If this is your first venture into a DIY project, we would recommend using ceramic or porcelain tiles. They are the easiest to install because they can be cut using dry manual tile cutters, creating minimal mess. The majority of ceramic and porcelain tiles will also not require any sealant.
The grid pattern is the easiest way to lay out tile. This timeless design is created by stacking square-shaped tiles in a grid pattern.
Generally, it is easier to install large tile. Large Format Tile that is around 1′ square, 1'x2′, or 5″x36″ in size is usually faster and easier to install than small tile and extra large tile.
Porcelain is harder than ceramic, but it's also more brittle. Its hardness makes it more difficult for a DIYer to work with, as they'll need a specialized tile cutter to cut porcelain to shape. This means porcelain tile installation is typically a job left to professionals.
Porcelain tiles come in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes. Vinyl is the easiest flooring to install in a bathroom.
Porcelain tiles are another low-maintenance bathroom material rising in popularity. They resist stains and don't require any sealant. If you use them in a large-tile design, you can minimize the amount of grout and cracks present as well, making them even easier to maintain.
Choose Large-Format Tiles
Large format tiles (tiles that are larger than 60cm x 60cm) will make your bathroom feel bigger than it really is. Firstly, there will be fewer grout lines, so your walls & floors will look more seamless & less cluttered & restrictive. Secondly, the scale will make your space feel larger.
While larger tiles may cover more area than small tiles, they are harder to install, requiring two people to carry and a solid technical understanding of tiling. These challenges mean they are more time-consuming to lay, so your tiler may charge extra for them.
For you DIYers who like to get handy, ceramic tiles are far easier to work with. Especially in areas that require a lot of cuts to install your tiles neatly. Porcelain is much harder to cut and can require professional tools and skills to create the same effect.
Grade 1 tiles aren't durable enough for flooring; they're more suited for wall applications. Grade 2 tiles are fine for rooms that get light traffic, such as bathroom floors that mostly see bare or stocking feet, but they're generally not strong enough for kitchens and other traffic-heavy areas.
For instance, a diamond pattern creates the illusion of a bigger room than a checkerboard pattern. In a diamond orientation, the widest section of each tile faces the entrance. This prevents you from measuring the space in terms of tiles across or tiles down.
Consider Large Format Tile in Small Bathrooms
A large format tile is great for small spaces. The reason has to do with grout joints. The larger the tile, the fewer grout joints you'll have and the greater sense of spaciousness you'll feel.
Tile Sizes & Shapes
The tried-and-true 12” x 12” tiles are still popular, but tiles are tending to be larger and larger.
White subway tile in a shower or bath will never age, Winn says. For floors, penny tile — white or black and white — is still found in homes built in the 1950s and '60s in North Arlington, Va., Winn says, but clients are also asking for it in new bathrooms.
Large tiles can't flex over raised areas or dips in the subfloor like smaller tiles can. If the substrate is not perfectly level, using large tiles can result in lippage, which is when the edge of one tile is higher than an adjacent tile.
If you want to use tile in a commercial environment, or in a high traffic location, porcelain tile is likely the better option. This highly dense material is much more difficult to break, and it will withstand heavy use over time well. Porcelain tile can even stand up to heavy furniture better than ceramic tile can.
Cons to consider:
Although porcelain tile is extremely durable, it does occasionally chip, particularly around the edges. This may not be noticeable with through-body composition, but it is a concern. Porcelain tile is typically more expensive than ceramic and other popular flooring materials.
Cost: The differences in ingredients and preparation mean that ceramic tile can be less expensive than porcelain tile. Ease of Cutting: Ceramic tile is easier to cut, making it better suited for home DIY projects.
Porcelain is a high-quality tile, that weighs a significant amount and is more time consuming to install therefore the cost is generally higher. If you're really on a budget then consider your laying pattern, the least complicated design will take less time making it more economical to be fitted.
The most popular and readily available tile sizes are (in inches) 12 x 12, 16 x 16, 12 x 24 and 18 x 18. The color of your tiles can hide wear and tear.
Larger Tiles Make Small Rooms Appear Bigger
Because grout lines are thinner and fewer as part of the layout, smaller rooms appear bigger when using larger tiles. Large-format tiles make floors look more streamlined – therefore, creating the illusion of more space.
Use Light Coloured Tiles Throughout
Utilising light shades of bathroom wall tiles and bathroom floor tiles will reflect light and will visually open up space. The opposite can be said of darker tones, which will absorb the light and make your bathroom feel considerably smaller.
Both vertical and horizontal tiles can trick the eye into thinking there is more space than there is, but they will work to emphasize different proportions. If your bathroom feels small because of low ceilings, a vertical tile layout can help to give the room more height.
"Lighter colors reflect light easily, which gives the room a bigger appearance," says Piercy. Unsurprisingly, a classic white paint is the perfect choice when it comes to creating the illusion of a bigger bathroom.