When it comes to tiling a small space, whether it’s a compact bathroom, kitchen, hallway, or utility room, colour choice is everything. The right tile colour can open up a room, reflect more light, and make your space feel airy and fresh instead of cramped.
At Delforno, with showrooms in Cork and Dublin, we work with homeowners and designers across Ireland to transform small spaces into beautiful, functional areas. Here's what you need to know before choosing your tiles.
The Best Tile Colours for Small Spaces
The key to tiling small areas is to keep things light, bright, and simple. Lighter tile colours help reflect light and create the illusion of more space. We recommend:
Soft neutrals like off-white, ivory, and cream - Try our Hexagon Carrara Porcelain Tile 17.5 x 20cm, for a bright off white shade with the visual interest of a hexagon shaped tile
Pale greys and cool taupes for a modern touch - The Napoles Pearl Ceramic Tile 25 x 50cm features a light grey glossy finish with a visually appealing design, perfect for small bathrooms or kitchens
Subtle pastels such as light sage or powder blue for a hint of personality - We have a wide rangle of light blues and greens to brighten any space - check out our Small Format Hanoi Sky Blue Ceramic Tile 6.5 x 20cm for a tranquil effect. If you are looking for a square shape, try the Artisan Aqua Ceramic Tile 13.2 x 13.2cm
Natural stone-look tiles in light shades for texture without heaviness - choose light greys and beige tones to make the space appear larger. The Sublime White Matt Porcelain Tile 60 x 60cm offers neutral white tones which bring brightness and depth to your décor, while the marble-inspired pattern adds sophistication and visual interest.
Tile Size and Finish: Keep It Seamless
The size and texture of your tile can influence how open a space feels. In small areas, larger-format tiles can make the space feel less cluttered by reducing the number of grout lines. Matt finishes work well on floors for grip and durability.For added brightness, choose glossy or polished finishes, especially on wall tiles. These surfaces reflect light and give a clean, spacious feel - ideal for bathrooms and kitchens.
Don’t Overlook the Grout
Grout plays a bigger role than most people realise, especially in small spaces. Match your grout to your tile colour as closely as possible. This creates a seamless, continuous surface that helps a room feel larger and less visually “broken up.”
Using contrasting grout, such as dark lines between pale tiles, can make a space look smaller by emphasising the individual tiles and drawing attention to the grid pattern. Unless you're deliberately going for a feature look (like a metro tile with dark grout), keeping grout low-contrast is your best bet.
What to Avoid in Small Spaces
While it’s tempting to go bold, a few common choices can work against you in compact rooms:
- Dark colours: These can absorb light and make a room feel more enclosed.
- High-contrast patterns: Busy designs may overwhelm a small room, opt for tone-on-tone styles instead.
- Heavy grout lines: As mentioned, avoid stark grout contrast unless used intentionally for effect
Choosing the right tile colour, size, and grout can completely transform a small space helping it feel brighter, bigger, and more inviting. At Delforno, we carry a wide range of tiles suited to compact bathrooms, kitchens, and beyond.
Visit our showrooms in Cork or Dublin, or browse online to explore our curated collections. Our expert team is always on hand to offer advice, samples, and inspiration tailored to your home.