How to choose bathroom tiles. How to choose the right ceramic tiles for the bathroom and toilet? What tiles are suitable for the bathroom

Finishing the bathroom is one of the most difficult stages of apartment renovation. There are several reasons for this, but the main ones are:

• increased humidity of the room;


• the need to keep the bathroom perfectly clean (which implies the use of detergents based on active chemicals);


• a combination in a relatively small area of ​​many plumbing and electrical elements (sink, toilet, bidet, shower, bath itself, often a washing machine).

This creates special requirements for bathroom finishing materials, among which the most popular choice is tile. It is she who perfectly meets the listed conditions.

About which tile is better to choose for the bathroom and will be discussed in this article.

bathroom design

The stage of choosing finishing materials, as a rule, follows the design stage, when the general concept has already been developed. At the same time, the designer proceeds from the general preferences of the customer, offers an indicative color scheme and often takes part in the choice of tiles. But often repairs are carried out without the involvement of a designer, and then the customer himself decides which tile to choose for the bathroom. However, we strongly recommend that you sketch out a rough sketch of the future interior in advance and calculate the area of ​​\u200b\u200bits individual surfaces in order to immediately navigate in the buying process how much of which tiles to buy.

In this case, you should understand a few simple rules:

1. If the bathroom in your apartment has a small area, immediately discard options with a large pattern, and the size of the tile should not be excessive. A large tile visually reduces an already small room. A small repeating ornament will also look bad in a small bathroom. Look for the golden mean.


2. Do not get carried away with tiles with a plot pattern, depicting flowers, animals and people. On a trade show booth, this may look attractive, but imagine this pattern repeated over and over again on your wall.


3. Use common techniques that allow you to visually change the proportions of the room: for example, vertical stripes create the illusion of a high room, mirror surfaces, when properly installed, can significantly add air, the same can be said about light finishes.


4. Do not neglect special mounting elements, their role is not only decorative, but often functional. For example, many craftsmen do not use a plastic layout for the outer corners, forming a corner from two tiles sawn at a 45 degree angle. Such an acute angle looks much more impressive than a rounded plastic border. But do not forget that in the bathroom you will often have to walk barefoot on a wet floor, where there is a high probability of slipping. Under such conditions, a sharp corner can be very dangerous.

Let's move on to tiles. To begin, let us tell you…

What tiles are used for finishing the bathroom

The choice today is very large, and it will not be possible to fully cover it within one article. To begin with, bathroom tiles are made from different materials. The most common types are:

The popularity of ceramic tiles speaks for itself. Yes, this is the most common cladding material, the most optimal combination of excellent performance and relatively affordable price. I must say that the definition of "ceramic tiles" includes a whole group of materials that are quite different from each other in characteristics. There is no unambiguous answer to the question “which tile is better to choose for a bath”, but we will try to clarify this issue. So, the first on the list will be the one already mentioned ...

Among ceramic tile materials, porcelain stoneware is the champion in strength. It is for this that he received his name, and it is for this reason that he is used as a wear-resistant floor covering. The resistance of porcelain stoneware to abrasion is so high that it is often used in public places where the load on the floor is especially high. He is not even afraid of stiletto heels. And in terms of uniformity of structure and resistance to temperature extremes, this material even surpasses natural stone.

Manufacturers, as a rule, emphasize the similarity of porcelain stoneware with natural stone, decorating it accordingly. Since this material is used mainly as a floor covering, it is roughened, which is the best suited for the bathroom, where a slippery floor can cause injury.

Clinker is also a very durable material. The density of the structure provides an extremely low ability to absorb water, which allows the use of clinker even for lining swimming pools, as well as external facades and other external elements of buildings, such as a porch.

Due to the peculiarities of manufacturing technology, this tile does not have a wide range of colors. The color is most often ocher, from pale yellow to dark brown, sometimes with a reddish tinge. Has a nice natural look. By the way, clinker serves as a material not only for tiles. Manufacturing technology allows you to give it a variety of shapes (corners, skirting boards, overhangs). Facing materials often imitate classic brick or natural "torn stone". The texture imitating wood is also popular.

Quite a popular type of facing material. Both transparent painted glass and decorated with patterns are used. It is actively used for mosaic work, but laying requires a very highly qualified master, a special tool, and such work will cost you a pretty penny.

Due to its low strength, it is not used as a floor covering. Mirror tiles are also popular, but more often as an element of decor, and not as the main cladding.

