Wallpaper-style porcelain uses printed pattern and large format to create the feeling of a decorated wall while retaining a tile surface. It can be especially effective in a powder room or selected feature elevation.
The pattern needs a place to breathe
A dramatic wall can become noisy if every adjoining surface competes with it. The room often benefits from quieter tile, cabinetry and fittings around the feature so the printed image remains legible.
The pattern should also be reviewed at the scale of the completed wall, not only on a small sample.
Openings interrupt the image
Basins, mirrors, lights, niches and corners cut into a large printed surface. Their locations should be considered in the elevation so the main motif does not stop at an awkward point or lose its intended balance.
Wet use still needs confirmation
A decorative porcelain product may be appropriate for a wall while another finish is needed on the floor. The exact product application and cleaning guidance should be confirmed before specifying it inside a shower.
Printed porcelain is not a shortcut around technical selection.
Use the material where it has the most effect
A powder room, bath wall or vanity elevation may allow the pattern to be appreciated without excessive repetition. In a large Durban home, one considered feature can create more luxury than covering every surface in a competing print.
Read how a three-dimensional wall tile changes bathroom light, or see how patterned small-format tile can work as a luxury choice.