A bathroom renovation is one of the highest-impact home improvements you can make — and tiles are at the heart of it. The right tiles transform a purely functional space into a personal sanctuary. But with hundreds of options available, making the right choice can feel overwhelming. This guide walks you through every key consideration.
Understanding Slip Resistance Ratings
Safety comes first in any bathroom. When shopping for floor tiles, always check the slip resistance rating. In Kenya’s standards, this is typically expressed as the Pendulum Test Value (PTV) or the R-rating from German DIN standards. For wet bathroom floors, you want a minimum of R10 (slightly rough) — R11 or R12 is preferable for family bathrooms where children and elderly members use the space.
Matt and textured finishes offer better grip than high-gloss tiles. A beautiful polished marble-look tile might be stunning, but if it becomes dangerously slippery when wet, it’s the wrong choice for a bathroom floor.
Size Matters: Choosing the Right Format
Tile size has a direct impact on how your bathroom feels. In small bathrooms under 4 square metres, many designers recommend medium tiles (300×300mm to 600×300mm) rather than tiny mosaics, which can make a space feel busier. However, very large format tiles (800×800mm+) can work brilliantly in small bathrooms too — they create a sense of continuity and fewer grout lines mean the space reads as larger.
For walls, subway tiles (300×100mm or 600×200mm) remain incredibly popular because they’re versatile and work in both traditional and contemporary settings. Larger wall tiles (600×300mm and above) create a more seamless, high-end look.
Colour and Light: Getting the Balance Right
Light-coloured tiles — whites, soft greys, pale blues — reflect light and make bathrooms feel brighter and larger. In Kenya, where natural light can be very intense, this works particularly well as it prevents the space from feeling overwhelming. Darker tiles (charcoal, navy, deep green) are dramatic and increasingly fashionable, but they require good artificial lighting to work well.
Consider the direction your bathroom faces. A south-facing bathroom with warm afternoon sun can handle cooler tile tones. A north-facing bathroom benefits from warmer creams and pale stones.
Grout: The Detail That Makes or Breaks the Look
Grout is often an afterthought, but it significantly affects the finished result. Matching grout to your tile colour creates a seamless, contemporary look. Contrasting grout — dark grey with white subway tiles, for example — emphasises the tile pattern and suits more traditional or industrial styles. Always choose a colour-sealed or epoxy grout in bathrooms for maximum stain and mould resistance.
Porcelain vs Ceramic for Bathrooms
Both porcelain and ceramic are excellent bathroom tile choices, but they have key differences. Porcelain is denser, less porous, and harder-wearing — ideal for floor tiles that experience constant foot traffic and moisture. Ceramic is slightly softer, easier to cut, and typically more affordable — making it a practical choice for bathroom walls where weight and durability are less critical.
For a mixed bathroom tile scheme, porcelain floors with ceramic walls is a smart, cost-effective combination.
Planning Your Budget
Tile costs vary enormously — from affordable ceramic starting at around KSh 800 per square metre to premium imported porcelain reaching KSh 8,000+ per square metre. A realistic approach is to allocate your budget towards the floor tiles (which affect safety and durability most) and choose more affordable options for walls.
Don’t forget to factor in 10–15% extra tiles for cuts and future repairs, plus the cost of adhesive, grout, waterproofing membrane, and professional installation.
See It Before You Commit
No matter how good a tile looks on a screen or a small sample, you must see it in its intended setting before committing. Our Kitengela showroom has full bathroom display settings where you can view tiles laid in realistic configurations under different lighting conditions. Bring your floor plan and any existing fixtures you’re working around — our team will help you find the perfect combination.