Bathroom tile style tips
Bathrooms need long-lasting quality tiles. Here are some tips on what to consider when choosing ones to suit your space. By Bea Taylor.
The Chinese tile or the Italian tile? That’s a question Sandy Fifielb, manager at Tile Space Albany is often asked. ‘‘There isn’t actually much difference between them,’’ she says. ‘‘It’s more about a difference in quality in design.’’
The Italians put their money into research design and production, and often because of this, their colours look better.
‘‘It’s really hard to get a true and consistent black or white colour in tiles, and this is something the Italians do really well,’’ she says.
Tiles are the hardest thing to replace, so Fifielb says it makes sense to spend the money on something you know will last and you will enjoy for longer.
So, with the first question out of the way, what other things do you have to consider when choosing a bathroom tile?
Size:
‘‘Lots of people think a small space needs a small tile,’’ says Fifielb. ‘‘But actually, a bigger tile in a small space will make the room feel bigger and more generous in size.’’
She suggests instead of opting for a 600ml, choose a 750ml. ‘‘It gives the bathroom a larger, more elegant feel.’’
But, the consideration with this decision is expense. Larger tiles are more expensive per tile, and they will cost more to lay because they generally require two people. And, she says, there is more variety in price and look in the 600ml range.
Light or dark?
One of the first places to start is deciding what colour you want your bathroom to be. Lighter tiles, says Fifielb, reflect light and will result in a brighter bathroom, which could be a good option for a small bathroom.
Black or darker tiles on the other hand will give your bathroom a warmer, cosier feel. When choosing dark tiles, it’s suggested to go for a black porcelain tile because they’re black all the way through, so if they get chipped, the damage won’t be too obvious.
Low variation or high variation?
This is something Fifielb always asks her customers when they’re discussing whether they want the look of their tiles to be plain or busy.
‘‘Marble and stone varieties can come in either high or low variation,’’ she says. ‘‘There’s actually a lot of difference between the two.’’
Low variation is more subtle and makes less of a statement. High variation means each tile will have it’s own natural look.
‘‘High variation adds some interest, the Italians do it best,’’ she says.
Walls and floor?
The next question to ask is how much