Ceramic tiles: how to choose a cladding for the bathroom and toilet. How to choose a tile (45 photos): types and parameters The best ceramic tile for a bathroom

18.11.2019

Ceramic tiles are a traditional option for bathroom renovation and decoration. Types of bathroom tiles presented in hardware stores allow you to implement a design project of any complexity. From such a choice - the head is spinning: in this article we will try to figure out how to choose correct tile for bathroom and toilet.

Yes, before we forget: some opponents of tiles claim that tiles are very cold material, but now this is not a problem, there are many kinds of .

Types of bathroom tiles

The choice in favor of tiles in the decoration of the bathroom is determined, first of all, by its technical and aesthetic characteristics. The main condition that must be observed is its water resistance. The rest of the selection is based on personal wishes and financial capabilities.

All bathroom tiles can be divided into several categories - wall or floor, and tiles or mosaics. This gradation is typical for the bathroom, because if you discuss other rooms, then other differences may appear, for example, tiles or porcelain tiles, etc. In this article, we will consider exactly the tile, and we will return to another article.

Modern tiles, can be of any shapes, textures and shades

Floor tiles. It is characterized by an increased level of wear resistance, most often has an anti-slip coating or a relief pattern on the surface. It has a high density, which allows it to withstand high mechanical loads and chemical influences. Floor tiles are most often rectangular in shape.

Wall tiles. Compared to the floor, it is more fragile and thin. In the manufacture of wall tiles, more attention is paid to its aesthetic component. It is not suitable for laying on the floor, as it is not designed for high loads. Wall tiles come in a variety of shapes, but most often they are smaller than floor tiles. Along with it, there are many decorative elements on sale, such as borders, inserts, panels.

The choice of tiles according to technical characteristics

In order to choose the right tile, you need to study the markings on its packaging. Hand and foot on it means wall and floor, respectively. You should pay attention to the following characteristics:

Tile marking

Wet friction coefficient - important for floor tiles, ranges from 1 to 4, with 4 being the safest. Facing marked 1 will slip and cause injury.

Abrasion resistance (wear resistance) is marked as PEI from I - to IV, where PEI V is the most wear resistant.

Class PEI I - for rooms where low traffic is expected in slippers. For example, a bedroom.

Class PEI II - resistance is slightly higher. For example, a bathroom.

Class PEI III is the most versatile coating, can be used in almost the entire home.

Class PEI IV - this coating is more suitable for public places with medium traffic. For example, office, small shop, hospital, etc.

Class PEI V - the highest class, the possibility of use is not limited - from shopping center to the railway station.

Only PEI V porcelain stoneware can withstand mall traffic

This is important: The difference between PEI IV and PEI V is simply huge, for example, if you put a tile with a PEI IV class at the entrance of a shopping center, then after 2-4 months, depending on traffic, the tile will have to be changed! And tiles of class PEI V will last for many years.

The bathroom is not the most passable room, so you can choose a tile with an average amount of abrasion, that is, PEIII - PEI III.

Chemical resistance - marked with the letters AA, B, C, D. For the bathroom, this coefficient should be higher, that is, AA or B, since detergents are often used in this room.
Other characteristics - tile thickness, hardness, flexural strength, frost resistance - are not so important for the bathroom, so you can ignore them.

The package also indicates the number of records in one package and their total area. These characteristics must be taken into account when calculating the required amount of material for laying.

Choice of tile color

You can choose the color of the tile entirely relying on your own taste, but it is important to consider a few tips:
for rest and relaxation is better to choose bright hues- beige, blue, light pink;

for a charge of energy and vivacity, the lining can be bright yellow, orange, you can add red;
when combining white and black, it is important to remember that dark shades visually narrow the room, therefore, with a small area of \u200b\u200bthe room, white should prevail;
when choosing a tile with photo printing or a panel, you must first make the necessary measurements - so that the pattern fits organically into the space of the wall;
it is desirable to choose floor and wall tiles from the same collection, then the shades will surely match and will be in harmony.

