Bathroom tiles are one of the most impactful choices you can make during a new build or bathroom renovation, which can make tile selection feel more stressful than it should!
Tile choices influence the overall look and feel of your space, as well as coming with practical considerations like maintenance, durability, and safety. In this article, we cover off some of the most important considerations for tile selection, so you can feel confident choosing the right tiles for your new build or renovation.
How do you want your bathroom to feel?
When you’re starting to think about choosing bathroom tiles, the ambience you want to create is often the best starting point. Tile colour, texture, pattern and tone all work towards setting the tone of your space.
Do you want your bathroom to feel:
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Relaxing and spa-like?
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Bright and contemporary?
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Natural and organic?
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Moody and indulgent?
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Luxurious and elegant?
All of these moods begin with tile choice. A relaxing, spa-like bathroom will call for warm-toned tiles and plenty of natural textures, while a bright, contemporary bathroom is likely to feature high-gloss tiles in a lighter palette.
Collecting inspiration photos is a good starting point. As you curate your ‘bathroom inspiration’ images, you’ll notice recurring colours, themes, and moods to guide your tile choice.
Warm and relaxing, or moody and indulgent? In the bathroom on the left, Tabula Miel timber-effect floor tiles add a natural element, grounding and softening the space. On the right, Coco Verd Matt tiles add drama and depth.
Which tile material is right for your bathroom?
Porcelain tiles remain a popular option for New Zealand bathrooms, and are the most common choice for both wall and floor tiles. Porcelain tiles are durable and versatile, and come in an impressive range of colours, patterns and finishes.
The benefits of porcelain bathroom tiles include:
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High durability
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Low maintenance
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Good water resistance
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Suitable for both walls and floors
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Wide range of colours and textures available
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Wide range of natural finishes available, including stone, timber and concrete effect tiles.
Porcelain tiles are available in a wide range of finishes, including patterns that mimic natural stone and timber.
Which tile size will work best for your bathroom?
The size of your bathroom tiles is an important choice, as it affects how large or small the space feels. Tile size can have a transformational effect on small spaces, and is often a key factor in successful renovations.
Large-format tiles are the most popular choice for bathroom walls and floors, regardless of the size of the space. The larger tile size creates a seamless flow and minimises visual clutter, opening up the space and making the bathroom feel larger.
In contrast, smaller tiles are well-suited to feature walls, shower floors, and decorative accents.
Large-format porcelain wall tiles complement an Ice Minnesota Moka tile feature partition, ensuring this Christchurch bathroom feels open and spacious.
How will colour, texture and finish work together?
Tile colour is important, but texture and finish are equally important in the finished look and feel of your space.
How does tile finish change the look and feel of your bathroom?
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Gloss finishes reflect light, adding brightness and making small spaces feel larger.
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Matte finishes create a softer appearance, well-suited to spa-inspired bathrooms.
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Textured finishes add depth and create a more tactile, organic feel.
This design approach also wraps through to the rest of your bathroom. Consider how your tiles will work with your vanity, tapware, lighting, and shower fittings. Keeping your palette cohesive across all the elements in your bathroom creates a refined result that feels intentional and sophisticated.
Asphalt Off White textured wall and floor tiles bring organic softness to this Christchurch bathroom, while Massimo Almond feature tiles add depth and dimension.
The practical requirements of bathroom tiles: safety and durability
Slip resistance, water resistance and general durability are all important considerations for bathroom tile selection. This stage of the tile selection process is where consulting with an expert can save you a lot of time and confusion.
Our team can make sure the floor tile you choose is a safe, suitable choice, and recommend a strong alternative if your preferred tile isn’t the right fit for the space.
We can also talk you through the maintenance requirements of your tile choices, including grout maintenance. Knowing the lifetime requirements of your bathroom tiles is an important part of tile selection.
If you’re beginning a build or renovation project, come and visit our Christchurch tile showroom. You’ll discover stunning tile ranges suitable for a range of styles and budgets, and can ask our in-house experts for help selecting the perfect tiles for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tile for a bathroom floor?
Porcelain tiles are a common choice in New Zealand homes. They’re perfect for bathroom floors as they’re durable, water resistant, and available in a large range of designs (including stone-effect and timber-effect finishes).
Are large tiles best for small bathrooms?
Large-format tiles are a popular choice for small bathrooms, as they open up the space and create a seamless aesthetic. You don’t have to sacrifice visual interest just because your bathroom is smaller, though; carefully chosen feature tiles can elevate your space without making it feel closed-in.
What colour tiles make a bathroom look bigger?
Lighter tiles typically reflect more light, making small spaces feel bigger. Gloss-finish tiles also reflect light, regardless of colour, and are a popular choice for small bathrooms.
Do bathroom wall and floor tiles have to match?
Not necessarily: contrasting wall and floor tiles can still work together to create a cohesive space. It’s important that both tiles are carefully selected to make sure the overall effect is harmonious, not competing or clashing.
Are stone-look tiles a good alternative to natural stone?
Absolutely. Porcelain stone-effect tiles provide all the beauty of natural stone, with the added durability and low-maintenance of high quality porcelain.