- Plastic tiles (PVC)

The use of polymers for the manufacture of finishing materials began about fifty years ago. But until recently, PVC tiles were exotic in our market. PVC tile has only one drawback - it is not particularly resistant to mechanical stress. Therefore, firstly, it is practically not used as a floor covering, and secondly, such a finish is not as durable as, for example ...

It is a magnificent finishing material, the variety of its textures is countless, and the natural pattern never repeats. Natural stone gives any interior an aristocratic atmosphere, and calm colors go well with any design solution.

Natural stone tiles have only one significant drawback - the high price. However, modern technologies offer excellent substitutes, which in many respects are not inferior to natural stone, and are much more affordable. For example, porcelain stoneware, which, as the name suggests, belongs to a large family of ceramic tile materials. It is worth dwelling on them in more detail.

How to check tiles when buying

Experienced craftsmen advise not to save on tiles, since cheap tiles almost always have errors that are not obvious when buying. Adequate quality can be expected from European-made tiles, usually experienced tilers prefer to work with Italian or Spanish tiles, Germany and Portugal are also praised. The price for such a tile starts at $25 per square, but the quality is worth it.

However, there are tiles of domestic production, which fully meet the standards and at the same time are much more affordable. When buying such a tile, you need to make sure of its quality, at least as a first approximation.

So what should you pay attention to...

Tile geometry

The back surface must be flat. To check, take several pairs of tiles (preferably from different packs) and attach them “back to back” to each other. Ideally, they should fit snugly, the gap, if any, should not exceed half a millimeter.

You also need to check how the sizes of the tiles are the same. To do this, you can lay out a couple of rows of five tiles butt-to-butt and see if the edges of the rows match. Again, the rows should be the same. But if the difference does not exceed half a millimeter, an experienced craftsman will make sure that this error will not be noticeable.

Another way: put a stack of tiles on a flat surface so that the tiles are on edge, and put a ruler on top. The gaps will immediately become visible. In this case, even a half-millimeter gap indicates a serious marriage.

Structure density

This is perhaps the most important factor when buying bathroom tiles. It depends on whether your tile will absorb moisture or not. The tile, which has a large porosity of the structure, is gradually saturated with moisture, becomes heavier and begins to flake off the wall. And even high-quality glue will not save the situation.

To test this characteristic, turn the tile over and look at its unglazed back surface. Large pores should not be at all, small ones should be few (up to ten).

Front surface

If we are talking about glazed tiles, there should be no bubbles and roughness on the outside, unless they are part of the design. Inspect a few randomly selected tiles for the integrity of the glaze on the ends. Even high-quality grouting begins to leak moisture over time, and unglazed fragments will instantly turn into a loophole for water.

If we are talking about floor tiles, then roughness, on the contrary, should be present. It doesn't hurt to even put a drop of water on it and rub it with your finger to make sure the floor won't be slippery.

Prices for tiles

Often, building materials distributors announce implausible discounts on individual collections. Experienced craftsmen do not recommend being tempted by these offers. The explanation is quite logical: the low price indicates either a marriage or a sale of the remnants of collections that are being discontinued. With marriage, everything is clear, but sales should be mentioned separately.

If you decide to buy the rest of the collection (they can actually be purchased for a penny), first, scrupulously check the goods. Leftovers usually include all of the fight and marriage that your predecessors didn't take.

But even if the product is of high quality, carefully calculate the quantity you need. Be sure to throw 15-20% on the fight, on the marriage and on the mistakes of the master. Why so much? Because it is better to take advantage of the low price and play it safe. If you do not meet the planned volume, you will have nowhere to buy a few missing tiles. That would be embarrassing.

About the colors and types of tiles - which tiles are best for the bathroom

In fact, serious bathroom tile manufacturers have made sure that you do not have to choose a color scheme. To do this, the assortment is structured by collections, which include several tones that form the palette of the future interior.

The classic collection includes light-colored, dark-colored, border, floor and decorative tiles. Floor tiles, light and dark tone, as a rule, a calm color, with a minimal pattern or even a solid color.

August 23, 2016
You can talk about design canons for a long time, but every day the existing canons become less and less stable. Aesthetics and harmony, balance, colors, materials, brought together in order to get such a long-awaited result are the essence of your knowledge, practice and self-development. My motto is to learn, see, touch something new every day, and I am sure that this is the only way to keep the right course in “high design”.

Moisture resistance and inertness to the effects of cleaning agents have made tiles the most popular finishing material for the bathroom. So, it's time to talk about how to choose the right tile for the bathroom.

Tile type and layout

The layout, according to many, is an exclusively design technique that has a decorative function, but this is far from the case. A competent combination of color, texture and size of the tile allows you to solve the problems of the room, among which there is more often a low ceiling, an elongated shape or technological niches and ledges in the walls.

