How to Choose the Right Bathroom Tile
With a wide variety of options available in terms of materials, colors, sizes, and finishes, navigating the world of bathroom tiles can be daunting. In our Madewell Designs tile guide, we'll thoughtfully walk you through the considerations to help you choose the perfect bathroom tile that suits your style preferences and your practical needs.
# 1. Understanding Your Space
Here at Madewell Designs we like to start with the basic questions. First, who will be using this space on a regular basis: Adult, teen, child or the whole family? Second, is this a bathroom that will be used daily, like a kid’s bathroom or just occasionally like a guest bathroom? These questions will dictate the materials, style and budget.
# 2. Setting a Tile Budget
Tile can be deceiving, especially when manufacturers have historically always listed the tile price by square feet. But recently we’ve seen manufacturers show the price and in small print is says “per piece” and that’s where consumers can get into budget trouble so be sure and calculate the actual price per square foot.
We’ve seen tile as cheap as $1.00 per square foot and as much as $100.00 per square foot and everything in between. If you fall in love with an expensive tile, find a small space to use it as it’ll be cost effective. Here are a few of our favorite tile stores:
For high end tile, ANN SACKS has a great selection.
For a mid range tile selection, the TILE CLUB, Tile Bar and The Tile Shop are solid choices.
For mid range to budget tile, we love Floor and Decor, Lowe’s and Home Depot. These three companies are great choices because you can almost always find in stock tile at an affordable price without paying high shipping fees. Just be sure to check the LOT #s on the side of each box to make sure you’re purchasing all the same color lot as oftentimes the same color can vary from one run to the next.
# 3. Explore Different Tile Materials
Before you pick a tile, consider the level of traffic in your bathroom. You’ll want to choose tiles that can withstand daily wear and tear and opt for durable materials like porcelain or natural stone for high-traffic areas. Safety is crucial in a wet environment so look for tiles with a textured surface, a high slip resistance rating or go with smaller tiles that will allow for more grout lines which will help to resist slipping. A large format marble is NOT your friend on a shower floor!
Each tile material has its own unique characteristics. Ceramic tiles are affordable and come in a wide range of sizes, styles, colors and patterns. Porcelain tiles tend to be more upscale than ceramic and are known for their durability and water resistance. Natural stone tiles offer a luxurious and organic look but can be expensive. If you want to add pizzaz, glamour and/or visual interest, consider glass tiles or intricate mosaic patterns but be mindful where you place these in a bathroom. Any of these materials can be options to add a pop of color or texture to your bathroom design and they also look fantastic in shower niches!
# 4. Discover Your Style
Now that you’ve chosen your type of tile material, let’s work on creating the overall tone of the bathroom. Whether you prefer a sleek modern look, a cozy rustic feel, or a classic elegant design, your personal style will guide your tile selection.
Choosing the right color scheme for your bathroom tiles can make a big difference in the overall ambiance of the space. Light-colored tiles can make a small bathroom feel brighter and more open, while dark-colored tiles can add a sense of drama and sophistication. Think about the mood you want to create in your bathroom when deciding on the color scheme. Do you want a monochromatic color scheme or contrasting colors for a bold statement? Have fun experimenting with different color combinations to find the perfect match for your style. Remember that texture and finish will add depth and character to your bathroom tiles.
Speaking of finishes, tiles come in Matte and Glossy, so make sure you choose the one you want. At Madewell Designs, we often times will mix and match glossy and matte tiles to create depth to a shower or floor. Be creative and don’t limit yourself to just one type of finish or texture. Here is a bathroom we are working on now and it has a mix of gloss and matte. We absolutely LOVE how it’s coming along!
One of our projects where we are mixing glossy and matte tile to create texture and depth to the wall. This is an Ann Sacks tile that is stunning when seen in person!
# 5. Selecting Grout Color
Want to know how to pick the right grout color? Well, that’s a loaded question. Ha! First, we always take the tile with us when choosing grout. Second, we decide whether we want the grout to blend in or give contrast to the tile. Third, sometimes we can’t make a decision so we have our tile team make us a few samples so we can stand back, look and decide what is going to be best in that particular bathroom. There is no exact formula because grout colors can be a little bit limiting. Our tile team mainly sticks with Mapei grout and specifically the Ultracolor Plus FA because of the consistency and easy to use installation. There are 40 colors to choose from and some of our favorites are Avalanche, Pewter, Moonbeam, Charcoal and Mapei’s newest color, Cavern Moss.
# 6. Choosing Fixtures
To anchor you bathroom space, you’ll need to decide on the type of shower and sink faucets. There are so many options for bathroom fixtures so be mindful of your budget when looking through the hundreds of options! We love starting with Home Depot, Lowes and Build to get an idea of what’s out there in the bathroom world. Going direct to Kohler might seem more expensive but keep in mind Kohler’s products in their showroom are more high end using metal over plastic in their products versus their lower end products you can buy at Home Depot and Lowe’s. We love these two faucets by Kohler.
# 7. Maintaining Your Tile
Nobody wants to spend hours scrubbing grout lines! Select tiles that are easy to clean and maintain, such as large-format tiles or glazed ceramic tiles that repel stains. We love textured, large format tiles like these from Ann Sacks.
Remember that some tile materials including natural stone may require regular sealing to protect them from water damage and staining so factor in the maintenance needs of the tiles you choose. Porcelain tiles are typically super easy to clean with a mild soap and water solution like Dawn soap. Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage the finish.
Here at Madewell Designs, we know selecting the right bathroom tile involves a balance of aesthetic preferences, functionality requirements, and maintenance considerations. We are here to help you and would be honored to thoughtfully evaluate your needs and style to marry materials and color to give you a space you’ll love for years to come. Reach out to us HERE and we’ll start collaborating with you!