Which is best for bathrooms? The latest trends are seeing bathrooms moving beyond just the functional. More of us than ever before are demanding bathrooms that have a spa like feel akin to that of a hotel. Luxurious spaces that are nurturing and relaxing are the go-to and porcelain tiles are the go-to choice for bathroom walls and floors due to their durability, waterproof nature and – of course – their beautiful designs. But then, one question remains: what finish do you pick? Here at The TilePortfolio we know all about the glory of gloss and the majesty of matt finishes. So let us help you decide which is the perfect finish for your new bathroom!
Glorious Gloss
Gloss porcelain tiles are sleek and modern in appearance. They will brighten up any room with their reflective brilliance making them ideal for bathrooms with limited light. They are also easy to clean and require minimum maintenance – a wipe down with a damp cloth and a buff with a dry cloth will see them looking as glossy as ever. So, for walls they are a great choice. However, floors are a different matter. Gloss tiles can become slippery when wet so they are a definite no no for wetrooms and not the ideal choice for bathroom floors either. The glory of a gloss finish is therefore best kept to decorating bathroom walls. They can bring light and airiness to any bathroom space.
Majestic Matt
Think of matt porcelain tiles as the cool cousin of gloss: subtle, low-key and smooth. Matt finishes tend to absorb light and this produces a warmer, cosier ambiance in a bathroom. Matt tiles are available in a variety of textures with soft, natural and matt just some of the names used for this finish. A matt tile also has the advantage of functionality, having a better slip resistance than a glossy tile and the added ability to hide smudges. They are perfect for achieving a spa-style atmosphere in your bathroom.
Now that you know the key advantages of gloss and matt finishes, we need to consider the needs of your own project.
Gloss finishes are great for…
Matt finishes are marvellous for…
Of course, it doesn’t have to be an either or. Using of mix of matt and gloss finishes can be a great idea with the safety aspect for floors a key consideration and the amount of light in your bathroom.
Using gloss tiles on bathroom walls, and matt tiles on floors achieves both elegance and function with a practical matt finish for your bathroom floor and a wonderful gloss finish for walls.
The design options for both gloss and matte tiles are plentiful. Let’s take a look at four TilePortfolio favourites:
Gloss Styles
Our gorgeous Macchia Vecchia is available in a gloss finish that wonderfully accentuates the striking nutmeg tones in this tile. These large format marble tiles have a wonderfully crisp white background with warm brown-grey veining and rich nutmegs.
Consider our gorgeous Arc Porcelain Wall Feature Tiles which hark back to the majesty of high Victorian design. These petite porcelain tiles are in a rich palette of colours with a gloriously glossy finish.
Or check out Arabesque, a beautifully designed set of tiles that feature a glossy inlay pattern to contrast with the matt texture in the same tile.
And finally Blush, a gorgeously glossy tile featuring subtle pink veining against a warm white background.
Matt porcelain tile designs:
Matt finishes excel at creating a minimalist environment. They pair excellently with natural stone and wood tones making them ideal for creating that spa, Scandi or snug look and feel.
Tone is refined and simple in design and just oozes Italian class. The whole Tone collection tones to perfection allowing you to mix and match these tiles for walls and floor. Tone Porcelain – Chalk.
For some pattern take a look at our neo-Victorian Floral Porcelain Coloured Tiles – they are one of our favourites for adding splendour to bathrooms.
Nest is a highly practical and beautifully designed tile collection. Mimicking concrete, Nest is in an R11 A+B+C Antislip Soft finish making it a great choice for both bathroom or wetroom floors. These tiles are cleverly designed to also make cleaning easy so you have a tile that has a lovely tactile finish, is easy to clean and feels beautifully soft underfoot.
Click the images to head straight to these tiles on our website. Working on a project? We’d love to help! Get in touch and let us start searching for beautiful tiles with you!
If you would like to know more, please get in touch...
The TilePortfolio specialise in Italian and Spanish Porcelain and Ceramic tiles, in particular large format Porcelains and Porcelain tiles for inside and outside. Our carefully curated, stunning tile portfolios are beautifully presented online and supported by our fuss-free ‘go-the-extra-tile’ service. In addition, you can view our entire tile collection at our Northamptonshire Showroom. Visit our website for unmissable interiors inspiration. The TilePortfolio team are always available to chat, we’d be delighted to help with your project so please do get in touch.
Please note: We strongly recommend using a professional tiler for your project. Installation requirements may vary depending on the tiles you choose, the fixing products used and the specific conditions. Always check with your tiler regards the suitability of the tiles. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