1. High ceiling. Choose decorative tiles for horizontal installation. It can be several horizontal thin stripes or one wide line occupying at least 1/6 of the height of the room.
   If the narrow shape of the room is added to the problem of a too high ceiling, your choice is to lay tiles according to the “dark bottom, light top” principle. As an alternative solution with a focus on savings, you can consider a combination of tiles on the top and dark-colored wall panels on the bottom.

In addition, the lower part of the walls can be decorated using decorative panels (per square meter, they can be cheaper).

If your choice fell on the use of a contrasting bright horizontal edging, pay attention to the height of the furniture, the location of the heated towel rail and the mirror.

1. Low ceiling. This is where vertical accents come into play, helping to make the room more "slender" and cohesive. In addition, this layout is actively used to accentuate a separate wall. In most cases, one wide strip and several thin ones are combined.

1. Pushing back the wall. No, no, we will not destroy the walls, and build new ones, we will move it visually. To do this, we need a dark tile that fits on the wall that needs to be brought closer. When is this approach relevant? In the event that the room has a disproportionate elongated shape.

1. beat the corner. To implement the reception, the same tile is laid not on parallel planes, but on perpendicular ones. This will help to highlight separate areas, for example, a bath-shower, a toilet-bidet, a washbasin-mirror.

When choosing the same tiles for walls and floors, remember that the latter must be labeled "floor" and a high level of anti-slip.

1. Mosaic. A separate category is mosaic. In a small bathroom, its all-consuming power can turn into a visual reduction of the room, so I advise you to use it in doses. With what to combine? With single-color large tiles with the thinnest possible seams.

As a panel, you can use not only mosaics, but also patchwork tiles. In this case, you are almost unlimited in choosing a plain tile for other surfaces. Where to locate? I recommend using patchwork in the bath/shower area or on the wall with a mirror.

1. Prioritize color. You can completely abandon the stripes and lines of tiles. An excellent solution would be a chaotic arrangement of contrasting tiles on 1 or 2 parallel walls.

If you are used to ordering everything and do not accept chaos in its classical sense, “collect” the interior with the help of a contrasting edge of the bathroom trim or a decorative colored frame around the mirror.

1. Neighbors, Friends, Enemies. Before choosing tiles for the bathroom and toilet, think about what it will be combined with. The introduction of paint and decorative plaster is becoming more and more urgent. More often, ceramics are laid in the lower part, it is important to follow the rule here - the tile strip must have a height of at least 115 cm with a standard installation of the sink at a height of 85 cm.
   When combined, tiles can be used in a separate part, for example, behind, in the shower or bath area.

Saving must be economical

A lot has been said about which bathroom tile is better to choose, but few know how to save money when buying. I share personal secrets.

The main way to save money is to combine inexpensive tiles with designer collections. If you find a compromise, you will get an excellent result and a unique interior.

Neutral background

The first way to save money is to purchase inexpensive plain tiles and focus on colored grout. One point is important here - “inexpensive” does not mean poor quality. Choose a well-known manufacturer and look for a budget collection.

If you do not understand how the selected tile with colored seams will look, lay out a square meter of tiles on hardboard or drywall and fill the seams “dry”.

different size

The square background tile is a universal "soldier". Sum the multiples of the dimensions, for example, join the 10, 15 and 20 cm squares and combine them with the 30, 40 cm floor squares.

Change Orientation

Rectangular tiles with a chamfer (“boar”) are often laid horizontally, by changing the orientation of the installation, you can visually enlarge the bathroom. Oh yes, savings. Do not buy thick classic crosses for the "boar", they make the tile look cheap. Choose separators no larger than 0.5 mm.

If the laying will be done by the master, you can choose a "parquet" layout diagonally, for example, herringbone. I would not recommend doing this kind of work with your own hands.

If the bathroom is small, get a medium-sized tile. After cutting it, there is less waste.

As simple as possible

A great way to save money is to choose brick-shaped tiles. In this case, it is laid without displacement so that no pieces smaller than 5 cm remain.

This layout option also has a significant drawback, when laying on walls “littered” vertically, the flaw will become more noticeable.

Having decided which tile to choose in the bathroom, you can proceed to the calculation. To do this, on a sheet of paper, draw all the walls of the bathroom to scale and “lay out” the tiles. To the resulting square meters, add a margin of 10% for a straight layout and 15% for a diagonal and herringbone.

Elite meter

You can create an “expensive” design with a small amount of elite tiles, which are used locally in wall decoration, for example, near a mirror.

