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A lot goes into creating the perfect bathroom, and choosing the right tub for your space is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. But with so many styles and emerging new bathroom trends to choose from, it can be difficult to land on ‘the one’. Especially when you’ve got other key factors to consider like size, usage, and budget.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to choose a bath that fits your needs to a tee, comparing some of the most popular styles and new bath ideas with useful guidance to help you make the right choice.

At Raynesway Tile Warehouse, we have an outstanding range of carefully selected suites, fixtures, flooring, and accessories at our bathroom showroom in Derby – ready to complete, elevate, or totally transform your bathroom. 

Things to consider before choosing a new bath

Choosing a visually appealing style is the easy part, but what if the bath you want isn’t practical, or doesn’t quite fit your space? Consider these key factors before diving in:

• Bathroom size – think about available floor space, room layout, and the positioning of your existing plumbing.
• Usage – think about who will be using the bath, how often, and whether this is the primary bath in your house. 
• Budget – as well as bath cost, think about extra installation costs, associated fittings, and any complementary tiles or accessories you need. 

With a clear understanding of your needs and preferences, you’ll find it easier (and more enjoyable!) to compare bath styles with the confidence you need to make the right decision on your brand new bath.

Free standing baths 

Nothing says ‘luxury’ like a free standing bath – the ideal choice if you want your tub to make a statement and be the focal point of your space. 

Pros

• Wide range of modern and traditional designs to choose from
• Spectrum of cost-effective and premium price points to suit budget
• Can be positioned away from walls for more flexibility

Cons

• Requires more floor space
• Often comes with higher installation costs
• Cleaning around the bath can be more challenging

Expert style tips

Free standing baths look great with floor-mounted bath fillers, large-format porcelain tiles, and feature wall tiling, while the right floor tiling can provide the water resistance, load-bearing capacity, and complimentary appeal your free standing tub needs to stand out and stand strong. Discover the best tiles for bathroom floors.Back-to-wall baths

Want the luxurious feel of a free standing bath but don’t have the space? A back-to-wall bath could be the perfect choice for you.

Pros

• Elegant aesthetic while standing flush against the wall
• Easier to clean than free standing baths, with concealed pipework
• Often more space- and cost-efficient than free standing options

Cons

• Inflexible positioning, must be against the wall
• Lacks the ‘360° centrepiece’ feel that a free standing bath has
• Wall must be perfectly square and waterproof for installation

Expert style tips

Retain the luxury aesthetic of a free standing bath by pairing your back-to-wall tub with wall-mounted taps, minimalist tile designs, and floating vanity units.

Straight baths

For flexibility and functionality, straight baths are a great choice, especially for busy families and those on a budget.

Pros

• Most versatile option for smaller space
• Compatible with shower screens 
• Wide range of sizes to suit all needs

Cons

• Must be fitted against walls or in corners
• Not as visually distinctive or appealing

• Sealed gaps can accumulate dirt and be hard to clean

Expert style tips

Elevate the functionality and aesthetics of your straight bath by integrating it with a shower screen, or pairing it with practical wall tiling and contemporary brassware.

Shower baths

Looking for a new shower as well as a bath? Installing the two separately can be challenging from a space and money perspective. Shower baths are the perfect solution. 

Pros

• Multi-functional and space-saving
• Ideal for families with regular bathroom usage
• Cost-effective, bringing two appliances together in one

Cons

• Often a smaller bathing area compared to dedicated baths
• Showering space can be confined, especially for tubs with sloped sides
• Less flexibility with design options compared to dedicated or straight baths

Expert style tips

Shower baths can be made more visually appealing by coordinating the shower unit with the bath taps, or even by opting for a glass shower screen. Whilst waterproof tiles are a must, you can choose designs that match or elevate the vibe of your shower bath. 

Corner baths

Some bathrooms, even spacious ones, can have unique layouts that make traditional bath designs tricky to accommodate. Corner baths solve that problem, with the visual appeal to match. 

Pros

• Highly space efficient for awkward layouts

• Can provide a larger, deeper bathing area without obstruction

• Creates a distinctive and more unique bathroom aesthetic

Cons

• Only suitable for specific room layouts

• Can be harder to clean than traditional styles

• Limited or no ability to integrate shower appliance and enclosure

Expert style tips

Bring that unique corner of your bathroom to life by adding mosaic feature tiling, corner storage solutions, and contemporary fixtures on and around your corner bath. 

Transform your bathroom with Raynesway Tile Warehouse

Ready to put your new bath ideas to use? Knowing how to choose a bath is key to making a decision that you are happy with after installation, not just before. Take into consideration size, cost, and practicality for those who will be dunking in it. Then you can narrow down your shortlist using the comparison guide above, and turn the tap on your tub search with confidence!

