As a rule, there is no better treatment for protecting bathroom walls than cladding them with either ceramic or porcelain tiles. These types of wall tiles help prevent water damage thanks to their moisture-proof properties as well as being easy to clean. In an environment such as the bathroom which is all about hygiene that’s important.
Contemporary trends in bathroom décor are treating the bathroom more as a habitable room where different fittings and finishes and combined in imaginative ways. So, the choice between the half-tiled bathroom or the fully tiled bathroom is down to the look and feel you want to create. Here below we are going to first look at the Pros and Cons of each approach and then provide some inspiration design ideas for each option.
Gent Roble 19.3×180 cm
Viola Rosse Silk 120×120 cm
Glem White Nature 120×270 cm
Glem White Nature 120×120 cm
While completely tiled bathrooms create a more traditional and classic style ambience, the half-tiled bathroom is more characterful. There is more of an opportunity to be playful and creative with the half-tiled bathroom without sacrificing the advantages of wall tiles. This is equally true for half-bathroom tile ideas as for family bathrooms and ensuites. For larger layouts that include alcoves and irregular corners covering the bathroom walls in tiles completely can help to integrate the space and make it feel more cohesive. Similarly, half-tiled bathrooms can make a smaller space appear more visually interesting and warmer.
Cost is not the only, or even the most significant, factor when deciding between a fully-tiled or half-tiled bathroom. In fact, the half-tile bathroom is an excuse to spend more money on a feature tile. However, one thing is for sure: the wet areas of the bathroom need to be tiled to protect the walls. This usually means the shower cubicle or enclosure, the bathtub and the area around the washbasin (WHB). The following criteria should be considered when deciding on fully-tiled or half-tiled bathroom walls.
▶ Tip: Follow this link for advice on how to tile a bathroom.
One of the main advantages of fully tiling the walls in the bathroom, especially with porcelain tiles, is their waterproofing qualities. There is simply no better way of protecting the walls from dampness. But there are several other reasons why the fully tiled bathroom is recommended, both practically and aesthetically:
▶ Tip: Combine plain and patterned or feature tiles in a balanced scheme to avoid visual overload.
By combining tiles with other wall coverings, you can delineate different areas in the bathroom or simply create a focal point. This combination can be configured in a number of different ways. It can be a feature wall panel or a continuous wainscotting around the bathroom wall perimeter. Unlike the fully tiled bathroom, it means combing more than one wall finish. There are endless possibilities, so let your imagination run wild.
@plan_2000
▶ Related products:
Buy high-quality, designer wall tiles from the comfort of your own home.
When we refer to the half-tiled bathroom, we generally mean tiling from the floor level to the wainscot level, one-third the height of the ceiling. Most UK bathrooms measure between 2.45 and 2.75 metres in height (between 8 and 9 feet) so the wainscot is approximately 90 cm off the bathroom floor. However, the configuration of your bathroom might work better with floor-to-ceiling wall tiles in certain areas combined with other wall finishes. These areas would typically be the shower or bath enclosure, the backsplash behind a vanity unit or a feature wall.
The following ideas are a great source of inspiration for either traditional or modern half-tiled bathroom walls. The combination of more than one material on the surrounding walls is the key to stamping your own personal preference on the bathroom space.
@gwenhoopman_interiors
#01 Wall Tiles & Wallpaper: Pair ceramic tiles to the wainscot level with a wallpaper design on the upper section of bathroom walls. Match plain tiles (such as metro tiles) and decorative wallpaper patterns to add a more personal creative touch. You can take risks with the colour and motifs because wallpaper in bathroom décor is comparatively easy to replace.
#02 Three-quarters tiled wall: Instead of the standard wainscot height bring the wall tiles to the three-quarters height mark. The remaining wall surface offers an opportunity for a decorative flourish with paint. This option works well in the shower enclosure as well, because water splashes will not reach higher than the three-quarters point.
#03 Wall Tiles & Timber: To create a more traditional bathroom aesthetic pair the half-tiled wall treatment with shiplap cladding. The timber cladding can be real-wood or timber-effect for a more moisture-proof finish. The warmth and tactile quality of the timber when contrasted against the ceramic finish makes for a powerful pairing in bathrooms.
#04 Half Tile Bath Wall: Tiles are a great tool for drawing attention to a bathroom artefact. The built-in bath can become a bathroom feature with a decorative tile treatment as a bath panel. Or alternatively, as a framing device to above the height of the rim to highlight a freestanding bathtub.
#05 Bathroom half-wall tile partition: Make a statement within a larger bathroom where the shower enclosure is separated from the rest of the bathroom with a half-wall. The tiled half wall in bathroom configurations provides a solid base for a glass shower screen and partition.
The classic fully tiled bathrooms that we see in hotels and interior design magazines are highly seductive. The aesthetic appeal of a fully tiled bathroom is only matched by the practical advantages of ceramic (or porcelain) wall tiles. For a wet room for example you need to provide a fully tiled bathroom that will protect all surfaces. And in smaller bathrooms that combine a separate shower enclosure and a bath together with a vanity unit, the tiles help unify the space, where tiles are required to protect the walls from moisture and damp penetration.
#01 Home Spa: Large format wall tiles in marble-effect finish or more neutral colour tones ooze luxury in the bathroom. The continuous wall surfaces create a spa-like ambience where the fittings and the accessories take centre stage, just like a hotel or professional spa.
#02 Mix & Match: Get the half-tiled visual effect bathroom with two contrasting tiles. This approach works especially well with contrasting tile dimensions and finishes. Large and small, gloss and matt, plain and coloured, the contrast between the tiles adds visual interest.
#03 Spatial Perception: Standard rectangular wall tiles can alter the perception of space depending on the way the tiles are laid. In the vertical direction, bringing the tiles up to the ceiling makes the bathroom appear much taller.
#04 Neutral Colour Scheme: For an understated ambience that evokes timeless quality without the drama clad the entire bathroom with an off-white or cream tile. A plain tile can highlight designer artefacts such as vanity units, WCs and freestanding baths.
We have reviewed the differences between the half-tiled wall bathroom and the fully tiled bathroom. The look can be radically different. No matter which option you choose, visit our online shop, where you can find a wide range of finishes, shapes, and colours. Alternatively, you can visit your nearest Porcelanosa showroom, where our sales advisors will be delighted to welcome you and help you find the perfect tiles for your bathroom.
