Buyers’ guide: feature tiles

Highlight the shower

Make a feature of the shower area with a broad strip of mosaic tiling.

Fusion gloss ceramic tiles in Powder Blue (25cm x 40cm), from £2.99 each; Fusion gloss ceramic tiles in white (25cm x 40cm), from £2.39 each; Bonsai ceramic mosaic tiles in Pagoda, £14.99 for a 30.5cm x 30.5cm sheet; all Topps Tiles

Wallpaper effect

Get the look of a smart wallpaper with a panel of damask ceramic tiles.

New Glory tiles in anthracite matt (30cm x 45cm), £112.55 a square metre; New Glory tiles in white matt (30cm x 45cm), £46.76 a square metre; both Ripples

Flag it up

Handpainted Staffordshire clay tiles in Emma Bridgewater designs will draw focus to a basin.

Stars and Union Flag tiles (15cm x 7.5cm), £14.95 each; base tiles (15cm x 7.5cm), £2.19 each; both Fired Earth

Feeling creative?

Either buy these tiles as a single panel or individually to make your own design.

Reef Encounters panel in charcoal on antique white (79.8cm x 66.5cm), £519.03, Marlborough

Before you buy...

What's best for patterned tiles?

Tiles with matt and glossy areas will catch the light, while ridged or other raised designs will cast shadow patterns. A bold large-scale flower pattern or a panel will work well, too. ‘Alternatively, set a mosaic panel among large-format tiles to add wow factor to a wall,' suggests Ripples' Senior Designer Kirsten Wain.

Does size matter?

Large tiles need fewer grout lines and can make a room look bigger. ‘A 30cm x 60cm tile is typical. You can get 45cm x 90cm tiles but you'd need a big bathroom,' says Kirsten.

Should I stick to neutrals?

‘Stone colours are still popular for a chic hotel look. Grey is also big, especially a dark anthracite,' says Kirsten.

Should the wall and floor match?

‘Not necessarily. Contrast can work really well in a bathroom,' says Kirsten.

More tile tips from Ripples' Kirsten Wain

* A small room can look great completely tiled. Go for 30cm x 45cm or 25cm x 45cm tiles.

* In a tiny room, stone-effect tiles give a calming feel. If you see a tile you really like, go with it. There's usually a way to make it wor.

* Choose grout in a colour to match your tiles.