Important! Shades of tiles from the same collection can vary greatly. Before buying, you must check each package and compare the tone. The tone number is indicated on the package. (pictured) It is necessary to buy tiles with a margin, since it can be difficult to find the right shade later.

The tone number is indicated on the package.

It is desirable to choose the color of the cladding, having a ready-made design project. If there is no possibility to prepare it, then you can clarify when buying - many salons provide a visualization service. So you can evaluate the appearance of the room and choose the appropriate option.

Choice of texture and size

Bathroom tiles have a huge number of textures. It can imitate stone, wood, metal, it can be embossed. Of course, the more complex the texture of the tile, the higher its cost.

Tiles can be divided by texture into two main groups - glossy and matte.

Glossy bathroom tiles have been popular for years. It looks quite elegant, the shine of the tile creates a feeling of cleanliness and well-groomed. However, it also has its drawbacks - when drops of water fall on it, when high humidity indoors, traces remain on the glossy surface. You can remove them by wiping with a damp and then a dry cloth, otherwise, again, stains will remain. Such tiles require regular and high-quality care.

Matte and glossy tiles

Matte bathroom tiles have gained popularity not so long ago, but are already actively used in decoration. It does not glare in bright light, requires less care and allows you to create a cozy interior. If glossy tiles are recommended to be used only for walls, then matte tiles can also be used on the floor. Such a tile is quite easy to clean, but after washing with chemicals, it should also be wiped well so that there is no plaque left.

Important! Combining matte and glossy tiles on the walls should be done with caution, as this does not always lead to positive results.

The size of the tile is most often chosen based on the size of the room. For example, for a small area, it is better to choose a small wall tile, as a large one will have to be cut a lot, which does not look aesthetically pleasing.

Small and large tiles

When laying, you can combine tiles of different sizes, use narrow borders. If you choose a tile from a ready-made collection, then the sizes are selected by designers during development. It is only necessary to order the required number of plates and reproduce the laying in accordance with the project.

Calculation of the number of tiles for laying

The calculation of the number of tiles required for wall cladding is carried out in stages:

The perimeter of the room is calculated. To do this, the total length of all walls is measured (if the room is square, then the length of one wall can be multiplied by 4, if it is rectangular, then the length of two walls can be multiplied by 2).
The total area of the room is calculated. To do this, the perimeter is multiplied by the height of the wall in the room.

Important! If the room has built-in niches or ledges, then each element must be measured separately.

The area of the surfaces on which the wall ceramic tile for a bathroom, for example, a doorway will not fit.
From the total area obtained in paragraph 2, the area obtained in paragraph 3 is subtracted. The result is the surface area to be coated.
Counting the number required material. To do this, you need to know the exact dimensions of each type of tile that will be used in the decoration.

If one type of tile will be used for finishing, then it is necessary to divide the total area for cladding (item 4) by the area of one plate. If the number is a fraction, round up.

Sometimes, when laying, decorative tiles with a pattern are used, or a panel is made up. Then from the resulting area it is necessary to subtract the area of the panel.

If they are used different types tiles (for example, two colors and a border), then the calculation is easier to do without using the area. To do this, we divide the perimeter value by the length of one tile - we get the number of tiles needed to lay one row along the perimeter. Then we divide the height of the wall by the height of one tile - we get the number of tiles needed to lay one row from floor to ceiling. By multiplying these two values, it becomes known the number of tiles required for cladding.

Important! After all calculations have been made and the exact number of tiles is known, it is necessary to add 5-8 tiles of floor and wall tiles to it, as they may be damaged during installation.

