Saying hello and looking for guidance with my diy bathroom project.

[slicker55]

Hello everyone,

I don't pretend to be a professional anything... just a 'competent DIYer', always willing to listen and learn. I am patient, appreciate the importance of good planning and have an eye for detail.

I am currently fitting a new bathroom and have reached the tiling stage.

I want to centralise everything on a feature wall to accommodate a large rectangular mirror and vanity unit - no problem.

However, on the opposite wall, there is a wall mounted mixer tap (central to the end of the bath). I would also like this tap to be central to the surrounding tiles.

I have been experimenting all day and have determined this will not be possible if I tile this wall in the same way as the feature wall.

Here's my question...

I have studied the general principles of 'setting out' and appreciate that generally tiles and grout lines should be reflected on opposite walls but is it ever acceptable to compromise this approach?

 

[Qwerty]

Welcome to the forum

Yes, it's possible. How much of a difference are we talking?

 

[Old Mod]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
The rule of mirroring opposite walls only really comes in to its own when the floor tile is bonded through with the wall tile. (Lined up)
If the floor is completely different or there is something that breaks the line of sight, like a bath, it’s far more acceptable to change the layout.
Aesthetics play a huge part in the finished project obviously, however, as the client, you have the right to see whatever you want.
After all, you’re the one that has to walk thro the door every day, we don’t.
So even tho we may consider something to be not as we’d expect it to be, doesn’t mean it’s wrong.
Well unless you’re introducing a mosaic border of some description.
It may also depend on the tile size format as to whether or not it looks out of place.

To give an example, this front wall could easily considered to be incorrect in its set out, however bringing in to account its size and the size of the adjoining walls, I felt it was more visually pleasing to centre it on the radiator rather than the dimensions of the wall. That way one piece could be brought from the right corner, wrapped around the front and the second piece to the left then wrapped straight around in to the left window corner. Otherwise there would have been an extra piece incorporated to make it reach the right hand corner.
It’s all very subjective ultimately.
Some will agree, others won’t.

 

[slicker55]

Hi Geoff,
Thanks for your reply... as you can see by the late hour, I'm still testing new ideas but coming to the conclusion that I may need to 'think outside the box'... on reflection, the difference would be too great (approx 40mm).

 

[slicker55]

3_fall,
Thank you for your detailed explanation - I hear what you say and appreciate your advice. Looking at your pic, if that was my house, I would be quite happy with your layout in relation to the radiator.

I'm not sure things would look pleasing to the eye if I did change the layout on the two opposite walls because these two walls run parallel to each end of the bath and the grout lines wouldn't line up

 

[Old Mod]

Thank you.
If you do need more detailed advice or suggestions, just upload a few images of your predicament along with your ideas in the form of a sketch and there will always be someone about to cast an opinion.
That’s as long as you can take the good with the bad haha
Hope you sort it.

 

[slicker55]

yes, will do - no probs ... would rather take advice prior to doing any work than have to rely on my broad shoulders afterwards!

 

[GoneGuy]

Hello and welcome

 

[slicker55]

Hello again,

Thanks for your patience

Over the last few days I have been trying various tile layouts to see which one will provide the best overall result.

I have prioritised the 'feature wall' as the two pillars either side and centralised mirror and vanity unit will naturally make this the main focal point when entering the room.

I also want to avoid a horizontal grout line between the top of the sink and the shelf but this will come at a price, the compromise being the 'less than favourable' height of the first row of tiles at floor level.

That said, this is a small room and there will only be a small amount of these tiles visible as the bath panel will be finished with mosaic tiles and the vanity unit is quite wide.

My main concern is the wall mounted bath mixer tap.

Whilst this is central to the width of the bath, mirroring the tile layout on the opposite wall, results in it not being ideally positioned to the surrounding tiles.

I don't think setting the tiles out differently on this wall so as to place the tiles centrally to the mixer would be a viable solution as the misalignment with the opposite wall will be too noticeable.

However, I may have come up with a cunning plan...

Fitting a mosaic feature panel behind the bath mixer overcomes the misalignment issue with only one compromise. The tile to the right of the mosaic panel will be 87 mm wide whereas the same tile on the opposite wall will be 153 mm wide.

So, without further ado, I would like to show you some images I have prepared and would like to hear what you think.

 

[Old Mod]

Well it appears to work.
On a personal note, intergrating mosaic in to a tiled bathroom for me isn’t something I’d do, I feel it’s a very dated feature and can tire quickly.
But that’s only personal opinion.
Had you considered having the mixer in the centre of a tile?
Is there a specific reason you must have wall opposite the door mirror that one?
Doesn’t matter, it’s purely curiosity on my part.
The door wall is effectively behind you when you enter so can’t initially be seen. And even when facing the mirror wall or opposite, you can not view both small walls at once. Hence my interest in your set out.