Wall tiles.

Feature wall vs wet area wall.A feature wall behind a freestanding bath or sofa doesn't need to be waterproof, you have more options here (natural stone, encaustic cement, terracotta). Shower walls and splash zones need waterproof, moisture-resistant tiles. Porcelain is the safest choice for any wall application.

Format affects the feel. Large-format tiles (600×1200) used vertically on walls feel expansive and contemporary. Smaller zellige (100×100) or subway tiles (75×300) create rhythm and texture. Mosaic tiles are best used as accents, feature strips, shower nibs, or small areas where you want visual interest.

Gloss vs matt on walls. Gloss tiles reflect light and make a room feel brighter, ideal for small bathrooms or dark kitchens. Matt tiles absorb light and feel warmer, more organic. A common approach: gloss tiles in the shower (easy to clean), matt or zellige on the feature wall.

Grout joint width matters. Rectified tiles allow 1 to 2mm joints (nearly seamless). Zellige and handmade tiles need wider joints (3 to 5mm) to accommodate size variation, this is part of their handmade character. Match your grout colour to the tile for a monochrome look or contrast it for definition.

Measure wall area carefully. Wall area = (perimeter × height) minus door and window openings. For a bathroom, measure each wall separately and add them up. Include an extra 10% for cuts and wastage (15% for pattern or diagonal layouts).

Adhesive and waterproofing.Wall tile adhesive is different from floor tile adhesive, it needs to be non-sag. Shower walls need a waterproof membrane before tiling. Your tiler will handle this, but it's good to know when budgeting.

Lighting before ordering. Wall tiles look dramatically different in different light. The same zellige that looks sage green in the showroom can look blue-grey in a south-facing bathroom. Always sample in your actual space before ordering.

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