If you’re planning bathroom renovations and have a small space to work with, you might wonder about tile choices. Should you pick small tiles or large tiles? This question comes up often at Andrade Renovations, and the answer might surprise you.
Large format tiles can transform smaller bathrooms completely, making them look bigger, brighter, and more stylish. Let’s look at how these tiles work and why they might be perfect for your project.
What Are Large Format Tiles?
Large format tiles are much bigger than standard bathroom tiles. Normal floor tiles might be 10cm x 10cm, but large format tiles can be 30cm x 60cm, 60cm x 60cm, or even bigger.
These large tiles come in many materials – porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, and tiles that look like marble or wood. You can use them as floor tiles, wall tiles, or both in your small bathroom.
How Large Tiles Make Small Bathrooms Look Bigger
Fewer Grout Lines Create More Floor Space
The main trick with large format tiles is simple – they need fewer grout lines. When you have lots of small tiles, you get grout lines everywhere. These lines break up the space and make your eye stop and start.
With large tiles, you get far fewer grout lines. This creates a cleaner surface that makes your small bathroom look bigger and flow better. Large-format tile requires fewer grout lines, which makes a small space feel more cohesive and spacious.
Better Visual Flow
Large tiles help create what interior design experts call “visual flow.” Your eye moves smoothly around the room without lots of tile joints interrupting it. When you walk into a bathroom with large format tiles, the space feels more open.
This works especially well when you use the same large tiles on both the floor and bathroom wall. This seamless look can make even tiny bathrooms feel much more spacious.
Reflecting Natural Light Better
Many large format tiles have polished or glossy finishes. These surfaces reflect natural light better than smaller tiles with lots of grout lines. More reflected light means a brighter bathroom, and brighter spaces always feel bigger.
Even matte finish large tiles reflect more light than lots of small tiles. This matters most in smaller bathrooms where natural light might be limited.
Practical Benefits for Bathroom Renovations
Much Easier to Clean
Large tiles aren’t just about looks – they’re practical too. Fewer grout lines means less grout to clean. Grout is the hardest part to keep clean, especially around the shower enclosure where moisture builds up.
More Hygienic
Grout lines trap bacteria and moisture. With large format tiles, you have fewer problem areas. This makes your bathroom cleaner and helps prevent mould and mildew.
Quicker Installation
For installers like our team at Andrade Renovations, large tiles can be faster to install. Fewer tiles mean fewer pieces to cut and place, which can save time and reduce costs for your bathroom renovations.
Design Options with Large Format Tiles
Colour Palette Choices
Large tiles work with any colour palette:
- Light colours (whites, creams, light greys) reflect more light and make the space feel bigger
- Dark colours (charcoals, blacks, navy) create drama and luxury
- Natural tones (beiges, warm greys, browns) create a calming feel
Pick a colour palette that works with your bathroom furniture and personal style.
Layout Patterns for Small Bathroom Ideas
You can arrange large format tiles in different ways to create an eye catching design:
| Pattern Type | Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Straight lay | Clean, simple, modern | Most small bathrooms |
| Brick/offset | Adds subtle interest | Longer, narrow bathrooms |
| Diagonal | Makes square rooms feel bigger | Square small bathrooms |
| Vertical stack | Makes ceiling look higher | Low-ceiling bathrooms |
Working with Bathroom Furniture
Large format tiles work perfectly with wall mounted bathroom furniture. A wall hung vanity unit with large tiles creates an eye catching design that maximises floor space. This combination is one of the best small bathroom ideas.
In shower enclosures, large format tiles create a spa-like feel. They work well with modern shower heads and make compact shower areas feel luxurious. Large tiles also provide a perfect backdrop for open shelving and towel rails.
Current Trends
Textured natural stone tiles are popular for floor tiles in 2025. Materials like slate and limestone bring an earthy feel without overwhelming a small bathroom.
Marble effect tiles stay popular thanks to realistic prints and easy maintenance. Large format marble-effect tiles can give your small bathroom a luxury hotel feel.
Wood-look large format tiles are trending in interior design. These give wood’s warmth with ceramic’s practicality. They work especially well in smaller bathrooms because they create a flowing look.
Installation and Care
Professional Installation Matters
Installing large format tiles needs skill and experience. These tiles are heavier and need special handling. Poor installation can lead to cracked tiles or uneven surfaces.
When picking an installer for your bathroom renovations, look for experience with large format tiles in small spaces, proper tools, and good references.
Easy Daily Care
Large format tiles are easy to keep clean. A quick wipe with a damp cloth after use prevents water spots, especially around the shower enclosure. For deeper cleaning, use pH-neutral cleaners.
Even with less grout, the grout you have still needs care. Seal grout lines to prevent staining and moisture problems.
Cost and Value
Large format tiles might cost more upfront, but consider the total project cost including labour. Time saved in installation can offset higher tile costs in your bathroom renovations budget.
Quality large format tiles last decades with proper care. This makes them a good long-term investment. A well-designed bathroom with quality large tiles adds significant value to your home and creates an eye catching design feature.
Environmental Benefits
Many large format tiles now come in eco-friendly options. Recycled glass tiles are leading sustainable floor tiles trends, made from recycled glass in many colours.
Because large format tiles last so long, they reduce the need for future bathroom renovations. This makes them an environmentally smart choice for your small space.
Making Your Choice
Large format tiles can transform your small bathroom, but they’re not right for everyone. Think about your personal style, budget, and long-term plans. Consider how they’ll work with your bathroom furniture, colour palette, and overall interior design.
The key is working with experienced professionals who can help you pick the right tiles and install them properly. Whether you want a spa-like retreat with wall mounted fixtures and natural light, or a practical family bathroom with smart storage like open shelving and towel rails, large format tiles could make your small space feel bigger, brighter, and more beautiful.
At Andrade Renovations, our team has lots of experience with large format tile installation in smaller bathrooms throughout Suffolk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What size tiles count as “large format” for small bathrooms?
A: Large format tiles start at 30cm x 30cm and can go up to 120cm x 60cm or bigger. The most popular sizes for small bathrooms are 60cm x 30cm and 60cm x 60cm. These give space-enhancing benefits without being too hard to work with in tight spaces. They work well as both floor tiles and wall tiles.
Q: Do large format tiles work in a shower enclosure?
A: Yes, large format tiles work brilliantly in shower enclosures. They create fewer grout lines, which means less maintenance and a cleaner look. Make sure to use proper waterproofing and pick tiles with good slip resistance for wet areas. Your installer should plan the layout carefully to minimise cuts around the shower head and fixtures.
Q: Do large tiles work with wall mounted bathroom furniture?
A: Absolutely! Large format tiles work perfectly with wall hung vanity units and wall mounted storage. This combination maximises floor space and creates an eye catching design that makes small bathrooms feel much larger. The clean lines of large tiles provide an excellent backdrop for modern bathroom furniture.
Q: How do large format tiles help with natural light in small bathrooms?
A: Large format tiles can really improve how natural light works in your small bathroom. Their bigger surface area reflects light better than smaller tiles, and fewer grout lines mean less interruption to light reflection. Glossy finishes work especially well for maximising natural light, though even matte large tiles improve light distribution compared to smaller tiles.
For more information about bathroom renovations and examples of our work with large format tiles in small spaces, visit our bathroom renovation services page or contact our team at Andrade Renovations.
