Bathrooms: The Tile Files

The Right Tile Can Take Your Bathroom From Utilitarian Workspace to Style Sensation

- Sally Paterson

WITH LIMITLESS INSPIRATION at myriad price points, it’s never been easier to make your bathroom look as beautiful as it is functional. Whether you’re upgrading to sell or enjoy, for family functionality or deluxe indulgence, the first step to translating the look you love into a practical solution is to firm up your tiling palette – the foundation of the room’s scheme. Turn the page for the need-to-know of tile shopping.

PLANNING POINTS

Budgeting is key. Factor in the supply cost of tiles, and the labour. “Anything  above a standard ‘bond’ lay of 300mm x 600mm tiles adds to the laying costs,” explains Vanessa Cook of Smarter Bathrooms. Small tiles in sheets can be time consuming to lay, while large formats may need two tilers on site due to their weight. Extra-large tiles are on trend, but are especially tricky as they need flat walls and floors – and if you are revamping an old house you may need to resurface your room, adding to the cost. Budget tiles can look amazing arranged in an unusual way, but be warned: “Laying a herringbone or a chevron pattern is complex, as the pattern must line up,” says Vanessa, who advises checking with a tiler if a pattern lay is feasible with your chosen tile before ordering. Balancing higher labour cost areas with a simple tile and lay in non-feature spaces can help.

PERFECT PLACEMENT