Choosing tiles for your home can seem simple until you start comparing sizes, materials, finishes, colours, ratings and prices. The right tiles can completely transform a space, but choosing the wrong product for a particular room can lead to maintenance issues, poor performance or an expensive replacement later.

If you’re wondering how to choose tiles, this guide covers the most important things to consider before buying tiles for your bathroom, kitchen, living areas, laundry or outdoor spaces.

1. Start With Where the Tiles Will Be Used

The first step in understanding how to choose tiles is identifying where they will be installed.

Different areas of your home have different requirements.

Bathroom Tiles

Bathrooms experience regular moisture and water exposure, so you need to consider slip resistance, water absorption and whether the tile is suitable for wet areas.

For bathroom walls, decorative and glossy tiles can create a bright and stylish appearance. For floors, look for products specifically suitable for bathroom flooring.

Kitchen Tiles

Kitchen tiles need to handle spills, food stains and regular cleaning.

Floor tiles should be durable and appropriate for foot traffic, while wall tiles and splashbacks can offer more flexibility in terms of colour, pattern and finish.

Living Areas

Large-format tiles are popular in living areas because they can create a clean, spacious appearance with fewer grout lines.

Consider the amount of foot traffic, furniture and maintenance when selecting your flooring.

Outdoor Areas

Outdoor tiles need to be specifically rated for external applications. Weather exposure, moisture, temperature changes and slip resistance should all be considered.

Never assume that a tile suitable for an indoor floor is automatically suitable for outdoor use.

2. Choose the Right Tile Material

Understanding tile materials is an important part of knowing how to choose tiles.

Common options include porcelain, ceramic, natural stone and other specialised tile products.

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are popular because they are generally dense, durable and available in a wide variety of colours, textures and designs.

They can replicate the appearance of:

• Natural stone
• Concrete
• Timber
• Marble
• Terrazzo

Porcelain tiles can be suitable for many residential applications, depending on the specific product.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are available in a huge range of colours, patterns and finishes.

They are commonly used for walls and selected flooring applications. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications to confirm whether a particular ceramic tile is suitable for your intended use.

Natural Stone Tiles

Natural stone such as marble, travertine and limestone can provide a distinctive, premium appearance.

However, natural stone may require more maintenance and sealing than manufactured tiles.

Before purchasing, ask about cleaning, sealing and ongoing maintenance requirements.

3. Think About Tile Size

Tile size can dramatically affect the appearance of a room.

Large-format tiles can make a room feel more open because there are fewer grout lines.

Smaller tiles can add texture, detail and visual interest.

For example:

Large tiles: Modern, spacious and minimal
Medium tiles: Versatile and balanced
Small tiles: Detailed, decorative and characterful

The size of the room doesn’t necessarily determine the size of tile you should use. Layout, grout lines, installation requirements and the overall design should also be considered.

4. Select the Right Tile Finish

Tile finish affects both appearance and functionality.

Common finishes include:

• Matte
• Gloss
• Satin
• Textured
• Polished
• Honed

A matte finish generally provides a softer, understated appearance and can make minor marks less noticeable.

A gloss finish reflects light and can help create a bright, polished appearance.

For flooring, always consider the tile’s slip-resistance rating and intended application rather than choosing based on appearance alone.

5. Don’t Choose Colour in Isolation

Tile colour can look completely different depending on lighting.

A beige tile that looks warm in a showroom may look cooler in your home. Similarly, a grey tile can appear significantly different under natural daylight compared with artificial lighting.

Before buying tiles:

1. Take samples home if possible.
2. Look at them during the day and evening.
3. Place them next to your cabinetry, walls and flooring.
4. Check how the colour works with your existing furniture.
5. Consider the colour of your grout.

This is one of the simplest ways to avoid choosing a tile that looks different from what you expected.

6. Consider Your Grout Colour

Grout is often overlooked when choosing tiles, but it can have a major effect on the finished appearance.

A matching grout colour creates a more seamless appearance.

A contrasting grout colour can emphasise the individual shape and pattern of each tile.

For example, white tiles with dark grout create a stronger geometric effect, while white tiles with matching grout create a more continuous appearance.

Grout maintenance should also be considered, particularly in kitchens, bathrooms and high-traffic areas.

7. Check Slip Resistance

If you’re learning how to choose tiles for your home, don’t overlook safety.

Floor tiles should be selected according to their intended application and relevant slip-resistance specifications.

