Wall Tiles - Buying Guide
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When it comes to creating beautiful interior walls, tiles are one of the most practical and stylish choices available. Whether you prefer the timeless look of metro tiles or modern statement designs, wall tiles can transform any room in your home. They not only enhance the appearance of a space but are also highly durable and easy to maintain — making them ideal for busy households.
However, with so many styles, materials and finishes available, selecting the right wall tile can feel overwhelming. This guide explains everything you need to know about wall tiles so you can confidently choose the perfect option for your next home project.
Types of Wall Tiles
Traditionally, most wall tiles were made from ceramic. While ceramic wall tiles remain extremely popular, today’s market also includes a wide range of materials that offer different styles and performance benefits.
Ceramic Wall Tiles
Ceramic tiles are one of the most common choices for interior walls. They are affordable, durable and easy to clean, making them suitable for bathrooms, kitchens and general interior walls.
Porcelain Wall Tiles
Porcelain tiles are a denser and stronger form of ceramic. They are extremely durable and moisture resistant, making them ideal for shower walls, wet rooms and even exterior walls.
Glass Wall Tiles
Glass tiles create a sleek, modern look and are commonly used for kitchen splashbacks. Their smooth surface makes them very easy to wipe clean.
Natural Stone Wall Tiles
Stone tiles such as marble or travertine offer a premium appearance. However, they are generally more expensive and require more maintenance than ceramic or porcelain alternatives.
Mosaic Tiles
Mosaic tiles are made up of smaller pieces arranged on sheets. They often combine different materials to create decorative feature walls or eye-catching splashbacks.
Benefits of Tiling Your Walls
In any home, walls make up a large and visible part of the overall interior design. Choosing the right wall covering can dramatically change the feel of a space.
Research also shows that well-designed interiors can positively affect mood and wellbeing. By installing wall tiles, you are selecting a surface that is not only practical but visually appealing.
Easy to Clean
Unlike wallpaper or painted walls, tiles are extremely easy to maintain. Most marks can simply be wiped away using a damp cloth, and standard household cleaning products can remove tougher stains.
Long-Term Durability
Wall tiles are incredibly long-lasting. Once installed, they can remain in excellent condition for many years. In comparison, painted walls often need repainting regularly due to scuffs and marks.
Realistic Tile Designs
Modern manufacturing technology allows tiles to replicate natural materials such as marble, stone or wood with impressive accuracy. This means you can achieve a luxury look without the high cost or complex installation of natural materials.
Disadvantages of Wall Tiles
Although wall tiles offer many advantages, there are a few considerations before installation.
Tiles must be installed onto flat, stable surfaces. This means walls may need preparation before tiling begins, which can take time. Additionally, tiles are permanently fixed in place. Because of this, they may not be suitable for rented properties unless you have permission from the landlord.
Where Can Wall Tiles Be Used?
One of the major advantages of ceramic and porcelain tiles is their versatility. The same tile can often be used in multiple areas throughout the home.
Bathrooms
Tiles are the most popular choice for bathroom walls due to their waterproof and hygienic properties. While white bathroom tiles remain a classic option, many homeowners now choose colourful or patterned designs to add personality.
Kitchen Splashbacks
Kitchen wall tiles are perfect for splashbacks behind sinks and hobs. They protect walls from moisture and stains while adding a stylish design feature.
Utility Rooms
Tiles also work well in practical areas such as utility rooms, boot rooms and porches where durability and easy cleaning are essential.
Fireplace Surrounds
Tiles are non-combustible, which makes them a safe option for fireplace surrounds and hearth areas.
Feature Walls
Using tiles on a single wall can create a striking focal point within a room. Feature wall tiles add texture, colour and visual interest.
Outdoor Walls
For exterior use, porcelain tiles are recommended as they are frost resistant and highly durable.
Choosing the Best Wall Tiles
In the past, white metro tiles were extremely popular and could be found in everything from traditional bathrooms to trendy cafes.
Today, with so many tile designs available, selecting the perfect wall tile requires careful consideration of several factors.
Style
Start by considering the overall design style of your space. Are you aiming for a classic, contemporary or bold look?
Modern geometric tiles can create a strong visual statement, while traditional designs may suit more classic interiors.
Colour
Colour has a powerful impact on the mood of a room.
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Light colours can make smaller rooms feel larger and brighter.
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Dark colours can create a cosy and dramatic atmosphere.
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Soft blue tiles are often used in bathrooms to create a calm and relaxing environment.
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Deep green tiles can add depth and character, particularly in rooms with limited natural light.
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White wall tiles remain a timeless option that works in almost any space.
Tile Finish
Wall tiles come in a variety of finishes which affect both their appearance and practicality.
Matt Tiles
Matt finishes offer a modern look and help hide fingerprints or minor imperfections.
Gloss Tiles
Gloss tiles reflect light and can make small rooms appear more spacious. They are also easy to clean.
Polished Tiles
Highly polished tiles have a mirror-like finish and are often used in luxury bathrooms.
Textured Tiles
Textured tiles add depth and are perfect for feature walls.
Fluted Tiles
Fluted or ribbed tiles are becoming increasingly popular for contemporary interiors.