And remember, what you do around the bath can elevate the style and functionality of your space as much as the tub itself! Whether you’re planning a full bathroom renovation, making tasteful additions, or swapping old for new, our Derby tile showroom has a wide range of styles, suites and accessories, with the friendly experienced staff to help you make the right choice for your bathroom. 

Working on the rest of your house too? Browse our kitchen tiles while you’re here, our team will be happy to assist you on making your house feel like a home. In the meantime, get in touch with us for advice and availability of our wide selection of bathroom suites, tiles, and accessories.

Adding a tiled splashback is one of the quickest ways to refresh your kitchen while protecting your walls from splashes and spills – and doing it yourself is a lot easier than you might think.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to tile a kitchen splashback step-by-step so you can start your next DIY project with confidence.

Looking for the perfect kitchen tiles? Raynesway’s got you covered. Visit our Derby tile showroom Raynesway Tile & Bathroom Warehouse or get in touch with the team today.

What you’ll need

It’s a good idea to get everything ready before you make a start. Having the right tools to hand will make the job much easier and help you avoid unnecessary delays.

You’ll need:

• Tiles of your choice
• Tile adhesive
• Tile spacers
• Notched trowel
• Tape measure
• Spirit level
• Pencil or marker
• Tile cutter or wet saw
• Bucket and sponge
• Grout
• Grout float
• Silicone sealant
• Safety gear (gloves and goggles)

How to tile a kitchen splashback: step-by-step

While tiling a splashback might seem like a big job, it’s actually pretty straightforward when you break it down into simple steps.

1. Prepare your wall

Start by making sure your wall is clean, dry, and smooth. Remove any grease, dust, or loose material, and fill in any cracks or holes if needed.

A well-prepped surface makes all the difference when it comes to how well your tiles stick and how neat the finished result looks.

2. Measure and plan

Planning the layout of your tiles carefully is key to getting a professional finish. Measure the area you want to tile and mark out your starting point using a pencil and spirit level.

It might be a good idea to lay out a row of tiles along the worktop first to see how everything will fit together before you begin.

3. Apply the adhesive

Using a notched trowel, spread the tile adhesive onto a small section of the wall. It’s best to work in sections so the adhesive doesn’t dry before you’ve placed the tiles.

Hold the trowel at an angle to create ridges in the adhesive. This helps the tiles grip properly and stay in place.

4. Fix the tiles in place

Press each tile firmly into the adhesive, using spacers between them to keep the gaps even.

Take your time here and check regularly with a spirit level to make sure everything is straight. Small adjustments are much easier to make while the adhesive is still wet

Continue this across the wall until the main area is covered.

5. Cut tiles where needed

When you reach edges, corners, or areas around sockets, you’ll need to cut tiles down to size. A tile cutter or wet saw will give you the cleanest finish.

Measure carefully before cutting and always make sure you’re wearing the right safety gear.

6. Leave to set

Once all your tiles are in place, leave the adhesive to dry fully. This usually takes around 24 hours, but make sure you check the instructions on your adhesive and leave it for as long as necessary.

Avoid touching or moving the tiles while they’re setting.

7. Apply the grout

When the adhesive is dry, you can move on to grouting. Use a grout float to press grout into the gaps between the tiles.

It’s best to work diagonally across the tiles to make sure the joints are filled properly. Wipe away any excess with a damp sponge, rinsing it regularly as you go.

8. Seal the edges

Finish the job by applying silicone sealant along the edges where the tiles meet the worktop and walls.

This helps protect against water and gives your splashback a neat, finished look.

Need help choosing the perfect kitchen tiles?

If you’re planning a kitchen update, choosing the right tiles is just as important as fitting them correctly.

At Raynesway Tile Warehouse, we stock a wide range of kitchen tiles to suit every style, from modern gloss finishes to more natural, textured looks. Whether you’re after something simple or a standout feature, we’re here to help you find the perfect fit for your home.

Visit our Derby showroom Raynesway Tile & Bathroom Warehouse to explore our full range or get in touch if you need some friendly advice before you start your project.

FAQs

How doable is it to tile your own kitchen splashback?

It’s generally fairly easy to tile your own kitchen splashback. Just make sure you plan everything carefully, have all the right equipment to hand, and double-check your measurements to ensure they’re spot-on. If you follow the steps we’ve outlined in this blog, you shouldn’t have any issues doing it yourself!

How long does it take to tile a kitchen splashback?

Most splashbacks can be tiled in a day, although it depends on the size of the area. You’ll also need to come back the following day to apply the sealant.

What tiles are best for a kitchen splashback?

Ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles are popular choices because they’re durable and easy to clean. This makes them perfect for busy kitchen spaces.

Can I tile over existing tiles?

In some cases, yes. However, the existing tiles must be perfectly solid, completely clean, and flat. If your old tiles are lifting or damaged, it’s safer to tear the old ones out.