Best bathroom tiles: How to transform your home into a retreat

Our new Abbot 26 x 30 hexagon mosaic wall and floor tiles will instantly create drama in a luxury bathroom. Perfect for a classic, timeless design, these feature a satin finish and a striking monochrome pattern

Whether you've got plans to revamp a compact ensuite bathroom or design a luxury spa-inspired wet room, the right tiles wall and floor tiles will help you create a space which works aesthetically and is highly functional, too. From natural stone and porcelain to pattern and plain styles, you can choose from a wide selection of tiles to create a bespoke retreat. Key things to look for include whether they are water and slip resistant, their durability and how easy they are to clean.

Our new Altea Blue porcelain matt tiles add a striking features to this bathroom wall. These are designed for use on walls and floors and they get their inspiration from classic paving designs found during a Venetian palace renovation

When looking for bathroom tiles, start browsing our comprehensive collections - did you know we've got more than 15,000 tile options? So you're bound to find something to suit your style, which will be practical, too. Look for high-quality materials, such as porcelain, and, in particular for floor tiles, durability will be vital to cope with foot traffic. For wall tiles, think ceramic, for example, which tend to be less expensive and more suited to this application than as floor tiles (always check with your retailer first). Many of our bathroom tiles are designed to be compatible with underfloor heating, too for additional comfort whether this is for family use or for a luxury, private ensuite.

You can pick floor tiles, which are designed for use on walls too for a cohesive finish in your bathroom design. But, if you enjoy defining different zones such as walls and floors, why not choose two styles of bathroom tiles, which come in contrasting patterns to add depth and create interest?

Choosing the right tile sizes

Contemporary bathroom ideas

Large format tiles such as our new Portare Illusion Shangri La Porcelain bathroom tiles, 60 x 120 x 1cm, instantly add a sleek, polished finish to a contemporary design. With a polished finish, these are marble-effect wall and floor tiles. with an R9 slip rating

Size matters with bathroom tiles as this can make or break your design. Choosing the right size can determine a visually balanced space, which feels cohesive, too. However, tile size can also create an illusion of space and make a bathroom easier to maintain with fewer grout lines, for example, if you pick large-format wall and floor tiles. This tile style is popular because it creates a seamless finish, which is ideal if you're looking for a luxury bathroom. Think sleek lines and minimalist design for an ultra-contemporary style.

Wall and floor tiles for compact bathrooms

Our Sorrento Nizza porcelain matt tiles are square, which adds a distinctive finish to this classic-style bathroom design. These floor tiles feature a strong, yet compact, pattern, which is ideal for use in smaller bathrooms. These decorative tiles can also be used on walls to create a feature, such as a backsplash

The tile size you choose can create an illusion of space in a smaller bathroom. However, different sized tiles can create different effects. Take large tiles, for example - these can help to make your room feel bigger as fewer grout lines will lower visual clutter. However, you could choose timeless classics such as mosaic tiles for texture and intricate detail. The key is to use them in the right way to define an area in your bathroom, such as a backsplash for a vanity unit or on an accent wall. Another option is to choose rectangular tiles - herringbone patterns are popular and they can draw the eye in a subtle way or simply lay this style in a stacked pattern. The size of your bathroom floor tiles can also affect their maintenance and slip resistance. Smaller tiles may provide better grip in wet spaces with more grout lines, for example.

Selecting the right tiles for different areas

Picking bathroom floor tiles

Our new Volterra Tortona Matt 60 x 120cm bathroom tiles look just like natural stone with distinctive veining patterns you'd find in real marble. Made from porcelain with a matt finish and an R9 slip rating, this offers the timeless allure of Italian marble. This floor and wall tiles range is also available in a gloss finish

Choose your style - which one works best for you? Consider materials too - are you thinking intricate glass mosaic tiles or are large format stone tiles more appealing? Check whether the tiles you like are suitable for flooring, too and consider their anti-slip rating. Do you prefer contemporary bathrooms with sleek, shower areas or a wet room aesthetic, or are you more of a fan of a classic bathroom with a roll-top bath?

Love the look of wood? Then why not pick our new Sherwood Oak 80 x 80 porcelain matt tiles. With an impress slip rating of R10, these bathroom tiles offer the natural beauty you can expect from the real thing with all the practicalities

As mentioned, don't forget to factor in slip resistance - this is vital to ensure your floor tiles can withstand moisture, humidity and splashes of water, which are inevitable in a bathroom environment. We offer bathroom tiles, which are specifically designed for use on floors with safety and durability in mind. Our extensive range is water-resistant and easy to maintain, too, which is ideal if you want your bathing retreat to remain clean and fresh with little effort. We also pride ourselves on providing expert advice on bathroom floor tile care and the installation process, so rest assured your tiles will stand the test of time.

Choosing bathroom wall tiles

Our new Living Arts & Crafts collection Flora Willow ceramic gloss rectangular wall tiles enable you to embrace nature with a pretty botanical design. Contrast them with solid green square gloss tiles, such as our Victorian Green Field Tile showcased here, to complete the look

You can apply similar principles for floor tiles when looking for versions for your walls. Ceramic wall tiles are affordable and easy to care for, and they come in a huge variety of colours and patterns. Or you could pick porcelain tiles, which are more dense, making them highly durable so ideal as wall and floor tiles.

Our new Westhampton Pencil Honed wall tiles featured here are made from marble for a natural finish in a luxury, bespoke bathroom. These are wall and floor tiles, which offer unique variations from chipped edges to open veins for a striking aesthetic

Porcelain is perfect for wall tiles and this design will suit a shower area or wet room as it offers high water-resistance. And, if you prefer a natural finish or a spa-style ambience in your bathroom, natural stone could be the choice for you. Think marble or travertine, for example, however they will require regular sealing to keep them water and stain-resistant. Or simply pick stone-effect versions for versatility.

Transforming your space with bathroom floor wall and floor tiles

Our Palm House Mural tiles are made from ceramic in a striking design featuring lush tropical plants on this bathroom feature wall. From the Living range, this has three panels with eight tiles each for you to add a personal touch to your bathroom design

If you pick the right tiles, they can make all the difference in upgrading your bathroom from a functional space into a relaxing retreat. Whichever style you pick from the timeless allure of natural stone to sleek, durable porcelain, if you choose the right combination of tiles, this will transform your bathroom's aesthetic. As long as you consider key factors, such as water and slip resistance, and choose designs with the wow factor, you can successfully design a bathroom, which will balance beauty with usability.