Bathroom tiles advice

[StrangerOnline]

Just about to renovate our tiny bathroom, but I don’t follow fashion or styles at all, eg/ remember some years back it was trendy to use grey wall paint everywhere (is it still?). I don’t have Pinterest etc.

Plumbers giving me quotes are encouraging me to use white Metro style tiles. Which I do like. But are they going to be dated soon?

I also like the huge tiles (are they Italian?) but they seem to look best in darker colours and large bathrooms.

I plan to introduce colour on 2 walls (not a square room, I have 6 walls) so not 100% tiles.

what would you advise to be neutral if house might be sold in a few years - I’m not just choosing to suit us, this isn’t a forever home.
thank you

If it really is tiny then large format tiles would probably look a bit odd.

Go on some tile websites and filter for bathroom tiles and see what you like the look of.

If you genuinely have no preference then id just choose a white, cream or taupe mid size tile and leave it at that but there's no harm in choosing something you do like.

I have moderately large white ones that look quite smart with then walls that are half way between emerald green and peacock blue. The white tiles looked very meh before when the bathroom was a creamy yellow and look remarkably good now it's been painted. So I think remember that the colour of paint will massively impact the tiles. I also have a statement mirror that ties the whole thing together.

Also consider grouting - do you want white or is it too annoying to keep white? If you want grey, what would that go with?

I do really like metro tiles but I think they've been in for a while so there's a possibility they'll be on their way out fashion wise but I also don't hugely follow this sort of thing.

@StrangerOnline Are they going to be dated soon? They have been for 5 years! Hugely unimaginative. You can get larger format tiles from Porcelanosa (Spanish) that are significantly more chic. I like texture more than colour. Interesting sculptured effects. Why 6 walls? Always have wall hung loo and basin in a small bathroom - gives an illusion of space.

@UnicornorangeThey don’t if you choose wisely. The large format is to make the textures easier to match and it’s so much nicer than grout lines everywhere. They let the design flow uninterrupted. Here are some examples.

Second the porcelanosa tiles, I had them in my small bathroom and they looked fantastic. Also because they were so large hardly any grout to clean. Metro tiles are a bit dated I think though, think they can look a bit cheap and rental property. Xx

You could create a pinterest account and find a bathroom style you like! It's really easy - I've just done my bathroom using pinterest (and chatgpt).

I don't have metro tiles although I did in my old bathroom that was just replaced. My tiles are lovely! Stacked vertically. with a gorgeous texture. White.

My tiles (or very similar).

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They are sort of vertical metro! Lots of grout.

We've been renovating a derelict property we bought 5yrs ago. Bathrooms are done now and I too had no clue about colours/styles etc. Even then though, grey had been out for sometime along metro tiles!

It sounds counter intuitive, but larger tiles have less grout and make a smaller room seem larger. Metro tiles in a small bathroom would be claustrophobic and akin to a tiny train station cubicle IMO. Our tiler was fabulous. He said that many tiles from say B&Q/topps tiles etc are not only not square but not always flat. He said they also don't hold up to cutting and so you break more than other tiles. I'm sure there are exceptions. We ended up buying from an independent shop nearby who bought tiles from Italy and Spain and ended up with very little waste.

If the room is very small, can you re-hung the door to swing out into the hall? This will save 1m2 within the bathroom and is safer if anyone was to collapse onto the door from the inside.

Well that’s why I’m asking for help… because I am unimaginative! And (being very honest) not that excited about a bathroom, just want it to look nice and most importantly still look nice in few years time. It’s the plumbers/tilers who are suggesting or assuming that I want metro style. I’m guessing because they’ve done lots?

Six walls is because there’s an indent of a cupboard in another room. Had considered squaring the room off to make a walk-in shower but that negatively impacts the other room at a large cost without major benefit to the bathroom.

Like the idea of textured tiles though

I like these, thanks for vertical idea

@7238SM @Whatwerewetalkingabout thank you for comments, I’m looking at the porcelanosa although my preferred builder only works with few suppliers (he insists on good quality though, so assume they’ll be available)
@Ineffable23 hadn’t even occurred to me that grout could be different colours!