If the selected design tile option does not fit into one canvas with an inexpensive background, for example, because of the hexagonal shape, use paint.

Forever young and forever drunk

Fashion is a capricious and changeable lady, today she is in red, tomorrow she will prefer beige. Unfortunately, the interior of the apartment does not change at such a speed. How to choose the color, texture, size and pattern of a tile so that it remains relevant for a long time.

Imitation of natural material. Thanks to digital printing, tiles imitating stone, wood, and marble have become widespread. In addition to the complete identity of the drawing, we managed to get a similar texture and relief. If such a tile has one more advantage - the price, which is an order of magnitude lower than the cost of natural material, such as onyx or marble.

Designer Tip! Today, not only imitations of expensive natural materials are popular, but also tiles with the color and texture of shell rock, sandstone and slate.

Such "special effects" as brushing and aging make "wood look" tiles as realistic as possible. Such solutions are indispensable when arranging a bathroom in a loft style.

The "stone-like" tile has no style restrictions. Marble stains create a calm, beautiful backdrop for expensive sanitary ware in a classic form or emphasize minimalism in design.

You can choose high-quality "stone" tiles in the collections of Kerama Marazzi, Atlas Concorde and Peronda.

Maxi format. Large tiles have climbed to the very top of popularity and are not going to go down from there. Today, you can easily find a 1x3 m tile, which rather allows you to attribute it to the plates.

Single flat surfaces with stone imitation can be found in the Italian brands Graniti Fiandre and Rex.

Ten. Classic tiles 10x10 and 20x20 cm are relevant regardless of the area of ​​the room. The visual effect is assembled from three "whales": the color of the tile, the shade of the grout and the layout.

Your Naf-Naf. "Boar", which I talked about above, also refers to the immortal trends. If you choose a "boar" with a glossy surface and beveled bevels, let it be pastel shades: beige or white. "Boar" is relevant for interiors in country style, modern.

The charm of patchwork. Patchwork is a technology of sewing from separate multi-colored shreds. The same "patches" of ceramic tiles are folded into a single canvas. More often used as an accent or in floor decoration.

Ready patchwork collections are produced by CERAMICA FIORANESE (Inside collection), Serenissima CIR (Biarritz series), ABK (Docks), Del Conca (Amarcord).

3D reality. I recommend using three-dimensional tiles in bathrooms with an area of ​​at least 10 m².

Floor tiles, what are you doing, stop it!

“Well, not easily soiled and not slippery”, often the requirements for floor tiles in the bathroom end there, and in fact it is capable of more, for example, visually hide the flaws of the room.

Problem	Liquidation instructions
crooked walls	The ideal option to eliminate the disadvantage is the diagonal layout. A seam pattern in a contrasting color will turn attention to itself, while distracting from problematic walls.
narrow room	Choose from checkered or herringbone patterns. These schemes have been transferred from the ways of laying piece parquet, therefore the shape of the tile must be appropriate. I can safely call tiles with the color and texture of wood an ideal solution.
elongated room	The optimal layout is scatter (deck, with a shift). Rectangular tiles are more often shifted along the long side by 1/4 or 1/3, the maximum allowable shift is 1/2. To prevent the floor from looking crooked, use tiles in similar shades and don't forget about a 10% margin.
Zoning	Laying according to the “carpet” scheme, which may have an additional edging or be laid out without it.
Reducing or increasing the area	If you have a small bathroom, choose an irregular, repetitive layout in pastel shades. The same “recipe for a hundred troubles” is also relevant for a large area, you just have to replace pastel colors with contrasting ones.

Project with tiles in the lead role

And by tradition, I offer you a full-fledged bathroom interior, in which the main decorative role is assigned to the tile.

Initially, the bathroom was separated from the toilet, after the merging, it was possible to get 6 m², which acquired Mediterranean features and vintage notes.

The central part of the room was occupied by a bathtub, opposite it - a wall on which two antique mirrors are fixed. It is thanks to them that the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room has visually increased and looks more spacious.

The finishing tile has an unusual pattern and color, which is a combination of turquoise, blue and white. The size of one tile is 20.5x20.5 cm, the combined four elements form a single composition measuring 41x41 cm, which resembles the pattern of a classic painted tile.

In the company, white brick-shaped cement tiles from Fired Earth, laid in the open shower area, were selected for her.

The toilet was moved to the opposite wall, due to this, it was possible to find a place for an open shower without a pallet.

There was a window in the niche next to the shower, we tiled it and equipped it under a shelf. Photographs by Slim Aaron taken in the 1960s and 70s are used as wall decor. They found their home next to the shower.

