How to Choose the Perfect Feature Tile for a Bathroom

bathroom grouted

Selecting the perfect feature tile for a bathroom can elevate your space from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you’re refreshing your bathroom with a minor update or tackling a full-scale renovation, feature tiles have the power to define your style and create a striking focal point. At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we know that choosing the right feature tile is no small task—it sets the tone, mood, and aesthetic of your entire bathroom.

To help navigate this important decision, we turned to one of the nation’s leading tile experts, Fiona Burford, Business Development Manager at Lifestyle Decorations. Fiona works closely with industry professionals and homeowners to identify the latest tile trends and understand what truly works in real homes. With her expert insights, we’ll guide you through the key considerations for selecting a feature tile that complements your space, suits your budget, and stands the test of time.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know—from choosing the right size and material to understanding colour and texture combinations. Whether you’re aiming for timeless elegance or a bold, contemporary look, keep reading to discover how to choose the best feature tile to transform your bathroom into a space you’ll love.

What Colours Do You Like?

With thousands of bathroom feature tiles available, narrowing down your colour palette is the first step in choosing the right tile. This should be a relatively simple decision, as your colour choices will set the tone and mood of your bathroom.

If you already have a definitive colour palette, you’ve instantly filtered out hundreds of options. However, if you’re undecided, take inspiration from the latest colour trends and bathroom tile trends. Trending shades include:

  • Timeless Whites: Clean, bright, and never out of style.
  • Versatile Greys: Neutral and sophisticated, perfect for modern spaces.
  • Calming Blues: Soft, ocean-inspired tones ideal for spa-like bathrooms.
  • Natural Greens: Earthy and refreshing, creating a serene retreat.
  • Warm Beiges & Taupes: Bringing warmth and a cosy ambience.

Fiona highlights how colour plays a crucial role in bathroom design: “Feature tiles should complement, not compete with, the rest of your space. Rich hues like deep greens, blues, and terracotta create a cosy, intimate feel, while neutral tones such as beige, taupe, and soft grey offer subtle elegance. Glossy tiles reflect light beautifully, making small bathrooms feel more spacious, while ribbed, fluted, or handmade-effect tiles add a tactile, handcrafted appeal.”

To find the perfect colour scheme, draw inspiration from tile trends on Pinterest and Instagram, or explore local tilers and interior designers for real-life examples.

For my most recent bathroom renovation, I chose white and grey tiles, with subway tiles as my feature tile. I wanted a modern yet timeless look that wouldn’t feel outdated in ten years. If you’re unsure about longevity, sticking with a neutral base—like white, grey, or beige—allows you to add pops of colour through accessories, towels, or accents.

What Bathroom Design Style Will You Choose?

Hopefully, you have an idea of the colour palette in mind so you can now move on to think about your bathroom design style.

Style is a personal decision, and there’s no right or wrong choice. However, choosing a design based solely on current trends could lead to regret down the track. Instead, it’s worth considering a timeless aesthetic that will still look great in years to come.

Your design style plays a major role in determining the best feature tile for your bathroom.

  • If you love traditional or country-inspired bathrooms, you’ll be drawn to decorative feature tiles like the Esty, Isla, Richmond Elizabeth, or Heritage Aster Green feature tiles. These options offer timeless elegance and endure over time.
  • If you prefer a modern or contemporary aesthetic, you’ll likely opt for sleek and understated designs. Subway tiles, for example, have been a timeless choice since the 1970s. They remain one of the most popular feature tiles, offering a clean, contemporary look that never dates.

To provide expert insight, we turned to Fiona Burford, Business Development Manager at Lifestyle Decorations, a leading distributor of decorative and architectural tiles in Australia. Fiona shares:

“The overall style of your bathroom should guide your feature tile choice. If you’re going for a modern look, sleek matte finishes or subtle textures in neutral tones work beautifully. For a more luxurious feel, consider bold marble-look tiles or high-gloss finishes in deep jewel tones like emerald green or navy. Handmade-look tiles and soft pastels bring vintage charm, while stone-effect or travertine tiles help create a spa-like, natural retreat,” notes Fiona.

subway bathroom feature tile
I chose subway tiles for my bathroom feature tile

The same rules apply to all bathroom design styles. You will find some tiles are better suited to a particular style than others. If you have trouble matching a feature tile to your bathroom style, head into Ross’s Discount Home Centre, and we will guide you through some options.