Think I need to be less lazy and look on Pinterest…

If your preferred builder only goes with a few suppliers this can have advantages for you, he should pass on some of his discount to you and he will probably do all the working out quantities and may handle the return of any that can be returned if too many. If any of his preferred suppliers are independents I would go with them especially if any are large and with a showroom you can visit. They will often also be good at giving you advice on what will work or not work, give the tiler problems etc.
Something textured is good as gives visual interest without another colour being added.
We have done two small bathrooms, both with a designer so have learned some bits. Limited palette of colours and materials makes the room look larger so same tiles on floor and walls (they make many in both options), large tiles so less grout, tiles on to window ledge and any boxed in bits. Tilers love the metal edge trims. I don’t as I don’t do shiny but the tile supplier was able to find me brushed ones and the tiler was incredibly good at losing them visually in a room with a step and a lot of boxing in.

@StrangerOnline Your builder doesn’t get to choose your tiles! He gets a commission which you pay for! Bathrooms excite me! What’s going in the indent? That doesn’t need tiling does it? Have you got a cupboard for towels and toiletries?

Like the idea of textured tiles though

They can be an absolute PITA!!! My in-laws had them and cleaning was a nightmare. Dust, tooth paste splatters, handwash/soap splatters and even dog hair used to get in every crevice of the tiles because they weren't flat. Its just something to think about.

I’ve been to look at some tiles this morning… and what I like best are 30 x 60 size, so metro are out now 🙂

thank you all for suggestions, and especially @7238SM very good point about texture! I’d forgotten I had textured ceramic floor tiles in last house in the kitchen, and yes - it was NOT a good choice!

You made me laugh… getting excited about bathrooms!

And no, I won’t have room for towels, but plenty of storage for toiletries. I’m planning to replace an existing wall cupboard. Im only having a vanity to hide cleaning supplies, but I’ve decided to definitely go for a floating one.

We are just decorating our small downstairs bathroom. We’ve gone for a bit of a 20s ish vibe so dark green floor to ceiling tiles. We’ve had a niche installed for the shower area and we are having a traditional “crapper” style toilet. We went for metro style tiling as it’s timeless. We have larger tiles in the upstairs bathroom and in mine and dh bathroom and they get on my pip. Generic looking. Clean but boring. I’m excited by our downstairs bathroom 😊

I've recently had a bathroom redone and got rid of the white metro tiles. I think they make it look like a public toilet, and I know white is supposed to be the ultra trendy choice but I find it too clinical. However, I am the last person to be up on what is 'in' and decorate in styles and colours that I like.
I went with 60 x 30 beigey, vaguely marble effect tiles, laid vertically with grout of a similar colour. I got brushed steel corner trims from a local Frank Key depot.
I chose smooth tiles as then you can use suction cup accessories and don't need to drill into the tiles. I know they aren't always brilliant, but they work ok for me.
If you are going to have window sills tiled then I would recommend getting them to orient the tiles so you get the minimum amount of grout lines.
Also think about if you want the tiles to be evenly spaced around particular features like the toilet or basin.

@eatreadsleeprepeat yes, he is passing on discount on materials. One of suppliers he likes is large - MKM (think it’s a chain) but customer service today was brilliant!

and yes, I have some that I like in both wall and floor tiles, so now considering that too. (Especially if I go for a vanity in a contrasting colour)

@ithinkilikethislittlelife ooh, I saw dark green in a demo bathroom earlier - absolutely gorgeous! Sadly I don’t think it would work in my bathroom, but they felt very luxurious- and I would’ve definitely put them in my previous Victorian-age property.

@MagpiePi my preference so far is for some 60 x 30 too… quite like the idea of vertical, thanks for that. And good point about suction cups (I’ve currently got a container on the wall with those - was just a cheap & temporary workaround, but keeps things off the surface of windowsill). And was useful for a net bag of bath toys for small children… although grandkids aren’t due anytime soon.

I hadn’t really been aware of MKM till recently but went in with my dd when she was looking at slabs and the lady was very helpful with practical advice.