Light or Dark: How to Choose the Best Bathroom Tiles

Pros of Dark Tiles

LOOKS MODERN AND DRAMATIC

If you are looking to create a bathroom with ultra-modern aesthetics and a bit of wow factor, dark tiles are a perfect place to start.

Dark bathroom tiles are elegant, dramatic and best of all, an easy inclusion in a contemporary bathroom. Use subway tiles like Stromboli Black in a herringbone pattern or opt for stylish and chic M. Classici Nero Marquinia tiles on the walls to incorporate the beauty of marble.

CAN MAKE THE SPACE LOOK BIGGER

A common misconception we hear is that you should never use dark tiles in a bathroom because it can make a room seem smaller than it is.

However, this is not true – dark tiles can actually be used in most bathrooms to enhance the feeling of space.

One way to give the illusion of more space is to keep the tiles a similar colour, style and size throughout the bathroom. This makes it seem like the walls and floors blend with one another and creates a space that seems larger.

GROUT THAT CONCEALS

Dark tiles and dark grout go hand in hand, which is great for those of us that are pedantic about keeping grout spotless.

Darker grout helps to conceal some of that grime in between bathroom cleans – but don’t get us wrong, it definitely still needs some TLC.

Cons of Dark Tiles

DARKENS THE SPACE

This might seem like an obvious point, but dark tiles don’t reflect light in the same way that lighter coloured tiles do. Therefore, dark tiles can make a space seem darker.

However, you can combat this issue by making the most of natural light, strategically placing mirrors to reflect more light or installing sconces and ceiling lights that brighten the space.

Pros of Light Tiles

KEEP THINGS FRESH AND AIRY

One of the major reasons white tiled bathrooms are so popular in modern homes is that they create a fresh, crisp and airy space, especially when you get the balance of natural light and accents right as well.

ROOM OF OPPORTUNITY

White or light tiles in your bathroom are great if you like to regularly redecorate your home, if you’re renting out your home to others, or if you like just a simple pop of colour, as it acts as a great neutral canvas to add a personal touch to.

TIMELESS STYLE

While the popularity of certain colour schemes and patterns tend to come and go, a light colour palette is a timeless, classic choice for any space.

Pair the classic aesthetics of white tiles with the minimalistic beauty of a textured shape and you have the Masia Blanco Gloss tile – a simple yet effective splashback tile for the wall behind your sink.

Cons of Light Tiles

CAN FEEL STERILE AND COLD

White and light-coloured tiles can convey cleanliness and contemporary style, but they can also come across as sterile and cold.

If your bathroom is feeling a little too much like a hospital instead of a soothing sanctuary within your home, try warming up the space with different tones in a neutral colour palette like the Lane Base White.

HARDER TO KEEP CLEAN

One of the main downfalls that people may point out with white tiles is that they can show dirt, grime, unclean grout more prominently than darker tile colours.

In terms of keeping grout clean, we do have one tip that may help your tile purchasing: we recommend using larger format tiles in your bathroom because less tiles used = less grout.