In the first picture, the tiles are laid in a rhombus and horizontally, in the second with a shift

The simplest and most popular method of laying wall tiles is the classic (or basic) one, when the lining is laid in even rows, seam to seam, horizontally or vertically, relative to the floor. To do this, you can use plain tiles or different shades in a checkerboard pattern. Or lay out the bottom of a dark color, divide it with a border and add a light one on top.
The second method is the basic one at an angle, when the plates are laid in a rhombus, at an angle of 45 degrees. But it must be borne in mind that it will require a large amount of tile cutting, which means that it is necessary to buy with a margin.
The third method is with a shift. That is, a slight shift is made relative to the bottom row. It is recommended to combine several shades for a more colorful look.

Floor cladding can be carried out in several ways, the main of which are basic, at an angle and run diagonally.

For the first experience, it is better to choose the option with the usual horizontal installation relative to the walls. In this case, the minimum number of plates will have to be cut.
Basic at an angle, when the tiles are laid at an angle of 45 degrees - a rhombus
Plubnaya diagonally is a more difficult option - when the tile is laid diagonally in the room, and the seam between the tiles in each row is shifted by half the tile. The resulting pattern looks like brickwork.

The bathroom becomes not only functional, but also a beautiful, fashionable room. modern apartment. This is a place to relax and unwind after a busy day at work. That is why the design of the bathroom should be unobtrusive, harmonious, cozy. As a rule, tiles or porcelain stoneware are used to finish a modern bathroom. And the choice of this finishing material depends on what your bathroom will end up with.

If you don’t know what style to decorate your bathroom in, what tile to choose for this, how to think about a combination of colors, then read this article. In it, we will see the latest trends in bathroom design, current color and stylistic solutions, popular finishing materials 2017-2018.

Bathroom decor with tiles: the latest trends and design novelties 2017 - 2018

Recently, minimalist urban and stylish light Scandinavian design has been rapidly gaining popularity. These two trends in interior design have won the hearts of many owners of modern homes. The loft is gradually moving from cafe interiors to our homes, and the discreet Scandinavian style imposed by IKEA catalogs is increasingly being chosen by designers for decoration. modern kitchens and bathrooms. Both directions are distinguished by their conciseness and practicality.

Popular styles

If you have a small bathroom, then it is better to resort to decorating it in light scandinavian style. To do this, you will need either a white tile or a very light one. The floor can be designed in black and white color scheme. To do this, choose a mosaic, a hexagonal tile or a beautiful tile with an interesting black and white ornament. Often, in the design of a Scandinavian-style bathroom, a rectangular white tile is used that imitates brickwork, moreover, in dry areas it is not placed on the entire wall, but finished in the middle of the wall, decorating the end with a beautiful border. The rest of the wall can be painted light blue, purple, grey, turquoise or whatever color you like.

If you have a large bathroom, then you can decorate it in an urban style. As a rule, the creation of such an interior requires walls imitating “bare” concrete, but you can also finish it with textured tiles in dark shades, but it is better to use natural stone or porcelain stoneware slabs. Recently, matte tiles of a fairly large size with the texture of natural stone or wood are gaining popularity. Examples, photos of a bathroom with dark-colored tiles are presented below.

Actual forms and design of ceramic tiles

The favorite among the materials for finishing the bathroom is still tile. Only the shape, color, ornaments and texture of the tiles change. Recently, a rectangular tile measuring 60 x 30 cm has been used to decorate the bathroom. Natural stone and porcelain stoneware are also in fashion, which has a different shape, but the slab itself is quite large. Such materials are good for decorating large and spacious rooms. The latest trend in bathroom design is the use of marble slabs, see examples of such interiors in the photo.

If you have, then it is better to give preference to light or white tiles of a small size, or even use a small mosaic for decoration. Now it has become fashionable small tile imitating a brick. Also in trend is glass mosaic, it is used to decorate the area near the sink or shower wall. If you are decorating in a Scandinavian style or with art deco motifs, then the floor can be laid out with stylish pixel tiles with geometric black and white ornaments. At first glance, it is somewhat reminiscent of a mosaic, but this tile design looks much more interesting. You can find pixel tiles in the catalogs of online stores selling Italian ceramics.