Bath and shower faucets are nickel-plated, which is a very good solution for an interior with vintage touches. In addition to them, gilded accessories and door handles were purchased.

Storage areas are organized in a spacious custom-made closet. Lighting - four adjustable light sources.

In the interior used:

• siphon, bath, shower with watering can and faucets, oval mirrors, - Drummonds;
• mirror panels - Rupert Bevan;
• toilet - Brora;
• double sinks - Atlantic Gray Double Crake;
• wall lamps – Jonathan Adler.

Summing up

Tile has long ceased to be exclusively a way of decorating walls, now it is a design technique that can change perception, accentuate and hide. On this, I say goodbye to you and wish you success in the difficult repair business. Before you start designing your dream bathroom, be sure to watch the video in this article.

And I have a question for you - do you consider tiles the only option for finishing a bathroom? Share your thoughts in the comments.

August 23, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thanks!

But now all "progressive humanity" often resorts to the services of online stores, which are in increasing demand every day, due to their convenience and loyal pricing policy, and the assortment in virtual outlets is sometimes much wider than in hardware stores. It is worth taking a closer look at this way of shopping.

Which tile is better to choose for the bathroom: types

Facing material can play the role of a floor covering or be intended for wall decoration. Some designers, not devoid of "creative courage", suggest using floor tiles for both floors and walls. And there is nothing wrong with that, as floor tiles are more durable than vertical tiles.

All manufactured tiles are divided into 5 classes, the main performance characteristics for ceramic coatings are abrasion resistance and mechanical strength. For bathrooms, material of class 1-2 is used, and if desired, tiles of the fifth class can be used, which is suitable for all rooms.

The optimal thickness of floor tiles is 9-12 mm, and wall tiles are 6-9 mm. As for the surface of the material, it can be either glossy or matte. And if a person loves everything shiny and wants to add something special to the interior of the bathroom, then the first option will suit him the most. Matte bathroom tiles are the best solution, as they have low water absorption and resistance to chemicals that are inevitably present in household chemicals and cosmetics, and they are also stronger than glossy ones.

Criterias of choice

Choosing a good bathroom tile should be based on:

• operational characteristics;


• texture and design;


• size and shape.

All detailed information about the material is indicated in the labeling and communicated to the buyer in the form of pictograms. For this reason, people who are not familiar with this “graphic language” or who are afraid of making a mistake are advised to make such purchases online, because there is a detailed one for each item of the online store.

Which manufacturer's tile is better to choose for the bathroom

In the pursuit of brands, people keep forgetting the adage of "shiny gold", naively believing that imported ceramic tiles are something outstanding. In fact, the quality of products does not depend on the country of manufacture, but on who, from what, according to whose technologies and on what equipment it was produced. Therefore, it is logical to assume that ceramic tiles made in China and Italy are two big differences.

When choosing a facing material, everyone proceeds from their financial capabilities, and the most expensive purchase option is imported ceramic tiles with a glossy finish, a photo of which is posted here. As for quality, one thing needs to be understood here: good products cannot be cheap. Naturally, the tile should not crumble in the hands and cannot have pronounced defects, in the form of irregular sizes, uneven coloring, etc. And if the tile is intended for the floor, then it must be treated with an anti-slip coating.

Mosaic tiles - what is it?

The main difference between this material and tiles is its size. Small pieces of ceramics can create a real miracle if they fall into skillful hands. At the moment, this, along with ceramic tiles, is the best option for finishing rooms with high humidity,

Finishing the bathroom with ceramic tiles is a practical option that opens up wide opportunities for creating a unique design. Due to its moisture-proof qualities, wear resistance and resistance to various kinds of pollution, this decorative wall or floor covering has been serving for decades. However, in order for it to maintain a fresh, neat appearance during the entire period of operation, it is necessary to choose wisely and lay it with high quality. This article will help you understand which tile to choose for the bathroom so that the results of the renovation do not get bored after a year, do not lose their relevance.

Quality standards

Let's start the review of the range of ceramic tiles by considering the quality criteria that are regulated by state standards. Tiles are produced in three main ways:

1. Casting. With the help of casting, thick ceramic tiles are made, its surface is not perfectly smooth. This option is not suitable for finishing the bathroom, as dirt and harmful microorganisms accumulate in the irregularities of the tile, which makes it difficult to maintain the cleanliness of the walls and floor;
2. extrusion. Most modern bathroom tiles are produced in this way. Extruded tiles are flat, smooth, with perfect corner geometry and uniform thickness;
3. Pressing. The pressed ceramic tile differs in the increased durability, low porosity. These qualities make it an excellent choice for flooring.

