Porcelain tiles - matt or polished (with gloss units)?

[CurrerBell]

We are just planning our family bathroom with fitted units with high gloss flat white doors and dark sparkly granite-type worktop. Would gloss tiles be too much with this look? Or conversely, would matt look odd against gloss units?

The tiles I'm looking at are large format porcelain, in a light grey stone colour. They come in a matt or polished version and I can't decide which to go for. The matt version looks a bit unfinished somehow... but would the gloss version show water marks and need more cleaning? Ideally I would like the same tile on the floors and walls (although not all the walls will be tiled - only the shower area and half height around the bath/units).

Not quite the same thing as a bathroom but I have a white gloss kitchen and cream coloured polished porcelain tiles on the floor 60cm x 30cm and it looks lovely. Loads of compliments, even the post lady

We've got matt tiles in the bathroom. They have a sort of chalky finish and look beautiful but are about 1000x harder to get clean. I'd never get them again.

I have high gloss tiles on my kitchen and hall floor. If you come in the door after its been raining, or if there is there are any drops of water on the floor, your feet go from under you. They are leathal. Surely they'd be dangerous in a bathroom. I'm terrified a delivery person will fall and I'll get sued. I cant wait to rip them up. My next tiles will have a satin finish because I gather from friends that the matt tiles are hard to clean.

Personally I'd go for matt just because I love matt finishes... but then I'd probably go for matt on the units too.

Please please can you link to the tiles - they sound exactly what I'm looking for for our bathroom? Thank you

Thanks for the replies.

These are the tiles. They look lovely but the matt ones do have a bit of a chalky finish and perhaps they would be difficult to get clean... I hadn't thought of that!

I wish there were a satin version. In our other bathroom we have satin ceramic (travertine colour) on the walls and floors and they have been very easy to keep clean and not slippery.

Another issue with the porcelain tiles is that the plumber said they are incredibly difficult to drill.

Hmmm... I might go back to my original choice, which was some Porcelanosa 'Cubica' tiles in pearlescent white or grey... here. Something else on the floor... possibly a wood effect tile.

It is a north facing room which doesn't get a huge amount of light, so was thinking the 'bling' shiny look might work...

How funny Currer. Those are the exact same tiles which I have been carrying round with me (sample in handbag) as our "top contender so far". Was hoping your tiles might be a competing option but sounds like we have hit on the same ones

They are lovely aren't they

Off to look up your Porcelanosa tiles since clearly we have the same taste!

PS we have looked a LOT and not found anything we like as much as the RAK ones...

Minipie - that's funny it's the same tile! I really did think matt wouldn't need cleaning as much as gloss, but they do feel quite chalky rather than smooth so I guess might be harder to wipe over? I have a full size sample so am going to experiment...

The Porcelanosa ones are a very different look - they are pearlescent and textured like hundreds of tiny 3D cubes... they catch the light in different ways.

I normally like matt and understated, but for some reason like the bling look for this room. I have even ordered sparkly handles.

Ooh... just seem that those RAK tiles are on special offer today... Might get them for the floor at least, in the matt version. Much cheaper than Porcelanosa!

Here is another picture of the Cubica Blanco tiles which I'm thinking of for the wall. I'm thinking the textured effect would hide water marks and make them easier to keep looking clean... But 3D textured tiles seem to be the in thing at the moment so they could potentially date quite quickly...

Ah you see I'm put off by textured tiles because I think they'd collect the grubbiness and be a nightmare to keep clean. Would hide water marks but be more likely to collect limescale, grow mould etc...

Hmm good point minipie. They would be dust traps wouldn't they...

I also saw a gorgeous mosaic-effect tile in Porcelanosa called Nacare Blanco - kind of mother of pearl effect with different shades in it - here. I wouldn't go for a proper mosaic because of the amount of grout to keep clean, but this one would be ok I think...

I love our polished porcelain kitchen tiles. They actually need less cleaning than you might think, the water leaves a slight 'film' which then polishes up as you walk on them. I can leave a week between moppings easily and they stay really shiny. But they might be a bit slippy for a bathroom floor? I wouldn't want to crack my head on them, they are very hardwearing.

I not sure about matt tiles, they look porous and likely to stain. For wall I'd prefer gloss.

Am going through same process for both our bathrooms. For one I went with gorgeous matt grey tiles, assured that just as easy to clean as they are glazed even though matt appearance. By Mosa, here's a link: www.mosa.nl/en/collection/our-collection/mosaTegel.aspx?id=1072&tegel=1874, they are a warm grey but image looks darker & more taupe. Dark grey tile on floor as it is a very bright bathroom w huge mirrored cabinet & large window. Second bathroom went with Porcelanosa Ona Natural tile & matching flat one called Madegascar Natural. I love the 3d look, it reminds me of the patterns left on sand by waves. I like grey tiles as you can mix any colour accessories & towels to change the look.

Also meant to say that I got Mosa unglazed floor tiles for ground floor. They have them in grey in the London showroom and they are immaculate. Didn't quite believe them so took a sample tile home and tested it (left on for 24 hours) with tomato paste, red wine, chocolate, tea, ballpoint writing and all came off. Only remember curry afterwards so haven't tested that. But very impressed as the glaze has a lovely matt look & feel but was very easy to clean with just a damp cloth.
They arrive next week so remind me if you want feedback after a few months of family life including children & pets! : )