Are glossy or matte tiles better for small bathrooms?

Author: Dr. Weston Ondricka Jr.  |  Last update: Friday, October 24, 2025

Glossy tiles are a bit slippery, so these are perfect options for bathroom wall tiles. Glossy tiles have a reflective nature. Hence, you can install these tiles in a smaller bathroom so that they seem bigger and brighter.

Should bathroom tiles be matte or glossy?

Matte Tiles:

They are known for their slip-resistant properties, making them a safer option, especially for wet areas like the bathroom floor. Matte tiles are less prone to showing water spots and fingerprints, making maintenance and cleaning easier.

What type of tile looks best in a small bathroom?

Use Large-Format Tile

Large-format tile requires fewer grout lines, which can make a small space feel larger. The Livingstone Melange tile used for the floor and half-wall of this bathroom, designed by Nikki Chu, creates the illusion of an expansive space.

Should I use matt or gloss in the bathroom?

There is no rule to matt or gloss finish on the bathroom walls... Its purely on one's preference. Both come with its own pros and cons... Matt tiles can better conceal smudges, stains and dried water droplets.

What is the disadvantage of matte tiles?

You can also read our blog post on How to Clean Matte Finish Tiles. Not A Good Choice For Darker Rooms: The biggest disadvantage of matt tiles is that they are not reflective. In darker rooms like basements, the presence of reflective surfaces is important.

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Is shiny tile outdated?

Glossy Tiles

As opposed to the matte finish, the gloss or high gloss tiles are expected to feel dated sooner and exhibit a chic vibe. Meanwhile, matte-finish tiles can feel more relaxed, calm, and timeless.

What tile finish is best for a bathroom floor?

Matte Finish

Mattes work wonderfully for floor tiles as they offer more grip and slip resistance. All of our matte glazes have a DCOF value above . 42 and are rated for wet areas where slip resistance is helpful.

What kind of bathroom tile is easiest to clean?

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are top picks for easy-clean bathrooms. Porcelain is great because it resists stains and moisture well. It's perfect for busy bathrooms.

What is the best sheen for a bathroom?

Experts recommend choosing either satin or semi-gloss finish for your bathroom interior because of their durability and wash-ability. However, take note that satin looks best in bathrooms with low moisture and humidity while semi-gloss works well for spaces with high humidity and moisture.

Is matte tile hard to clean in a shower?

Dirt and dust stick to matte tiles, making them challenging to clean. Here are four cleaning techniques you should keep in mind: Clean with a wet mop. Use warm water and vinegar to clean.

What size tile makes a small bathroom look bigger?

Using larger floor tiles is a great way to trick the eye and make a room look bigger than it actually is. Larger tiles used throughout the bathroom look a lot less 'busy' than with smaller tiles, which therefore make the room appear larger; the lack of grout lines also makes the whole space appear more expansive.

What bathroom tiles are on trend?

10 Bathroom Tile Trends for 2025
  • 10 Bathroom Tile Trends for 2025. ...
  • Black & White Tiles. ...
  • Pantone 'Mocha Mousse' Tiles. ...
  • Patterned Bathroom Tiles. ...
  • Textured Tiles. ...
  • Marble Effect Tiles. ...
  • Fluted Tiles. ...
  • Herringbone Brick Tiles.

Is it better to have big tiles in a small bathroom?

Cleaning Made Easy: Fewer grout lines mean less to clean! Larger tiles offer a smooth surface that is easier to clean and maintain, a welcome benefit in any bathroom, but especially precious in a compact space. Modern Appeal, Timeless Style: Large format tiles are a major design trend right now for a good reason.

Does glossy or matte look better?

Glossy finishes amplify the vibrancy and sharpness of images, whereas matte finishes offer a subdued, more understated representation, making them suitable for portraying natural scenes and portraits.

What tiles should not be used in a shower?

Avoid glazed ceramic tiles in this spot, as they tend to be slippery. Also, remember that non-vitreous tiles are not suitable for the shower floor. Only impervious or vitreous tiles should be used in the shower area, as they are relatively more waterproof.

Is matte tile slippery when wet?

Non-slip surface: Matte tiles offer better traction, reducing the risk of slips and falls, especially in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens.

Should I use Matt or gloss in bathroom?

Gloss tiles may bounce more light around your bathroom whereas matt tiles provide a non-reflective finish. This can be ideal if you're looking for less shine and a more natural finish.

What finish is in style for bathrooms?

Neutrals like chrome, nickel and stainless look good on anything. Think of them as the classic white shirt of the bath—subtly sophisticated and easy to match with other accessories like towel holders and door pulls. Shiny chrome is the most popular bath finish and comes with an affordable price tag.

Should I use flat or gloss in bathroom?

Semi-gloss or Gloss: Semi-gloss and gloss paint are both very durable and well suited for bathrooms because they are highly scrubbable.

What is the best tile to prevent mold in the bathroom?

Porcelain is strong and stable enough to be made into much larger sizes than ceramic. Large porcelain tiles are perfect for installing on the shower wall because it means there are less grout lines to clean (reduces mildew), which some people REALLY love.

Is there groutless tile for showers?

Corian® Solid Surface shower walls can be perfectly integrated to create the sleek impression of a single flowing surface that eliminates grout. With the use of a seamlessly streamlined material in every corner, there are no visible joints or cracks to collect dirt and moisture.

What bathroom tiles won't go out of style?

Tiles in marble, limestone or terrazzo will never go out of style. These are the materials we consider to be the most classic and timeless. The issue is that they can be hard to keep clean but now thanks to all the advancement in tile technology we can get the look using porcelain tiles instead of the real deal.

What are the disadvantages of glossy tiles?

Highlights Imperfections

The higher reflection rate of the tiles makes the tiniest smudges and stains appear definitively. Due to this, you need to clean the surfaces frequently.

What is the best flooring for a bathroom in 2024?

As an added bonus, both porcelain and ceramic tile can mimic the look of other classic materials, such as natural stone and hardwood, at a lower price. So, if you're looking for a bathroom floor that is durable, waterproof, and versatile, you can't go wrong with tile. Vinyl shares many of the same qualities as tile.

Which tile is better, glossy or matte?

While matt tiles lack the brilliant and sparkling appearance of gloss tiles, they have higher traction. Matt tiles have a more 'non-slip' reputation in high-traffic areas that are frequently in contact with water, humidity, and steam. Matt tiles will help areas such as hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms.

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