Tiles are produced in five strength classes from PEI I to PEIV, the higher the tile class, the greater its strength and wear resistance, for class I or II.

All the necessary information about the characteristics of a vending tile is contained on its packaging, it is presented in a graphic code:

• Snowflake denotes resistance to low temperatures;
• A hand on a dark background says that the tile is for walls;
• A foot on a dark background means it's a floor tile;
• The flask is a sign of resistance to aggressive chemical compounds;
• Crystal - degree of hardness;
• The letters AA are a class of moisture resistance, the closer the second letter of the encoding is to the end of the alphabet, the worse the tile is protected from water.

Criteria for the right choice

A wide range of building stores allows you to implement any design idea, but making a choice on your own can be quite difficult. To decide which tile is best for the bathroom, first of all, you need to decide on the fundamental questions:

1. Destination. Floor and wall tiles have completely different qualities. If low porosity and abrasion resistance are fundamental for finishing the floor, then for walls - moisture-proof properties;
2. The nature of the use and care of the sanitary room provides its own requirements for building materials: resistance to chemicals, wear resistance, moisture protection;
3. Tiles size. A large tile makes cramped spaces visually smaller, so it is recommended for a spacious room. A tile consisting of small elements is suitable for small bathrooms;
4. Decor. To decorate the walls in the bathroom, they use inlaid mosaics, panels, borders, contrasting stripes, and mirror elements. If you prefer concise solutions, pay attention to the combination of tiles of different colors;
5. Manufacturer. Tiles are produced by domestic and foreign companies, but Italy is considered the leader in the ceramic tile market. Imported products are not cheap, the price depends on currency fluctuations, and domestic manufacturers can already seriously compete with them;
6. Colour. The variety of colors of tiles is so great that sometimes the eyes run wide. Traditionally, light colors are used in the bathroom, as they do not show traces of drops or stains. Dark tones are only suitable for spacious, well-lit rooms. Choosing the color of the tile, you determine the whole gamut of finishes, as designers advise limiting the finish to three shades.

Advice! When buying tiles, do it with a margin of 5-10%, which will come in handy in case of damage and fitting, and also make sure that all boxes are from the same batch, since the color in different deliveries of one manufacturer can vary significantly.

Color solutions

The tile provides a wide range of choices. Since the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe walls and floor of the bathroom, finished with tiles, takes up a lot of space, they start purchasing plumbing and furniture by choosing the color of the tiles. First of all, this decision is a matter of taste, however, there are certain rules that designers usually follow:

• In small rooms it is better to give preference to light shades - beige, green, blue. In a spacious bath, it is permissible to use saturated colors - brown, purple, orange;
• The color of the floor should match the color of the walls, it can be one tone lighter or darker. A contrasting floor is a bold decision, which, unfortunately, visually reduces the area of ​​​​the bathroom;
• The grouting of the joints between the tiles is chosen either in a suitable color or in contrast. Please note that the grout composition of light shades is not used for the floor, since it is unprofitable to keep it clean;
• If you do not have specific preferences, look for natural, natural colors. They do not strain the eyes, are pleasant for a person and create a relaxing atmosphere;
• Before making a choice, think that the color of the tile determines the entire range of bathroom finishes, you will have to select plumbing fixtures, fittings, furniture and design theme for it. By the way, the marine style in the design of the bathroom is always relevant.

Some manufacturers offer tiles that imitate the color and structure of natural materials, for example, wood-like tiles look great on the bathroom floor.

Choice of decor

Finishing the bathroom involves the use of different decor methods that decorate it in their own way. Designers recommend paying attention to the following options:

1. Panel panels. A panel is a picture applied to a tile using photo printing or manually, it can consist of one or more elements. Typically, the manufacturer includes a panel in a collection of ceramic tiles, which includes wall coverings, floors, borders and other decor options, made in the same style, the same color. The use of panels makes the interior more refined and expensive;
2. Mosaic. This is a wall decoration method that uses small tiles of one color or several to create a beautiful pattern or pattern. Walls finished with mosaics shimmer beautifully in the light of lamps and visually expand the space of the bathroom due to the glossy surface. The disadvantage of this type of decor is the complexity of the work. Since it is difficult to cope with laying the mosaic on your own, you need the help of a professional, whose payment for services, sometimes, costs more than the material;
3. A combination of different colors. The contrasting color of the tiles in the bathroom will help to place accents in the interior. Vertical stripes visually expand the space, making the room more spacious. And if you add mirror tiles to the wall decoration, even the simplest tile will sparkle with new colors.