Tile Size
Popular wall tile sizes include 7.5 × 15 cm and 10 × 20 cm. However, longer subway tiles such as 7.5 × 30 cm have recently become very popular.
These elongated tiles work well in a variety of layouts and look particularly striking when installed in a herringbone pattern.
Large-format tiles are also becoming more common. Sizes such as 60 × 120 cm can create a seamless look with fewer grout lines, helping smaller rooms feel more spacious.
Popular Wall Tile Trends
Now that we have covered the basics, let’s explore some of the most popular wall tile trends in modern interiors.
Metro Tiles
Metro tiles remain one of the most versatile tile styles. Their classic rectangular shape works well in many different settings and installation patterns.
Hexagon Tiles
Hexagon tiles are a major interior design trend. Their honeycomb pattern creates a bold geometric feature that works beautifully in both kitchens and bathrooms.
Marble Effect Tiles
Marble-look tiles replicate the elegant appearance of natural stone while being easier to maintain.
Stone Effect Tiles
Stone-effect tiles add warmth and texture to a room while maintaining the durability of porcelain or ceramic.
Mosaic Tiles
Mosaics are ideal for decorative areas such as splashbacks or feature panels. Even a small section of mosaic can add visual interest.
Zellige Style Tiles
Inspired by Moroccan handmade tiles, zellige-style tiles feature subtle variations and imperfections that add character and depth.
Matching Floor and Wall Tiles
A growing trend in modern bathrooms is using the same tile on both floors and walls to create a seamless, spacious appearance.
Popular Wall Tile Colours
Colour plays a major role in defining the atmosphere of a room.
White Wall Tiles
White tiles are timeless and suit almost any design style, from minimalist to traditional.
Green Wall Tiles
Green tiles are becoming increasingly popular, bringing natural tones and calming energy into interior spaces.
Pink Wall Tiles
Pink tiles are a bold design choice that can add warmth and personality to a room.
Patterned Tiles
Patterned wall tiles are perfect for creating striking feature walls or splashbacks.
Grey Wall Tiles
Grey tiles provide a modern, neutral backdrop that works well in contemporary interiors.
Popular Wall Tile Layout Patterns
The way tiles are laid can dramatically affect the final appearance of a wall.
Brick Bond
A classic layout where tiles are staggered like bricks. This pattern is commonly used with subway tiles.
Herringbone
The herringbone layout has become extremely popular in recent years and adds a decorative touch to simple tiles.
Diamond Pattern
Square tiles can be rotated 45 degrees to create a diamond pattern, adding movement and visual interest.
Linear / Stacked
A stacked layout places tiles directly above one another, creating clean vertical lines for a modern look.
Scallop Pattern
Fan-shaped tiles can be arranged in a scallop pattern, producing a unique and decorative wall feature.
How to Measure for Wall Tiles
Measuring for wall tiles is relatively simple.
What You Need
-Tape measure
-Pen and paper
-Calculator
Step 1 – Measure the Area
Measure the height and width of the wall in metres.
Step 2 – Calculate the Area
Multiply the height by the width to get the total area in square metres.
Step 3 – Subtract Obstacles
Deduct areas such as doors, windows or cabinets.
Step 4 – Add Wastage
Add approximately 10% extra tiles to allow for cuts and installation waste.
Repeat the process for each wall you plan to tile.
Installing Wall Tiles
This guide focuses on choosing wall tiles rather than installation. However, there are many professional guides available that explain how to install ceramic or porcelain tiles step by step.
What Adhesive Should Be Used for Wall Tiles?
While ready-mixed adhesives are suitable for small ceramic tiles, many professionals prefer cement-based adhesives that are mixed with water.
Cement-based tile adhesives create a stronger bond and allow more working time during installation.
Do Wall Tiles Need Sealing?
Most ceramic and porcelain wall tiles do not require sealing.
However, tiles with a crackle glaze or porous finish should be sealed to prevent moisture from entering the surface. In these cases, sealing before and after grouting is recommended.
It is also beneficial to seal grout lines, particularly in areas prone to staining.
Cleaning Wall Tiles
Wall tiles require very little maintenance.
Daily cleaning can usually be done using a damp cloth. For deeper cleaning, specialised tile cleaning products can be used to remove stains or mould around grout joints.
Finishing Tile Edges
If tiles do not extend to the ceiling, the exposed edge must be finished properly.
Tile Trims
Tile trims are the most common solution and are available in various materials and finishes.
Edge Pieces
Some tiles come with matching edging pieces or bullnose trims designed by the manufacturer.
Silicone Sealing
Once tiles are installed, internal corners and joints should be sealed with silicone to create a waterproof and flexible finish.
Can Wall Tiles Be Used on Floors?
Most ceramic wall tiles are not designed for floor use because they may crack under heavy foot traffic.
However, many porcelain floor tiles can also be used on walls. Always ensure that the wall structure can support the additional weight of heavier tiles.
Final Tips Before Buying Wall Tiles
Before starting your tiling project, remember these important tips:
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Order enough tiles to avoid delays and potential batch differences.
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Invest in quality tiles, as installation costs are usually the same regardless of tile price.
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Order tile samples to see the colour and texture in your own lighting conditions.
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Plan your tile layout carefully to ensure the most visually balanced result.