Wall Tiles Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Tiles for Your Room

Choosing wall tiles is about much more than picking a colour you like. The best choice depends on where the tiles will be used, the amount of moisture and cleaning the surface will face, the size of the room, the look you want to achieve and how the tile format will work with the wall dimensions. This guide explains the main points to consider before buying wall tiles for a bathroom, kitchen, cloakroom, utility room or feature wall, with examples from the current JJ Building Materials wall tile range.

Start by browsing our wall tiles collection, then compare the individual product pages for exact sizes, materials, finishes and pack information before ordering.

Start With the Room, Not the Tile

A practical way to narrow the choice is to begin with the room. Bathroom wall tiles need to cope with frequent splashes and regular cleaning. Kitchen wall tiles often need to handle cooking marks, grease and moisture around worktops and splashbacks. Decorative feature walls may be less demanding, so colour, texture and format can take a bigger role in the decision.

For bathrooms, simple glazed ceramic options are often easy to live with. For example, Johnson Tiles Prismatics Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles give buyers a dedicated ceramic wall tile option, while Johnson Tiles Santorini Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles provide another route within the live collection. Always check the product page for the exact finish, shade choice and installation information.

Ceramic or Porcelain Wall Tiles?

Ceramic wall tiles are a common choice because they are generally straightforward to cut and handle for vertical applications. They are available in a wide range of colours and formats and can work well in kitchens and bathrooms when the product is designed for wall use. Porcelain is denser and is often chosen where buyers want a more substantial tile or a particular design format, although fitting can require more suitable cutting equipment.

The current range includes primarily ceramic wall tiles alongside selected porcelain designs. Johnson Tiles Melrose 240x69mm Glazed Porcelain Wall Tiles are a useful example of porcelain wall tiles, while Johnson Tiles Chroma 300x100mm Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles illustrate a narrower ceramic format.

Choosing the Best Tile Size

Tile size can change how a wall feels. Larger formats can create a calmer appearance because there are fewer grout lines. Smaller or narrow-format tiles can add rhythm and detail, especially on splashbacks, shower walls or feature sections. Before choosing, measure the actual wall area and consider where cuts will land around windows, corners, sockets, sanitaryware and cabinets.

If you want a larger format, Johnson Tiles Skyline 600x300mm Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles provide a 600x300mm option. For a slimmer brick-style look, products such as Johnson Tiles Spectrum 400x75mm Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles and Johnson Tiles Kensington 300x75mm Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles give a very different visual proportion.

Gloss, Matt and Textured Finishes

Finish affects both appearance and maintenance. Gloss tiles can reflect light and help smaller rooms feel brighter, while matt finishes often create a softer, less reflective look. Textured tiles can add depth, but heavier textures may take more effort to wipe clean in areas exposed to soap residue or cooking splashes. The correct choice therefore depends on both style and where the surface will be used.

Do not assume every tile in a colour family has the same surface. Product names can be similar while finish and format differ, so compare the specific product details rather than buying from an image alone.

Colour and Layout: Think About the Whole Wall

White and pale neutral wall tiles remain popular because they are flexible and work with many sanitaryware, worktop and cabinet finishes. Stronger colours can create a focal point but may be better used selectively if you want the room to remain easy to update. You can also combine tiles from compatible ranges to create borders, zones or contrast, but make sure thicknesses and dimensions work together.

Layout has just as much impact as colour. A conventional straight stack feels ordered, a brick bond softens the grid, and vertically laid rectangular tiles can visually increase wall height. Herringbone or more complex patterns can be striking with slim tiles, but they usually increase cutting and planning. If you are using a narrow product such as Johnson Tiles South Bank 245x75mm Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles, decide the pattern before working out quantities because more cuts can mean more waste.

How to Measure for Wall Tiles

Measure each tiled wall separately. Multiply width by height to get the square metres, then subtract large areas that definitely will not be tiled, such as full-size doors. Small obstacles are often better left in the measurement because cutting around them still uses tiles. Add the wall areas together and compare the total with the pack coverage shown on the product page.

It is sensible to include an allowance for cuts, breakages and future repairs. The exact allowance depends on the room shape and pattern. A simple straight layout in a square room normally wastes less than a diagonal or detailed pattern around several niches. Ordering every last tile to the exact measured square metre can leave the project short if a few pieces are damaged or heavily cut.