Summing up, here are some tips on choosing tiles that experienced craftsmen give to their clients:

1. To finish the floor in the bathroom, purchase ceramic tiles 9-12 mm thick, made by pressing or extruding;
2. For walls, choose tiles among samples with a thickness of 6-9 mm;
3. If you use products from different companies, make sure that the thickness and dimensions match, since the mismatch of these parameters will cause significant laying difficulties;
4. Carefully check the color, quantity and quality of the purchased tiles before signing the invoice. Differences in color, cracks and chips indicate a low quality product, it is better to immediately refuse such a product.

The choice is not easy, especially if it concerns a thing that will serve for decades. Therefore, when deciding which tiles to use for finishing the bathroom, take your time, do not chase fashion.

Video - the secrets of choosing ceramic tiles

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Finishing living space always begins with bathrooms. It is laborious and marco, noisy and most costly.

Having every reason to start repairs with a bathroom, the user becomes a victim of countless views of fashion catalogs and visits to building markets, long thoughts, throwing and doubts. And given the variety offered by the modern market of finishing materials, the search for reference tiles and equipment can take much longer than originally planned.

In order to choose the right color, texture, shape and performance, you need to understand the basic principles of the influence of tiles on the appearance and functionality of the bathroom.

Benefits of tiling your bathroom

On each package of tiles, the manufacturer places pictograms, which, according to the international system of standards, are material markings. This designation will help to choose the main characteristics, and the consumer should pay attention to:

• tile size;
• segment shape;
• integrity (implies the absence of chips and cracks on the surface);
• surface resistance to abrasion;
• thermal stability;
• resistance to mechanical damage: scratches and chips;
• moisture resistance;
• resistance to the use of chemicals;
• pigment durability: no reaction to ultraviolet and color loss over time;
• durability;
• no risk associated with slippery surfaces.

These parameters are the alpha and omega for each consumer. And in order to check the quality of the tiles visually, several samples should be randomly selected from the box and leaned against each other with their sides, alternately changing sides.

To choose the optimal safety qualities, in particular, the absence of slipping on the floor, you can apply one simple way. Without waiting for the tiles to be laid on the floor, you can drop a little water on the surface right on the display case. By the intensity of sliding your finger, you can always determine how the material behaves in domestic conditions.

Tiles for flooring have a whole list of differences from other materials. With its help, they realize not only a perfectly smooth surface, but also “cut out” at all corners and non-symmetrical joints. To do this, it must lend itself well to processing and laying in places with architectural "features". The ideal indicator of water absorption is considered to be 20%, and the enamel must cover the surface completely in order to prevent the destructive action of detergents and mechanical stress. In places where the contact of the wall with water is the closest, it is recommended to lay large-sized glazed tiles, thus reducing the number of seams - weak areas in a humid environment. The optimal thickness of the tile is 6-9 mm, this indicator corresponds to the generally accepted standard.

How to choose the right tile color?

It is pleasant to spend time relaxing in the bathroom, therefore “poisonous” colors and contrasting patterns are highly not recommended for it. The palette options that we will offer you below are capable of successfully coping with the task of arranging a calm and attractive atmosphere.

White color is a classic of the genre, able to set off furniture and interior items, serve as an excellent background for bright textiles and look hygienic at the same time. Even despite its commonness, white color can work miracles of visual perception and expand a small space. If you do not want your bathroom to be associated with hospital rooms, then you should pay attention to shades of white: ivory and condensed milk, ice cream and champagne.

The green and blue color of the tile is the most suitable, as it belongs to the water palette and is very appropriate for the bath. It energizes and improves mood.

And all shades of coffee are able to give comfort and tranquility, bringing notes of unity with nature into the interior.

Bright mix tones are most often used to create visual accents. Red, turquoise, gold and burgundy, as a rule, are not used as the main background, as they can cause emotional stress. Black or dark gray, dark brown tiles can reduce space and act depressingly on the psyche.

Most often it is used for laying panels 75-100 cm from the floor level. It should also be remembered that any dirt and dried stains from water drops are visible on a dark tile.

Choosing a tile size

In order to choose the optimal tile size for a particular object, its dimensions should be taken into account. A large bathroom does not limit the owner's imagination - both small mosaics and large slabs look equally good here. Any panel, a composition of tiles of different shades and sizes will look wonderful here.

What can not be said about a small room, where small mosaic segments or a colorful pattern can narrow the space even more. The same effect will be when laying very large square or oblong tiles, using contrasting grout for joints. Thus, the bathroom will be divided into separate sections, which will not make it attractive at all.

