How to Choose Tiles for Your Home: A Practical Guide
Choosing the right tiles is one of the bigger decisions in any renovation. With so many options on offer, it is easy to feel unsure where to start. The tiles you pick change the look, feel and practicality of a room, so it pays to weigh up a few things first: current trends, the material, the tile size and how each room will be used.
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we understand the importance of selecting the right tiles to improve the look and function of your home. Our wide range of tiles in Perth and expert advice make it easier for you to find the right match for any room. Whether you’re renovating your bathroom, updating your kitchen, or revamping your living area, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process. Consider this your complete tile guide: the practical advice below will help you choose tiles that suit your style and last for years.
To choose tiles for your home, start with the room, then match the tile material, size, finish and slip rating to how the space will be used. Porcelain suits high-traffic floors, ceramic suits walls and splashbacks, matte or textured finishes work best in wet areas, and larger tiles can make open spaces feel cleaner and more seamless.
Start With Where The Tile Is Going
Before you look at colours or patterns, start with the room. A bathroom floor, kitchen splashback, living room floor and outdoor patio all ask different things from a tile. This is where I see people go wrong in the showroom. They fall in love with the look first, then we have to work backwards and check whether the tile suits the space.
The easiest way to choose tiles for your home is to match the tile to the job it has to do. Once the practical side is right, the style choices become much easier.
| Room Or Area | Best Tile Starting Point | Why It Works |
| Bathroom floor | Porcelain or non-slip floor tile with a matte, textured or anti-slip finish | Wet floors need grip, low water absorption and easy cleaning. |
| Bathroom wall | Ceramic or porcelain wall tile in gloss, satin, matte or textured finish | Walls give you more freedom because slip resistance is not the main concern. |
| Kitchen floor | Porcelain floor tile with a matte or lightly textured finish | Kitchens need a hard-wearing surface that cleans easily after spills and foot traffic. |
| Kitchen splashback | Ceramic, porcelain, mosaic or feature tile in an easy-clean finish | Splashbacks need easy cleaning, heat tolerance near cooktops and a style that ties into the benchtop. |
| Living area | Large-format porcelain or stone-look tile | Larger tiles reduce grout lines and help open-plan rooms feel cleaner and more continuous. |
| Outdoor area | Exterior-rated porcelain or outdoor floor tile with a textured surface | Outdoor tiles need grip, weather resistance and the right surface for rain and heat. |
That table is the framework I would use before anything else. Trends matter, and colour matters, but the tile has to suit the room first.
Stay Updated on the Latest Tile Trends
Once the practical side is sorted, trends can help you narrow the look. Whether you prefer timeless classics or a sleek, modern finish, knowing what is current makes the style decisions easier. The key is to use trends as inspiration, not as the whole reason for choosing a tile.
Where to Find Inspiration
Renovation Shows
Renovation shows like The Block are a good way to spot current design trends, tiles included. They show how different tiles look in real rooms, which helps you picture what might suit your own home.
Home and Design Magazines
Design magazines are another reliable source. They cover the latest tile trends with plenty of photos and practical tips on using them at home, so they are worth a look while you are gathering ideas.
Online Articles and Blogs
Home improvement and design websites are updated constantly, so they are a good place to keep up with current trends. Our article on Tile Trends is a useful starting point for current styles, shapes, sizes and finishes.
Incorporate the Latest Colour Trends
Staying on top of the latest colour trends is worth doing too. From the buying side, the resource I rely on most is Dulux’s annual Colour Forecast. It is where I look first each year to see which palettes are coming through, and it is a useful starting point for choosing tile colours.
Using 2026’s Trending Colours in Your Tile Choices
So, what’s trending in the Dulux Colour Forecast 2026? The three main palettes shaping interior design this year can also guide your feature wall tile selections:
- Evoke: This expressive palette is all about warmth, individuality, and character. Colours like Baked Clay, Magic Melon, and Red Jack evoke a playful yet grounded energy. For your tiles, think terracotta tones, burnt orange, or muted mauves, which works well for adding personality into kitchen splashbacks or feature walls in powder rooms.
- Elemental: Inspired by nature and timeless simplicity, the Elemental palette focuses on calm, grounding neutrals. Shades like Blended Cream, Caramel Sundae, and Phantom Beige work well for creating soothing backdrops. Use warm beige, off-white, or soft caramel-toned tiles for a relaxed, spa-like feel in bathrooms or minimalist kitchens.
