Choosing a size
What size tiles are best for a small bathroom? If you follow a few subtleties, you can decorate a small space by combining several elements of different sizes. What should you pay attention to? To do this, it is important to consider several details:
- Large models, the size of which is 30 cm x 40 cm, must be fixed in a horizontal plane. This technique will visually increase the distance between the walls. Large tiles in a small bathroom should not have a pronounced pattern. As for grouting, it is recommended to select paste for tile joints in the same color palette. Thanks to this, the space will not be divided by contrasting lines;
- Medium sizes. Their dimensions vary between 20 cm x 30 cm, 35 cm x 35 cm. What tile layout should be done in a small bathroom? In this case, the parts are fixed horizontally. Here you can use a grouting paste that is a shade darker than the color scheme of the tile decor. There should be no ornaments or large patterns on the surface of the product. When choosing, it is recommended to pay attention to textured models;
- Small tiles. This category includes the “hog” or mosaic model. These types of tiles are ideal for small bathrooms. For work, you should choose products in a single liter size. Thanks to this technique, the area visually appears wider and more spacious.
Choosing a color palette
How to choose the color of tiles in a small bathroom? Professional designers recommend choosing models in pastel and neutral palettes. What colors are ideal for renovation work? These include:
- White;
- Lactic;
- Peach;
- Light green;
- Sand;
- Light grey.
The design of the tiles in light colors in addition to mirror and chrome details allows you to make the room more spacious and comfortable. Bright elements can be used to decorate niches. Thanks to them, bright accents appear in the room. However, there should not be a three-dimensional pattern on their surface.
It creates a feeling of discomfort in the relaxation zone. Is it possible to choose such an ornament? Experts recommend choosing stripes, squares or triangles. This geometric pattern can add a unique twist and stylish notes.
Selecting a design
In specialized departments for construction and home, a huge number of modern tile models for a small bathroom are presented. A competent combination of several collections allows you to create a single space.
For example, the central wall can be decorated with medium-sized tiles with a minimalist print on the surface. It is best to decorate the remaining walls, floor and ceiling with plain ceramic decor. Thanks to this technique, it is possible to correctly combine the interior space. This decision concerns plumbing fixtures and accessories.
Experts recommend connecting local zones. For example, remove the dome bowl and replace it with a shower stall. How to decorate this space? To decorate a tiled shower in a small bathroom, it is recommended to choose ceramic mosaic. A combination of several shades will make the room more interesting. However, when choosing a palette, you need to consider its color balance.
Laying methods
For laying flooring, namely tiles on the bathroom floor, various methods can be used, of which there are a huge number. Most often you can find the option of laying in a run at an angle of 90 degrees with a run of half a tile. A similar option is the angle of laying the tiles at 45-60 degrees, but in an oblique direction relative to the entrance to the room. These methods will allow you to get an answer to the question of which tile is best for a small bathroom in order to increase the visual area and size.
If you are already starting to work, then you need to know how to lay tiles in a small bathroom. When purchasing, you can present the collection in one form or another, combine them with each other to achieve the desired result. In a separate room, the same tile can look completely different.
Glossy surface or matte?
What tiles should be used to decorate a small bathroom? To repair a small space, you can use any type of ceramic coating. Each model has its own distinctive features. They include the following criteria:
- Glossy tile models are ideal for a small bathroom. They help to visually increase the area of space. In addition, they give it depth.
- Shiny surfaces reflect light. The size of such tiles for a small bathroom should be selected taking into account the location of the plumbing. For example, if the area of the room varies between 6-10 square meters, then an alternative solution would be to choose a mosaic. The combination of small details with each other allows you to add stylish notes to the interior space.
- The disadvantages of glossy tiles for a small bathroom are the visibility of soap stains, fingerprints and drops from warm water. They spoil the appearance of glossy walls.
- Matte tiles in a small bathroom are used to furnish modern styles. For example, hi-tech and minimalism. Here the use of gloss should be minimal.
- Matte models have a rough texture that is ideal for floor decoration.
- Another advantage of tiles with a matte texture is that they are easy to clean. On its surface, dirt appears less noticeable.
If the main goal when choosing a tile design for a small bathroom is to visually increase the space, then it is recommended to choose models with a glossy surface. In addition to lighting and LED strip, the room will sparkle with new colors.
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What tile shape should I choose?
Today, the modern building materials market offers a large selection of finishing decor, which differs in shape, size and installation method. However, not all models of small tiles are suitable for use in the bathroom. Let's take a closer look at this situation.
Standard products in rectangular or square shapes are designed to emphasize geometry. Outwardly, they seem not intrusive, which is what is necessary for small spaces. However, such decor will become boring over time.
Walls decorated with voluminous and relief tiles look unusual and impressive. When visiting the space of a relaxation zone, the first thing that catches your eye is these details. Do not overload the room with such decor.
It is enough to highlight the central wall above the bathtub or the mirror area. Tile models with unusual shapes in the form of scales or triangles should also be chosen to highlight certain areas.
