skip to main content

BATHROOM TILES STARTING POINT

3 years ago

Hi Everyone!

I have a few questions about laying out my tiles. I’m using 4x12 matte white subway tiles, vertically stack with alternating row (see my inspiration photo). Also, I’m using white grout with 1/8” spacing. I did 2 illustrations of how I would think the tiles would look best. Could you give me some pointers on which is the best start point and why.

Inspiration photo:

Illustration 1:

Full tiles on both bottom and top. However the top roll will have a slightly thicker gap between the the ceiling on one side. My grout is white.

My questions are:

Do I start tile at the center and work my way out. The tiles on both ends will have even width tiles. This will be applied to all the other walls.
Do I start on one end and work to the other end. The tile on the finished end will be cut. Do I start the next wall with the same cut tiles and just continue on.

Illustration 2:

Bottom and top row tiles are cut because the staring point will be at the top edge of tub.

Thank you in advance for any advise.

Anna

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

weedyacres
3 years ago
Horizontal: I would take your top row and shift it to the right just enough to have a full tile on the far right side (or to the left to have a full tile on the left). Eliminate the slivers. That would shift the next row down over by the same amount, which means your beginning and end tiles on that row are different widths. This doesn't matter.

Vertical: I would do illustration #2 to make the 3rd row even with the tub. That also allows you some flexibility on the top row to cut the tiles to fit an uneven ceiling. If you're planning on full tiles and the ceiling slants up, you'll have a gap.

Corners: Tiles should "wrap" around corners. So when you come to the end of a horizontal row, and cut the tile to fit, the drop piece should be the first piece on the adjoining wall. When you caulk the corners (no grout!), use one that matches the tile and it will look like the tiles wrap around the corner.
Related Discussions
Bathroom remodel..where to start?
Q
Comments (5)
ug, that color is AWFUL! you have my sympathy. my friend had that tan in her bathroom combined with yellow tile and yellow and brown speckled linoleum. very very bad. i know what you mean about needing the bathtub...with a 1 year old you could use the kitchen sink...but with a 3 year old you really need the tub. when we were renovating our only bath, our 2 year old took baths in the laundry tub, which was a great adventure for her. is that a possibility for you? i can't imagine what would even go with that tan color..but if you were interested in a tile bathroom, you could do white in the rest of the bathroom (white tile, toilet, sink) and leave the tub and tub surround where they are. then in a few years you could tackle the tub and surround hiding it with a shower curtain in the meantime (or bathfitter). when your kids are older they would probably be ok using a temporary shower in the basement. one bathroom homes are hard...we picked a house with two baths needing renovation this time, just so we wouldn't have the "one bath" problem again. good luck kren
...See More
Tile most of the bathroom or tile the entire bathroom?
Q
Comments (17)
Sumod- The medicine cabinets are simple wood frames with a cabinet-grade plywood back that just sit in the stud cavity. Because of the dimensions, the front of the frame projects about 1"+ beyond the finished wall. The medicine cabinet doors are also plywood with veneered edges and they are attached to the frame with standard cabinet hinges (Euro hinges). The mirrors are just 1/4" plate glass ordered to size from a glass shop and held in place with mirror mastic and a metal strip at the bottom that you don't really see. The guy who did the cabinets just made the medicine cabinets as part of the job. I don't know about the door brand...we live in a large metro area that has lots of door shops and the doors are just solid core maple doors with the center cut out and a maple panel held in with molding. They're not stained; they simply have a couple coats of clear spray lacquer.
...See More
master bathroom tile help! I don’t even know where to start
Q
Comments (3)
HI Mary, have you considered saving money using white tiles topped with a show-stopper, multi-color border or "chest-rail"? This way you get your color on the walls that you can even replace down the line if wish without redoing the whole wall. For the floor, we picked the brown from the wall and did small 1" mosaic-style so would add grout traction (very important on shower floors: do with a rougher finish tile if can) I don't know where you are but check out this approach we did here in the Southwest. Granted, it's Spanishy, but you could do something more quiet that matches your overall home style.
...See More
Bathroom tiles- starting out- size color- guidance
Q
Comments (27)
If possible, draw elevations of your bathroom where you will have tiles, and then draw the tiles to scale to see whether you like the size/proportion. The 12x24 tiles are very common and should work well, but I would be interested in seeing how the 15x30 tiles would fit. I put 24x24 tiles in the showers in both bathrooms in Cathedral City, and I like that size a lot. The installers told me that the larger tiles were easier to install, but each tile is a bit heavy - to me. You can get an idea of how 12x24 tiles would look by cutting these in half. The less grout you have, the easier it is to keep the tiles clean.
...See More

Related Stories

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Tile Creates an Artistic Focal Point in This Serene Bathroom

By Camille LeFevre

A neutral color palette, sculptural tub and wall of curving tile set the tone in this California bathroom

TILE How Tiny Tiles Can Elevate Your Bathroom’s Style

Thanks to their ability to add texture and subtle pattern, petite hexagonal and penny tiles may be here to stay

BATHROOM DESIGN 10 Top Tips for Getting Bathroom Tile Right

By By Any Design Ltd.

Good planning is essential for bathroom tile that's set properly and works with the rest of your renovation. These tips help you do it right

BATHROOM DESIGN Get Creative With Your Bathroom Floor Tile

By Ventana Construction LLC

Add movement, definition and interest to a humble bathroom floor by sidestepping uniform tile in favor of an unusual design

REMODELING GUIDES What to Know Before Starting a Bathroom Project

By Georgia Madden

A design pro answers the question ‘What 3 things do you wish every client understood?’

BATHROOM DESIGN Polish Your Bathroom's Look With Wrapped Tile

By By Any Design Ltd.

Corner the market on compliments for your bathroom renovation by paying attention to where the walls meet and the edges round

BEFORE AND AFTERS Green Mermaid Tile and a New Layout Boost a Dated Pink Bathroom

By Mitchell Parker

This now-airy Whidbey Island bathroom features a soaking tub, a walk-in shower, heated floors and an expanded water view

BATHROOM DESIGN 10 Bathrooms With Statement-Making Tile

By Gwendolyn Purdom

Tiles with bold patterns, surprising textures and rich colors make these bathrooms stand out

BATHROOM DESIGN Floor Tile Options for a Stylish Bathroom

From the countless choices of bathroom tile available, we focus on some of the best looks for the floor

BATHROOM DESIGN How Much of Your Bathroom Should You Tile?

When it comes to tiling, there are several options depending on your budget and room design

Sponsored

More Discussions

Why would anyone use tile and grout in a shower??

15

plumbingoverstock.com?

0

change design of bathroom

0

quartz tub surround

4

bathroom rug location

1