Size and format: the room decides
Large-format tiles mean fewer grout lines, which makes a small room read as calmer and larger. The old advice that small rooms need small tiles is backwards.
There is a limit. A 1200 x 600 mm tile in a 1.8 m wide room produces awkward cuts on every wall, so scale the format to the room dimensions.
Metro and brick formats are forgiving on uneven period walls because the eye reads the pattern rather than the plane.
Mosaics belong in small doses. They are labour-intensive, grout-heavy and harder to keep clean over a large area, but excellent in a niche or a feature strip.
Set out matters more than size. We plan cuts so full tiles land where the eye goes and cuts land in corners and behind fittings.
Finishes and where they work
Matt: the safe, modern default. Hides water marks, gives grip, works on floors and walls.
Polished: reflective and glamorous on walls, unsuitable for wet floors, and shows every water spot in hard water areas.
Satin or honed: middle ground, a soft sheen without the slip risk. Good on walls in smaller rooms where you want some light bounce.
Textured and structured: excellent grip and visual interest, slightly more effort to clean.
Anti-slip R ratings apply to floors. R10 minimum for a bathroom floor, R11 for a wet room. Wall tiles do not need a rating.
Prices and quantities
Supply prices per square metre plus typical fitting labour, and the wastage allowance to order on top.
| Tile type | Supply per m2 | Fitting per m2 | Wastage to add | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic wall, standard format | £12-£30 | £45-£70 | 10% | Lightest and easiest to cut |
| Porcelain, 300x600 mm | £20-£45 | £55-£85 | 10% | The everyday workhorse |
| Porcelain, 600x600 mm | £25-£60 | £65-£95 | 10-12% | Needs a flat substrate |
| Large format, 1200x600 mm | £40-£110 | £95-£150 | 15% | Two fitters, levelling system |
| Metro / brick bond | £15-£40 | £60-£95 | 12% | More cuts, more labour |
| Mosaic sheets | £30-£120 | £90-£160 | 12% | Slow, best used sparingly |
| Natural stone | £45-£140 | £100-£180 | 15% | Sealing required |
| Patterned encaustic-effect | £35-£90 | £75-£120 | 15% | Pattern matching costs tiles |
Grout, trims and the details that date a bathroom
Grout colour changes everything. A matching grout makes a wall read as one surface, a contrasting grout emphasises the pattern. Decide deliberately rather than defaulting to white.
Grey grout on floors is almost always the practical choice. White floor grout looks superb for about four weeks.
Use a good quality flexible grout and a proper sealant, not the cheapest bucket on the shelf. It is a small part of the cost and a large part of the longevity.
Tile trims versus mitred edges: mitred porcelain corners look far cleaner and cost more in labour. Chrome trim is fine, plastic trim dates a bathroom instantly.
Keep the tile line to the ceiling where budget allows in a shower area. A half-tiled shower wall with a painted band above is where mould starts.
Ordering mistakes that delay jobs
Ordering exactly the measured area with no wastage. Cuts, breakages and pattern matching all consume tiles, and a second batch may be a different shade.
Ordering across two batches. Always check the batch number is the same across the whole order, because shade variation between batches is visible on a finished wall.
Forgetting trims, adhesive and grout, which are separate items and are frequently missing when a delivery lands.
Choosing a tile with a long lead time without checking the date. A six-week special order can hold a whole bathroom hostage.
We list tile quantities including wastage on every quote so this does not happen, and we will check your chosen tile is available before the start date is agreed.
Frequently asked questions
Are large tiles better in a small bathroom?
Usually yes. Fewer grout lines make a small room read as calmer and larger, provided the format is scaled sensibly to the room's dimensions.
How much extra tile should I order?
Ten per cent for standard formats, twelve to fifteen per cent for large format, patterned or diagonal layouts where cuts and matching consume more.
What grout colour should I use?
Grey on floors, near enough always. On walls, match the tile for a seamless look or contrast deliberately if you want the pattern to read.
Should tiles go to the ceiling?
In shower areas, yes wherever budget allows. A painted band above a half-tiled shower wall is a common place for mould to appear.
Do you supply tiles or should I buy them?
Either works. If you supply them, we will confirm quantities including wastage and check batch numbers before we start.