Everything you need to know about wall tiles
If you’re thinking about tiling your bathroom and need wall tiles, then it’s good to understand what’s available and the various options out there for your home in terms of materials and styles. With everything from large-format and small tiles to visually interesting shapes and more, there’s something to suit every taste – but the amount of choice available can sometimes be overwhelming.
With this in mind, the following blog will provide an overview of wall tiles, so read to the end if you want to find out more.
Wall tiles are great for splash-backs in kitchens and bathrooms.
Why tile your walls?
Tiles are a great way to add visual interest to your interiors through colour, design and texture and are ideal for splash-backs in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as for feature walls.
Key benefits of wall tiles:
- Easy to keep clean and maintain: While some tile finishes like matt require a little more TLC, in general, most tiles are very easy to keep clean, with a simple wipe-down all that’s required.
- Versatility: Wall tiles come in an array of finishes, colours and styles, so they offer plenty of opportunity for you to get creative with your décor.
- Hard-wearing: Tiling your walls will protect them from general wear and tear while also ensuring that more humid spaces like bathrooms are safeguarded in terms of possible damage from moisture.
- More cost-effective: While painted walls can chip and need updating more regularly, once walls are tiled, this offers a more permanent solution. So, unless you want to change your décor, they’ll be fine for years to come without needing to be replaced.
Wall tiles give you lots of creative options for your interiors.
Wall tile materials explained
Wall tiles can be made from various materials, including ceramic, porcelain, glass, stone and even metal, each with its own characteristics in terms of durability, appearance and maintenance requirements. Porcelain, ceramic and glass tend to be the most popular choices when it comes to bathrooms, as these are more robust materials which work particularly well in humid environments. They also stand up well when it comes to general wear and tear, with porcelain being particularly durable.
Ceramic is usually a more cost-effective option than porcelain, which can be more expensive but is perfect for using in showers and wet room areas due to its non-porous nature. Porcelain and glass tiles are also easier to clean than ceramic which, although still relatively straightforward to maintain, has more crevices than the other two materials.
Meanwhile, if you like the stone look then the great news is that porcelain and ceramic stone-effect tiling is a fantastic alternative to real stone, which is difficult to maintain and a more expensive option.
stone-effect wall tiles give you the look of real stone with all the many benefits of tiles.
How to choose your wall tiles
When it comes to choosing your wall tiles, there are various factors to consider, including everything from size and shape to colour and texture. Budget is another important element, as what you can afford will obviously influence what you purchase, while the requirements of the tiles for the room/s they will be located in is another thing to consider.
Size and shape: Wall tiles come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, from small mosaic to large-format tiles, while popular shapes include square, rectangular, hexagonal and penny-shaped mosaic tiling. If you have a smaller bathroom and want to create a sense of space, then larger tiles can help to achieve this, so these are often a better choice than smaller tiles, which can make interiors feel cramped.
The Caracalla Beige Porcelain Tile is a large-format marble-effect tile with a natural colour palette which will make your bathroom appear bigger, thanks to its large size and rectified edges, which create a more seamless look when laid. Made from porcelain, this is a hard-wearing tile with a modern matt finish which will add elegant style to any bathroom.
The Caracalla Beige Poreclain Tile is a large rectangular tile with a matt finish.
If you prefer something smaller, however, then something the the Hex XL Denim Copper Mosaic Sheet is ideal. This small hexagonal tile combines an interesting shape with a rich copper tone with grey base colour and is made from robust glass.
The Hex XL Denim Copper Mosaic Sheet has hexagonal-shaped tiles.
The Hex XL Denim Copper Mosaic Sheet is ideal for wall niches, as seen in this photo of Bathshack customer, Aisling Draine's, shower.
Colour and finish: With a wide range of colour options and finished available for wall tiles, what you decide upon ultimately depends on personal preference, along with the overall look you want for the room.
If you want smooth surfaces, for example, then gloss finishes will be the way to go rather than matt tiling, while neutral and pastel tones can help to create a more calming space. Meanwhile, if you want to make a statement then bolder shades like moody blacks or vibrant block colours can work well. Gloss tiles and those with lighter tones will also help to create a more spacious aesthetic.
The Ebru Shiny Hexagon Tile has a monochrome colour palette which will add instant visual interest to your bathroom with its stunning marble-effect patterning and large-format hexagonal shape. The monochrome look is also very striking, so this is a tile which is ideal for feature walls or for creating impact by tiling throughout the room.
The striking monochrome design of the Ebru Shiny Hexagon Tile.
Maintenance: How easy the tiles are to look after and keep clean is another factor to consider when choosing the right ones for your walls. This depends on the material and finish of the tile, with matt and satin finishes requiring a little more TLC than shiny gloss surfaces, simply because dust and dirt adhere more easily to these and can get lodged in the small crevices.
Durability: High-quality wall tiles are durable and resistant to moisture, stains and scratches, with porcelain tiles, as mentioned previously, well known for their durability and non-porous properties – ideal for humid environments. So, if you want walls which will last you long into the future without the need for constant upgrades, then tiles are ideal.
Cost: The cost of your wall tiles will depend on a variety of factors, including the material, size and design, with ceramic tiles usually more affordable than porcelain or natural stone tiles. This is therefore another important thing to consider when choosing your tiles – and if you have a budget, then it’s best to stick to the tiles which fall within that range.
Wall tile trends
With nature-inspired tones still popular as we head further into the year – along with mood-boosting décor, patterning and textured finishes – there are various wall tile trends you can tap into. Combining a few of these aesthetics, the Iron Tropic Brown Matt Rectified Porcelain Tile has a large leaf and lily pattern, with a white base tone overlaid by the green and cream tones of the design.
With rectified edges for a more seamless aesthetic when laid, this is an eye-catching tile with a modern matt finish which will add visual interest as well as depth and texture to your interior.
The Metro Rosa Pink Biselado Brillo Ceramic Tile, meanwhile, has a calming blush-pink colour palette which will bring a softness to your bathroom. This subway-style tile has a smooth gloss finish which will also reflect light and add a sense of space to your interior while it can also be laid in various patterns, including horizontal, vertical and chevron-style.
Made from high-quality ceramic, the Metro Rosa Pink Biselado Brillo Tile is also very robust so will last for years to come, while the pale tone can complement a range of décor.
The Metro Rosa Pink Biselado Brillo Ceramic Tile has a pastel tone which wll bring calming vibes to your bathroom.
Find the perfect look for your walls at Tileshack
If you’re searching for wall tiles, then we have a wide range available at Tileshack, with everything from large-format and smaller mosaic styles to circular, rectangular, hexagonal-shaped and more. We also supply a variety of finishes, including gloss, satin and matt, along with an extensive array of colours and designs, so there really is something to suit all preferences.
Our expert team is also on hand to discuss your needs – both in-store and online – so if you need any assistance, then we’re always happy to help.
To view our full range of tiles, visit Tileshack.com and if you have any queries, just email us at info@bathshack.com, call us on (028) 9077 0188 or use our online chat.