Now designers are experimenting not only with a combination of colors and textures, but are also in constant search for new ideas and shapes. Therefore, now, when developing, they are increasingly using tiles of non-standard shapes and colors. They are also experimenting with options for laying ceramic tiles. It is laid out with a herringbone, narrow rectangular plates, different forms of tiles and mosaics are combined in one interior. Hexagon-shaped tiles are back in fashion again.

Tile bathroom interior photo: a new look at the classic hexagonal tile

Facing wet areas with glass mosaics

Trendy shades of tiles for the bathroom

In 2017-2018, designs with an application for naturalness and naturalness will remain popular. “Natural” finishing materials such as wood, stone, clay, etc. will be in fashion. Therefore, for the design of modern bathrooms, matte tiles in beige, brown, gray shades with the texture of wood or stone will be used. If funds allow, you can finish the bathroom natural stone, while laying out the floor and walls with slabs in the same color scheme. Solid color design very popular now.

No less stylish look bathrooms, decorated in black and white colors. For large baths, it is important to use tiles of various shapes and different colors to create a visual separation between the wet and dry area in the bathroom.

In catalogs with Italian tiles, more and more tile options with Scandinavian-style ornaments come across. By choosing a similar colored tile, you can very easily create an interesting and at the same time uncomplicated interior. Just divide the space into zones, lay out one part of the wall with colored tiles with ornaments, and the rest of the wall with classic white tiles. An example of such a tile design in the bathroom, see the photo.

Which bathroom tile to choose?

As already indicated above, when choosing tiles and finishing materials in general, one should start first of all from the size of the room. It will be easier to tile walls with small tiles, and finishing a large room will be less laborious if you opt for large rectangular or square tiles.

The color of the tiles will depend on the overall concept that will be used in the design and decoration of the room. If we talk about the combination of furniture color and tile shade, then it is better to choose either very similar tones, or, on the contrary, very contrasting ones.

The most fashionable color this season, without a doubt, will be gray. But do not think that the interior with gray tiles will be boring. Using a rich variety of shades and textures of this finishing material, you can create an atmosphere of luxury and relaxation in a gray bathroom. Given the trend of using natural materials, stone tiles will be very relevant this year. Here is an example of a bathroom tile design photo, where you can see how the nobility of stone combined with minimalism and others natural materials creates a truly stylish and modern atmosphere.

Often, to create a single harmonious atmosphere for decoration, ceramic tiles are chosen to duplicate the texture of bathroom furniture, i.e. if the furniture has glossy facades, then the tiles should be glossy, and if you plan to buy furniture made of natural wood, then the tiles should repeat its texture.

Life hack: how to lay out the tiles yourself?

If you decide to make repairs and design the bathroom yourself, then video tutorials that are devoted to laying tiles for the bathroom and little bathroom design tricks can help you.

Tutorial video: bathroom tiling

Tutorial video: how to make a hole in a tile

Beautiful bathroom tiles: photo with design ideas

You can create a beautiful, thoughtful bathroom interior, in which everything is carefully planned, and you can do it yourself. Get inspired by a collection of photos from interesting design tiles in the bathroom and come up with your own interior solutions. After all, you can stylishly and beautifully decorate absolutely any bathroom, no matter in Khrushchev it is located, in panel house or cottage.

Stylish tile

Interior solutions for the bathroom

Non-standard ways of laying tiles in the bathroom

Modern bathrooms

Hexagon bathroom tile

Magnificent interiors with mosaics

Variety of bathroom cladding solutions

Restraint and minimalism are in fashion

Bathroom interior with hexagon tiles

Interior with blue tiles

Bathroom interior with trendy hexagon tiles

Bathroom tile color options

Orange tiles in the bathroom

Photo gallery of ceramic tiles from the collections of Russian and European manufacturers

In this section you will find interesting collections ceramic tiles of Russian and foreign manufacturers.

