Wall and floor finishes play a huge part in your bathroom’s design — see the looks you can get from using each material, and find out if they fit the style of your choice, in this breakdown of popular finishes.
Wall and floor finishes play a huge part in your bathroom’s design — see the looks you can get from using each material, and find out if they fit the style of your choice, in this breakdown of popular finishes.
Wood-look tiles
The look: Warm and stylish (just like real wood!).
The good: You can get the look of wood in a wet area.
The bad: Chips and damages to the surface will be obvious.
Match with: Resort-style designs, nature-inspired sanitaryware and neutral colours.
Patterned tiles
The look: Fun, quirky and trendy.
The good: Never boring!
The bad: Chips and damages to the surface will be obvious.
Match with: Neutral colours for it to stand out, or sanitaryware and fittings with unique designs for a whimsical look.
Concrete screed
The look: Avant-garde and edgy, or contemporary and minimalist.
The good: Very versatile design-wise and relatively easy to maintain.
The bad: Porous, and could be slippery when wet.
Match with: Anything!
Mosaics
The look: Varies from luxurious and glamorous to contemporary and fun.
The good: Can easily clad curved walls, and is durable.
The bad: Can be tricky to install, and difficult to repair, and keep clean.
Match with: Fittings with simple contemporary designs.
Stone-look tiles
The look: Polished and refined.
The good: You get the look of natural stone, but with the durability of tiles.
The bad: Chips and damages to the surface will be obvious.
Match with: Fittings with simple contemporary designs.
Subway tiles
The look: Simple and traditional, or graphical.
The good: Easy to clean, and its glossy and light-reflective surface helps brighten your space.
The bad: Walls will have a “busy” pattern, with many grout lines and joints that can trap dirt.
Match with: Traditional, or industrialstyle fittings.
Marble
The look: Luxurious and sophisticated.
The good: Natural; each piece has a unique appearance.
The bad: Porus and easily etched by acidic materials, including certain cleaning products. Could be slippery when wet.
Match with: Items with clean lines, polished silver-tone fittings and natural materials.
