How to do the surface-drenching tile trend
You’re probably familiar with the colour-drenching interior design trend of recent times but if you aren’t familiar with its cousin, the surface-drenching trend, then we’re here to explain all. So, if you want to find out what it’s all about, read to the end of the blog for everything you need to know …
What is surface-drenching?
Taking inspiration from colour-drenching, surface-drenching is all about adorning the surfaces of your rooms with the same tiles, creating an impactful look which is cohesive, calming and very aesthetically-pleasing. Think the same tiles on walls, floors and splashbacks, for a uniform look which is immediately eye-catching.
Combining bold colours along with nature-inspired tones, textures and organic styles, surface-drenching is a tile trend which can be adopted in bathrooms large and small – and it’s a great idea for an ensuite where you can really get creative. It can also be a straightforward but effective way of tiling a larger space, delivering wow factor without the need to combine different tile styles and designs.
Surface-drenching can also help to make smaller bathrooms appear larger, as the single tile design flows seamlessly from surface to surface to create that cohesive aesthetic, without breaking up the space.
The Brasilia Emerald Polished Rectified Porcelain Tile is ideal for the surface-drenching look.
How to get the surface-drenching look
There are some tiles which work particularly well with the surface-drenching trend, so if you need some inspiration, then the examples below are a good place to start.
Marble: A popular choice of tile for that luxury look is marble and our marble-effect tiles are ideal for creating a stunning surface-drenching aesthetic, with large-format tiles working especially well in this regard.
For example, the Brasilia Emerald Polished Rectified Porcelain Tile has an attractive green tone shot through with gold and white veining detail. With a smooth, polished finish and rectified edges for a more precise finish, these large-format tiles can be laid closely together, minimising grout lines and creating a seamless, flowing look. As a result, they’re ideal for surface-drenching, while they also incorporate depth into their design and add visual interest with the colour combination.
The gloss finish of these tiles also reflects light, which further assists with making the room appear larger than it actually is and creating a feeling of spaciousness.
Textured tiles: Another inspired choice when it comes to surface-drenching, textured tiles add character and visual interest to interiors, creating dimension and more tactile surfaces. This can be achieved in various ways – either more subtly, as with the Flame White Gloss Mosaic Sheet, or in the more dramatic style of a 3D tile like the Even Metallic Wall Tile.
The Flame White Gloss Mosaic Sheet has a textured design, with raised edges.
The curved design of the Flame White Gloss Mosaic Tiles stands out subtly from the sheet, adding extra visual interest.
The Even Metallic Wall Tile has a more dramatic 3D style which will add instant texture to your interior.
Rich nature inspired tones
With 2024’s interior colour palettes still dominated by organic, natural tones, opting for tiles which embrace this look can also work well with surface-drenching, creating a calming aesthetic. It also gives you a lot of choice when it comes to colours, with everything from cool blues and greens to more earthy tones and richer shades.
For example, the large-format Jump Blue Polished Rectified Tile combines blue and white to create a cool coastal-inspired look which flows seamlessly across the room, thanks to the tiles’ rectified edges. This allows them to be laid more closely together, with minimal grout lines, resulting in a more cohesive aesthetic.
The gloss finish also makes them easy to keep clean, while the porcelain material is very robust, making these tiles ideal for both flooring and walls, so therefore great for surface-drenching. The clour paletter also works well with a variety of décor, so you can more easily match the tiles to existing bathroom-ware or choose new items to bring out the blue or the white tones.
Another nature-inspired option is the Caracalla Beige Porcelain Tile, a large-format floor tile which can also be used on walls and is once again ideal for surface-drenching. Featuring warmer, more natural tones the Caracalla combines beige and cream with a swirled design which gives it a marble-like aesthetic.
With a modern matt finish, these tiles also have rectified edges for a more precise finish, allowing for minimal grout lines when laid. Using them across your bathroom will subsequently create a flowing design which brings the calming colours of nature to your interior and make your bathroom into an inviting, tranquil space.
The Caracalla Beige Porcelain Tile combines a mixture of beige and cream tones.
Wood-effect: The nature-inspired trend also encompasses wood-effect tiling, a popular choice with home-owners and one which gives you all the benefits of tiles but with the real wood look. Featuring authentic graining and notches, tiles such as the Loire Pearl Chevron Rectified Matt Porcelain Tile are a great choice for wood-effect surface-drenching as they have a light grey tone which won’t be overpowering if used throughout the room on the walls and floor.
Indeed, grey is a very versatile colour so will work well with a range of décor, while it also has a calming vibe and will help to nurture a more tranquil, relaxing space. The realistic graining detail, meanwhile, adds authenticity and gives you the look of real timber but with all the benefits of hard-wearing porcelain which is easy to clean and will stand the test of time without warping.
The Loire Pearl Chevron Rectified Matt Porcelain Tile has a light-grey tone and authentic graining detail which replicates real wood.
Geometric Patterns If you prefer something a bit more artistic for your tiles and want to create a bold statement bathroom with patterning, however, then geometric designs are ideal. Guaranteed to give your bathroom a quirky, modern aesthetic, these will add instant visual interest and depth to your interior and are a great idea for ensuites or rooms where you can maybe experiment more freely.
The Trazos Graphite Matt Glazed Porcelain Wall and Floor Tile in grey, along with the lighter white version, are inspired choices for surface-drenching, as they can be used in one tone or you can combine the two to create subtle contrast. With a soft, satin finish, these tiles are warmer underfoot and have a silky sheen which gives them a luxury look.
As rectified tiles, they also have more precise edges so can be laid closer together to minimise grout lines and create that cohesive, following aesthetic which works so well with the surface-drenching aesthetic. Again, grey and white are both versatile tones, making it easy to match these tiles with bathroom-ware and other accessories. They’re also straightforward to keep clean and are therefore an all-round great choice, while the geometric designs bring depth and dimension which create visual interest and deliver a modern style.
Another geometric design which would work well for surface-drenching is the Misuri Pattern Tile, which mixes a variety of patterns with vibrant colours to create an eye-catching look which will add instant wow factor to your bathroom. These stunning tiles are made from glazed ceramic, with each one featuring a different combination of tones, including greens, blues, whites, bronze and more, resulting in a kaleidoscopic effect which contrasts yet also complements at the same time.
The mix of colours also means that you can pick out your preferred tones to tie in with bathroom furniture and accessories, giving you endless opportunities to get creative with décor.
The Misuri Pattern Tile combines a mixture of colours and geometric patterns.
Get the surface-drenching look at Tileshack
If we’ve inspired you to try the surface-drenching trend then there are lots of other options to choose from at Tileshack, which will help you transform your bathroom. Whether you want to go for something classic and more neutral, like marble-effect, or prefer to surface-drench with vibrant colours and mixed designs and palettes, we’ll have something to suit.
We can also advise you on which tiles might work well in your space, based on what you like, so if you need some assistance, just chat to our friendly team.
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.
