Most bathrooms we tile around Springfield are not big. The good news is that the right tile choices can make a small bathroom feel noticeably larger. Here are the questions homeowners ask us most when picking tile for a small space.
Should I use large or small tile in a small bathroom?
Usually large. Bigger tile means fewer grout lines, and fewer lines make the floor read as one open surface. A 12 by 24 inch porcelain tile often works well even in a tiny bathroom. The exception is the shower floor, where small tile adds grip and follows the slope.
What tile colors make a bathroom look bigger?
Light, soft colors like white, warm gray and light marble-look reflect more light and push the walls back visually. Matching the grout color to the tile helps too, because high-contrast grout draws a grid across the room.
Should the floor and walls use the same tile?
Using the same tile, or the same color, on the floor and shower walls makes the room look continuous and larger. If you want contrast, keep it to one feature, like an accent wall or niche, rather than mixing several tiles.
Does tiling to the ceiling make a bathroom look bigger?
Yes. Taking the shower tile all the way up draws the eye upward and makes the ceiling feel higher. Vertical layouts, like stacked tile or tall rectangles set upright, add to the effect.
Which floor layout makes a small room feel bigger?
A diagonal layout breaks up the boxy shape of a small room and makes it feel wider. Long rectangular tile running the length of the room has a similar stretching effect. See every pattern drawn out in our tile layout guide.
Is a curbless shower good for a small bathroom?
It is one of the best upgrades for a small bathroom. With no curb and a clear glass panel, the floor runs straight through and the whole room reads as one space. See our tile shower installation page for what it takes.
Is dark tile a bad idea in a small bathroom?
Not always. Dark tile on the floor with light walls can ground a room and still feel open. A fully dark small bathroom feels cozy rather than big, which some people want. Good lighting matters more with dark tile.
What does it cost to tile a small bathroom?
A small bathroom floor of about 40 sq ft is roughly $320 in labor at $8 per sq ft, and shower walls are $18 per sq ft. Small jobs have a $650 minimum, so tiling the floor and shower together is often the best value. See our tile installation cost guide.