Alcor bathroom tiles, interior design photo

Bathroom tiles Kerama Marazzi, interior design photo

Bathroom tiles Europa Ceramica, interior design photo

Cersanit bathroom tiles, interior design photo

Ceradim bathroom tiles, interior design photo

You can find prices for ceramic tiles on the official websites of manufacturers. If you want to save money, you can do it with a pattern imitating tiles.

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 the low ceiling is more common, elongated shape or technological niches and ledges in the walls.

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 alternative solution with an emphasis on savings, you can consider a combination of tiles in the upper part and wall panels dark color at 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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 laying orientation, 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 has small size, 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 received square meters add a margin of 10% for straight layouts and 15% for diagonal and herringbone layouts.

Elite meter

You can create an "expensive" design using a small amount 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. three-dimensional tile I recommend using 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.

The company was selected for her cement tiles in the form of white bricks from Fired Earth, laid in the open shower area.

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 finishing walls, now it design technique, capable of changing perception, accentuating and hiding. 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!

Tiles are the most suitable finishing material for the bathroom, they are used both for wall cladding and as floor covering. But in order for the tiled bathroom to look attractive, and the finish itself to serve for a long time, it is important to choose the right material.

There are a number of reasons why tiles are preferred for bathroom decoration.

It is hygienic and chemically inert, so it is easy to clean, and a wide range of household chemicals can be used to care for it.
The tile is not afraid of high humidity and direct contact with water, is resistant to temperature changes, which makes it an ideal solution for the bathroom.
This material is environmentally friendly, safe for health, does not burn, does not accumulate static charge and does not conduct current.
Tiles are strong and durable
Finally, it looks attractive, a wide range of design solutions are available to create an interior for every taste.

Things to consider when choosing bathroom tiles

Often in the bathroom both the floor and the walls are tiled, for these purposes you need to purchase different varieties tiles, they are easy to distinguish by marking with the image of a palm or foot. Floor tiles, as a rule, are thicker than wall tiles, larger. It is important that it has a matte, rough texture - a glossy smooth tile has a slippery surface, and when it is laid on the floor, there is a risk of injury.

You need to pay attention to the technical characteristics of the tile, its brand, country of production, as well as size and design.

Specifications and grade

Wear resistance (resistance to abrasion). There are 5 classes of wear resistance of ceramic tiles, 3-5 are used in rooms with high traffic and public places, for a bathroom in an apartment or a private house, 2 classes are enough for the floor and 1 for walls
Moisture resistance - since the level of humidity in the bathroom is high, it is better to purchase the most moisture-resistant tiles, class A or AA, for walls you can take a coating with a class lower than for the floor
Attention should be paid to resistance to chemicals (indicated in the labeling by the pattern of the flask), for the bathroom this characteristic is quite important
Do not overpay for frost-resistant tiles for interior decoration
Harder, more durable tiles are needed for the floor than for walls, an indicator of increased hardness is a cut diamond icon
The pattern of the boot on an inclined plane is an indicator that the tile does not slip even when wet, it is advisable to lay tiles with this marking on the floor in the bathroom

In the bathroom, it is better to purchase tiles of the 1st grade, with the lowest percentage of marriage. European manufacturers mark first-class tiles in red, blue is grade 2, green is grade 3.

In Russia better tiles comply with GOSTs, which are updated periodically, so you should pay attention to the last digits indicating the year the GOST was adopted. Tile, corresponding to TU, not so high quality.

Dimensions and Quantity

As a rule, the larger the room, the larger the finishing material can be used in it, this is also true for tiles. There is one more nuance: the smaller the tile, the greater the total area of \u200b\u200bthe seams. In a room with a high level of humidity and insufficiently effective ventilation, this can lead to the appearance of fungus, mold, which start in the seams.

