CRAMPED SPACES AND WEIRD TILE CHOICES—ANYONE ELSE?
I get the appeal of smaller tiles in tight spots, but honestly, sometimes large-format tiles can make a cramped room feel less busy. Fewer grout lines, cleaner look. It’s all about layout and planning—sometimes “fancy” works if you map it right.
sometimes large-format tiles can make a cramped room feel less busy. Fewer grout lines, cleaner look.
- Large tiles do look cleaner, but sometimes they’re pricier and harder to install in awkward corners.
- Small tiles can actually help hide uneven walls/floors—had a contractor tell me that once, and it stuck.
- For me, budget usually wins out, so I tend to go with mid-size tiles and simple patterns. Less waste, easier to DIY, and you don’t need to buy as much grout.
- I agree, though—planning the layout is everything. A weird pattern can make a small space feel even weirder.
Funny you mention mid-size tiles—I’ve found they’re often the sweet spot for tricky bathrooms or galley kitchens. Less cutting, less waste, and you’re right, they’re way more forgiving if your walls aren’t perfectly square. I’ve run into issues with large-format tiles where a single out-of-plumb wall throws everything off, and suddenly you’re making a ton of custom cuts. Curious if anyone’s tried those new “rectified edge” tiles in a tight space? Wondering if the super-thin grout lines actually help or just highlight imperfections...
Curious if anyone’s tried those new “rectified edge” tiles in a tight space? Wondering if the super-thin grout lines actually help or just highlight imperfections...
I went down the rectified tile route in my last bathroom reno, mostly because I thought the thin grout lines would look more modern and, honestly, I figured it’d be less to clean. In theory, the super-thin grout lines are supposed to give a seamless look, but in practice, I found they can be pretty unforgiving if your walls aren’t straight. Any little bump or dip stands out way more than with standard tiles and wider grout.
From a budget perspective, I also noticed installation costs went up a bit since the tiler had to spend extra time making sure everything lined up perfectly. If you’re working with older walls or anything that’s not laser-straight, mid-size tiles with a standard edge might actually save you some headaches (and cash). Just my two cents—sometimes the “fancier” option isn’t always the most practical, especially in tight spaces.
CRAMPED SPACES AND WEIRD TILE CHOICES—ANYONE ELSE?
That lines up with what I’ve seen—rectified tiles look sharp, but man, you need everything dead-on or it just magnifies the flaws. Did you end up having to float the walls or do much prep before tiling? Sometimes I wonder if the extra labor’s really worth it for that “seamless” look, especially in older homes...