This is especially important for:

• Bathrooms
• Showers
• Laundries
• Entryways
• Pool areas
• Outdoor entertaining areas

Ask your tile supplier for the relevant product specifications rather than relying only on whether the surface “feels” slippery.

8. Understand Tile Ratings and Specifications

Tiles can have different technical specifications depending on their intended use.

Before buying, ask about:

• Water absorption
• Slip resistance
• Abrasion resistance
• PEI rating where applicable
• Frost resistance where relevant
• Indoor or outdoor suitability
• Wall or floor suitability
• Recommended installation method

A tile that looks perfect may not be the right product for your particular application.

9. Calculate How Many Tiles You Need

Before placing an order, measure the area carefully.

For a simple rectangular floor:

Length × Width = Area

Then calculate how many tiles are required based on the tile size.

However, don’t order the exact calculated quantity.

Tiles need to be cut around walls, corners, doors and other obstacles. You should also account for breakages, cuts and future repairs.

Your installer or tile supplier can help determine the appropriate quantity and recommended allowance for your particular project.

10. Don’t Forget the Batch and Shade

Tiles are manufactured in batches, and slight variations in shade, calibre and appearance can occur.

Before installation, check that the boxes are from compatible batches and that the tiles are suitable for installation together.

If you need additional tiles later, the same colour or product may not look exactly identical if it comes from a different production batch.

Keeping spare tiles after installation can therefore be a smart idea.

11. Consider Maintenance

A beautiful tile isn’t necessarily the best tile for every lifestyle.

Ask yourself:

How much time do I want to spend cleaning and maintaining this surface?

Highly textured tiles may provide visual depth but can require more effort to clean.

Natural stone may require sealing and specialised maintenance.

Gloss tiles can be easy to wipe but may show fingerprints and water marks more clearly.

Choose a tile that matches your lifestyle, not just your Pinterest board.

12. Think About the Overall Design

Tiles should work with the rest of your home.

Consider:

• Kitchen cabinetry
• Benchtops
• Wall colours
• Timber flooring
• Bathroom fixtures
• Tapware
• Lighting
• Furniture
• Architectural style

If you’re designing an entire home, choose a consistent design direction rather than selecting every tile independently.

A simple neutral tile can often provide more flexibility over time than an extremely trend-driven design.

13. Compare Tile Prices Properly

When comparing prices, don’t look only at the cost per square metre.

Your total project cost can also include:

• Tile adhesive
• Grout
• Waterproofing
• Trims
• Sealers
• Labour
• Removal of existing tiles
• Floor preparation
• Delivery
• Wastage

A cheaper tile can sometimes become more expensive overall if it requires additional preparation or specialised installation.

14. Order Samples Before Making a Final Decision

One of the best tips for how to choose tiles is simple: see the product in your own space before committing to a large order.

A showroom provides controlled lighting and surroundings. Your home will have different natural light, wall colours and furniture.

If possible, view a physical sample in the actual room where the tile will be installed.

15. Ask Your Tile Supplier the Right Questions

Before purchasing, ask:

• Is this tile suitable for my intended area?
• Is it suitable for floors or walls?
• What is its slip rating?
• Is it suitable for wet areas?
• Is it suitable for outdoor use?
• Does it require sealing?
• How should it be cleaned?
• Is the colour consistent across batches?
• How much wastage should I allow?
• What grout and adhesive are recommended?
• Are matching trims or accessories available?

A reputable tile supplier should be able to help you understand the product specifications before you buy.

How to Choose Tiles: A Simple Checklist

If you want a quick process, use these steps:

Step 1: Decide where the tiles will be installed.

Step 2: Determine whether you need floor, wall, wet-area or outdoor tiles.

Step 3: Choose your preferred material.

Step 4: Select the tile size.

Step 5: Compare matte, gloss, polished and textured finishes.

Step 6: Choose a colour that works with your existing interior.

Step 7: Check slip resistance and technical specifications.

Step 8: Calculate the required quantity and allow for wastage.

Step 9: Compare the complete project cost, not just the tile price.

Step 10: Order samples before making your final decision.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to choose tiles is about more than finding a colour you like.

The best tile should balance appearance, durability, safety, maintenance, suitability and budget.

Whether you’re renovating a bathroom, updating your kitchen, replacing flooring or building a new home, taking the time to understand tile materials, sizes, finishes and specifications can help you make a confident decision.

If you’re looking for quality tiles in Perth, visit a reputable local tile supplier or showroom where you can compare different materials, finishes, sizes and designs in person.

The right tile isn’t simply the one that looks good in the showroom. It’s the one that works for your space and your lifestyle.