Large tiles are suitable for a large spacious bathroom; tiles are usually laid on the floor bigger size than on the walls
For a small bathroom, it is better to choose small and medium-sized tiles.
Mosaic tiles will be a good solution for a bathroom in a private house, where excellent ventilation is organized. The process of laying it is very complex and time-consuming, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to invite a qualified craftsman

On the packaging of the tiles, the number of tiles in the pack and their total area are indicated. Knowing the surface area to be tiled (the area of the doorway, window is minus the total area of the walls), you can easily calculate how many packs of tiles you will need. You can use a special online calculator. It is necessary to purchase it with a margin of 5-15%, it will be problematic to buy the missing tile later, since the products in different batches may vary slightly in tone.

Colors and design

On the modern ceramic tile market, there are many collections with a variety of color solutions, pattern and texture. When choosing tiles according to this criterion, you can be guided by your own aesthetic preferences, but you need to remember that floor and wall tiles should be in harmony with each other, as well as with furniture and accessories in the bathroom. A number of other recommendations should be taken into account:

light tiles are more versatile, dark tiles visually reduce the room, so they should not be laid in small bathrooms. Dark tiles are not at all less branded, dried water drops are clearly visible on it.
for rooms of a small area, a plain or with a small pattern tile is suitable. A large pattern on single tiles or a large-scale panel will look spectacular only if you look at them from a sufficient distance, that is, in a spacious bathroom with an area of at least 10 m²
the vertical direction of the picture helps to “raise” the ceiling, but the walls visually shift, a small bathroom with this decision will resemble a well
you should not abuse tiles with a glossy texture, although it visually enlarges the room, but the glare reflected from its surface quickly tires the eyes
if a combination of black and white flowers, you need to take care of good lighting
decorative inserts, borders are best used from the same collection as the main tile
it is not recommended to combine more than 3 colors and shades in the decoration of walls and floors
if the floor contrasts with the walls, it should be combined with the furniture, the color of the floor and wall tiles can also match or differ by a couple of tones, darker tiles are usually laid on the floor. Instead of the classic, but already boring solution “dark bottom, light top”, today in the bathroom they often make horizontal or vertical dark stripes on a light background.

Changing tiles is much more difficult than re-gluing wallpaper or repainting floors and walls. Therefore, you need to seriously consider the design so that the finish does not become boring and does not begin to annoy after a few months.

Domestic and imported tiles differ significantly in price and quality. On the world market, Italian and Spanish products are most highly rated, combining exceptional quality with spectacular appearance. If you are not limited in finances, you should opt for it. It should be remembered that master tilers appreciate the services of laying expensive elite tiles more highly, so the costs will be significant. If you need more a budget option, you can buy Polish or Belarusian tiles, which, with decent quality, are more affordable.

Tiles made in Russia are cheaper than others, but their reputation is not very good, marriage is common, the tones and sizes of tiles vary within one package. You can purchase high-quality tiles at no extra cost by opting for products from Russian factories using European technology. In Russia, tiles of the brands Lasselsberger (Austrian-Czech technology, a plant in Ufa), Cersanit (Poland), Kerama Marazzi (Italy) are produced.

What to look for when buying

You can choose a tile in absentia, according to catalogs, but immediately before buying you need to look at it with your own eyes and check for a number of points:

markings must match technical specifications that you require
article and batch number on all packages must match
make sure that the tiles in the package are of the same dimensions and that they correspond to the dimensions of the decor
before buying, it is necessary to check the tile for the absence of glaze defects - cracks, chips, sagging (various irregularities are permissible only if this is due to the design decision), the surface must be even, not convex-concave, and the corners must be straight
if the tile is purchased with delivery, it must be checked for integrity not only at the time of purchase, but also after delivery
it is better to buy a tile with a margin and take the excess to the store than to face the inability to purchase the material of the desired color during the repair process

Outcome

When choosing tiles for the bathroom, you need to remember that floor and wall tiles differ in performance. The main requirement for bathroom tiles is moisture resistance and chemical inertness, the flooring material must be harder and wear-resistant, have a non-slip surface.

