Size
any size works - larger format tiles (400x800mm or bigger) look more current and are easier to clean
Introduction
Choosing tiles for your home is not as simple as finding something you like the look of. Different areas of your home have very different requirements. The tile that looks perfect in a bathroom showroom may crack on your kitchen floor, or become dangerously slippery in your shower.
This guide gives you a practical framework for choosing the best tiles for every area of your home - bathrooms, kitchens, living areas, and outdoor spaces.
The Key Questions to Ask Before Choosing Any Tile
Before looking at aesthetics, answer these practical questions:
- Where is this tile going? (Floor, wall, wet area, outdoor area? )
- How much traffic will it take? (Heavy kitchen floor vs low - use guest bathroom)
- Will it get wet regularly? (Shower, outdoor, kitchen splashback)
- What is the slip risk? (Shower floor, outdoor area, area used by children or elderly people)
- How easy does it need to be to clean? (Kitchen = easier the better)
- What is my long-term maintenance commitment? (Natural stone requires more than porcelain)
With answers to these questions, you can narrow your options significantly before worrying about colour or style.
Best Tiles for Bathrooms
Bathroom Walls
Bathroom walls are not weight - bearing and do not need to withstand foot traffic, so the requirements are focused on water resistance and aesthetics.
Best choice: Ceramic or porcelain wall tiles
Technical requirements:
Bathroom Floors
Bathroom floors are wet, potentially slippery, and take foot traffic. Safety is a priority alongside looks.
Best choice: Honed or textured porcelain tiles
Technical requirements:
Shower Floors Specifically
The most demanding surface. See also a dedicated guide on tiles to avoid in showers.
Best choice: Small format honed or textured porcelain (100x100mm to 300x300mm) or mosaic tiles
- Porcelain is preferred for shower walls (very low water absorption)
- Ceramic is suitable for walls outside direct spray zones
Finish
matt, honed, or subtle texture - high gloss shows every water mark and fingerprint
Water absorption
low (porcelain) to moderate (ceramic) - both acceptable for bathroom walls
PEI rating
wall tile (PEI 0 - 2) - floor - rated tiles can also be used on walls
Size
avoid very large tiles (over 600x600mm) - smaller tiles (200x200mm to 400x400mm) or mosaics are better for drainage slopes and grip
Finish
matt, honed, or textured - never polished or high - gloss
Slip rating
minimum R10 - R11 is better
Water absorption
porcelain (below 0. 5%) strongly preferred
PEI rating
minimum PEI 3 for bathroom floors
Slip rating
R10 minimum (R11 for shower floors)
Many grout lines provide additional grip
Must slope correctly to the drain (smaller tiles handle this better)
Non - slip rating
R11
Best Tiles for Kitchens
Kitchen Floors
Kitchen floors take heavy daily traffic, dropped items, spills, grease, and cleaning products. They need to be hard, easy to clean, and not slippery.
Best choice: Porcelain floor tiles
Avoid:
Kitchen Splashbacks (Wall Tiles Behind Cooktop and Counter)
The splashback faces heat, steam, cooking oil, and regular cleaning. It needs to be heat - tolerant, easy to wipe down, and attractive.
Best choice: Ceramic or porcelain wall tiles
Technical requirements:
Hardness
PEI 4 minimum (heavy residential use)
Finish
matt or honed - much more practical than polished (which shows every mark)
Size
400x400mm to 600x600mm is practical - large enough to look good, small enough to handle kitchen floor unevenness and traffic areas
Slip rating
R10 minimum
Highly polished tiles - show every scratch, footprint, and grease mark
Very pale colours if your kitchen is messy - they require constant cleaning
Natural stone without sealing - absorbs cooking oils and stains
Glazed finish is easy to clean
Mosaic or small tiles in a feature pattern can work well here
Subway tiles (100x300mm or 75x150mm in herringbone) are a classic choice
Avoid very deeply textured tiles that trap grease
Heat resistance
standard ceramic and porcelain tiles are suitable for splashback use behind a cooktop (they are not in direct flame contact)
Easy to clean surface preferred
Best Tiles for Living Areas and Hallways
Living areas and hallways take regular foot traffic and need to look good for decades.
Best choice: Porcelain floor tiles (or high - quality ceramic)
Alternatives:
Avoid: Highly polished tiles in a main living area - they show every footprint and scuff mark continuously.
Size
larger format tiles (600x600mm, 600x1200mm) suit open plan living areas
Finish
matt or lightly honed - more forgiving than polished
Hardness
PEI 4 for hallways and living areas with heavy use
Concrete - look porcelain for a modern industrial aesthetic
Stone - look porcelain (travertine, limestone, sandstone effects) for warmth and natural appeal
Timber - look porcelain for living areas where you want the warmth of wood with the durability of porcelain
Best Tiles for Outdoor Areas
Outdoor tiles face sun, rain, temperature variation, and wet conditions underfoot. Getting this wrong is a serious safety risk and an expensive mistake.
Best choice: Outdoor - rated porcelain tiles
Good alternatives:
Avoid:
Slip rating
R11 minimum (some manufacturers specify R12 for outdoor areas)
Frost resistance
required in areas that experience very cold winters (not typically needed in Cape Town but relevant in inland areas)
UV resistance
outdoor - rated porcelain does not fade or degrade in direct sunlight
Thickness
at least 10mm for outdoor paving use (some outdoor tiles are 20mm for over - ground applications)
Natural slate (textured, good grip, naturally suited to outdoor use)
Textured quarry tiles (very durable)
Any tile rated for indoor use only
Polished or smooth tiles outdoors - extremely dangerous when wet
How to Match Tiles Across Areas
For a cohesive home interior:
Visual continuity
Using the same or very similar tiles in connected spaces (kitchen flowing to living area, bathroom floor continuing to a wet room) creates a seamless feel
Same colour family
You do not need identical tiles - tiles in the same colour family (warm neutrals, grey tones) throughout a home feel unified even if the specific tile and size differ
Consider transitions
Where two tile types meet (bathroom floor to hallway, indoor to outdoor), plan the transition carefully - a well - chosen threshold trim or a deliberate design decision looks intentional
Practical Advice for Every Tile Purchase
- Check the PEI rating is appropriate for where you are using the tile
- Check the slip rating - especially for any wet area or outdoor use
- Confirm water absorption - porcelain for wet areas, ceramic acceptable elsewhere
- Order from the same batch and buy 10 - 15% extra
- Bring home samples and view them in the actual space before ordering
- Ask your tiler if they have experience with your chosen tile size and type
Conclusion
Choosing the best tiles for your home depends on where they are going and what they need to do. Porcelain is the most versatile and durable option across most applications - particularly in wet areas and high - traffic floors.
Ceramic is excellent for walls and lower - traffic areas. Outdoor areas require outdoor - rated tiles with appropriate slip resistance.
Get the practical requirements right first, then choose the look. The best tile is the one that performs well in its specific environment and looks exactly the way you want.
Ready to start your project?
Ready to choose tiles for your bathroom, kitchen, or floors in Cape Town? Contact Excellence Tilers for expert guidance on choosing the right tiles and professional installation. We help you make the right choice for every area of your home - the first time.