Once you know the style of design and have a feature tile to suit your style, you can then narrow down the choice by selecting one that complements your colour palette.

Where to Place Feature Tiles for Maximum Impact

A well-placed feature tile can transform an ordinary bathroom into a visually stunning space. Instead of overpowering the room, feature tiles should be used strategically to create a focal point while maintaining balance and harmony.

Fiona shares her expert advice on how to maximise the impact of feature tiles: “Feature tiles work best when they highlight a key area rather than overpowering the space. A floor-to-ceiling shower wall creates a bold statement, while a vanity splashback introduces colour and texture in a more subtle way. Niches and recessed shelves are also great opportunities to use contrasting tiles, adding depth and personality to your bathroom.”

Here are the best feature tile placements to enhance your bathroom’s design:

  • Shower Walls: A floor-to-ceiling feature tile in the shower creates a luxurious statement while adding depth and visual interest.
  • Vanity Backsplash: A pop of colour or texture behind the sink brings style and contrast to the vanity area.
  • Freestanding Bathtub Backdrop: Highlighting the wall behind a bathtub with feature tiles enhances the spa-like atmosphere.
  • Niches & Recessed Shelves: Adding contrasting tiles inside niches creates a striking accent while providing a practical storage solution.

What Size Bathroom Tile is Best?

When selecting the perfect feature tile, it’s not just about colour and style—size matters too. While secondary to other design elements, tile size impacts the overall aesthetics, maintenance, and functionality of your bathroom.

If you’re unsure which size to choose, consider how it interacts with other tiles in your bathroom. A well-chosen tile size ensures a balanced design, preventing the space from feeling too busy or overwhelming.

As Fiona explains, choosing the right tile size plays a key role in achieving the desired visual effect: “Larger tiles can create a seamless, modern feel with fewer grout lines, while smaller tiles add texture and character—perfect for shower niches, splashbacks, or feature walls.”

How to Choose the Right Feature Tile Size:

  • Consider Placement: If your feature tile extends into the shower, a smaller tile means more grout lines, requiring extra cleaning. Larger tiles create a sleeker, low-maintenance finish.
  • Balance with Other Tiles: Use large-format tiles for floors or expansive walls and smaller tiles (e.g., subway tiles, hexagonal mosaics) for niches, splashbacks, or accent walls.
  • Create Contrast: Pairing large marble-effect tiles with textured mosaic tiles can highlight key areas without overwhelming the space.

If you can’t decide on a tile size, read through our comparison between large vs. small bathroom tiles to help you decide.

What’s Your Budget?

Lastly, and often the deciding factor in choosing a feature tile, is your budget. Unfortunately, what you envision for your feature tile and what your budget allows don’t always align.

In many cases—including my own bathroom renovation—it’s about finding a cost-effective alternative to achieve the look you love. This is especially important if you’re tiling a large area from floor to ceiling, where costs can quickly add up.

As Fiona explains, “Porcelain tiles are typically more expensive than ceramic tiles because of the materials, manufacturing process, and durability.” If your budget allows, porcelain is an excellent investment for feature tiles in wet areas or high-traffic bathrooms. However, for those looking for a budget-friendly option, ceramic tiles provide a stylish yet affordable alternative.

This is why subway tiles remain one of the most popular feature tile choices. They are:

  • Timeless: A classic choice that spans various design styles.
  • Versatile: Available in a range of sizes, colours, and finishes.
  • Affordable: Prices start as low as $30 per square metre, making them a cost-effective feature tile option.

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we offer a wide selection of both porcelain and ceramic feature tiles to suit every budget. Whether you’re looking for a luxury statement tile or a budget-friendly alternative, we have high-quality options to bring your vision to life.

Conclusion

Choosing the right feature tile for your bathroom is a significant decision. Start by selecting a colour palette, then narrow down your options by choosing a design style. From there, consider size and budget to make a final choice you’ll be pleased with for years to come.

For additional support, our helpful guide on wall tiles offers insights into choosing the best tiles for your bathroom walls, while our bathroom floor tile guide can help you achieve a balanced, cohesive look.

If you’re shopping for feature tiles in Perth, explore Ross’s Discount Home Centre’s extensive range. We offer tiles to match any style, size, and budget. Check out our online range or visit us in-store for expert guidance.

View our Online Feature Tile Range