It’s a good question. What size of tile is best for my room? How do you pick a tile size for your space? With so many options available and bigger format tiles becoming the go-to for rooms large and small, can you go large in your space or is it best to opt for smaller sizes? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of opting for smaller feature tiles versus large format ceramic or porcelain tiles? How does tile size impact the overall look and feel of your room.
Whilst this really is a personal choice – albeit one you need to check with your installer to ensure your chosen size is suitable for your project, let’s explore different tile sizes and some of the advantages and disadvantages of smaller vs larger tile options.
Tile size can have a huge impact on your finished space so it is important to consider the look and feel you are trying to achieve eg contemporary look and feel, cosy vibe etc. Whether you are refurbishing, building anew, extending or refreshing, the tile size you pick really does matter. Whether you have a country cottage or a modern open plan new build, as well as tile pattern and design, you will need to think about tile size.
Large format is generally considered any tile larger than 600 x 600mm. Many tile collections are available in a range of sizes typically housing 300 x 600mm formats right through to larger 1200 x 1200mm sizes. In addition, you have smaller brick feature tiles as well as patterned tiles and wood effect porcelain plank tiles too that come in a host of different sizes.
Whilst size of room can influence size of tile, ie smaller room equals smaller tile, it is worth noting that with smaller tiles there are more grout lines and lots of grout lines can make a room feel busy. So even in a smaller bathroom it is worth thinking about larger format tiles or perhaps going as large as you can, especially if you want to create that serene spa like look and feel and a feeling of calm.
You should always check your chosen tiles with your tiler – as well as look and feel there are practicalities to consider, and every project is different. Floor type and preparation, wall weight limits and other things may influence the suitability of certain tiles. However, it is worth considering that visually for a typical 2.4m ceiling height you would have 8 600 x 300mm tiles, 4 600 x 600mm tiles, 3 800 x 800 tiles and just 2 1200 x 1200mm tiles high so you can see how the grout lines are decreasing with tile size. But you may want a warm, cosy feeling to your space and smaller tiles are just the thing!
There is very often a price difference between smaller and larger tiles with bigger tiles generally costing more per tile or per sqm. So, this may of course influence your decision ie what is actually affordable.
In addition, for really large tiles eg 1200 x 1200mm formats installation is a 2 man job and these tiles can cost more to deliver and transport because of their footprint.
Wastage tends to be higher with larger tiles too. Typically for a 600 x 600mm format or 600 x 300mm format tile or smaller feature tiles, the advised wastage allowance would be around 10%, for larger formats wastage allowance can be 15 – 20%.
Or course, tiles are not just square. 600 x 300mm, 900 x 450mm or 1200 x 600mm rectangular tiles are all pretty standard formats. Let’s not forget wood effect porcelain plank tiles that are available in an array of sizes – our Serenity wood effect porcelain tile collection is available in both a 1215 x 195mm format as well as a lovely large 1510 x 240mm size. With rectangular tiles or wood effect porcelain plank tiles there is another consideration around the direction to lay these tiles eg horizontally or vertically.
When installing tiles with a length of more than 600mm tiles should not be offset by more than 1/3 – this is to avoid lippage ie where tiles don’t lay flat. All porcelain tiles have a slight curve along the length, and this is more pronounced the larger the tile. Not offsetting by more than 1/3 means you avoid having the very lowest and highest points of the tile side by side.
For open plan spaces the larger the tile the more spacious an area can feel. A large expanse of tile can really add to a feeling of flow across a floor and using the same look and size tile across your whole area brings continuity. One great advantage of running the same porcelain tile across open plan spaces is there is no need for thresholds and that definitely leads to a feeling of flow. It also means cleaning is so much easier.
You may have a slimmer corridor leading to your open plan area so careful consideration needs to be given to the size of tile to work in both a more confined area aswell as a larger open plan area. For example, if your corridor is 900mm wide you might want to think whether an 800 x 800 format tile can work throughout your space.
We are often asked whether it is best to use a smaller format tile from the same collection for smaller rooms. So perhaps a 900 x 900 format in the larger spaces and a 600 x 600mm size tile in smaller rooms. It is worth noting that tiles are made in batches, and these two size tiles will be made on different production lines. As there can be a slight colour difference between batches there is a risk the tiles won’t look cohesive so it’s best to pick a tile size and use it throughout if you can.
Similarly to open plan spaces, even smaller kitchens can benefit from larger tiles to create that spacious feel. However, if you use a smaller tile in your kitchen area, choosing a grout that co-ordinates with your tiles will also help create that seamless look. If it’s an inviting, cosy vibe you are after then smaller tiles, particularly patterned tiles can make a space feel super snug. For splashbacks you can consider smaller feature tiles although these will mean lots of grout on walls that need regular cleaning so picking a larger format tile may be a better option.
Bathrooms can be the trickiest of spaces to design and tile. So how do you decide what size of tile is best for my room in this instance? If you are thinking of using very large format tiles on a bathroom floor eg 800 x 800mm or above, then it is important you speak to your installer as they will need to ensure the tiles are well supported otherwise there is a risk of them cracking. There are also weight considerations for the wall too, so again check with your installer before plumping for a particular tile size.
If you are planning to tile both the floor and walls then using a square tile on the floors in a 600 x 600mm format with smaller 600 x 300mm format tiles on the wall can work a treat. Or if you want to go larger format than this, then opt for a 1200 x 600mm tile on the wall – this can look beautifully elegant and for walls, when laid vertically you have just 2 tiles high with a typical 2.4m high ceiling height.
Feature wall tiles are a firm favourite when it comes to bathrooms and these can be anything from smaller brick tiles in bright colours and glossy finishes to pretty patterned tiles or even larger format metallic tiles. These tiles can add visual interest and charm. Smaller tiles are easier to work around especially in bathrooms where there are pipes, fittings, sinks and WC’s all of which can add time and cost to your installation. Many smaller tiles are ceramic rather than porcelain. Ceramic tiles are easier to cut than porcelain. However, porcelain is the more durable of these two materials.
Entrance halls vary so much in layout with everything from longer thinner corridors to big, airy, open spaces. The larger the entrance hall the easier potentially it is to pick a tile to work. Thinner corridors that lead into larger rooms can be difficult if you want to use the same tile throughout. If you’ve fallen in love with a 900 x 900mm tile but your corridor is 1m wide then thought needs to be given to how this will work so discuss with your tiler.
The lounge, snug, living room … tiling in this area will give you a durable and stylish room. Larger tiles will create a sense of spaciousness and an airy feel especially in lighter tones. Or if you want to make your lounge feel more intimate then opt for a smaller size tile or even a wood effect tile in a rich warm tone.
We hope our top tips on tile size help you make your tile size decision with ease and answered our question, what size of tile is best for my room?
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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.
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