Tiling a Bathroom: The Complete UK Guide
The bathroom is the most common room to tile in UK homes, and for good reason. Tiles provide a waterproof, hygienic, and low-maintenance surface that copes with the daily onslaught of steam, splashing water, and cleaning products. Our bathroom tile calculator combines floor and wall calculations into a single tool, giving you a comprehensive tile count and cost estimate for the entire room.
The key difference between a bathroom calculation and a simple floor or wall calculation is that you need to account for both surfaces simultaneously, often with different tile sizes for each. It is common to use a smaller tile on the floor (e.g., 300×300mm for better grip and drainage slope) and a larger tile on the walls (e.g., 300×600mm for fewer grout lines and a cleaner look). Our calculator handles this by letting you specify separate tile sizes, grout gaps, and prices for floor and wall tiles.
Typical UK Bathroom Sizes
Understanding typical UK bathroom dimensions helps you plan your budget before measuring. Bathroom sizes vary significantly by property type and age, but here are the most common configurations:
| Bathroom Type | Typical Dimensions | Floor Area | Wall Area (full height) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small en-suite / cloakroom | 1.5m × 2.0m | 3.0 m² | ~14.5 m² |
| Standard bathroom (3-bed semi) | 2.1m × 1.7m | 3.6 m² | ~16.5 m² |
| Average family bathroom | 2.5m × 2.0m | 5.0 m² | ~19.5 m² |
| Large bathroom (detached house) | 3.0m × 2.5m | 7.5 m² | ~24.0 m² |
| Wet room (typical conversion) | 1.8m × 1.5m | 2.7 m² | ~13.5 m² |
These figures assume 2.4m ceiling height and full-height tiling, minus a standard door opening. Your actual measurements may differ — always measure your specific room rather than relying on estimates.
Wet Room vs Standard Bathroom
Wet rooms have surged in popularity across the UK, particularly in smaller homes and flats where space is at a premium. A wet room eliminates the shower tray, using a sloped floor to drain water directly through a floor-level drain (also called a linear drain or gully). From a tiling perspective, the main differences are:
- Full tanking required: The entire floor and all walls to at least 1.8m (preferably floor to ceiling) must be fully waterproofed with a tanking membrane. This adds £300–600 to the project cost.
- Floor gradient: The floor must slope towards the drain at approximately 1:80 (12.5mm per metre). This is typically achieved with a pre-formed shower tray former or by building up the screed to create the fall.
- Non-slip tiles: Floor tiles in a wet room must have adequate slip resistance. Look for tiles rated R10 or higher (R11 for barefoot wet areas). Matt or textured porcelain tiles are ideal. Highly polished tiles are not suitable for wet room floors.
- Smaller floor tiles: Mosaics (e.g., 50×50mm on a mesh backing) or small tiles (100×100mm) are often preferred for wet room floors because they conform better to the drainage slope.
Half-Height vs Full-Height Tiling
One of the biggest decisions in bathroom tiling is how high to take the tiles on the walls. This significantly affects both the tile quantity and the total cost.
Half-height tiling (1.2–1.5m) is the most budget-friendly option. You tile only the areas directly exposed to water — around the bath, above the basin, and in the shower area. The upper wall is painted with a moisture-resistant bathroom paint. This approach can save 30–40% on tile costs compared to full-height tiling. However, the painted section needs repainting every few years as moisture eventually causes peeling.
Standard-height tiling (1.8m) is the traditional British approach. It covers the entire splash zone and reaches above head height, providing good protection without the expense of tiling to the ceiling. The top edge is finished with a tile trim (usually chrome or brushed nickel) or a bullnose tile.
Full-height tiling (2.4m / ceiling) is the premium option and has become the default choice in new-build homes and renovations. Full-height tiling eliminates the need for painting above the tiles, provides complete moisture protection, and creates a clean, hotel-like finish. It costs 40–60% more in materials compared to half-height but looks dramatically better and lasts longer.
Bathroom Tiling Costs in the UK (2026)
Here is a breakdown of typical bathroom tiling costs in the UK, updated for February 2026. These figures include materials and labour but vary by region, tile choice, and bathroom complexity.
| Budget Level | Tile Cost/m² | Labour/m² | Small En-suite | Standard Bathroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (ceramic, half-height) | £12–20 | £25–35 | £500–900 | £800–1,200 |
| Mid-range (porcelain, full-height) | £25–45 | £30–40 | £1,200–2,000 | £1,500–2,500 |
| Premium (natural stone, full-height) | £50–120 | £40–55 | £2,000–3,500 | £2,500–5,000 |
Additional costs to factor in: waterproofing/tanking (£150–400), tile trim (£5–15 per metre), silicone sealant (£5–10 per tube), tile backer board if needed (£8–15/m²), and skip hire for old tile removal (£150–250).
Choosing Tiles for Your Bathroom
The choice of tile material matters beyond aesthetics. For bathroom floors, porcelain is the most practical choice — it has a water absorption rate of less than 0.5%, making it virtually waterproof. Ceramic tiles are suitable for walls and low-traffic bathroom floors but absorb more moisture (up to 3%). Natural stone (marble, slate, limestone) is beautiful but requires sealing and more maintenance. Here is a comparison of the main options available from UK retailers:
- Ceramic: £12–45/m². Wide range of designs, easy to cut, lightweight. Best for: walls, low-traffic floors. Stocked by: all major UK retailers.
- Porcelain: £20–70/m². Extremely durable, low water absorption, through-body colour (chips are less visible). Best for: floors, wet rooms, high-traffic areas. Popular at: Topps Tiles, Porcelain Superstore, Tile Giant.
- Natural stone: £40–120/m². Unique character, each tile different. Requires sealing. Best for: feature walls, premium floors. Available at: Mandarin Stone, Ca’ Pietra, Fired Earth.
- Mosaic: £35–100/m². Ideal for wet room floors and shower niches. Available in glass, ceramic, and stone. Mesh-backed sheets make installation faster. Stocked by: most specialist tile shops and Wickes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The total cost to tile a standard UK bathroom (typically 5–8m² floor, 15–25m² walls) ranges from £800 to £3,500 including materials and labour. A budget bathroom with ceramic tiles and half-height tiling costs £800–1,500. A mid-range bathroom with porcelain tiles and full-height tiling costs £1,500–2,500. A premium bathroom with natural stone costs £2,500–3,500+. Labour alone typically accounts for 40–50% of the total cost.
UK bathrooms vary considerably. A small en-suite is typically 1.5m × 2m (3m²). A standard bathroom in a 3-bed semi is around 2.1m × 1.7m (3.6m²). A larger family bathroom might be 2.5m × 2.2m (5.5m²). New-build bathrooms tend to be smaller than those in older properties. The average UK bathroom floor area is approximately 3.5–4.5m².
Tiling only the wet areas (around bath, shower, and basin) is the budget option and perfectly acceptable. However, full floor-to-ceiling tiling across all walls provides better moisture protection, easier cleaning, and a more cohesive look. It also increases the resale value of your home. If budget is tight, prioritise full tiling in the shower area and at least half-height tiling elsewhere.
In a wet room, there is no shower tray — the entire floor is the shower area, sloping towards a drain. This means the entire floor and all walls must be fully waterproofed (tanked) with a suitable membrane before tiling. The floor tiles must be non-slip (minimum R10 rating). A wet room typically requires 15–20% more tiles than a standard bathroom because every surface is fully tiled.