Small bathroom tile ideas for Indian homes

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A tiny bathroom is usually equated with cramped space, but with clever small bathroom tile ideas, a small bathroom can get a dreamy design. Tiles are not only a functional element that helps to repel moisture and keep the bathroom dry but also a versatile design element that can be used either on the walls or the floor of a small bathroom to make it appear stylish and spacious. While earlier, one found tiles only in small bathroom designs with showers, nowadays with the variety of tile designs available in the market, it’s easy to find designs that are suitable for the bathroom floors and walls.

Among the advantages of having a small bathroom is that since there is less area to cover, one can splurge on more costly designs that one would not have considered for a bigger bathroom as it would be prohibitively expensive. Besides browsing through the design options at a tile showroom, consulting a bathroom designer or architect would open a world of possibilities of tiles for small bathroom floors and walls.

It’s essential that the tiles are installed perfectly in an immaculate finish so that one doesn’t have to spend more on correcting the flaws of an imperfect installation. The last thing anyone wants is to complete the tile installation to find that it looks terrible and makes the bathroom look cramped and dull. The advantage of working with a professional is that in addition to getting advice on the best material, colour and tile format to use in the area, they can provide tips and tricks on the various combinations or contrasts that can be used to distract from the smallness of the bathroom. Today, we present small bathroom tiles ideas to provide inspiration on how to decorate a tiny area using beautiful tiles.

What are some of the small bathroom tile ideas for modern Indian bathrooms?

When one visits a tile centre or a home design store, the number of available options can cause confusion, making it hard to choose the best one. In general, professionals in India use the 5 primary small bathroom tile ideas and tricks to add a modern and sophisticated look to small bathrooms:

  1. Faux wood – As a material, wood brings natural elegance to any room, bathrooms included. However, since it absorbs moisture, natural wood is not suitable for wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Faux wood tiles are a practical alternative for bathroom floor tile ideas. These tiles are made of ceramic or porcelain. Therefore, they are water-resistant.

2. White tiles – There’s no colour that’s as effective as white for making an area appear spacious and bright. In a small bathroom, it has the effect of amplifying the room to make it look bigger than it is. Use a coloured grout in a contrasting shade such as grey or black to add a stunning effect. The drawback of using white tiles is that they need to be kept spotless. Otherwise, they will reduce the sophistication of the bathroom design.

3. Floral motifs – While white tiles are an excellent option for tricking the eyes into believing that the room is spacious, it can make the area look dull and boring. Floral tiles can be combined with plain colours for the bathroom wall tiles design to add an interesting effect to the room.

4. Colour tiles – Sometimes a splash of colour is all that’s needed to elevate the ambiance in a small bathroom. In the market, one can find tiles in almost any imaginable colour. One can even use a combination of plain coloured tiles to create an interesting visual effect.

5. 3D Tiles – When it comes to bathroom wall tile ideas for small bathrooms, 3D tiles provide incomparable texture that adds uniqueness to the area. They are ideal for the backsplash or as an accent wall. It’s best to avoid using them on all the bathroom walls as it can overpower the area and take away from the sense of spa-like relaxation that a bathroom offers.

How to select the right small bathroom floor tile size

The first step in the process of selecting which small bathroom tile ideas are within the budget is to calculate the amount of tile that is needed for the walls or floors. Measure the surface of the wall or floor (length x width) where the tiles will be installed. Accordingly, one can get an idea of the number of tiles that need to be purchased. For border tiles, measure the length of the wall along which the tile will run. It’s advisable to add 10% to the required quantity to account for wastage due to cutting and breakages during installation.

It’s essential to choose the right format of tile for small bathrooms. In general, larger tiles are better suited for bigger bathrooms. Small format tiles help to present a visually larger space in a tiny area, especially if they aren’t cut into smaller strips near the corners as that will break the linear effect that tricks the eyes in to believing that the area is big.

Is it expensive to implement small bathroom tile ideas?

Cost is a factor that influences the choice of tiles for small bathroom floors and walls. When it comes to tiles in a small bathroom, the material and design effects the overall cost. Additionally, before beginning the project, it’s essential to get an idea of the labour and other material costs for the cement, grout and adhesive, among other things, as they contribute to the costs incurred during a bathroom remodelling or renovation.

The cost will differ depending on the type of material used. For example, white ceramic tiles are the most reasonable option, costing only around INR 25 per square feet, whereas colour tiles cost in the range of INR 60 to INR 150 per square feet. Printed tiles are available in a wide variety of designs, and the prices vary between INR 35 per square feet for a simple dual-tone design to INR 100 per square feet for a complex multi-coloured design. 3D wall tiles are expensive, and their cost can go up to INR 250 per square feet.

How does one choose the right small bathroom tile ideas?

It is possible to go the DIY route by measuring the space, purchasing the tile that one likes and hiring a team of tilers to install the tiles. However, the problem with this approach is that unless one has worked with the same contractor, and knows the quality of his work, the finish of the installation is not guaranteed. After spending on the project, an unsatisfactory outcome might result in additional expenses towards taking down the tiles and reinstalling it to get a better finish.

Whether it’s small bathroom floor tiles ideas or those for the shower area and bathroom walls, we recommend consulting an expert bathroom planner who has worked on many bathroom projects and has a team of experienced tilers who guarantee a high-quality finish. Besides helping to choose the right colours and combinations for the bathroom floors and walls, you can get recommendations for the best format for the room. Working with a professional bathroom planner guarantees that your money is well spent.  

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