How to Choose the Right Tiles for Your Bathroom Renovation in Brisbane or Gold Coast

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Wale
Categories: Bathroom Renovations

The right bathroom renovation tiles are porcelain for floors and wet areas, slip-resistant underfoot, sized to suit the room (large format to open up a small space, small tiles or mosaics where the floor needs to fall to a drain or for niches), and paired with a grout colour you can keep clean. Choose for safety and durability first, then style, and test samples at home before you commit.

1. Start with your bathroom space

Your tile choice should suit the size and shape of the room. In a small bathroom or ensuite, large tiles on the floor and walls reduce grout lines and make the space feel more open. In a bigger family bathroom with separate zones for the shower, bath and toilet, you can use a mix of tiles to define each area.

Tip: measure the room and think about where cuts will land. A good tiler sets out the layout so cut tiles sit in less visible places.

2. Bathroom renovation tiles compared

Tile type	Best for	Strengths	Watch out for
Porcelain	Floors, showers, walls	Dense, very low water absorption, handles heat and traffic	Harder to cut, sits higher in the range than ceramic
Ceramic	Walls and light-use areas	Huge range of colours and styles, easy to clean	Less hard-wearing on floors
Natural stone	Feature walls, luxury ensuites	Unique, premium look	Needs sealing and ongoing care
Glass	Feature strips and splashbacks	Reflects light beautifully	Can chip, not suited to floors
Mosaic	Niches, shower floors, feature panels	Follows falls to the drain, adds texture	More grout lines to clean

Not sure which suits your household? We can walk you through the options on site. Book a consultation.

3. Put safety and function first

Bathroom floors get wet, so slip resistance matters, especially with young children or older family members in the house. Look for floor tiles rated P3 or higher and ask about a higher rating for the shower floor. Matte and textured finishes give more grip than polished ones.

Water resistance matters too. Wet zones need porcelain or fully glazed tiles over a correctly installed waterproofing membrane. We are regularly called in to fix DIY jobs where the wrong tiles or a missing membrane have led to leaks and mould. Read more on why professional bathroom builders beat DIY.

4. Get the size and shape right

Large format tiles (600 x 600mm and up) are popular for good reason: they make small rooms feel larger and are quicker to clean. Mixing sizes and shapes adds interest:

• Mosaics or finger tiles in shower niches and on feature walls
• Vertical subway tiles to make a low ceiling feel taller
• Hexagonal tiles for a modern, geometric floor
• Herringbone or chevron layouts for a tailored look (expect more cuts and labour)

5. Choose the right colour and style

White, grey and beige are timeless and work with almost any style. For something more personal, try:

• Dark charcoal tiles with a timber-look vanity for a contemporary feel
• Soft green or pale blue for a relaxed coastal bathroom on the Gold Coast
• Patterned encaustic-look floor tiles for a heritage or eclectic look

Make sure feature tiles work with the rest of the palette. One hero tile is usually enough.

6. Do not overlook grout

Grout colour	Look	Maintenance
White	Clean and classic	Shows marks quickly
Grey	Modern and soft	Practical and forgiving
Black or charcoal	Bold, graphic	Hides dirt, can feel heavy in small rooms
Matched to tile	Seamless	Shows less contrast as it ages

Ask about sealing or a stain-resistant grout for showers and floors.

7. Plan the tile budget without surprises

Tile prices vary widely, but the tile itself is only part of the cost. What moves the total:

• Material: natural stone and premium porcelain sit at the higher end
• Size and format: large format tiles need a flatter substrate and more handling
• Pattern: herringbone, mosaics and feature walls take more time and cuts
• Extras: adhesive, waterproofing, trims and edge finishes
• Spares: order around 10 percent extra for cuts and future repairs

Spending on the floor and shower, then saving with simpler wall tiles, is a smart way to get a high-end look. A free on-site quote shows exactly where your tile budget goes.

8. Test samples before you buy

Tiles look different under showroom lights than in your home. Take samples home and look at them in daylight and at night, next to your vanity and paint colours. A grey that looks neutral in store can read warm or cool in your room.

9. Get expert help with your bathroom tiles

Choosing tiles can be overwhelming. Working with an experienced builder means the tiles, waterproofing and layout are planned together, so the finished bathroom looks right and lasts.

HEW Projects is based in Slacks Creek and renovates bathrooms across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Redlands and the Gold Coast. Local to us? See our Slacks Creek bathroom renovations. Planning the bigger picture? Read our bathroom renovations Gold Coast guide.

Ready to talk about your bathroom? HEW Projects is a QBCC-licensed builder (licence 15267396) and Master Builders Queensland member based in Slacks Creek. Book a free on-site quote or call 0420 266 652 and we will walk through your space, your ideas and your options.