23 December 2021 | Updated: March 9, 2023
One of the most common questions when it comes to decorating the bathroom is: “Should the walls be fully tiled or half tiled?” The answer is that there is no “right” way. It’s not a matter of full-tiled being better than half-tiled. Rather, both are different but equally good ways to decorate your bathroom walls. What approach is best for tiling your bathroom depends on many factors, which we will explore below.
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Cost is not the only, or even the most significant, factor when deciding between a fully-tiled or half-tiled bathroom. In fact, the half-tile bathroom is an excuse to spend more money on a feature tile. However, one thing is for sure: the wet areas of the bathroom need to be tiled to protect the walls. This usually means the shower cubicle or enclosure, the bathtub and the area around the washbasin (WHB). The following criteria should be considered when deciding on fully-tiled or half-tiled bathroom walls.
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One of the main advantages of fully tiling the walls in the bathroom, especially with porcelain tiles, is their waterproofing qualities. There is simply no better way of protecting the walls from dampness. But there are several other reasons why the fully tiled bathroom is recommended, both practically and aesthetically:
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By combining tiles with other wall coverings, you can delineate different areas in the bathroom or simply create a focal point. This combination can be configured in a number of different ways. In selected areas, protecting the wet areas (within shower enclosures and behind the WHB), as a wainscot effect (up to approximately 90cm over the finished floor level) or as a feature wall that contrasts with other finishes. There are endless possibilities, so let your imagination run wild.
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Here are some design ideas to help you make the most of your bathroom, whether it’s fully-tiled or half-tiled:
The bathroom is different from any other room in the house, both in its function and in the way we decorate it. This could mean looking at the family bathroom as if it were a Home Spa with beautiful floor-to-ceiling tiles. The fully tiled bathroom recognises the bathroom’s potential as a space of wellness, pampering and ablution.
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You can mix and match tiles to create a contemporary, innovative décor. You can also add plants and other elements that thrive in a damp environment to get the most out of your fully tiled bathroom.
The combination of tiles with painted plaster, wallpaper or timber cladding can provide greater creativity and works well for many styles. The trick is to think of the bathroom as a room rather than a utility room in the home. This approach is very typical of Victorian bathroom design: tiling to wainscot height with wallpaper above.
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You can achieve a more rustic style bathroom by tiling only the areas of a shower cubicle and treating the other surfaces with marine-grade ply or painted tongue-and-groove cladding. Similarly, you can achieve a cutting-edge contemporary half-tiled bathroom décor by combining floating shelving, mirrors and painted surfaces above a dado height tiled wall treatment.
Whatever the choice of half-tiled or fully-tiled walls, the shower enclosure or cubicle will require tiling to the height of the showerhead.
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If you integrate the shower into the bathtub, you should raise the height of the tiles higher than the standard 190 cm. By choosing a different tile for the shower area you can create more visual interest in the bathroom.
We hope this guide has helped you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing between fully-tiled and half-tiled bathrooms. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer, it ultimately depends on your budget, style preferences, and bathroom layout. If you’re looking for high-quality wall tiles for your bathroom, visit our online shop, where you can find a wide range of finishes, shapes, and colours. Alternatively, you can visit your nearest Porcelanosa showroom, where our sales advisors will be delighted to welcome you and help you find the perfect tiles for your bathroom.
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