What is the Best Tile for Large Bathrooms?

What is the Best Tile for Large Bathrooms?

Lucky you! Your home features a spacious bathroom. It's time to remodel the room, though, and you aren't sure what type of tile to pick.

You need a design that's safe and water-resistant, of course. You'd also prefer for your tile to highlight the open layout of the room. Learning more about the best tile for large bathrooms may help you decide which materials are best for your remodeling project.

 

Best Tile for the Floor

The great thing about a large bathroom is that you have a lot of options for tile sizes. A roomy floor can accommodate either big tiles or small ones. If you have a particular tile look in mind, you can probably make it work in your large bathroom.

You should know, though, that mini styles merit some caution. Rows and rows of tiny tiles can look busy or cluttered.

For that reason, large-format tiles could be a better choice for the floor of your large bathroom. Large-format tiles are any that are above 12 inches by 12 inches.

Here's a rule of thumb to help you settle on the dimensions for your floor tiles. It's best to have a layout with at least four rows of tiles in one direction and at least three in the other. As long as you can accommodate at least that many tiles, feel free to go big with your floor design.

When it comes to picking out the best tile for large bathrooms, there's no single right answer. Rather, you should take your style and overall design into account as you choose tile for your floors, walls and other areas of the bathroom.

Abstract Mosaic - View Details>>
Size isn't the only factor to consider when picking out tile for your bathroom floor. Bathrooms see a lot of splashes and puddles. You need a tile that can handle the moisture level.

For one thing, you don't want to end up with water damage to your floor. Porcelain tile is fired at high temperatures to increase its water permeability. Also, some varieties of natural stone tile do a decent job of keeping out water. Others, such as marble, are naturally permeable, but a coat of sealant can provide the necessary protection. See here the differences between Porcelain and Marble.

In addition, it's critical to choose tile with slip resistance. Otherwise, you'll be at risk of losing your footing when the floor gets damp. Travertine and sandstone are two types of natural stone that provide traction when wet. If you're set on a style that's prone to being slick, your tile professional may apply a texturing agent.

 

Best Tile for the Shower Floor

Slip resistance is even more important for the shower floor. Because this area is regularly soaked, traction should be a top priority.

Using small tiles is a smart way to improve your footing in the shower. The more tiles in your design, the more grout lines there will be. That adds texture underfoot so that you're less likely to slip and fall during a shower.

Fish Mosaic Tile - View Details>>

 

Best Tile for the Wall

Floor tiles have to withstand heavy traffic, but wall tiles don't have that issue. Because wall tiles can be thinner, you may have more flexibility with the material and designs that you choose.

The wall of a large bathroom can be an ideal spot to place an eye-catching mosaic design. Intricate patterns may give your room a one-of-a-kind look.


Floral Tile - View Details>>

For a simpler composition, square tile is a popular choice for bathroom walls. To create a clean, uncluttered look, some designers recommend choosing squares that are at least 4 inches wide.

Dimensional Tile - View Details>>
Rectangular tile with a 1:2 ratio is another top option. Subway tile is one common example, but you can also find this ratio in large-format blocks that measure 1 foot high and 2 feet long.
Brick Tile - View Details>>

Best Tile for the Shower Wall

Soap scum is the perpetual enemy of shower owners everywhere. The easier it is to clean this grime from your shower walls, the happier you'll be.

To avoid excess work in your tile cleaning process, keep the tiles for your shower walls fairly large. Grout lines tend to accumulate grime. By minimizing the number of grout lines, you can minimize the mess. You may find it easier to wipe residue off of smooth tiles instead of textured grout. Keep in mind that can use the same tile for shower walls as you use for other the walls of the room. Especially if you have a glass shower liner, implementing a continuous wall pattern could lend your room a sense of continuity.

Curv Anner Waterjet Mosaic

Geometric Waterjet Tile - View Details>>

 

Best Tile Other Areas

You may want to incorporate tile into other aspects of your large bathroom design as well. Because you have plenty of space to work with, you may have options for adding tile embellishments here and there throughout the room.

The sink backsplash is one spot to consider. It can be a great place to tuck a pop of color or a detailed pattern.

Tunisian Tansy Circles Mosaic Border

Circle Tile - View Details>>

The sides of your bathtub could also host a colorful or intricate tile design. This limited space is an ideal area to include tiny tiles without overwhelming the room.

Finally, if there's a step up to your tub, think about highlighting it with a border mosaic.

Tunisian Mosaic Border

Mosaic Borders - View Details>>

 

Selecting the Best Tile for Your Large Bathroom

When it comes to picking out the best tile for large bathrooms, there's no single right answer. Rather, you should take your style and overall design into account as you choose tile for your floors, walls and other areas of the bathroom. For help with the process, reach out to the tile and design pros at Artsaics.
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