How to Select Floor Tiles for a Bathroom

Design

• 1

  Consult bathroom design magazines and online images to decide upon a look that is right for you.

• 2

  Attend home shows and visit bathroom and flooring showrooms for a "real-life" look at various design possibilities.

• 3

  Measure the flooring area you will be covering. Draw a simple, scaled template of the floor. Make use of the computer-aided design software tools available at many home improvement stores and tile outlets.

Color

• 4

  Consider the size of your bathroom when making color choices. Lighter colors make smaller spaces seem larger.

• 5

  Coordinate floor and wall tile for a unified look. Match border floor tile to inset wall tile for added congruency.

• 6

  Select tile colors that will enhance the larger, stationary pieces in your bathroom such as bathtub, toilet, countertop and sinks.

Composition and Size

• 7

  Match tile type to your overall design theme. Terra cotta, granite, or concrete tile provide a rugged, minimalist look. Marble or glass provides a high-end look but can be costly and difficult to maintain. Ceramic tile is a good, medium range choice.

• 8

  Select tile that is waterproof. Tile porosity classifications range from impervious to vitreous, semivitreous and nonvitreous. Floor tile should be impervious to water.

• 9

  Match tile size to room size. Use larger tiles to visually expand smaller spaces. Add smaller, accent tiles for borders.

• 10

  Consider using different shapes to enhance your theme or alter the look of your floor. Tiles are available in rectangles, squares, octagons and more.