Choosing tiles for a small bathroom

Design dilemma:

I am in the process of redecorating my bathroom and intend to tile the whole room. The bathroom is quite small and I have been told the size of the tiles could determine whether the bathroom looks small or large. Could you please advise which size tiles you would recommend for a small bathroom?

Design solution:

When designing small bathrooms there are a number of key tiling considerations that need to be taken into account, primarily the size and colour of the tiles.

Tiles come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, ranging from the standard 100 x 100mm up to very large field tile formats. While it's not wise to use very large tiles in a small space (they might dwarf the room), a medium-format tile could give a sleeker look than smaller tiles, which inevitably show more grout lines.

However, it's important to look at the positioning of the fixtures and fittings before deciding on a tile format. If the bath, toilet and sink are all in close proximity with little wall area in between, smaller tiles would create a better flow. Light-coloured tiles will always make a small space appear larger. White or cream are a good option as they give a light, clean and airy feel. If plain white is too bland for your taste, try adding interest with tiles that have an unusual surface texture or introduce a subtle border for a bit of colour. You can always add colour in the form of towels and accessories later.

Video: How to tile a bathroom floor