bathroom and kitchen tiles UK

Install Bathroom and Kitchen Tiles UK | Porcelain Floor & Wall

AUTHOR DIMPLE
6 minute read

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Why is it so difficult to select tiles for our homes? Can we install the same bathroom and kitchen tiles UK? What should we be cautious about? What actually works? What’s easy to live with? And what makes sense for a real home, not a showroom? With so many options available in the UK market today, it is normal to be overwhelmed.  

If you are struggling with these doubts and want real answers that will save you from costly mistakes, stay tuned till the end.

Bathroom vs Kitchen Tiles: What Each Room Actually Needs

Bathroom vs Kitchen Tiles: What Each Room Actually Needs

What To Look for When Buying Bathroom Tiles

  • Handles constant moisture

  • Needs non-slip flooring

  • Prefers waterproof or very low-absorption tiles

  • Demands easy cleaning around shower zones

What To Look for When Buying Kitchen Tiles

  • Handles heat, splashes, and food spills

  • Needs durable floors

  • Splashbacks need to resist oil and steam

  • Requires something easy to wipe down

Both rooms share similar problems — water, steam, heat — which is why many homeowners choose one tile for both areas.

NERO MISTRAL QUARTZ

NERO MISTRAL QUARTZ

£338.54

Nero Mistral Quartz is an eye-catching interior design slab that features a black base with busy white veins. It is given a dazzling finish that makes a perfect addition in both residential and commercial settings. It is a dream come… read more

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PURE WHITE QUARTZ

PURE WHITE QUARTZ

£314.00

Pure White Quartz will be the optimal choice. The Pure White Quartz slab design is inspired from Classic Bianco marble which is renowned worldwide and used in various historical designs. The quartz slab recreates the look with additional perks like… read more

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BLACK METALLIC QUARTZ

BLACK METALLIC QUARTZ

£327.50

Black Metallic Quartz is an eye-catching interior surface slab that features a black base with shiny, reflective, metallic flecks. It is given a dazzling finish that makes a perfect addition in both residential and commercial settings. It is a dream… read more

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Comparison Table: Bathroom Tiles vs Kitchen Tiles UK

Feature

Bathroom Tiles

Kitchen Tiles

Can One Tile Work For Both?

Moisture Resistance

Very high required

Highly required

Yes, with porcelain

Slip Resistance

Important, especially floors

Optional

Yes, choose matte or textured

Heat Resistance

Needed

(shower steam)

Needed (cooking/oven heat)

Yes

Ease 

of Cleaning

Important

Very important

Yes

Design Flexibility

High

Very high

Yes

Tile Material

Porcelain/Ceramic

Porcelain/Ceramic

Yes


Also Read: Combined Sink and Kitchen Worktop Designs

Pros And Cons Of Using Same Tiles In Kitchen and Bathroom

Let us look at both advantages and disadvantages of using the same bathroom and kitchen tiles UK.

Pros

  • Cleaner, unified look throughout the home

  • Bulk buying helps reduce cost

  • Easier decision-making during renovation

  • Consistent maintenance routine

Cons

  • One style might not suit both rooms perfectly

  • Glossy tiles can get slippery in bathrooms

  • Some patterns feel overwhelming when used everywhere

Best Tile Types For Both Bathroom And Kitchen

Below is a quick look at which tiles work where:

Tile Type

Bathroom Use

Kitchen Use

Why It Works

Porcelain

Floors & walls

Floors, walls, splashbacks

Waterproof, long-lasting

Ceramic

Walls

Walls, splashbacks

Lightweight, huge design range

Stone-Look Porcelain

Floors

Floors & splashbacks

Natural look without heavy upkeep

Textured Tiles

Non-slip floors

Floors

Good grip and hides marks

Glossy Ceramic

Shower walls (non-floor)

Splashbacks

Easy to wipe clean

Ideas To Install Same Tile in Bathroom & Kitchen

If you want one tile used across the kitchen and bathroom, here’s how to make bathroom and kitchen tiles UK look intentional instead of repetitive:

1. Use One Tile, But Different Layouts

Bathroom: vertical brick pattern

Kitchen: horizontal stack or herringbone

2. Same Tile, Different Finishes

Kitchen → glossy

Bathroom → matte / textured

3. Use The Same Tile Tone, But Different Sizes

Bathroom → large format

Kitchen → medium or small splashback-friendly sizes

4. Same Tile For Floors Only

Walls can have a contrasting accent so both rooms feel related but not identical.

Call us on 0330 113 5868 or mail info@work-tops.com to get the best for your home.