With regard to tiles, the same principles for selecting sizes, colors, patterns apply as for other finishing materials. Be sure to purchase tiles of one batch and carefully check for integrity and absence of defects. You should not buy the cheapest tile, when laying it, problems may arise.

When planning to make repairs to the bathroom and toilet, it is necessary to decide in advance on the choice of finishing materials. Today, there are quite a few finishes, but in most cases, consumers prefer ceramic tiles. It can be put on the floor and wall tiles, it is durable, strong and beautiful. However, in stores wide range of, which is no wonder and get confused, thinking about the question, how to choose the right tile for the bathroom?

Bathroom - this, as a rule, has a small area, it does not differ in space and the toilet room. But when renovating this room, there are many problems. And questions begin to arise already at the planning stage. It can be difficult for consumers to decide what should be the color of the tiles in the bathroom, what size is optimal, will a glossy or rough structure be more convenient to use?

Naturally, it must be of high quality so that it can last a long time, while maintaining its visual appeal. After all, few people like the prospect of annually changing ceramic tiles on walls and floors. Interesting layout options can be seen in the photo in catalogs and specialized publications.

What to consider when choosing?

So, what parameters should you pay attention to when buying? This is, first of all:

Operational qualities and characteristics.
Shape and size.
Color and texture.

Let's consider these parameters in more detail.

Performance characteristics

Ceramic tiles are produced in different options, so it is very important to learn how to read the information on the product label correctly.

Requirements for ceramic tiles

The consumer should be aware that tiles are produced for various purposes, so you need to learn how to choose the right materials for renovating a bathroom and toilet. So, it should be:

Waterproof.
Resistant to water vapor and temperature changes.
Resistant to various chemicals.
In the event that a multi-colored tile is purchased, then its coating should not fade over time.
Resistant to abrasion and scratches.

Types of tiles

Ceramic tiles differ in the way they are made. There are the following types:

Bicottura is a double-fired material, usually glazed. This material is suitable for wall decoration, this type of tile is unsuitable for the floor.
Monocottura is a single-fired material, it is more durable and can also be used for flooring.
Clinker is the most durable of the listed types. Used in production special technology, which allows to obtain a low-porous and very durable material. Typically, this type of material has natural shades. The color of the clay and the brown color scheme are great for finishing the floor.

Porcelain stoneware is a special, high-strength type of floor tile. It has a high resistance to abrasion, scratches do not form on its surface. As a rule, porcelain tile is made under a stone, its surface imitates a cut of granite, marble and other natural materials.

Advice! In addition to tiles, glass or mirror tiles can be used to finish the bathroom and toilet. In terms of durability and moisture resistance, this material is practically not inferior to ceramics, however, glass is even less resistant to impact loads. Therefore, this type of finish is more often used for walls and ceilings.

Reading the information on the label

To indicate the characteristics of a tile, manufacturers do not use a description, but pictograms:

The silhouette of the foot on a black background indicates that it is intended for flooring. If the background is not black, but shaded, then this indicates an increased wear resistance of the product. But this indicator is not necessary to take into account when performing repairs in a home bathroom.
Wall tiles are identified on the label by the silhouette of a palm on a dark background.
Chemical resistance is indicated by the flask silhouette and letter designation.

Advice! For repairs in a bathroom in a private house or apartment, the optimal indicator of chemical resistance is AA.

The wear resistance indicator is indicated by a gear icon and numbers. For domestic conditions, the recommended wear resistance coefficient is 2, since such a floor will be walked on mainly barefoot or in soft shoes.

Pictograms indicate the thickness of the tile. So, for wall cladding, you should choose a material with a thickness of 6-9 mm, and optimum thickness floor - 9-12 mm.
Be sure to take into account such an indicator as the anti-skid coefficient. It is indicated by a pictogram in the form of a silhouette of a boot standing on an inclined plane, as well as numbers from 1 to 4. The larger the number, the less slippery the tile will be, but at the same time, an increase in the anti-skid coefficient increases its cost.

