Over the years, we’ve found that few things can make such a large impact in a space as beautiful tile. Because of this, it’s become one of our favorite things to select during our design process. It’s also a reason why we were so thrilled when Bria was named The Tile Shop’s first-ever brand ambassador (if you missed the announcement, click here). As a part of this partnership, we promised you all lots of fun, beautiful, and insightful content over the next year. We’re so excited to kick that off today with one of our favorite topics: choosing the perfect bathroom tile!

With so many different colors, patterns, and materials to play with, the possibilities for bathroom tile are truly endless! However, we know, this can sometimes make it extremely difficult to choose as well. So how do we select the right one? From our top tips of things to consider to a list of our favorite, timeless options we’ve put together BHI’s official guide to choosing the perfect bathroom tile.

Permanency: Since bathrooms are such high-traffic spaces, it’s important to choose a tile that is durable and can withstand the wear and tear over the years. Bathroom tile can be a little trickier because they also need to waterproof and work well with high levels of moisture. It’s important to consider the material and the location to make sure it’s right for your space! Here are our suggestions:

Floor tiles: Select a stronger, heavier tile that can endure weight and walking pressure. We typically select porcelain or ceramic.

Wall tiles: Since it will need to repel water, we recommend opting for a ceramic or glass tile for the walls.

Size: Larger floor tiles (i.e. 8 x 8”, 12 x 24”, etc.) can make a room seem bigger since the grout lines are less visible and won’t break the pattern. Smaller tiles (i.e. 1 x 1”, 2.25 x 2.25”, etc.) can be perfect for small, powder bathrooms and create a full, repetitious look.

Maintenance: Unfortunately, bathrooms are spaces that just have to get cleaned often. To make this chore easier, consider selecting a tile that is easier to clean and scrub. Ceramic and porcelain are by far the easiest to clean while glass and marble might be a little more temperamental with water spots and polishing.

Grout: Don’t leave this until the last minute! Playing with different color tile grouts can change the entire look of a space (i.e. white subway tile with a black grout vs. a white grout). We love to view it as a part of the entire tile design itself and it can truly make a difference!

Have fun with it: Use your bathroom as an opportunity to play with color, whimsy, and pattern! We’re firm believers that the small spaces in homes can end up having the biggest impact when designed thoughtfully. We strongly encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and dream up the bathroom you’ve always wanted! Looking for inspiration? Click here to read up on 6 bathroom trends you need to try now!

We know this is a lot of information we’ve thrown at you, so, as always, we recommend connecting with a tile professional if you have any questions or need additional guidance! Don’t know where to start with your project? Stop into your local Tile Shop and talk to one of their design experts!

Additional notes: This post is in collaboration with The Tile Shop, a brand we absolutely love and adore. All opinions are our own. To read more about Bria’s Brand Ambassadorship with The Tile Shop, click here.