Ceramic wall tiles

Ceramic tiles are a mainstay of most bathrooms and ensuites, and within our collections you will find styles which suit both traditional and contemporary homes alike.

Not only are ceramic tiles highly durable and easy to install, they come in a wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes to suit your scheme.

Typically glazed with a glossy finish, ceramic tiles are the perfect way to bring colour and light into your space, especially if your bathroom is small or gets little natural light, as the glazed tiles will naturally bounce light around the room.

Their small size enables you to explore playful layout options to bring interest to an otherwise simple space, from herringbone patterns to stripes – the world is your oyster!

Ceramic tiles are easy to clean and maintain too, making them the perfect addition to your family bathroom, ensuite or downstairs WC.

Hand painted wall tiles

Our collections of beautifully hand painted wall tiles are all suitable for use in a bathroom environments. Whether you’re seeking a bold, impactful design such as a wall of Delft tiles, or a delicate splashback of patterned, French-inspired Pattisserie tiles – you are sure to find a tile to bring your space to life.

Each painted to order by hand in our Marlborough workshop, our hand painted tiles bring a unique charm to your ensuite, wet room, shower, family bathroom or downstairs toilet, so your personality can shine through.

What about marble?

Marble provides an elegant look in any bathroom and is great for a high impact space such as on a feature wall.

However, whilst marble is beautiful, it can be high maintenance. It is more porous than ceramic and porcelain, and requires regular sealing to prevent staining and moisture damage.

Marble is also sensitive to acid, so can be affected by soft water with a PH below 7.0 and also damaged by acidic cleaning products.

Porcelain tiles

Porcelain tiles are hugely popular in bathrooms, especially on the floor, due to their hardwearing nature and resistance to water.

Our stone, wood and terracotta effect porcelain tiles can be used in any bathroom, WC or wet room space, beautifully mimicking natural materials without maintenance.

Porcelain tiles are highly durable and strong without being too thick or heavy – our porcelain tiles are typically 80mm-100mm thickness – which makes them simple to install, easy to maintain and low risk of stains, scratches and wear.

Additionally, porcelain tiles are the perfect partner for underfloor heating, sitting comfortably on any wet or electric heating system and allowing the full benefit to be felt underfoot.

what about natural stone flooring?

The rustic charm and texture of natural stone and terracotta is often considered unrivalled, bringing unique colour variation and texture to your space. However, there are certainly limitations when considering them for use in bathrooms.

Natural stone is susceptible to staining, scratching and chipping, particularly softer stones such as limestone and marble.

Regular sealing is required to prevent staining, however long periods of hard or soft water coverage can equally cause damage. This is because mineral deposits in hard water can build up on the surface, whilst soft water which lacks minerals and will pull them from the stone which can degrade and dissolve it over time.

Real stone is typically thicker than engineered tiles too, making it heavier to install over joists and floorboards, and sometimes more costly to fit.

A great alternative are realistic, stone-effect porcelain tiles which bring all the beauty of natural stone, with all the benefits of porcelain.

What about wooden flooring?

Bathrooms are typically spaces of moisture, humidity and changing temperatures, and as such real wooden flooring is typically not advised. 

However, if you crave the warmth and look of wooden flooring in your bathroom, you can instead opt for highly realistic wood-effect porcelain planks. Our wood-effect flooring is made using premium porcelain, making it highly durable and water resistant, whilst maintaining all the charm of real wood. Think textured grain effect, varied colour and realistic oak grain pattern - all features of our Marlborough Oak and Weathered Oak collections.

Room size

In small bathrooms or downstairs toilets, you may want to opt for larger tiles to give the illusion of a bigger space with fewer grout lines. Using lighter floor tiles and coloured wall tiles will create a contrast which makes the room feel larger too. Alternatively, opt for pale colours throughout the space to give a bright and airy feel.

For larger spaces, why not consider a combination of colours or hand painted tiles to create areas of interest or zones within the space, such as a decorative sink backsplash, shower niche or feature wall.

Light

When selecting tiles for a bathroom with limited or no natural light, consider those with a glossy finish to reflect light and make the space feel larger. Large format floor tiles will have a similar effect.

Matt effect tiles are great in well-lit spaces to absorb light and conceal smudges and water droplets without frequent cleaning. Alternatively, embrace the brightness with glossy tiles in any colour, which will beautifully reflect light around the room. Our crackle glaze tiles are perfect here, with a gentle shine and a delicate crackle finish which brings interest and beauty into your room, no matter the colour.

Maintenance

For bathrooms which get heavy use, such as the family bathroom or downstairs visitor WCs, opt for low maintenance options such as ceramic or porcelain tiles which are easy to clean and durable.

Hopefully this guide has helped you in your decision for the best wall and floor tiles for your bathroom. However if you need any further help or guidance, our team are on hand to provide you with information about our ceramic and porcelain tiles, simply get in touch.