01Vertical strip behind the WC
A floor-to-ceiling strip draws the eye up and frames the WC.
Highlighter tiles in the bathroom: how to use them
A strip or panel of feature tiles that lifts a plain bathroom.
Highlighter tiles in the bathroom are decorative tiles used in a strip or panel among plain tiles. They add pattern and colour at a fraction of the cost of tiling the whole room in designer tiles.
Here's how to use highlighter tiles well, with 10 ideas.
02Horizontal band at eye level
A single band of highlighter tiles around the bathroom.
Highlighter panel behind a basin
03Panel behind the basin
A highlighter panel behind the basin and mirror.
Highlighter tiles on a shower wall
04Shower wall highlight
Patterned tiles only in the shower zone.
Shower niche lined with highlighter tiles
05Niche highlight
Line the shower niche with highlighter tiles.
Floral highlighter tiles
06Floral highlighter
Soft floral patterns on cream base tiles.
Geometric highlighter tiles
07Geometric highlighter
Modern geometric patterns in grey and white.
Glass mosaic highlighter strip
08Mosaic highlighter strip
A glass mosaic strip adds shimmer.
Darker highlighter wall behind a toilet
09Toilet highlighter wall tiles in dark colour
A darker shade of the base tile as the highlight.
Highlighter border at dado height
10Highlighter border at dado
A border at about 4 feet height separates two plain tiles.
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How to use highlighter tiles in a bathroom
- Choose one location: behind the WC, basin or in the shower.
- Coordinate colours: pick highlighters that share a tone with the base tile.
- Keep proportions: one strip or panel, not several.
- Align with fixtures: centre strips on the WC or mirror.
- Same tile size or a multiple of it makes laying neater.
Materials and rough cost factors
- Highlighter tiles cost more per piece but you need few.
- Base tiles in plain finishes.
- Labour for alignment.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What are highlighter tiles?
Decorative tiles used in a strip or panel among plain tiles to add pattern or colour.
Where should highlighter tiles go in a bathroom?
Behind the WC, behind the basin or on the shower wall.
How many highlighter tiles do I need?
Usually just enough for one strip or panel; it's a small percentage of total tiles.
Can highlighter tiles be used on floors?
Only if they're rated for floors. Most highlighters are wall tiles.
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