Schemes for laying out tiles on the walls
When decorating walls with tiles, you must follow the following basic rules:
- layout from the middle of the wall to the corners;
- the size of the cut tile is greater than or equal to half of the whole tile;
- the same size of cut cladding along the edges of the wall;
- either a complete match of the seams on the walls, floor, or their complete mismatch.
Matching seams of floor and wall coverings.
There is no particular visual gain from such a coincidence, but the labor intensity increases. Relative to the vertically drawn line, which is the middle of the wall, the tile can be in two positions - adjacent to the edge, overlapping with the center of the wall cladding aligned.
Depending on the ratio of the sizes of the wall and the tile, a wide beautiful cut at the junctions with adjacent walls can be obtained in both cases, as in the diagram below.
Two options for laying out tiles from the middle of the wall, left and right.
Square tiles are laid in a grid (vertical and horizontal seams are aligned with each other).
The “hog” cladding most often imitates brickwork with dressing in adjacent rows for half the length.
Designer cladding “hog”.
Rectangular tiles are laid vertically or horizontally in a grid. In the first case, the visual effect of increasing the height of the bathroom ceiling is achieved. The second option allows you to visually expand the area of the bathroom, “pushing the walls” of the room.
Rectangular tiles in the bathroom interior.
The use of mosaics on surfaces of complex configurations.
The most difficult area inside a bathroom to decorate with ceramics is traditionally the wall with the doorway. Therefore, a special layout scheme is used here:
- on each section to the left and right of the doorway, the correct layout is performed according to the above algorithm;
- Whole tiles are mounted above the door from the sides to the middle;
- In the center, two cut tiles are used, the size of each of which is more than half of a whole tile.
Installation of tiles above the door.
The technology is considered universal, that is, it allows you to beautifully lay tiles of any size on walls of different lengths.
When laying out the tiles in height, it is necessary to take into account the sinks. Ideally, there should be no narrow strips of tiles above the sides of these plumbing fixtures.
The size of the tile allows it to be laid without narrow stripes above the plumbing.
In the average bathroom of an apartment in a multi-entrance building of most standard series, the walls are small, one or two of them are constantly occupied by bath accessories and wall cabinets/shelves. Therefore, instead of borders around the perimeter of the room, it is better to use vertical decor - tiles with a pattern, which is placed on walls free from furniture and clothes (usually above the bathtub, inside the shower stall).
Correct use of tiled decor in the bathroom.
Tile layout options
The correct layout of tiled decor allows you to increase or, conversely, reduce the space. The same effect can be achieved by combining contrasting details along a horizontal line.
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The vertical arrangement of the tiles allows you to increase the distance from the floor to the ceiling. The photo of tiles for a small bathroom shows a model that imitates wood. The products are located along the vertical wall.
An interesting layout option is the diagonal arrangement of the tiles. When choosing this method, it is necessary to take into account the size and thickness of the ceramic parts. Such criteria are directly related to the “hog” tile model. Rectangular products can be laid out like a herringbone or diagonally at an angle of 45 degrees.
Choice of quality finishes
The properties of any material, of course, depend on the brand of the manufacturer. Such an important characteristic as quality is influenced not only by the material used, but also by the equipment used in production. Before choosing a manufacturer, you should read reviews from other users.
It is also important that the brand is well-known: this will provide, at a minimum, a guarantee of high quality products, tested by many users over time.
Thanks to the wide variety of different designs and tile options, you can choose any one, the main thing is to take into account recommendations, personal preferences and use your imagination.
It is worth remembering that for each room it is important to have the right color combination, respect for the ratio of sizes and geometry.
Design ideas for a small bathroom
A monochromatic bathroom made with beige or white tiles will quickly get boring. An alternative solution to this problem would be to choose a contrasting border or decorate one wall with bright details.
By combining different shades and textures, you can visually dissolve corners and boundaries in a room. A similar effect can be achieved by combining a bathtub and a toilet. For example, spectacular interiors of a small bathroom are considered to be rooms that combine contrasting shades.
In addition to choosing ceramic decor, do not forget about lighting and interior accessories. Thanks to such details, it is possible to create a stylish room.
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Other recommendations for selection
Before choosing tiles for a small bathroom, owners need to understand the classification of this material and the features of each type.
There are two main classes of ceramic wall tiles:
- First. Intended for finishing surfaces in rooms with little traffic, which exactly meets the requirements of a small-sized bath.
- Second. In this case, the requirements for abrasion of the material surface are higher than those of the first class. Such tiles are laid in spacious rooms with high traffic, but it should be taken into account that special household chemicals should be used to clean such products.
Other categories of ceramic tiles are used in other rooms and are not intended for installation in bathrooms or bathrooms combined with a toilet.
For laying on the floor, a special type of tile is used, which is able to withstand increased loads and not lose its qualities under heavy traffic. Ceramic tiles intended for walls cannot be laid on the floor.
