How to Choose Bathroom Tile That Still Looks Great in 10 Years

Bathroom tile is one of the most permanent decisions in a renovation — replacing it means a complete retile, which is a full project in itself. Getting it right the first time is worth the extra effort at the selection stage. Here is how to choose tile you will not regret.

Porcelain tile is fired at higher temperatures than ceramic, making it denser, less porous, and significantly more durable. In wet environments — showers, shower floors, bathroom floors — porcelain is the correct choice. Ceramic tile is acceptable for walls in lower-moisture areas but should not be used on shower floors or in steam showers.

Polished tile looks stunning in showrooms and terrible on bathroom floors after three months of daily use — it shows every water mark, fingerprint, and smear, and becomes slippery when wet. For floors, specify a matte or honed finish with a minimum Coefficient of Friction (COF) of 0.42 for dry areas and 0.60 for wet areas. For walls, polished tile is perfectly appropriate and low-maintenance.

• White and off-white remain the most durable aesthetic choice — versatile, clean, and easily updated with accessories
• Warm greiges and soft taupe neutrals photograph well and pair with almost every hardware finish
• Large format tiles (24"×24" or larger) reduce grout lines and look contemporary without being trend-dependent
• Avoid highly pattern-specific choices (subway tile with coloured grout, bold Moroccan patterns) if you are renovating to sell