How to tile a bathroom, a step-by-step guide

If you have ever wanted to re-tile (or tile) your own bathroom but thought it might be too hard as a DIY job – think again! Learning how to tile a bathroom is far less daunting than you may realize.

There are many reasons why you may be considering this job. Perhaps you are renovating or building a new home, or your old bathroom needs a refresh. Whichever it is, learning how to do things yourself gives you complete control over your bathroom’s new look.

The key to mastering your tiling technique is preparation and a little practice. To help, we’ve provided some handy tips to ensure you stay on the right track. Keep reading to learn how to become a tiling pro! 

Choosing your bathroom tiles before you begin

Before you learn how to tile a bathroom, consider the room’s size and tile type. If you have small bathrooms, avoid large bathroom tiles, as they will create an even smaller feel. From a cleaning point of view, however, the bigger, the better.

The best options for a bathroom are either porcelain or ceramic (the most affordable tiling choices), with porcelain being more hardwearing than ceramic. For the bathroom wall, you’ll want to find a robust tile that can handle a lot of wear. 

If you are after natural stone, you may need to skip the DIY installation, especially if you are a first-timer. Natural stone is porous and absorbent and will need sealing much more regularly. If you are short on time, pick a tile that requires less upkeep.

Calculating how many tiles you need

To avoid wasting money, figure out how many tiles you require for the whole project before purchasing. Use an online calculator to help you know your measurements and the number of tiles you need. Always double-check your measurements and buy at least 10% more tiles than you need to account for wastage and breakage. 

Having some spares on hand is always a good idea for down the track, in case your style is no longer available in a few years when you may need to replace a broken tile.

How to tile your bathroom walls: A step-by-step guide

Step 1: Preparation and choosing your tile design and layout

Before you start, you must prepare your surfaces, ensuring a smooth base. This is the key to a professional-looking result. It’s better to take the time before you begin, as fixing mistakes after tiling a bathroom is expensive. 

The goal is to make your bathroom waterproof, stable, and smooth. Remove any old adhesive, paint, or wallpaper, and then wash the walls with sugar soap to remove the dirt and grease.

Continue with a design plan because you need to know what

• Tile colour – will the shower  walls and floor be different
• Tile type – do you want a matte or a shiny finish
• Tile pattern – classic square or something more modern like a fish scale tile pattern

Once you have chosen, you’ll need to calculate the tiles you need. Multiply the width by each wall’s height, then add 10% for breakage and/or future repairs.

Pro tip: If opting for a ceramic tile, find boxes with the same dye lot number. When that is not possible, mix tiles from different boxes to minimize how noticeable colour variations will be.

Step 2: Map out your tile plan with a gauge stick

Create your own gauge stick by taking a length of wood marked with the size of your tiles. This will help you space your tiles correctly. Take a tile, align it horizontally against the stick, and mark the end of the tile on the stick all the way along until you run out of space. Your measurements must include room for a tile spacer. Turn the tile vertically, and repeat on a new stick. 

Once that is ready, use a spirit level to find the centre point of your wall and mark a line vertically across it. This will be the guide point. Place your gauge stick at one end of the wall along the line, and mark each tile’s guidelines on the stick.

This should now give you an idea of where the tiles will sit on the wall.

Step 3: Laying the tiles

Applying the mortar

Mix your chosen mortar based on the instructions on the pack to reach a peanut butter-like consistency. Spread the paste over a tiny section at a time with the notched side of a trowel to create a texture. Your tile manufacturer likely lists a recommended trowel notch size to help you decide which trowel will be best.

It is important not to spread too much mortar over a large area to avoid drying before you get to it. Work is small, manageable batches so that the drying time for each tile is sufficient.

Start laying the tiles

Place a tile against the wall in your starting spot. Some prefer to work from the bottom up, while others like to start in the centre of the space and work outwards. Whichever you choose, remember to add a tile spacer on the connecting side of the tile. 

When you reach the ends, you will likely need to cut the tiles to size, for which you’ll need a tile cutter. Mark where the cut needs to be in pencil on the back of the tile, align the mark with the tile cutter, and carefully resize the tile.

It helps to tile in rows and apply the adhesive one row at a time before moving on to the next.

