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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to ask you to choose some bathroom tiles that won't date?

24 replies

WhereDoesThisToiletGo · 01/01/2019 09:05

Blatantly posting for traffic!
Total refit of existing (dreadful) bathroom planned.
Will include large vanity unit in white gloss with chrome handles plus mirrored wall cabinets.
I want something that is not going to look dated or "very 2019" in ten year's time.
Suggestions please!

OP posts:
Plexie · 01/01/2019 09:09

White won't date. Not very helpful!

WhirlwindHugs · 01/01/2019 09:12

White!

If you are planning to stay for ten years I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as it is practical, functional and easy to make it look a bit more modern with accessories. Most people won't be put off by a slightly dated bathroom as taste in plain bathrooms hasn't changed for a long time.

TulipDaisy · 01/01/2019 09:14

They all date sadly. No matter if it's even plain white. The style/size/pattern they're laid out in will date over time. I chose plain ivory tiles for this exact reason and was mortified when the estate agent recently said my bathroom was dated! For the record I have a plain white modern suite with a claw-foot bath. I can see why though. My tiles were laid out in a straight plain pattern. These days it's more fashionable to have bright patterned floors & herringbone walls. I'd choose something that you love & not worry.

IdaDown · 01/01/2019 09:23

I went to a local place and bought some very cheap metro style (rectangular) tiles in a matt finish, off white colour, flat style.

9 years on, still very happy with them. Classic, crisp, not meh.

No boarder or odd pattern tiles.

I also bought one of these.
www.designerbathroomconcepts.com/roper-rhodes-scheme-640-recessed-mirror-cabinet-for-built-out-walls.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlYevpaDM3wIV7Z3tCh0PWwcYEAQYAyABEgIcQfD_BwE

Ikea have extended their Hemnes range in bathroom, if your looking for an unfitted look.

WhirlwindHugs · 01/01/2019 09:28

I agree Tulip but at the same time, while everything dates I do think a white but dated suite will be much less off putting to a future buyer than one that's very obviously the 'wrong colour' or going to be difficult to pull out and replace.

When we moved into our current place the bathroom was not on the adverts as it was a bit dated, but it was mostly white and functional so we were perfectly happy to live with it and replace it when the time was right.

Whereas another place we looked at had an all brown bathroom apart from the sink which had clearly broken and been replaced with something mismatched! That did put us off, as it would have been irritating to live with while waiting to replace.

Fairylea · 01/01/2019 09:31

I think white does date because the grout always goes yellow- and even if you re grout them then they still look dated as then the tiles look old!

I think going for a simple rectangular or square medium sized tile in a pale grey or beige is probably safest- but then it’s not ever going to be “in” either. Just go for whatever you like, everything dates.

Current fashion seems to be tiny rectangular white tiles laid sideways in brickwork fashion with black or grey grout. I would avoid that as it’s always going to be “2018/2019” ish.

MeOldChina · 01/01/2019 09:58

My first thought was white metro tiles but as they've been around for a good while now, i'd be worried they were on the way out.

You have my sympathies; i am often paralysed by trying to decorate for longevity, so end up putting jobs off. I would like to do our bathroom in 2020 and no idea how i will choose!

GreenTulips · 01/01/2019 10:01

White metro tiles loo awful when they’ve been up a while as there’s so much grout to clean - hang on I know some lovely ones

GreenTulips · 01/01/2019 10:13

Have a look for Brighton Linear wall tiles

They do a white that has a slight stripe and blue lilac and black -

Maybe think of classic colors and avoid beige and grey

WhereDoesThisToiletGo · 01/01/2019 10:17

Thanks for the input so far, really helpful.
I'm hoping we won't be here in 10 years, but there's a lot of building and engineering work in the locality at the moment which would make selling difficult so we're upgrading the house to make it nicer for us in the meantime, plus hopefully still look OK when we try to sell when Crossrail the madness settles.
So we want something we like that other people won't hate.
So I think i might avoid really grey as that has to peak eventually

