick a spot, say the backsplash behind the washbasin and use ceramic tiles to create fun, colourful patterns. Use complementing colours on the other tiles to create a cohesive space.
Decorative Tiles
Decorative bathroom tiles are often used to create various patterns on walls. They come in various materials like ceramic, porcelain, cement among others. Pick these if you have a specific vision in mind for your bathroom walls. Use complementing coloured tiles for the floors.
Limestone Tiles
One of the most used materials in old constructions, limestone is a naturally occurring stone that's easily available and more sustainable than other tiles. These tiles feel rustic and lived in, and we recommend resealing them every few years to avoid leakages.
Metal Tiles
Metal bathroom tiles often have a stainless steel, bronze or copper finish. Due to their sheen, they're often used as accent tiles between more muted colours. If you'd like to spruce up your basic cement or limestone tiled washroom, use metal tiles as an accent within the design. They don't need much maintenance either.
Terracotta Tiles
Since they're fired at lower temperatures, terracotta tiles are ideal for dry areas in the washrooms, or powder rooms where you may not witness as much footfall. Once glazed, they act like regular porcelain or ceramic tiles requiring minimal maintenance. We'd still recommend using them on the walls instead of floors. They're perfect if you're trying to create an earthy colour palette in your washroom.
Travertine Tiles
Just like limestone, Travertine is a naturally occurring stone in earthy tones. They need to be resealed every few years, and are excellent for a rugged look in your bathroom. prices vary based on how textured or smooth they are. Add in a bunch of indoor plants to complement the earthy tone of travertine tiles.
Pebble Tiles
You may have spotted pebble tiles at beach resorts and other beachside properties often. They bring in a sense of whimsy and possibly remind you of your last beach vacay. They come in a variety of colours, typically an assortment. If you find that too noisy, use them in a small section of your washroom to create an accent.
Slate Tiles
Slate tiles are some of the most hardy tiles you can install in your washroom. So, they're ideal for washrooms that witness a lot of footfall, say a common washroom in the home. They come in a bunch of colours, and if you're choosing a darker tone, make sure there are no sediments left over because of hard water.
Vinyl Tiles
One of the most common types of tiles used in bathrooms, vinyl tiles are excellent if you'd like to remodel your washrooms. They're inexpensive and super easy to install. Pick them if you don't have a specific design in mind and would like to go for something basic and cost-effective.