Bathroom tile from National Floors Direct

How to Choose the Best Bathroom Tile

Are you remodeling your bathroom to better suit your tastes and style?

Bathroom tile influences the appearance of a private restroom more than any other feature. The colors, textures, and even types of tiles you use will impact the overall finished product.

Below, we'll walk you through how to choose between some of the different types of bathroom tile available to you. This will give you the ability to plan out your remodel in a more specific manner. Keep reading to learn more about the best bathroom flooring for you!

Consider Your Budget

Your budget will be one of the biggest factors in determining what bathroom tile types you'll choose. Most bathroom remodels cost anywhere between $2,500 and $25,000, so you should at least have this amount budgeted.

Then, make a list of everything you want to include in your remodel and how much it will cost. Tile installation companies charge you by the square foot. So, ask a professional to come out and measure your bathroom and give you an estimate. 

To save money on your tile installation, look for less expensive materials. For instance, ceramic tiles are popular for their durability and their relatively inexpensive price points. 

Porcelain tiles are also inexpensive and work great with many different bathroom styles.

Think About Your Tile Colors

If you want to make your bathroom feel like your own, you need tiles that complement your own sense of style. So, ask yourself what you want your bathroom to look like. Then, make sure your tiles match the colors you want to include.

If you want to get the most out of your remodel, consider getting tiles that are in neutral shades. This includes whites, beiges, and grays. Neutral colors go out of style less frequently than other hues, so you won't feel like you need to remodel again in a few years.

Some colors will contribute to your bathroom's sense of size. Lighter colors make the room feel more airy and open, especially if you have windows or natural lighting. By contrast, darker colors will make bathrooms feel smaller. 

Stick to the Rule of 3

When remodeling your bathroom with tile, there's a rule of 3 that gets passed around: don't use more than 3 colors of tile in your bathroom. 

This includes the tile you might use on your bathroom floor, in your backsplash, or in the shower. While tile colors allow you to showcase your individuality, too many of them can make your bathroom appear chaotic. 

Get Creative

If you want a unique, show-stopping bathroom floor, consider putting all 3 tile colors on your floor! 

For the best results, you'll need to get tiles from the same color palette. So, if you choose blue for your bathroom, don't get tiles that aren't part of the blue palette. The only exceptions include neutral colors because these match almost all color combinations. 

Then, plan out how the tiles will get arranged on your floor. Work with your contractor to make sure your vision gets realized in the closest way possible. 

Match Tile to Paint Color

Your bathroom tile doesn't need to just match other tile arrangements; it needs to match your paint. 

Keep your paint color swatches once you decide on your paint colors. You can use them to match your paint with potential tiles. The tile types and colors available to you will depend on which contracting company you choose. So, ask your contractor about their options to find the one that best suits your needs.

Think About the Feel of the Tile

Tile comes in many different textures. Some tiles are smooth, lending your bathroom a sleeker and more elegant appearance. Others have gentle ridges, giving your bathroom a more rustic look.

Smooth tiles feel better on your feet, but ridged tiles give you more friction, making them less slippery. 

Consider Grout and Upkeep

Some bathroom tile types require more upkeep than others. For example, stone tiles are attractive, but they also are more porous. So, if any dirt or staining agents get onto them, they might seep into the pores and become harder to clean.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles don't have these pores, making them a better choice for homeowners who don't want to do a lot of upkeep work. 

Likewise, grout will influence how often you have to clean your tiles. Epoxy grout is strong and waterproof, but it's not all that attractive. In fact, it looks a bit like caulk. Cementitious grout appears more granular, but it's porous, making it harder to keep clean.

Hybrid grouts combine the look of cementitious and the functionality of epoxy grouts. 

Think About the Slip Factor

Because your bathroom tile is in the bathroom, it's likely to get wet. So, you need to think about the types of tile that get less slippery when they get water on them.

Glass tile works well for backsplashes and walls. Yet, it often gets slick when wet. You might want to avoid using glass tiling on your bathroom floors. 

Getting Bathroom Tile

Your bathroom tile will look better if you hire the right team to do the job. 

At National Floors Direct, we provide professional bathroom tile services that ensure you get the best flooring out there. Even better, we provide free estimates that will show you how much you can expect to pay. We also don't have any hidden fees, so you can rest assured you won't get any surprise charges!

Schedule a free estimate today!