Bathroom Tiles vs. Bathroom Panelling: Which is Right for Your Home?

When it comes to giving your bathroom a fresh look, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to use traditional bathroom tiles or modern bathroom panelling. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on your personal style, budget, and maintenance. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of bathroom tiles and bathroom panelling to help you make an informed decision for your home.

Bathroom Tiles: Classic Elegance

Bathroom tiles are a classic choice and can be used on your floors, walls and ceiling for a cohesive look, just like this beautiful marble bathroom above.

Pros:

1. Timeless Aesthetics: Bathroom tiles have been a staple in interior design for decades, offering a timeless and classic look that suits various design styles.
2. Wide Variety: Tiles come in a vast array of shapes, sizes, colours, and patterns, allowing you to create a unique and personalised bathroom design.
3. Durability: High-quality tiles are resistant to moisture, stains, and wear, making them a durable choice for bathrooms.
4. Easy to Clean: Tiles are easy to clean with regular maintenance, making them suitable for busy households.
5. Better for showers: If you’ve got a shower room or the shower is the dominant feature in your bathroom, it’s probably best to opt for bathroom tiles. As they are resistant to large amounts of water and are easily cleaned, this is the better option if you have a large shower in your bathroom.

Cons:

1. Installation Complexity: Tile installation can be labour-intensive and time-consuming, often requiring professional help. You may decide against tiling all of your bathroom because of this, and perhaps opting to tile just your shower or bath area.
2. Grout Maintenance: Grout lines between tiles can become a breeding ground for mould and mildew, requiring regular cleaning and maintenance. Smelly substances, like bleach usually get rid of this, but can be hard on your eyes and skin if overused.
3. Cost: Quality tiles and professional installation can be expensive, and might not fit your budget.

Bathroom Panelling: Modern Versatility

Bathroom wall panelling can add charm and character to your space and is perfect against a bathtub for a sophisticated look. Panelling can be painted in a variety of colours to suit your own personal style.

Pros:

1. Sleek Appearance: Bathroom panelling offers a seamless and modern look, with no visible grout lines, creating a clean and contemporary aesthetic.
2. Easy Installation: Panelling is relatively easy to install, and many homeowners opt for DIY installations, saving on labour costs.
3. Low Maintenance: Panelling is generally low maintenance, as it doesn’t require grout cleaning or sealing.
4. Water Resistance: High-quality panelling materials are moisture-resistant, preventing water damage and mould growth.
5. Great for bathtubs: Bathrooms with feature tubs can look even better with wall panelling. Unlike showers, which push water onto your walls, baths are more damage-free to your walls, which means you can have panelling around your entire bathroom if you only have a tub in there.

Cons:

1. Limited Aesthetics: While bathroom panelling has come a long way in terms of design options, it may not offer the same range of styles and patterns as tiles. However, if you love Victorian or period-style homes panelling is a great addition to your bathroom to fit in with the rest of your home’s aesthetic.
2. Initial Cost: Quality panelling materials can be expensive upfront, although they may save on installation costs. If you are doing DIY panelling, you will need to research into the best panelling options for you.
3. Repair Challenges: If damaged, repairing bathroom panelling can be more challenging than replacing a single tile.

Making Your Decision – Bathroom tiles or panelling?

Ultimately, the choice between bathroom tiles and bathroom panelling for your home depends on your design preferences, budget, and maintenance. If you value a timeless look and are willing to invest in professional installation, tiles may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a modern, low-maintenance option that you can potentially install yourself, bathroom panelling might be the better choice.

Remember to consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve in your bathroom, as well as your long-term maintenance commitment when making your decision. Both options have their merits, and with the right choice, you can create a stunning and functional bathroom space that suits your lifestyle.