- Ethereal: Gentle and uplifting, the Ethereal palette features soft pastels and barely-there hues. Colours like Tiamo, Lilium Two, and Blue Shell create a soft look. Think pale green, blush pink or light blue tiles to add a soft, serene quality to laundry splashbacks, bathroom accents, or entryway feature walls.
These colour palettes from the 2026 Dulux Colour Forecast provide clear direction for selecting tiles that align with your design style while keeping your spaces fresh and on-trend. Whether you prefer uplifting pastels, serene neutrals, or bold heritage tones, there’s a tile to suit your feature wall.
Consider the Space and Functionality
It is worth matching your tiles to the room they are going in. The tiles that work well in a bathroom are not always the right choice for a kitchen, so it helps to think about each space on its own.
Match Tiles to the Room’s Purpose
How To Choose Tiles for Bathrooms
Bathrooms need tiles that are practical as well as good-looking, and safety comes first. Non-slip tiles are the best option here, especially a textured or matte finish that keeps grip when the floor is wet. Our range of bathroom tiles covers options that balance style and safety for a hard-working bathroom.
For a deeper look, our guide on bathroom floor tiles walks through everything you need to know before you choose.
How To Choose Tiles for Kitchens
The kitchen is the busiest room in most homes. You’ll want kitchen tiles that handle daily wear, so durability and easy cleaning matter most. Porcelain and ceramic are both strong choices: they are hard-wearing, low-maintenance and shrug off stains, and a quick wipe keeps them looking good.
If you want to go deeper, our guide on how to choose kitchen tiles covers the details for this hard-working space.
How To Choose Tiles for Living Rooms
For living areas, larger tiles often work best. Large living room tiles make a space feel more open and seamless, with fewer grout lines to break it up. Whether you want a modern, minimalist look or a warmer, traditional feel, a larger tile helps you get there.
And our floor tile buying guide is a good next step for choosing tiles across the whole home.
Tile Size and Space Perception
Tile size can change how a room looks and feels. A small powder room needs a different approach from a large, open-plan living area. In the showroom, we often tell customers to start with the room size first, then choose a tile size that makes the space feel balanced.
Best Tile Sizes for Small Spaces
When working with compact areas like small bathrooms or laundry rooms, using smaller tiles can help maintain proportionality. Popular choices for small spaces include 100x100mm, 150x150mm, or 200x200mm tiles, as their compact size works well with tight layouts. Mosaic tiles, often around 50x50mm, are another excellent option, especially for curved surfaces like shower niches or splashbacks, as they add texture and interest without overwhelming the room.
On the other hand, larger tiles, such as 300x600mm, can also be effective in small bathrooms if used strategically. Laid horizontally, they create the illusion of width, while vertically oriented tiles can make the room appear taller. A recent project for a client with a small ensuite bathroom featured white 300x600mm tiles with a matte finish. The tiles were laid in a horizontal offset pattern, which visually widened the space and reduced grout lines, resulting in a sleek and modern look.
Best Tile Sizes for Large Spaces
For larger rooms, such as expansive kitchens, living areas, or outdoor patios, larger-format tiles are the way to go. Sizes like 600x600mm, 450x900mm, or even 1200x600mm are excellent for covering larger areas efficiently. These tiles reduce the number of grout lines, which improves the seamless appearance and simplifies cleaning and maintenance.
In one of our recent projects, a family wanted to revamp their open-plan kitchen and living room. We recommended 600x600mm porcelain tiles in a polished finish. The result was a contemporary, cohesive space that felt open and airy. The rectified edges allowed for tighter grout lines, adding to the streamlined effect.
Matching Tile Size with Room Purpose
For transitional spaces like hallways, medium-sized tiles such as 300x300mm or 450x450mm offer a balanced aesthetic. Meanwhile, large-format tiles like 1200x200mm plank tiles, designed to mimic timber flooring, are useful for bringing warmth and continuity to large rooms.
Tile size is not just about looks. It is practical too. For instance, larger tiles reduce the number of grout lines, making floors and walls easier to clean, while smaller tiles can offer better slip resistance in wet areas like showers. By carefully choosing tile sizes to match both the room size and its purpose, you can achieve a space that is both attractive and functional.
