Choosing the best tile style for a small bathroom doesn't have to be overwhelming for a homeowner. With an extensive variety of options available on the market today, there is lots of helpful information to assist them in making the right choices. Find out how to select the best tile style for a small bathroom before you begin your next home improvement project.
Tile can make or break the design of a bathroom; ideally, a homeowner will want to choose a floor and wall tile that enhances the appearance of cabinets and fixtures. If you are considering upgrading your small bathroom, the following information will be beneficial to you.
Small vs. Large Tiles
Small bathrooms can be challenging to tile, smaller tiles can make your bathroom appear more spacious. In some bathrooms, however, larger tiles may be a better alternative. Large tiles give the impression of ample space, primarily when used on the floor.
For many years, whitish grout was the criterion, but today's homeowners have an impressive array of colored grout options to select from. If you select a boldly patterned tile, be sure your grout is a simple, neutral color. If the grout matches the tile color, it decreases the cross-pattern effect that can create a small space feel smaller. Light grout can coordinate and combine perfectly with light-colored tiles, and conversely, dark grout can match with darker-colored tiles.
Layout
When it comes to small bathrooms, the last thing is to feel cramped or deprived of space. Depending on the shape of the tile, a square layout is good, but there are other options. Installing tile in a diagonal, chevron, or the brick bond patterns are great layout applications used to make a small bathroom look and feel more substantial than it is. These distinct layouts will put an equal amount of emphasis on width and length, but do require accurate measuring, planning, and cutting to execute.
Color
To create the illusion of added space, use light colors which reflect more than dark colors and can make a small bathroom seem larger. Metallic, mother-of-pearl and glossy tiles can give this illusion while making the proportions of the room appear larger. Light colors have long been the standard, but many designers have found darker colors have the power to make a bathroom look wider and longer. Particularly when the darker colors are located on just one or two walls as focal points which break up the small space when adjacent to light color walls.
Maintenance
Some tiles require less maintenance than others – that is a fact. Consider the following tile materials and their maintenance.
- Natural stone – Travertine and marble are some of the most beautiful materials on the market. Apply a sealer on these surfaces after installation, and for regular maintenance wipe with a damp cloth. Another popular stone is slate it's slip-resistant and perfect for bathrooms.
- Ceramic Tile–Porcelain, ceramic, and even glass is relatively easy to maintain, depending on their finishes. A gloss may require a bit more polishing than a matte surfaced tile. There are a variety of cleansers on the market that clean tile surfaces and grout with ease.
With the right choice of tile and color scheme a small bathroom can flaunt its décor personality on a big scale.
