Matte or Gloss tile bathroom?

11 years ago

Hello friends. We're remodeling a small (5x8) hall bathroom that my five sons will be using. We're trying to go for elegant and easy to clean with a subtle nautical theme. We've decided on the following: Kohler white bellwether tub (clean lines), Kohler Santa Rosa toilet (one piece), Ikea high gloss godmorgon vanity with double sinks, brushed nickel fixtures, 12x24 porcelain floor tile (Carrara look alike), white subway tile to ceiling in the surround and to just over the vanity and under the mirror all around the room; a marble chair rail will surround the room just above the subway tile and through the tub surround. The wall above the rail will be either a light grey or greyish blue. My question is: should I use glossy or matte subway tile? I like them both!! 3x6 or larger? I attached one photo with the inspiration space (ignore the yellow paint) and another with the floor tile, faucet, matte tile, and chair rail (ignore the yellow paint). Thanks!! By the way, what grout color? I'm planning on keeping this bathroom for the long haul, :-) so I want it to look classic/timeless as mush as possible.

Featured Answer

Kate

11 years ago

Although I love matte or honed finishes I would go with the gloss subway tile. It will give you a subtle bling factor, reflect a little light in a small bath and be easier to clean.

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Comments (11)

stevew2518
11 years ago
For a bathroom used by 5 boys, I would want as little grout as possible which means the biggest tiles possible. I have always thought gloss was easier to clean than matte. Light grey is the darkest grout you can use and still have the look that is in your photo.

I question why a tub rather than a shower for 5 boys? I have always thought showers without tubs are easier to clean.

I suggest you consider white granite slabs instead of subway tile. It would be the same look, but without several miles of grout to keep clean.

Best wishes!
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Ana Stagnaro_Wendel
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions. We need a tub because the boys are still young and it's the only tub in the house. I thought about doing granite slabs, but this is a completely DIY job by my husband, so tile it is. We could use the same tile on the wall as we will on the floor. But then, I love the look of white tile all around the room. I don't think the floor tile will have the same charm as he subway tile. So then I'm still wondering if maybe a four by eight tile would be better than the three by six, or if it would look silly with the rather petite chair rail. I'm not thinking about changing much else of the design. It's really just the details of the size and finish of the subway tile. I just realized that the matte tile is a closer match to the tub and looks a bit better next to the floor tile than the glossy tile does. But I do like shiny! And if it really is easier to clean I suppose it doesn't matter if the tile and tub are an exact match.
smit2380
11 years ago
With 5 boys, definitely go with a good grout sealer.
PRO
Gray & Walter, Ltd.
11 years ago
Stay with glossy subway tile. White grout to match tile color, be sure to have grout sealed.
Caren Linn
10 years ago
What bathtub is that? I am really struggling. I need a 30x60 and can't have cast iron on a 2nd floor. I was looking at Americast pricenton but I've been hold it won't match well with Kohler Santa Rosa. I need to be no more that 20" toilet depth,

Help>?
PRO
Adaptations Unlimited
10 years ago
Regarding grout, go with Laticrete Spectralock pro premium grout, on walls you could do bright white, for floors do Silverado (nice bluish grey that looks great with carrera looks). The epoxy grout will never need sealing and is the easiest to clean because of its non-porosity. It costs more than other grouts but is worth the maintenance factor. For whites in bathrooms, don't expect exact matches since the various materials, be it cast iron, acrylic, porcelain, tile, etc. will reflect light differently and it will drive you nuts if you're going for "exact". Just think coordinate! What is the nautical aspect you alluded to for the design?
Diane
10 years ago
Have you put your tile sample next to the Kohler tub? Kohler white is not as stark as most white subway tiles they actually make a specific Kohler white subway, it it does cost more. We learned this the hard way, had to switch tile after all was bought because the white subway made the tub look creamy. My advice take your tile sample with you lay a piece in the tub. See in photo bellwether tub in white with a creamy mat finish tile. Best way to describe the color difference is a glass of milk vs a vanilla milk shake
Diane
10 years ago
For reference we actually had the first tub replaced thinking the wrong color was delivered. The second tub also looked creamy we used Kohler's memories toilet in white and when we put the tank lid inside the tub they do match. My thought is maybe the cast iron under the white is just not as clear as the porcelain of the toilet.
Ana Stagnaro_Wendel
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi Caren, I'm sorry I didn't see your comment with the question about the tub until today. The Kohler Bellwether tub is cast iron. I hope you were able to find the perfect fit for your upstairs bathroom.
Brenda Hagel
5 years ago
@Ana Stagnaro_Wendel, I'm not sure if you'll see this, but we're remodeling a bathroom the same size as yours and no joke, I've picked a few of the same things (same tub, shiny white subway tiles, etc). If you do see this, do you mind telling me which tile size you eventually went with? Also, how did the marble chair rail work out? I never thought of doing that!