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48 x 24 tiles in small narrow bathroom

3 years ago

Small narrow bathroom with tub. Bathroom is

46 inches wide by 137 inches deep and a door frame at 61 inches (71.5 on the other side). Tiler recommends installing 24 x 48 tiles for a clean look. I can’t find anyone who has gone this route online and it is hard to fully visualize. One downside is right at the entrance to bathroom there would be an off-centered grout line as the tiles are 24 inches wide and the doorway is larger at 28 inches. Any pictures from people who have done this or comments as to pro/cons. We’d be using a porcelain cararra tile with a time-worn (matte) finish.

Comments (26)

  • 3 years ago

    Why not 12x24?

    HU-37459040 thanked eld6161
  • 3 years ago

    The tiler just finished a different bathroom in 12 x 24 that we were happy with, BUT he thinks the 24 x 48 would look cleaner because less grout lines.

  • 3 years ago

    So your tiler has a design degree from an accredited school?

    12 x 24 would be a better choice in this case.

    HU-37459040 thanked cpartist
  • 3 years ago

    I am trying to keep an open mind to what he is suggesting based on his years of experience doing the work. He says doing it in larger tiles would not be easier for him at all than say the 12 x 24 tiles, but he can do it successfully (no lippage), and he thinks it would look nicer, but ultimately it is whatever we want.


    I went looking for info or pictures of this exact suggestion, and can't find anything specific to this, hence I reached out here hoping maybe someone has in fact installed this.


    Thanks for all the honest responses received thus far.


    If someone has gone done this road, would still love to see pictures/hear about it.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    They might have used this size tile, but not in your size bathroom.

    HU-37459040 thanked eld6161
  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    My bathroom is 59x 170 and i am using 24x48. my shower runs the length of one side, vanity in the middle then toilet and tub. Its the same layout as before. i am using the big tiles for the shower and main bath floor. look at bedrosian.com to see large format porcelain. I asked my gc if the tile guy could lay that big and he said yes. So i guess ill see if it works out or not. Below is a pic of a bathroom with what look like 24x48 that ive been using as inspiration.


    HU-37459040 thanked Kami A.
  • 3 years ago

    @kilroy
    Is it the busyness of the shower tile that you object to the most? It seems that even in a smaller tile, it would be busy. How does the tile size affect the look?

    I’m not speaking to the other tile selections, only what’s in the shower.

    HU-37459040 thanked tc9876
  • 3 years ago

    These were taken before the final touches/hardware were put on, but these are 24x48 porcelain tiles. I think our bathroom is a little wider on the main stretch. The side part with the tub is quite narrow, but it’s off to the right, so the tile goes the across.

    HU-37459040 thanked S H
  • 3 years ago

    That looks really nice!

    HU-37459040 thanked tc9876
  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    @SH your bathroom is beautiful! my large format has a touch more movement than yours but is way less than the pic i posted. the dark small tile is not as dark as it appears its actually a charcoal brown and is only for the shower floor. My counters are there, faucets, crystal knob, cabinet door and a smaple of cream subway im thinking of using on the opposite wall. The lighting is bad all the whites are very similar/same undertone when they arent shadowed. Did you have any issues with the install?



    HU-37459040 thanked Kami A.
  • 3 years ago


    Faucet wasnt in the other pic. also heres two possible wall colors on the cabinet.

    HU-37459040 thanked Kami A.
  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I agree the scale of these is off for the size of your bathroom. I'd go with either skinnier planks, i.e. no wider than 8", or I'd pick a different format. Have you considered 8" x 9" porcelain hexes?



    Metropolitan Slate Hexagon Riven Finish Tiles · More Info


    HU-37459040 thanked Sabrina Alfin Interiors
  • 3 years ago

    You might be correct but ive already purchased it and my gc said they could do it. As a layperson its hard to second guess what im told when i dont know why it wouldnt be so. Can you explain to me why it would be hard to lay? My gc actually suggested the large format and said they have done it on other jobs. Maybe you can tell me what to look for as a sign if a job well done?

    HU-37459040 thanked Kami A.
  • 3 years ago

    Thank you. Ill bring all of this up with my gc.

    HU-37459040 thanked Kami A.
  • 3 years ago

    Haha i looked at my quote and its says he will be using the Raimondi tile leveling system for the floors. Is that good?

    HU-37459040 thanked Kami A.
  • 3 years ago

    Ok. I will speak with him later today about the list of things you said.

    HU-37459040 thanked Kami A.
  • 3 years ago

    I think the tile you picked is beautiful. We did not have any issues with install, though agreed that you probably need more overage for such a large format.

    PS, I love the dark shower floor. We did a dark charcoal for our shower floor, and the contrast adds so much. I can’t imagine it any other way. And those shower wall tiles are 48x48. We obviously did not shy away from large format 😉

  • 3 years ago

    Good luck Kami with your bathroom- you have put a lot of nice pieces together.


    Raimondi- we are using the Schluter system in our bathrooms. In terms of the cuts, our tiler did ask for two extra pieces to be ordered if going this route just in case as mistakes can happen and to not install the door casing which is to be replaced until after he completes the tile work. He said he recommends this tile size and can successfully do it, but I'm processing all the suggestions.


    SH- thank you! if laid in our space, it would end up being similar to that large tile in your bathtub area. This helped me visualize. Your bathroom is lovely.


    Sabrina- the tile we chose does come in hexagons, but they aren't as large unfortunately-- they are about 3 inches in width only. If they were larger, I definitely would have considered. I saw it installed in large scale in a showroom and I felt like with the small hexs, it was distracting from the cararra pattern of the tile and I was seeing hexs first and foremost and then the cararra pattern second.


    Thanks cpartist/kilroy/Patricia/eld/tc for your advice/input/dialogue as well.

  • 3 years ago

    SH Thank you for posting your pics! They have made me feel so much better about my choices. I spoke to my gc about install and im going to be just fine. I feel relieved.

  • 3 years ago

    Happy to help. It’s so hard trying to piece small samples together while hoping everything actually turns out the way you envisioned it. I had a designer help and it was still scary! I think your bathroom will be lovely, and I’m so glad you’re feeling confident about your choices.

    HU-37459040 thanked S H
  • 3 years ago

    We went with 48x48 tiles in our half bath. We tiled all four walls and I like it because there are fewer grout lines in the shower area to worry about and looks clean and calm. But, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

    HU-37459040 thanked Jennifer Svensson
  • 3 years ago

    Jennifer do you have pictures?

  • 3 years ago

    Sure. Here’s one.

  • 2 years ago

    Jennifer, I love the 48x48 tiles in your bathroom. Can you tell me the size of your bathroom it looks similar to mine.

  • 2 years ago

    Thank you. Very standard US half bath. I think it’s roughly 95” x 60”