OP posts:
Babdoc · 01/01/2019 10:29

I’m having a new bathroom this month, OP, after 47 years! I chose tiles that are large (so v few grout lines) but are designed to look like they’re divided up into smaller (natural brick colour) London bricks.
The floor is ceramic tiles that look like dark wood floorboards (easy clean, waterproof), and the white basin has pale driftwood drawers under it, matching the mirror frame. The walls above the tiles are white paint. The radiator, medicine cabinet etc are chrome silver.
The whole thing aims at a stripped brick, natural wood look, that is fairly plain and minimalist and unlikely to date much, unless hugely opulent, patterned and coloured bathrooms suddenly come into vogue! I’m just thrilled to be replacing the cracked and tired bright turquoise suite that I’ve lived with since I moved in over 30 years ago...!

Ivegotthree · 01/01/2019 10:32

Following as we're putting in a new bathroom in Feb and I don't know the answer.

I bought an interiors mag yday and dutifully read it all but am still none the wiser.

Ivegotthree · 01/01/2019 10:33

I was talking to an interior designer who said rubber flooring was the new thing.

Not sure I believe her but am interested as it sounds practical/warm.

StrawberryTraveller · 01/01/2019 10:37

We have recently had ours done. Its large tiles 90 x90 on both walls and floor so not many tiles per room. Walls light cream colour, floor dark grey, grouting matches tiles. chrome fittings, white wall hung toilet and sink, and a walk-in shower.
It might date, but its fairly simple, clean and inoffensive so I think it will remain fairly neutral if not up to date fashionable.

I would pick something you like. As long as it isn't too extreme like bright green or something then it should be fine for selling in the future if thats key

Firesuit · 01/01/2019 10:47

For two bathroom refurbs in the past year I've chosen to cover the walls in wet area with one large matt white acrylic panel per wall. For the floor I've use sheet lino (Marmoleum.) So I have no tiles whatsoever in my bathroom, and no grout to grow mould.

I don't care if anyone else likes the result, it's only me that's ever going to live with it. But I don't see how it can go out of fashion, as for example the white matt acrylic walls above the bath are barely distinguishable (visually) from the non-wet-area walls elsewhere painted with Dulux white bathroom paint. (The rooms do have colour/focus in places other than walls above bath/shower tray.)

DaphneDiligaf · 01/01/2019 10:47

I styled my bathroom to suit my Victorian house, so its always been dated iyswim.

Babdoc · 01/01/2019 12:36

Daphne, you’re so lucky to have a house of a definite age and attractive classic period, so you can decorate to match. Mine dates from the early 70’s, the decade that taste forgot! I’m removing a brightly coloured bathroom suite that hasn’t been in fashion for yonks, and is not even desirable as ironic retro!

BlackeyedGruesome · 01/01/2019 12:54

white rectangular tiles with white grout is the least likely to date. anything really fashionable will date wuicker than something that is more neutral.

put in what you like. if you put in neutral and hate it, it is not worth it.

we put in a new kitchen with a view to sell the flat, still got the not so new kitchen now which has dated, but I still like it and I have enjoyed it for 12 years, and when we do sell, if we ever sell, it will still be functional, neutralish for renting out or replaced for something more to the new owners taste.

madmum5811 · 01/01/2019 13:00

We bought a house with a brand new bathroom, up to date but beige large tiles from floor to ceiling. I hate it... If you are staying go with what your like. I am a part tile part decorated bathroom person.

RoseBromley · 01/01/2019 13:08

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mrsjackrussell · 01/01/2019 14:20

White large tiles with a neutral floor. When you come to sell update with accessories if you need to like new towels, toilet roll holder, mats, and blinds, just to make it look fresher.

Steamedbadger · 01/01/2019 14:23

Plain white or off-white but use grout sealer to keep it clean. Makes a huge difference ime

SaucyJack · 01/01/2019 14:25

White tiles, and only in the necessary areas will age the best.

I reckon the current trend for tiling every bit of wall in those beige fake stone tiles is going to be the avocado suite* of the future.

SaucyJack · 01/01/2019 14:27

(Pressed post too soon)

*not that there’s anything wrong with avocado suites. I quite like them with a bit of retro styling.

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