Optional: Use a tile cutter to shape 

When you reach the ends, use a tile cutter to shape as needed and a tile hole saw to cut any required curves. If you have exposed edges, a bullnose can be used for their cuts.

Ensure tile spacers are placed between the tiles with consistent gaps, and check that everything is level throughout the process. Run a small test to ensure the mortar is sticking by pulling a tile off the wall and ensuring every part of the mixture is sticking. If not, you’ll need to move to a larger trowel.

Pro tip: If you are using a bullnose, fill a plastic sandwich bag with the mortar and cut 1/2-inch off the corner. This will make it easier to apply the mortar, similar to piping a cake icing bag.

Step 4: Mixing and applying the grout

When the adhesive is dry, you can begin to grout your tiles. Place the grout in a clean bucket and add some water. Mix until the grout becomes thick and creamy, let it sit for a few minutes, then apply it to the wall.

Use a trowel to place grout onto the sponge, then work it into the wall via the exposed gaps between each tile. Work on a small section at a time and use a different, clean sponge to wipe excess grout if necessary. Wait for the grout to sink into the surface properly before moving on to the next section, which can take around fifteen minutes. 

When you have finished, sponge down the entire surface and add more grout to any areas that need it. This should be all you need to do to tile your bathroom! Make sure you leave the area to dry completely before you begin to use it.

Optional: Grout Sealant

Pro tip: Wait a few days for the grout to dry, then apply grout sealant and silicone sealant to the corners and edges to ensure your area is waterproofed.

Always use a waterproof adhesive in the bathroom to avoid mould issues later. Most adhesives come pre-mixed and ready for easy application with a notched trowel. Spread the adhesive evenly across the whole area.

When tiling around a bath or shower, place the adhesive directly onto the tile. However, if tiling a wide space like a wall, apply the adhesive directly onto the wall.

How to tile a shower floor slope

When looking at bathroom tiling yourself, a small slope towards the drain is vital to ensure water:

1. Measure the length from the drain opening to the furthest wall
2. Multiply the measurement by 1/4 inch to calculate the slope and place a bubble level from the drain opening to the wall
3. Ensure the wall’s side of the bubble level matches the calculation of your slope
4. Place a mark at the appropriate height
5. Score a line around the floor’s perimeter to show the floor’s slope

When tiling, use the bubble level as a guide. Verify that the slope sits above the curb; if it does, lower the drain opening.

Source: DAVIDCOHEN

How to install a shower drain for tile

If you are installing a compression-style shower drain fitting, which is often the most popular, you’ll need to trim the drainpipe first. The drainpipe should sit about 3/4 to 1 inch below the shower drain lip. Trim the drainpipe with a hacksaw so that the cut is flat and level.

Apply a bead of silicone caulk to the top of the shower drain opening, then place the drain into the opening with the rubber sealing washer over the drain assembly tailpiece that sits under the shower base. There will likely be a mounting nut to thread onto the tailpiece and then tighten with channel-lock pliers.

Wipe away excess caulk, then position the shower base with the drainpipe extending up. Place the rubber compression gasket into the drain opening, thread the compression nut, and tighten. Most compression-style drain fittings come with the tool you will need to tighten the nut. When tightened, the rubber gasket compresses against the drainpipe, creating a watertight seal. Seal the edges with silicone and allow it to cure for 24 hours before it gets wet from the shower.

Are you ready to DIY your new bathroom?

Once you get started, we’re confident you’ll see how easy it is to tile a bathroom yourself. Hopefully, the instructions above make it easier, and you’ll soon master a handy new skill!

If you’ve had a read and decided it might be a little out of your skill range, or you do not have the time to commit to it, you can still get a newly tiled bathroom! Simply find a tiling expert at various bathroom tiling, floor tiling, regrouting, and screeding jobs. You’ll be able to get a new, beautifully tiled bathroom without having to lift a finger (besides a few clicks).

If you are committed to the DIY route, we have some other helpful articles that can inspire you to plan your new bathroom. Check out our blogs for bathroom tile ideas, including colour options, the modern bathroom look, and the popular Hamptons bathroom style.

Fingers crossed you find the look you love and follow the steps above to make it a reality. If you do, you’ll have a stunning new bathroom that increases your enjoyment of the home and its value. Now, get to the fun part of picking your new bathroom look. Happy tiling!