Tiling Kitchen and Tiling Bathroom Ideas
Choosing Tiles

Find out what you need to know before going out to choose your tiles. Get tiling kitchen and tiling bathroom ideas. Information about types, materials and styles of tiles...

Tiles are an excellent choice for:

• tiling bathrooms
• tiling kitchens
• tiling a shower
• tiling walls
• tiling a countertop
• tiling a fireplace
• tiling a floor

Tiles are:

• hard-wearing
• waterproof
• attractive
• easy to clean
• very adaptable

You might want to just pop down to the shops, and pick up any old tiles that take your fancy… but you will find the whole job much easier if you take your time, get well informed and find out information about tiling kitchen and tiling bathroom ideas for choosing tiles.

Information about Types of Tiles

Tile Shapes

Field Tile

• A basic tile, with spacers attached, for all-round tiling.
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RE Tile (Rounded Edge Tile)

• This has one edge with a rounded finish. This fits around the edges of your tiled section, for a neat finish.
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REX Tile

• This is similar to the RE tile, but has 2 rounded edges, to make the ideal tile for outer-edge corners.
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Universal Tile

• This has 2 glazed finish, squared-off edges. It can be used ‘universally’ for all tiling needs.
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Quadrant Tile

• This is a glazed strip tile, in a curved (convex) shape. This is ideal for edging and tiling bathroom ideas, to neaten joins between wall and bath, or between wall and countertop in the kitchen.
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Mitred Tile

• This is like the quadrant tile, but has a mitred end, for use in internal corners.
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Bullnose Tile

• This is like the quadrant tile, but has a ‘bullet’ end, for a neat finish at the end of a run of tiles.
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Tile Types and Materials

Look out for different types, sizes and materials of tiles, for your tiling kitchen and tiling bathroom ideas. Tiles come in all shapes and sizes, colors, materials – so it is important to choose the ones that are right for your own interior design ideas…

Tiles can come in:

• very small, mosaic tiles (they tend to look good in small rooms)
• brick-sized tiles
• standard tiles
• very large tiles

There are also edging tiles (as above) or frieze tiles, that you can choose in a different color or pattern, for more interesting tiling kitchen and tiling bathroom ideas.

As well as these options, above, choose from the following common types and materials of tiles:

Ceramic Tiles

• These are the standard type of tile material, and usually come glazed, for a glossy finish. Some come unglazed, usually for extra grip, when used on the floor.
• Do not use wall tiles on the floor, as they won’t be strong enough to walk on.
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• These are very small tiles – usually ceramic, occasionally glass. They usually come in tiling sheets, (or larger, mosaic-effect tiles), so they can be laid quicker.

We found them a little bit more difficult to lay straight, but they were able to be trimmed around awkward, or small, shapes, very easily.

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Quarry Tiles

• Quarry tiles are unglazed ceramic tiles. They are thick, hardwearing, waterproof, and most often used for floors.

You can get very fine, handmade, quarry tiles, or more reasonably priced, machined tiles.

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• This is another good choice for floors. Natural stone or slate has much variation in pattern, tone and color.
• It tends to be expensive, but some cheaper reproductions are available.
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Brick Tiles

• These are for quite a rustic feel, and can be used for walls, and often for fireplaces. These are just like real bricks – but a very thin version – that aren’t always that convincing!
• You can get reproduction bricks, or tiles made of real bricks, called ‘slips’ – guess which ones the most authentic-looking ones are?
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Mirror Tiles

• These are tile-sized, actual mirrors. They aren’t applied like traditional tiles, with grout, but are attached with self-adhesive pads.
• They can help to reflect a lot of light around, if you choose these for your tiling bathroom ideas.
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Plastic Tiles

• These are usually a quick and easy option, and come in sheets of pre-moulded tiles. These aren’t quite as durable as ceramic tiles, but do help to prevent condensation.
• They are pretty good for your tiling bathroom ideas, as long as you don’t use abrasive cleaners. You should try to avoid using them in kitchens, where they could come in contact with heat.
• They are flexible, so are good for uneven walls. You can get a special grout to give them a more authentic finish.
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• These have got quite a retro, ‘70’s feel. They can be used on walls and floors, to give a soft and warm effect.
• These aren’t grouted, but glued on, and then varnished, to give a waterproof finish.
• Take care to use these where they are not too exposed, as they can be quite vulnerable to damage.
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Taking a little time, to think through, and carefully choose your tiling kitchen and tiling bathroom ideas, will really help you to get a professional finish.

Now you have chosen your tiles, find out how to get the job done properly…

Find out more about Essential Preparations for DIY Tiling.

Find out about Essential Basic Techniques for Tiling Bathrooms and Kitchens

Find out about the Special Techniques for Tiling Bathrooms and Kitchens with all these different types of tiles.

Now you’ve sorted your tiling, take a look at…

• kitchen decorating tips
• decorating bathrooms tips

Return to the main DIY Tiling Guide page

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