Choosing tiles sounds easy until you walk into a showroom and get hit by hundreds of options. Every detail, from anti-slip ratings to surface variations, affects both your home’s look and function, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially if you’re a first-time homeowner.
To save you from decision fatigue and endless showroom hopping, here are 7 best tips on how to choose tiles for your home reno, as told by homeowners who’ve been through the renovation process.
Writer’s note: Homeowners’ quotes have been edited for clarity.
1. Start with a mood board & tile theme
Image adapted from: HB-Classics Belgium
Before you even start shopping, create a mood board to define the overall look and feel you want for your home. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, a simple Pinterest board or saved Instagram posts can help you visualise your aesthetic and feel less overwhelmed when browsing different tile shops.
Having a clear theme in mind, such as warm neutrals for a Japandi look or cool grey tones for an industrial look, keeps your choices cohesive and prevents renovation regrets down the line.
Image credit: @wongandcozy
If you’re drawn to specific designs like kit-kat tiles or marble-effect slabs, save a few references to compare textures and finishes in person. You can also bring along paint swatches, laminate samples, or countertop finishes to see how everything ties together with your tiles.
Homeowner tip:
“If your house design is quite driven by the tile colour or pattern, I would suggest visiting the tile shops early on before your renders are out, to select the pattern.” – @so.house.life on Lemon8
2. Prioritise anti-slip tiles for wet areas
Image credit: Hafary
Before you get carried away by tile designs, check the R-rating—that’s the tile’s anti-slip rating, not the age rating you might think of. This tells you how safe the surface is under wet conditions, which is a small detail that makes a difference in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
For most homes, R11 tiles hit the sweet spot with enough grip for showers or wet kitchens without feeling overly rough. While R12 and R13 tiles offer more slip resistance, they are usually too coarse for home use and are more suited for commercial spaces.
For families with kids or elderly family members, choosing tiles with R11 can provide extra safety for wet areas without sacrificing comfort.
Homeowner tip:
“Anti-slip ratings range from R9-R13, with R9 being the smoother end and R13 being the rougher end. R11-12 ratings are ideal for bathroom floor tiles due to the higher anti-slip rating. For the rest of the wall and general tiling, you can choose any ratings you like as long as you are comfortable with the material and texture.” – @77shome on Lemon8
3. Check tile porosity & water absorption rate
Image credit: 9 Reno Pte Ltd
Not all tiles handle moisture the same way, and tile porosity affects their durability and suitability for installation in different areas.
Low porosity tiles are denser and more resistant to stains, warping, and mould growth over time, making them ideal for wet areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or balconies. For example, porcelain tiles are naturally less porous and more water-resistant than ceramic ones, making them a popular choice for these spaces.
Dry zones, such as living rooms and bedrooms, can use more porous tiles like ceramics. These are often more budget-friendly, giving you flexibility without compromising on style.
Homeowner tip:
“Porcelain: most common, more durable and less porous, for floors and walls.
Ceramic: less durable, more porous and lighter compared to porcelain, for walls only.
Real terracotta is unglazed and porous. Great for temperature regulation but requires sealing.” – @so.house.life on Lemon8
4. Use variation grades to add depth & character
Image credit: SMJF
Besides anti-slip ratings, tiles also have variation ratings (V1-V4) to describe how uniform or varied patterns are.
Image credit: Surfaces by Hynes
Low variation tiles (V1-V2) can create a clean and uniform look, while high variation tiles (V3-V4) add depth, creating a rustic feel with their irregularity.
To get a better sense of the tiles’ variation, you can also lay out multiple sample pieces in the showroom to help you visualise across a larger surface area and avoid any installation surprises.
Homeowner tip:
“For more dimension, choose stone-like tiles with different shade variations so it doesn’t look too flat and one-dimensional.” – @gohthoohome on Lemon8
5. Bring samples home to test in different lighting
Image credit: @hoiihanfoundhome on Lemon8
Showroom lighting can be deceiving—a warm beige tile under bright spotlights might turn out grey under home lighting. Before committing, bring some samples home to view them at different times of the day.
Having these samples on hand at your renovation site also makes it easier to match colours with your wall paint, laminates, and furniture finishes later on. If you want to be extra precise, you can also bring along a portable light when you’re shopping to see how the tiles react under different lighting tones.
For tiles meant for wet areas like the bathroom or kitchen, you can try wetting a sample and stepping on it barefoot. Or even add a little soap for good measure—it’s better to find out now than your first shower in your new home.
Homeowner tip:
“Request for samples to bring home with you so that you can look at them at your renovation site! This will allow you to visualise and see how the colour looks within your future home, especially under different lighting!” @vltyyy on Lemon8
6. Always purchase 10–15% more tiles than you need
Image credit: @charleneang on Lemon8
It might feel unnecessary to buy extra tiles, but think of it as insurance for your renovation. Having a 10–15% buffer will cover any breakage during installation, miscalculations, or future touch-ups without the stress of finding a perfect match later.
Tile stocks tend to run out fast, especially for popular or seasonal designs. Once they’re gone, it’s almost impossible to get the same shade or pattern, even from the same brand. Keeping extras on hand ensures your future replacements blend seamlessly, saving you from mismatched tiles and potential regrets.
Homeowner tip:
“Tile stocks can run out faster than you would think, especially for popular designs. Having a second or even third choice that you also like makes things a lot less stressful if your first option sells out or needs a few months for shipment to arrive.” – @ovenlettershome on Lemon8
7. Choose tile sizes & layout to minimise grout lines
Image credit: @hazwauzfi3a on Lemon8
Bigger tiles mean fewer grout lines, giving your home a cleaner, sleeker look. Large-format tiles, such as 900x900mm or 1200x600mm, can make living and dining areas feel more open and seamless.
However, bigger isn’t always better. Large tiles are usually pricier and require precise cutting and skilled installers to get a smooth finish, which can add to your renovation bill.
To keep a cohesive look, consider using the same tile size across adjoining spaces, like the living and dining areas, so you won’t end up with awkward transition grout lines that break the flow of your flooring.
Homeowner tip:
“Jumbo tiles trick the eye to make any room feel more spacious than it actually is! Large format tiles can work wonders in smaller spaces. These tiles are easier to clean with fewer grout lines, and they’re less likely to chip or crack, standing up to heavy foot traffic.” – @iamfallingfeathers on Lemon8
Choosing tiles for your home reno
Tile shopping might seem like a small errand, but it can easily turn into a full-day activity. Wearing comfortable clothes and sturdy closed-toe shoes will make moving around showrooms and carrying heavy tile samples much more comfortable and safer.
Choosing tiles may feel like a tiny detail, but it shapes a big part of your home’s overall look and feel. With these tips, you’ll be better equipped to pick tiles that fit your home’s aesthetic and are practical for daily life, serving your home well for years to come.
For more home reno reads:
- 11 best 3-room HDB BTO flat renovations under $40k
- 10 best HDB-approved contractors in Singapore for a fuss-free job
- 6 tried-and-tested tips for homeowners renovating without an ID
Cover image adapted from: Uchify, M3 Studio
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