Think About Grout as Part of the Design

Grout colour can either blend with the tile or emphasise the shape. A close colour match gives a more continuous look, while contrast highlights each tile and the laying pattern. With small-format tiles there are more grout lines, so grout choice becomes visually important. In areas exposed to water or cooking residue, select a grout suited to the environment and follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Grout joint width should also suit the tile and the chosen system. Do not force an extremely tight joint simply to create a seamless appearance if the product or installer requires more space.

Preparation Matters as Much as the Tile

A premium tile cannot compensate for an unsuitable wall. The background should be sufficiently flat, sound and appropriate for tiling. Existing paint, loose plaster, moisture problems and movement can all affect the finished installation. Wet areas may need additional preparation or tanking depending on the construction and the project specification.

Use adhesives, primers and other materials that are compatible with the tile and substrate. If you are unsure, check the relevant manufacturer guidance or ask your installer before purchasing the full system.

Wall Tiles for Kitchens

For kitchens, easy cleaning is often the priority. Splashbacks behind sinks and worktops need a surface that can be wiped regularly. Glazed ceramic tiles are popular here because the face is practical and there are many style choices. Narrow formats such as Spectrum or Chroma can create a decorative splashback without covering the entire room.

If the kitchen is already visually busy, a simple neutral tile may work better than a strong pattern. If cabinets and worktops are plain, a more expressive colour or layout can become the feature. Consider the grout colour alongside the worktop and cabinet tone so the wall does not look disconnected from the rest of the scheme.

Wall Tiles for Bathrooms and Showers

Bathrooms need extra thought around water exposure. Check that the tile and full installation system are appropriate for the intended area. In showers, the quality of preparation, waterproofing and sealing around penetrations is critical. The tile is only one part of the system.

Larger tiles such as Skyline can reduce the number of grout joints, while smaller tiles can be useful where the wall includes niches or awkward details. The best format depends on the wall dimensions and the desired appearance rather than a single rule.

Products Worth Comparing

The current JJ Building Materials wall tile collection includes several distinct Johnson Tiles ranges. Johnson Tiles Tones 400x150mm Glazed Ceramic Wall Tiles provide a mid-sized rectangular format. Johnson Tiles Opal 152x152mm Glazed Ceramic Wall Tile gives a more traditional square proportion. Prismatics, Chroma, Spectrum, South Bank, Santorini and Kensington then provide further differences in format and design.

Use the collection to compare live options rather than assuming one style is right for every room. Product availability, colour choice and pack details can change, so the individual listing should always be the final reference before ordering.

Common Buying Mistakes to Avoid

One common mistake is choosing purely from a close-up image without considering how the format will look across the full wall. Another is ordering the exact measured area with no allowance for cuts. Buyers also sometimes overlook tile thickness, grout colour, edge finishing and the way cuts will meet ceilings, worktops or corners. Planning these details before purchase can make the final result look much more intentional.

Also avoid assuming that a tile described as a wall tile can be used on a floor. Wall-only ceramic products are not automatically suitable for foot traffic. If you need a tile that can work across both surfaces, browse our wall and floor tiles collection instead.

Wall Tile FAQs

What are the best wall tiles for a bathroom?

Glazed ceramic wall tiles are a popular option because they are practical and available in many sizes and finishes. The best product depends on the exact area, design and installation system, so check suitability on the product page.

Can I use wall tiles in a kitchen?

Yes. Wall tiles are commonly used for kitchen splashbacks and tiled wall areas. Choose a finish that suits frequent wiping and confirm compatibility with the intended location.

How many wall tiles should I order?

Calculate the total square metres and compare it with pack coverage, then add a sensible allowance for cuts, breakages and future repairs. More complex patterns normally require more allowance than simple straight layouts.

Are larger wall tiles better?

Not necessarily. Larger tiles can reduce grout lines, while smaller and narrow formats can add more detail. The room dimensions, wall shape and preferred design should guide the choice.

Where can I buy wall tiles online?

Browse the current wall tiles at JJ Building Materials, compare the live product details and choose the format and finish that best suits your project.