Shape and size

The tile is produced, as a rule, in the form of squares or rectangles, but its size can be different. Size matters both from a practical and aesthetic point of view. Seams are the most vulnerable point of the coating in terms of the possibility of water penetration.

Even when treated with special grouts, it is in the seams that mold often forms. Therefore, from a practical point of view, a larger tile is more profitable than a small one, since the coating will have fewer seams.

On the other hand, if the configuration of the room is complex, then the use of large tiles is irrational, since the material will often have to be cut. In addition, with the help of small tiles, you can lay out various patterns.

Choice of color and texture

When choosing a color, texture and design, you should take into account not only your own taste, but also the size of the room. For a small bathroom or toilet, large-sized tiles are not suitable, you should choose a small one. The optimal size is 20 by 20 cm. If the room of a small bath or toilet will be finished with rectangular tiles, optimal size- 20 by 30 cm.

Advice! Do not forget that the color of the tiles in sunlight and artificial lighting may look different.

Consider the most popular design options:

Very often, when decorating a bathroom and toilet, shades of water are used - these are turquoise, blue tiles. Light shades of the sea wave, delicate azure look beautiful. But do not forget that the blue color belongs to the cold scale, in addition, the blue color of a deep saturated tone can have a depressing effect on the psyche. To eliminate this effect, it is worth using a combination of colors, gold and white tiles are perfect for this purpose.
The traditional design of the bathroom is green. This color is associated with natural freshness, greenery of forests and meadows. It is better to choose light shades. For example, pistachio lining or light green looks very fresh on the walls, but malachite or emerald is perfect for the floor.

Recently, red colors have become widely used for decorating the bathroom. In small spaces, it is better to use this color locally, lining only certain areas, for example, at a mirror or sink. Burgundy or coral lining will look good on the floor. In large rooms, this color can be used on a larger scale, however, it is also recommended to use color combinations here. So, red-white tiles with the appropriate decor look very elegant. Crimson or ruby shades are well set off by a gray or silver lining with a mother-of-pearl tint.
If you want to create a sunny and bright design, an orange gamma will come in handy. Of course, this color should be used only locally, but calmer tones are better suited as a base - beige or peach lining does not irritate the eye, setting it up for relaxation and relaxation. As bright accents applicable and yellow tiles for the bathroom. Warm shades of brown or wenge are suitable for the floor.
To create a romantic and feminine interior, lilac tiles can be recommended. In this case, a purple color scheme can be used as a decor, but a light one will still look better as a base.
Classics of the genre - the use of two basic colors, black and white striped bathroom tiles or a combination of tiles of these two colors looks very stylish. However, this design visually reduces the room, so it can be recommended for spacious bathrooms. In a small bathroom, the color of the walls is best done light, black tiles can be used to decorate the floor.

Advice! Marbled floor tiles look beautiful in such rooms.

When choosing the color of the material, you should always give preference to light shades. If you really want to use dark tones, then it is better to use them for flooring.
Do not forget that dark glossy floor tiles, although they look extremely impressive (you can see examples in the photo on the Internet), require careful maintenance. On such a surface there are traces of dried water droplets, from traces of wet feet, every speck of dust is noticeable on it.

If there is no desire to wash the floor several times a day, it is better to give up dark glossy floors. In this case, better fit matte tiles that mimic the surface of natural stone.
If the walls in the bathroom have a complex configuration, then in this case, it is best to use a tiled mosaic.
You should not use too many colors in interior design, this creates an irritating variegation to the eye. It is enough to use 2-3 colors.
Bright shades are recommended to be used to highlight individual elements of the interior.
You can greatly simplify your choice of tiles. For this you should use ready-made solutions. Such collections include samples of basic tiles for walls and floors, decorative elements, panels, borders. By combining these details to your liking, it will be easy to create a harmonious and unique interior.

Choosing the right tiles for finishing the floor and walls in the bathroom is not easy. After all, coatings are created for a long time, so errors are unacceptable.