Conventional 12-inch by 12-inch tile is often used on bathroom floors because it is easy to cut on wet tile saws as well as with rail tile cutters.
Larger tiles can work in a bathroom. The clean tile lines keep bathrooms looking sleek and simple with the added factor of large and extra large tile's lightweight nature and durability; they are perfect for bathrooms! They also don't absorb water, meaning they don't need sealing.
Wall tile tends to be thinner and available in squares (3 inches to 6 inches). Mosaic tiles are usually the smallest tile, available in 2-inch squares. 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.
Large-format tiles are trending! Sizes like 24x48 are becoming more popular, along with bold patterns like herringbone and hexagon shapes. Large tiles work best as floor or shower wall tiles. They can also work well outdoors for covered patio spaces.
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.
Generally, it is recommended to choose tiles that are 4" or smaller for small bathrooms because it's easier to contour around fixtures and appears visually proportioned in a smaller space. Another great option is to go for a more modern design, such as using large format tiles (12"x24").
The large surface area makes the space look cleaner, and avoids the checkerboard look of regular sized tiles. Large format tiles can be used both for traditional style bathrooms and kitchens and more modern sleek styles too. They are good for a minimalist streamlined look, and add a timeless accent to your room.
Tile Sizes & Shapes
The tried-and-true 12” x 12” tiles are still popular, but tiles are tending to be larger and larger.
12×24 tiles are an extremely popular large format tile size. However, working with them may be a little different than what you are used to.
Common oversized tile sizes include 16x16, 18x18, 24x24, 12x24, and even 24x48, sometimes larger! These tiles are the perfect way to make a room look and feel bigger and draw attention to a room. Thanks to fewer grout lines, the larger tile size helps make walls look seemingly endless.
While some bathrooms can look great with large and small tiles, your best bet to enlarge a small bathroom is to opt for a medium-sized tile, no larger than 1' x 1'. The best way to decide what size tile will work in your space is to bring home samples prior to tile installation in Flint, MI.
Square tiles are the most common tile shape, and come in many standard sizes including 2", 3", 4", 6", 8", 12", 16", 18", and 24" square. If you're looking for tiles for your floor, chances are you'll be looking at tiles that are 6" or larger.
Porcelain tiles
If you want your bathroom tiles to last a long time, porcelain is the ideal material to choose. It's sturdy, durable, and highly water-resistant, and it isn't easy to scratch or stain.
Use Small Tiles on the Shower Floor of a Large Walk-In Shower. Small tiles around 1 x 1 inch (2.5 x 2.5 cm) are best for any shower floor, no matter the size of your shower.
Don't Underestimate Large Tiles
We don't mean to suggest that you can't fit large tiles into the scheme of your small bath. Quite the contrary! Just like small, 1-inch tiles, large tiles can actually make the small space appear larger.
When tiles are laid horizontally, and to the ceiling, the bathroom looks wider and more spacious. Compare this to a vertical laid tile, which tends to make the ceilings look taller but the space tighter.
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.
A large tile, such as 12x24”, usually requires a 3/16” grout line, so it's best to check the manufacturer's recommendations to see how small you can go. Pressed tiles with a 1/16" grout line.
Straight Horizontal Layout
But with a rectangular 12x24 tile like Graphite Focus Porcelain, you still have to decide which direction you want to take. Laying this mid-tone gray tile flooring in a horizontal straight pattern gives the illusion that your space is wider than it really is.
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.
Terrazzo Looks
Terrazzo is both a popular look for tile pavers and an element of another 2023 tile trend, cobbled tile. This versatile style is capable of looking both natural and hyper modern, depending on its colors and scale.
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.
Large format tiles are also more prone to cracking than smaller tiles. Because they are larger and heavier, they can be more difficult to handle and install. This means that if they are not installed properly, they can crack or become damaged over time.