How to Choose the Right Tile for Bathroom and Kitchen Renovations
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Plaza Ontario
1. Start With Your Personal Style
The best tile choice starts with your vision.
Do you want your space to feel bright and timeless? Warm and natural? Bold and dramatic? Clean and modern? Your tile should match the overall mood you want to create.
Colour and texture play a huge role here. Soft neutrals, stone-inspired finishes, warm earthy tones, and subtle veining can create a classic look that won’t feel dated quickly. Darker colours, polished finishes, dramatic veining, or unique mosaics can create a more bold and luxurious feel.
The key is finding a balance between your personal style and a look that will still feel beautiful years from now.
2. Think About Tile Size and Layout
Tile size can make a big impact on the final look of your bathroom or kitchen.
Large-format tile, like 24″×48″, can make a space feel more open, seamless, and modern because there are fewer grout lines. This can be especially beautiful on shower walls, bathroom floors, kitchen floors, feature walls, and backsplashes.
Smaller tiles can add detail, texture, and grip where needed. For example, many homeowners choose a small mosaic or hexagon tile for a shower floor, then pair it with a larger complementary tile on the shower walls.
You can also mix sizes to create a custom look, such as:
- large-format tile on shower walls
- mosaic tile on the shower floor
- a coordinating tile inside the shower niche
- statement backsplash tile behind a vanity or kitchen counter
- large floor tile paired with a smaller decorative accent
Blending tile sizes can help your renovation feel more intentional and designer-inspired.
3. Choose the Right Tile Material
Not all tile is built the same.
Bathrooms and kitchens are high-use spaces, so your tile needs to be beautiful and practical. Water, moisture, stains, cleaning products, and everyday wear all matter when choosing the right material.
Common tile options include porcelain, ceramic, glass, marble, natural stone, and mosaics.
Porcelain is one of the most popular choices for bathroom and kitchen renovations because it is durable, versatile, and available in a wide range of colours, patterns, and finishes. It can replicate the look of stone, marble, concrete, or other natural materials while offering strong everyday performance.
Natural stone and marble can be beautiful, but they may require more maintenance and sealing depending on the product and where it is being installed.
That’s why it helps to work with a showroom team that can explain which tile is best for floors, walls, showers, backsplashes, and other applications.
4. Consider the Finish
The finish of your tile affects both the look and the function of the space.
A polished tile can create a bright, reflective, high-end look. It is often used for walls, feature spaces, bathrooms, and areas where homeowners want a more luxurious finish.
A matte or honed finish can feel softer, more natural, and more understated. These finishes can also be a great choice when you want a calmer, spa-inspired feel.
For wet areas like shower floors, slip resistance is also important. That’s why smaller mosaics or textured finishes are often used in those areas.
Before choosing your tile, think about where it will be installed and how the finish will perform in that space.
5. Don’t Forget Grout, Transitions, and Details
Tile is not only about the tile itself.
Grout colour, spacing, trim, edging, transitions, and layout details can all affect the finished result.
A matching grout can create a more seamless look, while a contrasting grout can highlight the shape or pattern of the tile. Trim and edging help finish corners, niches, and transitions cleanly. Proper planning can make the difference between a renovation that looks good and one that feels professionally designed.
These details are especially important in showers, backsplashes, and feature walls where everything is highly visible.
6. See Samples in Person Before You Decide
Photos are helpful, but tile should always be seen in person when possible.
Lighting, texture, finish, and scale can look different in a showroom than they do online. Seeing tile in person allows you to compare colours, feel the surface, and better understand how the tile will work in your space.
At Plaza Ontario in Windsor, our showroom gives you the chance to explore tile options up close and get guidance from our team before making your final decision.
7. Shop Tile That Fits Your Budget
Great design doesn’t have to mean overspending.
Right now, Plaza Ontario has a new versatile new porcelain tile line available in 24″×48″ and on sale for just $2.99/sq ft.
This large-format tile is available in both light and dark tones, with options ranging from subtle lines to more dramatic movement. It’s a beautiful choice for bathroom floors, shower walls, kitchen floors, feature walls, and more.
If you’re planning a bathroom or kitchen renovation, this is a great opportunity to get a modern, high-end tile look at an excellent price.
Start Your Bathroom or Kitchen Renovation at Plaza Ontario
Choosing tile can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At Plaza Ontario, our experienced team can help you compare styles, choose the right tile for your project, and plan your renovation from start to finish. From tile and flooring to backsplashes, countertops, and professional installation, we can help bring your vision together.
Book a free design consultation this summer and receive $200 OFF your renovation when you spend $2,000 or more.
Installation required. Some qualifications apply.
Visit our showroom to shop tile on sale and start planning your bathroom or kitchen renovation today.
📍 Plaza Ontario
1641 Provincial Rd, Windsor
📞 (519) 966-4213
Ready to Transform Your Home?
From tile and flooring to countertops and more, Plaza Ontario offers everything you need to transform your home with confidence. Our experienced team will help you navigate options, designs, and installation so your renovation feels seamless from start to finish. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.