Choose the Right Tile Material
The right tile material makes a big difference to durability, maintenance and how the finished room feels. We stock several tile materials, each with clear strengths and trade-offs. Here is the practical way I would compare them before choosing.
Understand the Pros and Cons of Tile Materials
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles are a versatile and budget-friendly option, making them a popular choice for many homeowners. As you’ll see from our collection, they come in a wide range of colours, styles, and finishes, allowing you to achieve the look you desire without breaking the bank. However, ceramic tiles are slightly less durable than porcelain, so they’re best suited for areas with moderate foot traffic.
Read our blog post, The 101 of Ceramic Tiles, to learn more about these popular tiles.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are known for their durability and low-maintenance qualities, making them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways. They are highly resistant to stains and water, providing long-lasting beauty and functionality. While they tend to be more expensive than ceramic tiles, their resilience and ease of upkeep often justify the investment. If you’re torn between the two, our porcelain vs ceramic tiles comparison breaks down which suits your space.
For more on porcelain, read our blog post,A Beginners Guide to Choosing Porcelain Tiles.
Natural Stone
Natural stone tiles, such as marble, granite, and travertine tiles, add a touch of luxury and elegance to any space. Each stone tile is unique, offering a distinctive and timeless look. However, natural stone requires more upkeep than ceramic or porcelain, which is why our stone-look tiles and travertine-look tiles are so popular today. They require regular sealing and maintenance to preserve their beauty and prevent staining, making stone tiles a better fit for those who are willing to invest time in their care.
Read our Natural Stone Tile vs Stone-Look Tile Comparison to see if the real deal is worth the price tag.
Glass Tiles
Glass tiles, usually in the form of glass mosaics, offer a sleek and modern appearance, a good choice for creating eye-catching kitchen splashbacks and accent walls. They reflect light across the surface, adding depth and a clean modern feel. However, glass tiles can be more costly than other materials and may require professional installation to avoid damage. They are best used in areas where their visual impact can be fully appreciated, such as in kitchens and bathrooms. Select the Appropriate Texture and Finishrials
Select the Appropriate Texture and Finish
Texture and finish affect both how a tile looks and how it performs. The right finish adds practical value as well as style, and it can make a real difference in a room. Here is how I would weigh up the main options.
Balance Aesthetics with Practicality
Gloss-Finish Tiles
Gloss tiles have a high-shine surface that reflects light and adds a touch of glamour to a room. They can be slippery when wet, though, so they are best kept to low-traffic spots like feature walls or accent areas rather than wet floors.
Matte-Finish Tiles
Matte tiles are the practical, understated option. They have a subtle, contemporary look and better grip, which makes them well suited to bathrooms and other wet areas. They also hide smudges and water spots well, so they are easy to keep clean.
Textured-Finish Tiles
Textured tiles add an element of depth and interest to any space, making them well suited to feature walls or floors. They can range from subtle, barely-there textures to bold, statement-making designs. They draw the eye and add character to a space. Textured tiles also provide excellent grip with high R-ratings, making them a practical choice for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and kids. In our range, you’ll find various textures, including structured, SmoothGrip and anti-slip surfaces, providing a safe and stylish option for any room. Read our comprehensive guide to tile ratings and grades to better understand R-ratings.
For wet floors and outdoor areas, grip matters more than shine. Check the tile rating before you buy, especially for bathrooms, laundries, patios and pool areas. A tile can look right in a display, but if it gets slippery under bare feet or wet shoes, it is the wrong tile for that spot.
Read our article, The Different Types of Tile Finishes & Their Benefits, to learn about all the various types of tile finishes and discover which is best for your application.
Choose Between Rectified and Unrectified Tiles
When selecting tiles, understanding the difference between rectified and unrectified (or cushioned edge) tiles can help you achieve the desired look and feel for your space.
Rectified tiles are machine-cut after firing, resulting in sharp, precise edges. This allows for minimal grout lines, creating a sleek, seamless appearance that suits modern, minimalist designs. However, due to the precision required during installation, rectified tiles may take more time to install and can be slightly more expensive.