Different Types of Tile Finishes: What They Are & How They Compare

Finish

Look & Feel

Best For

Moisture Resistance

Slip Resistance

Maintenance 

Glossy

Shiny, reflective

Splashback, bathroom walls

High

Low on wet floors

Shows fingerprints/water spots

Matte

Soft, non-reflective

Floors & walls

High

Medium-high

Hides marks better

Satin / Semi-Matte

Slight sheen

Transitional spaces

High

Medium

Easier to clean than matte

Textured / Leathered

Tactile surface

Wet areas, floors

High

High

Traps dirt less than rough finishes

Polished

Ultra-shiny

Feature walls

Lower water grip

Low

Needs more cleaning

Honed

Smooth but muted

Bathroom and kitchen tiles UK

High

Medium

Less reflective than polished

Natural / Stone Look

Natural texture

Rustic/stone themes

High

Varies

Mimics stone but easier care

Wood-Look

Grain appearance

Warm floors

High

Medium

Porcelain wood-look is best

Gloss Relief / Patterned

Patterned shine

Accent walls

High

Low

Visually striking, careful with floors

Concrete / Industrial Matte

Urban, low sheen

Modern spaces

High

Medium-high

Great with minimalist décor

What Each Tile Finish Means In Practice

What Each Tile Finish Means In Practice

Glossy Finish Tile

Best Places: Kitchen splashbacks, bathroom walls

Why: Light bounces off it — spaces feel brighter

Caution: These tiles are extremely slippery when wet. So they are definitely not ideal for bathroom floors.

Matte Finish Tile

Best Places: Kitchen and bathroom floors & walls

Why: Doesn’t reflect light too harshly, hides smudges

Good For: High-traffic or busy family homes

Textured / Leathered Finish Tile

Best Places: Wet zones, walk-in showers, floor areas

Why: Better slip resistance, tactile grip

Style Tip: Works beautifully with natural and stone patterns

Polished Finish Tile

Best Places: Feature walls or decorative zones

Why: Super shiny, upscale look

Avoid: Floor use in wet areas — safety hazard

Also Read: Limestone Flooring – Things to Consider While Choosing One

Honed Finish Tile

Best Places: Bathroom and kitchen tiles UK where shine isn’t desired

Why: Smooth but understated

Style Tip: Pairs well with matte and natural palettes

Natural / Stone Look Tile

Best Places: Rustic or traditional homes

Why: Mimics real stone texture and tones

Perk: Porcelain stone-look tiles are easier to maintain than real stone

Wood-Look Tile

Best Places: Kitchen floors, open plan areas

Why: Warmth of wood, durability of tile

Maintenance: Porcelain wood-look is best — resists water

Gloss Relief / Patterned Tile

Best Places: Accent strips, niche walls, backsplash features

Why: Adds depth and visual interest

Caution: Patterns can feel busy if overused

Concrete / Industrial Matte Tile

Best Places: Modern, minimalist designs

Why: Urban, understated finish

Pair With: Brighter cabinetry or metals to soften the look

Top 5 Kitchen Tiles UK

Top 5 Kitchen Tiles UK

Top 5 Bathroom Tiles UK

At Work-tops.com, we deliver bathroom and kitchen tiles UK all over the UK. Additionally, for homeowners who want bespoke stonework, we are experts in all types of interior stone surface installation, like worktops, islands, splashbacks, firehearts, etc. Call us at 0330 113 5868 today to discuss further.

ROSE QUARTZ SEMI PRECIOUS

ROSE QUARTZ SEMI PRECIOUS

£2,372.75

Rose Quartz Semi Precious Stone Slab is  a fantastic decorative stone slab that is popularly used by both residential homeowners as well as commercial property owners. It has a soft visual appearance that features repetitive designs created by colours like… read more

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MALACHITE SEMI PRECIOUS

MALACHITE SEMI PRECIOUS

£4,060.25

Malachite Semi Precious Stone Slab has an enchanting visual appearance created by repetitive green and black hallucinative designs. This stunning decorative stone slab is popularly used by both residential homeowners as well as commercial property owners. Also, this stain-resistant semi-precious… read more

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PICASSO GEM SEMI PRECIOUS

PICASSO GEM SEMI PRECIOUS

£2,653.55

Picasso Gem Semi Precious Stone Slab creates a stunning visual appearance with its multicolour design featuring colours like pink, navy blue, brown, gold, black and translucent gems that are bound together by resin. This stunning decorative stone slab is popularly… read more

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Final Thoughts

Over the years, I’ve found porcelain to be the one option that consistently holds up in real UK homes. They are low maintenance and strike a balance between beauty and simplicity. Finishes change the story even more. Glossy Tiles Behind The Hob bounce light around and look polished without being loud. Matte Tiles In Soft Colours are Great for warm, minimal kitchens

For me, porcelain has just been the safest bet — it survives steam, spills, kids, pets, everything — and it doesn’t make you tiptoe around it.

Browse our tile collection today, and bring timeless elegance into your home.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Are Glossy Tiles Good For Bathrooms?

The finish you choose changes the mood more than anything else. Glossy tiles are fine for walls but not floors, as they get slippery.

Can I Use Ceramic Floors for the Kitchen?

Not always. Ceramic works best for walls. Porcelain is better for floors.

Do Larger Tiles Look Good In Both the Bathroom and Kitchen?

Yes, large tiles suit both bathroom and kitchen tiles UK. Especially in smaller UK bathrooms, where fewer grout lines make the room feel open.

Will Using One Tile Make My Home Look Bland?

Not if you mix layouts, accents, or finishes for subtle variation.

Can I Use Bathroom Tiles in the Kitchen?

If there is one tile that can handle moisture in both rooms, it is Porcelain. It has low-absorption quality, so it is a popular choice. It meets both rooms’ durability and moisture needs.

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