Choosing porcelain tiles for bathrooms | What should you consider before buying porcelain bathroom tiles?

Choosing porcelain tiles for bathrooms | What should you consider before buying porcelain bathroom tiles?

When it comes to bathroom renovations, selecting the right materials is crucial for both functionality and the overall aesthetic. Porcelain bathroom tiles are a popular choice due to their durability, versatility, and ease of maintenance.

In this guide, we delve into why porcelain tiles are a smart investment for bathrooms and provide expert advice on selecting the perfect tiles for your space.

Comparing Colours for Porcelain Bathroom Tiles

Grey

Grey porcelain tiles have become a staple in contemporary bathroom design for several reasons. Their versatility allows them to complement a wide range of decorating styles, while different shades offer flexibility in creating various atmospheres, from light and airy to dark and dramatic.

Whether you prefer a sleek anthracite or a soft pearl hue, grey porcelain tiles seamlessly blend into any bathroom aesthetic.

Our recommended grey range:

Flamed range

Explore Fired Earth's Flamed range for an extensive selection of grey porcelain tiles. Available in three soft colours, our Flamed collection offers a distinctive charm and is perfect for a bathroom floor.

Browse through our entire Flamed range here.

Decorated and Patterned tiles

Injecting creativity into your bathroom design is easy with patterned porcelain tiles. These unique tiles serve as focal points, adding visual interest and personality to your space. Whether you opt for intricate designs or bold motifs, patterned porcelain tiles can accentuate key features, such as shower walls and splashbacks. We have partnered with designers such as Kelly Hoppen and Nina Campbell to create patterned porcelain tiles in their unique design styles.

Our recommended porcelain range:

Nina Campbell tiles

With a unique colour palette, our collaboration with Nina Campbell has produced beautiful porcelain tiles evoking vibrant Spanish patterns that work alone or together. In a bathroom, we recommend using tiles in the Nina Campbell range in a wet room, behind a sink, or to create a porcelain floor design.

Check out these gorgeous Nina Campbell tiles in our entire collection here.

Neutrals

Neutral tones are timeless and elegant, making them a popular choice for bathrooms as they offer great longevity. These colours never go out of fashion. From warm creams to classic whites, greys and blacks, neutral porcelain tiles offer versatility and will ensure your bathroom remains stylish for years to come. Tiles like those from the Dijon range feature neutral shades that would elevate any bathroom scheme.

Our recommended neutral range:

Dijon tile range

The Dijon range offers a great selection of neutrals, including natural, gold, and grey shades.

Browse the entire Dijon tile range here for inspiration in your next bathroom design.

What Porcelain Tile Shape Should You Choose for Bathrooms?

Square

Square porcelain tiles have stood the test of time as a preferred option for bathrooms. Their geometric simplicity adds a contemporary look to any space, while their uniform shape facilitates easy installation.

Fired Earth's Bert & May bathroom tiles

Explore Fired Earth's Bert & May bathroom tiles for a curated selection of square tiles in various finishes and colours.

Rectangular

Rectangular porcelain tiles, like those from our Jerusalem range, are ideal for elongating smaller bathrooms or creating dynamic patterns. Their elongated shape creates an illusion of space, making them perfect for narrow or confined areas. Whether you opt for a classic metro look or choose a different style, quality rectangular tiles transform bathrooms into stylish retreats.

Mosaic

Mosaic porcelain tiles, including hexagonal variants, offer endless design possibilities for bathrooms. Their small size allows for intricate patterns and textures, adding visual depth to your space. Whether used for creative splashbacks or shower walls, mosaic tiles create stunning focal points.

Trentino Hexa range at Fired Earth

Explore the Trentino Hexa range at Fired Earth for versatile mosaic options that elevate your bathroom design.

It’s important to ensure you buy enough tiles to finish the room, and we recommend ordering 10% extra to deal with awkward corners, wastage and so on. You can use our handy tile calculator to make sure you don’t end up short of tiles.

Which Porcelain Tile Effect Should You Use for Bathrooms?

Rather than the look of porcelain, there are plenty of options available for bathroom tiles to replicate classic looks, such as natural stone and metal. These natural materials may be unsuitable in certain bathroom areas, particularly if they are not slip-resistant.

These tile effects look exactly like the real thing, as well as possessing porcelain's durable benefits. Check out these popular porcelain lookalikes:

Metal effect tiles

Metal effect porcelain tiles add a touch of luxury to bathroom interiors. Their durability and shimmering finish make them a standout choice, especially in contrast to softer materials such as carpets.

Take a look at our Patina range for a selection of metal effect tiles that redefine bathroom elegance.

metal-effect bathroom tiles

Browse our entire range of metal-effect bathroom tiles at Fired Earth here.

Wood effect tiles

Where traditional wooden flooring is impractical, wood effect bathroom tiles offer a stylish alternative. These tiles mimic the natural beauty of wood while providing the durability and water resistance required for bathroom environments. Discover the Aldeburgh range at Fired Earth for premium wood effect tiles that bring warmth and sophistication to your bathroom.

Our Aldeburgh range offers herringbone wood-look flooring in practical porcelain:

Aldeburgh wood effect range

Shop the Aldeburgh wood effect range here.

Marble effect tiles

Marble effect bathroom tiles exude timeless sophistication and elegance. Their natural veining and luxurious finish add a touch of luxury to bathroom floors and walls, with porcelain's long-lasting and easy-to-maintain properties. Explore the Milos range at Fired Earth for exquisite marble effect tiles that elevate your bathroom to new heights of refinement.

For truly stunning marble effect tiles, check out our Milos collection:

Milos marble effect range

Shop the Milos marble effect range here.

What should you consider when choosing porcelain tiles for different bathroom areas?

Shower Walls

Selecting the right porcelain tiles for shower walls is essential for creating a spa-like retreat. You can choose from light shades that mimic white marble to create an airy feel through to darker dramatic colours to make the room feel more cocooning.

Wet Room Floors

Wet rooms are a space where you can get really creative, so don’t be afraid to experiment with colour, pattern, and texture. With the right porcelain tiles for wet rooms, you can easily achieve a seamless bathroom floor. Whether you prefer contrasting tiles for a statement look or a cohesive aesthetic, Fired Earth offers tiles designed specifically for wet room applications.

Browse through our porcelain wet room floor tiles here.

Small Bathrooms

Maximise space in small bathrooms with strategic tile choices. Opt for porcelain wall tiles that extend up to the ceiling to create the illusion of height, and choose light-coloured tiles to enhance brightness in windowless spaces.

For more information, why not consider our bespoke design service? Working with expert designers, we can help transform your bathroom, offering tile ideas on the layout and how to best use your space.

Book your design appointment with Fired Earth here.

Why Choose Fired Earth?

Fired Earth boasts years of industry experience and a reputation for authenticity and craftsmanship. Our handcrafted tiles and collaborations with renowned designers ensure unparalleled quality and innovation in every product.

By selecting the right colours, shapes, and effects, you can create a personalised sanctuary that reflects your unique style and enhances your daily routine. Explore Fired Earth's extensive range of porcelain tiles to elevate your bathroom design to new heights of sophistication and luxury.

Contact us today to transform your bathroom with premium porcelain tiles.