So, for a small bath, a medium-sized tile is recommended: 20x20 cm - if you choose a square, and 20x30 cm for a rectangle. These are reference indicators that can visually enlarge even a very small space. Moreover, by laying oblong tiles along or across the walls, you can visually expand them or raise the level of the ceiling. Diagonal masonry is also able to visually add square meters, especially if applied on the floor.

Choice of style for the bathroom

A very important aspect, without having worked through which you can direct all efforts to nothing, is the stylistic key that underlies the interior. And if the owner of the living space is not a designer himself, then it is better to use ready-made solutions that have proven themselves more than once in practice. Of course, nothing prevents you from coming up with your own version, but it is better to discuss its details with a specialist.

A classic-style bathroom is a universal solution that does not lose its relevance over the years. As a rule, for the implementation of such projects, light and dark tiles of a related palette are used, where the base is laid with a darker one, and the top to the ceiling with light tiles. For demarcation, a border is used, which usually contains a pattern from both colors used. In this case, it is better to lay the floor in the same tone as the panels - use dark floor tiles. However, the option with a light floor will be quite interesting, visually deepening the room.

If the owner likes natural motifs, then with the help of green, blue, beige and brown tiles, you can create real oases in the apartment. Tiles of natural shades are used for full wall cladding, including finished panels or laying out drawings from borders or mosaics. Of course, the greatest revelry of fantasy is available to owners of large bathrooms, here you can implement a themed beach or aquarium decoration, dedicate the design to a particular culture or convey tropical notes. But even for small spaces, a lot of tricks have been invented today: what is only worth 3D tiles, giving a deep and realistic feeling of the absence of walls.

An oriental-style bathroom is a kind of hamam, which is always bright and original. Today, this style can be realized with the help of collections of tile manufacturers using intricate motifs and ultra bright colors for design. And it can be supplemented with small mosaics laid on the facades and side parts of furniture and plumbing. This style is perfect for spacious rooms, if your bathroom is modest in size - the solution should be sought in less saturated colors and with a medium-sized pattern. A plain tile decorated with a border in Turkish cucumbers or birds, hieroglyphs or oriental mosaics looks good. To embody this style, it is best to use red, yellow, gold, green, blue and turquoise.

A mirror is a great addition to any bathroom, and if you want to be extra special, you can use mirror tiles on the surface of the bathroom walls. This will make it just limitless for your eyes, but will also add the work of polishing and removing dried drops. These tiles can be used as separate inclusions and are a successful solution to the problem of irregularly shaped or undersized bathrooms. If you lay it on the ceiling, then you will feel incredible spaciousness even in a small room.

Matte, textured and glossy tiles

On display, all samples look good, but when touched, we feel the difference between them. Matte, textured and glossy - three pillars of the modern ceramic industry offer you to choose an option for specific purposes. The most popular is the glossy tile: it is unpretentious in care and gives a charming surface shine. However, lovers of bright lighting notice too sharp glare that irritates their eyes during hygiene procedures.

Textured tiles repeat the applied pattern: scales and mosaic masonry, feathers and abstractions. Its surface is so close to the analogue that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish. However, it should be remembered that with excellent external qualities, such material needs complex care.

How to calculate how many tiles you need?

When you have already decided on the design, you need to know exactly how many tiles of each type you need.

The data you need for the calculation:

• bathroom area, excluding the ceiling and doorway, hatches for access to pipes, etc.;
• tile size and number of pieces per square meter.

Knowing the area of ​​\u200b\u200byour room and the size of the segment for laying, using simple calculations, you can determine how much material is needed. Since laying tiles involves the presence of trimmings and breakage during installation, another 10-12% must be added to the calculated amount. For walls, we use a smaller indicator, for the floor - a larger one. Purchase material for repair should be at the same time, because there is no guarantee that during the next visit to the store, you will buy goods from the same batch. And different batches may differ slightly in color shade, which will negatively affect the finished “picture”. Yes, and sometimes it takes too long to wait for the arrival of a new product, and a simple craftsman can significantly hit your pocket.

Tiles are not the kind of material you can save on. If you choose a budget collection, then get ready for a large rejection and gradual replacement of individual masonry segments. You should make a purchase only in the place where you will be presented with all the accompanying documentation, will be given warranty certificates and will be served with dignity. Official shopping centers have such advantages, which, moreover, can offer competitive price tags and help with delivery.

When choosing a tile, try to pay attention to all the subtleties: shade and tactile perception, shape, size and style of its design. Remember that bathroom renovation will create your mood for many years, so act not for the sake of fashion trends, but based solely on your preferences.

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