Unrectified tiles, also known as cushioned edge tiles, retain their natural, slightly rounded edges after firing, which can vary slightly between tiles. These tiles require wider grout lines to accommodate minor size variations, adding depth and character to a space. The wider grout lines make unrectified tiles a popular choice for traditional or rustic designs, where a more organic, less uniform look is preferred.
To make an informed choice, check out our detailed guide on Rectified vs. Pressed Tiles, helping you decide which option best suits your design vision and practical needs.
Explore Tile Patterns and Layouts
Layout matters as much as the tile itself. The right pattern can change the whole feel of a room and add real character. Here are the patterns we are asked about most, and where each one works best.
Use Patterns to Enhance Your Space
Herringbone Pattern
Herringbone is a strong choice if you want movement and energy. The angled layout makes a space feel more dynamic and works well as a feature.
Chevron Pattern
Chevron is a more refined option. The continuous V-shape adds direction and flow, which suits areas where you want a sense of movement.
Subway Pattern
A classic subway pattern is hard to beat. It is versatile, timeless and works in almost any space. Subway tiles stay in style year after year, and we keep a wide range to suit most looks.
Grid or Bond Pattern
If you like clean lines and a modern look, the grid pattern is a safe, reliable choice. It creates a neat, orderly finish that suits minimalist designs.
Read our post, The Best Subway Tile Patterns for a Kitchen, to explore these patterns and more in more detail.
Mix and Match Styles for a Unique Look
With the basics covered, you can think about adding some contrast. Mixing and matching tile styles is a good way to make a space feel like your own. Combining different styles, colours and textures lifts a room, as long as you keep it balanced. Here is how to do that without overdoing it:
Get Creative with Tile Combinations
Use Bold Feature Tiles for Focal Points
Want to make a statement? Bold feature tiles, which we stock in plenty of styles, are the easiest way to create a focal point. A run of mosaics in the shower or a bold pattern behind the stove draws the eye and gives a room character.
Pair with Neutral Background Tiles to Maintain Balance
Feature tiles work best with a calm backdrop around them. Neutral background tiles let the feature take centre stage without the room feeling busy, so the two balance each other out.
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we carry a wide range of tiles suited to mixing and matching, and the team is happy to help you settle on a combination. Visit Ross’s to see the options in person.
Balance Your Budget with Style
Choosing tiles for your home doesn’t have to blow the budget. The trick is knowing where to spend and where to save. Here is how we suggest splitting it:
Prioritise Where to Spend on Tiles
Invest in High-Impact Areas
Feature walls, splashbacks and entryways are the areas people notice first. It is worth spending a little more here to create a strong focal point, since these spots set the tone for the whole room.
Save on Larger, Less Focal Areas
For larger areas that don’t need to stand out, more budget-friendly tiles work well. You keep a consistent, tidy look across the space without overspending.
We keep a strong everyday tile range to help you stay on budget:
- Porcelain tiles from $25/m²
- Ceramic tiles from $10/m²
- Subway tiles from $30/m²
- Feature tiles from $5 per tile
- Mosaics from $9 per sheet
Visit our Perth showroom and we will help you find tiles that suit both your style and your budget.
Visit Ross’s Discount Home Centre in Guildford
Shopping online is convenient, but there is no substitute for seeing and handling tiles in person. Here is why a showroom visit is worth it:
See and Feel Your Options in Person (Trust Us, It’s Worth It)
Pictures might be worth a thousand words, but they can’t fully capture a tile. Colour and texture often look different in person than they do on screen. By visiting our showroom, you can touch, see, and even imagine how the tiles will look in your home.
Why It’s Worth Visiting Our Showroom
Our showroom is set up so you can compare tile styles, colours and textures properly. Our team can answer questions, talk through the practical differences, and help you find the right match for your space and budget.
Come and see us in Guildford and our team will help you find the right tiles for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
So, Which Tiles Should You Choose?
Choosing tiles comes down to balancing style, durability and how each room is used. We’ve covered the essentials here, from materials and colour to size, finish and layout, so you can make a confident decision.
The best next step is to see your options in person. Our Perth showroom at 57 James Street, Guildford, carries a wide range of styles, colours and textures, and our team can talk you through what suits your space and budget.
Ready to start choosing tiles for your project? You can browse our full tile range online, then come and see your favourites in person.
