Best Tiles for Bathroom Floors and Walls: A Complete Guide

Bathroom Tile Requirements: What the Experts Look For

Bathrooms are the most technically demanding tiling environment in any home. The combination of moisture, temperature fluctuations, cleaning chemicals, and the need for slip safety means that not all tiles are suitable for bathroom use. Here is what to look for:

• Water absorption: Wall tiles should have water absorption below 6% (ceramic) or 0.5% (porcelain). Floor tiles should be porcelain with water absorption below 0.5% for maximum moisture resistance.
• Slip resistance: Floor tiles must achieve DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) above 0.42 when wet. For shower floors, look for R10 or R11 anti-slip ratings.
• Chemical resistance: Tiles should be resistant to cleaning chemicals, personal care products, and mild acids. Look for Chemical Resistance Class A or B.
• Frost resistance: Not required for indoor bathrooms, but important for outdoor shower areas.

Best Tiles for Bathroom Floors

Bathroom floors require slip resistance above all else. Our top recommendations:

Tile Type	Size	Finish	Why It Works
Porcelain GVT	600x600mm	Matt	Slip-resistant, durable, easy to clean, wide design range
Porcelain GVT	600x1200mm	Matt	Large format for seamless spa-like look, fewer grout lines
Porcelain GVT	300x600mm	Rustic	Manageable size, high slip resistance, easy to cut around fittings

Avoid glossy or polished tiles on bathroom floors — their smooth surface becomes dangerously slippery when wet. Save the gloss for the walls.

Best Tiles for Bathroom Walls

Bathroom walls are primarily aesthetic — slip resistance is not a concern, so you have more design freedom. Our top recommendations:

• 300x600mm Glossy Ceramic: The classic bathroom wall tile. Smooth, easy-clean surface. Available in a huge range of colours and patterns. Reflects light to brighten the bathroom. Laid vertically (600mm height) to create a sense of height.
• 600x1200mm Porcelain Matt or Polished: For a contemporary, spa-like bathroom. Large format reduces grout lines for a seamless look. Polished finish adds luxury; matt finish adds calm.
• 300x600mm Carving Ceramic: For a feature wall behind the bath or vanity. The three-dimensional relief adds texture and visual interest.

Shower Area: Special Considerations

The shower area requires the most careful tile selection in the bathroom:

• Shower walls: Glossy ceramic or porcelain tiles are ideal — their smooth, non-porous surface resists mould and is easy to clean. Ensure all joints are grouted with epoxy grout for maximum water resistance.
• Shower floor: Use small-format anti-slip tiles (300x300mm or mosaic) that allow for adequate drainage slope while providing maximum grip. The smaller the tile, the more grout lines — and more grout lines mean more grip on a sloped surface.
• Waterproofing: Always apply a waterproofing membrane to shower walls and floors before tiling. Tiles alone are not waterproof — water can penetrate through grout joints if the substrate is not waterproofed.

Grout Selection for Bathrooms

Grout is often overlooked but is critical in bathrooms. Standard cement grout is porous and can harbour mould and bacteria. For bathrooms, we strongly recommend:

• Epoxy grout: Non-porous, mould-resistant, stain-resistant, and extremely durable. More expensive than cement grout but worth the investment in wet areas.
• Matching grout colour: Choose a grout colour that closely matches the tile to minimise the visual impact of grout lines and create a more seamless appearance.

Livenza Granito Bathroom Tile Recommendations

Our most popular bathroom tile combinations:

• Classic White Bathroom: 300x600mm Bianco Glossy ceramic walls + 600x600mm Arctic White Matt porcelain floor. Timeless, bright, easy to maintain.
• Luxury Spa Bathroom: 600x1200mm Statuario Polished porcelain walls + 600x600mm Tundra Grey Matt porcelain floor. Dramatic marble-look with practical slip-resistant floor.
• Contemporary Grey Bathroom: 600x1200mm Armani Grey Matt porcelain walls + 600x600mm Concrete Grey Anti-Slip porcelain floor. Modern, sophisticated, low-maintenance.