To match or not to match? That is the question. Only once you’ve sussed out whether you want your ensuite bathroom to blend seamlessly with your bedroom, or are ready to let it stand alone in its design glory, can you confidently decide on which tiles will work best. We’re not saying one way is better than the other, either. It’s totally up to you and, handily, we can happily cover both bases.

Really, aside from the obvious physical link between the two rooms, most ensuite designs have at least some visual link so the two become one – from matching bedding to towels or coordinating furniture, to, of course, the wall and floor tiles. 

If you’ve nailed the scheme for the bedroom, think about how you could introduce one of the main colours in the bathroom. It could be as simple as a splashback tile behind the basin in a similar shade or a mosaic accent in a shower nook. You might like to pick a patterned tile with hints of a connecting hue in there. This way, the design is different, but together, the rooms still have some cohesion, however small the detail. Tiles like Kashmir Porcelain Pastel have a few shades in them making the pairing even easier. 

If you’re going for full-on flow, colour-match your tiles to the main shade in the bedroom. So if you’re a dusty pink kinda person for your sleep space, how about a dusty pink tile for the bathroom? We love Joyous Expressions Porcelain Eleni by Sasha Compton.

If you have bold patterned wallpaper in the bedroom, a simpler tile may work best in the ensuite and vice versa – neutral painted bedroom walls with a stand-out tile like Kaleidoscope Porcelain Admiral would make a lovely combination. Not forgetting the maximalists, we’re all for pattern clashing too – you do you. Just aim to have a thread of the same shade for the best result. Have you seen our Tunstall and Rialto Terrazzo in this project here?

The bathroom floor is often a quandary, especially when it comes to ensuites. Carpet for the bedroom, yes. Carpet for the bathroom, absolutely not (say it louder for those in the back!). It’s tiles all the way, natch. Apply the same principles of colour matching and finding a thread within the design. Natural coloured or grey carpet in the bedroom provides a great base and can flow wonderfully into a whole array of tile styles, patterned or plain, and since it’s for the floor, hardwearing porcelain is the best bet. Make sure to find a tile that has an R rating of at least R10, which signifies it is slip resistant and suitable for bathrooms. For a wetroom, you’ll need R11 to be extra safe.

Bedroom with wooden or laminate flooring? Porcelain tiles like Rotterdam Porcelain Mid Wood can effectively mimic the look and texture of wood but with all the benefits of tiles: waterproof, easy to clean, hardwearing…we could go on. This way, you can easily create the appearance of one flooring style between the two areas.

Speaking of areas, you could even zone the bathroom itself and create a unique look with a combination of tiles. For example, zone your shower (or bath) area with a stand-out design like Rio Porcelain or Capri Porcelain for the nature lovers. This works best when the shower is furthest from the door to the bedroom as then you can let it have its own identity, making it the star of the show.

As some parting words of wisdom, when choosing tiles for your ensuite, think about how you want to feel when you’re in there. Do you want to feel alive and invigorated? Maybe a bright pattern is your thing. Or are you after feelings of calm and relaxation? Try earthy tones and soft greens that evoke that spa feel. And if you’re looking for that daily dose of luxury? You really can’t go wrong with a large-format marble design.