Large Format Tiles In The Laundry: Pros & Cons

Large format tiles can be an excellent choice for a laundry, creating fewer grout lines and a clean, contemporary appearance. They can work particularly well in small laundries too, where fewer tile joints can make the floor feel less visually busy.

However, bigger tiles aren't automatically easier or cheaper to install. The size and shape of the room, floor preparation, falls, floor wastes, tile cuts and the particular tile selected can all affect the finished result.

Before choosing large format tiles for your laundry, it's worth weighing up the practical advantages against the potential installation challenges — not simply choosing them because they look good in a showroom.

Working out how many tiles you'll need? Use our free Tile Calculator to calculate your approximate floor and wall tile area, add a wastage allowance and estimate the number of tiles required.

What Are Large Format Tiles?

The exact definition of a large format tile can vary between manufacturers and suppliers. In practical renovation terms, the phrase generally refers to tiles considerably larger than traditional tile formats.

Common larger formats you may encounter include 600 × 600 mm, 600 × 1200 mm and even larger slabs, although the suitability of any tile depends on where and how it will be installed.

In laundries, large format tiles may be used on:

• Floors
• Splashbacks
• Feature walls
• Full-height tiled walls

The important point is that tile size should suit the room and installation requirements — not simply the current design trend.

Why Are Large Format Tiles So Popular?

Large format tiles can create a sleek and modern appearance that suits many renovation styles.

They are often associated with:

• Contemporary homes

• Luxury renovations

• Minimalist interiors

• High-end finishes

Many homeowners appreciate the way larger tiles can create a more seamless look throughout the room.  Fewer grout lines can also be particularly appealing in laundries, where homeowners often want surfaces that look clean and uncomplicated.

The Advantages Of Large Format Tiles

Fewer Grout Lines

One of the most obvious benefits of large format tiles is the reduction in grout lines.

This can help create:

• A cleaner appearance

• A more streamlined finish

• Less visual interruption across surfaces

For homeowners seeking a modern aesthetic, this is often a major attraction.

Fewer grout joints may also mean fewer grout lines to maintain, although the tiles and grout still need appropriate cleaning and care.

Creates A Spacious Feel

Large format tiles can sometimes make a room feel larger and more open.

Because there are fewer visible tile joints, the eye tends to travel more freely across the space.

This can be particularly appealing in smaller laundries where creating a sense of openness is important.

Large tiles can work surprisingly well in compact rooms when they're planned properly. For more ways to make limited space work harder, see our Small Laundry Design Ideas That Actually Work.

Modern Visual Appeal

Large format tiles have become strongly associated with contemporary design.

They work well in a variety of styles, including:

• Minimalist

• Modern

• Coastal

• Luxury-inspired interiors

Their versatility contributes to their popularity.

Can Create Continuity

Large format tiles can work particularly well when you want a visually consistent floor or wall finish.

Using the same or complementary tile across adjoining areas can help create a more cohesive appearance, particularly where the laundry connects directly to another tiled space.

However, suitability for the laundry should still take priority over simply matching the flooring in another room.

The Disadvantages of Large Format Tiles

They Don't Always Reduce Labour Costs

One of the biggest misconceptions is that larger tiles automatically mean cheaper installation costs.

While there may be fewer tiles to lay, other factors can influence installation complexity.

For example:

• Tile handling

• Cutting requirements

• Surface preparation

• Installation accuracy

Larger tiles can be heavier and more awkward to handle, and complicated rooms may require significant cutting around cabinetry, doorways, plumbing or floor wastes.

The relationship between tile size and labour costs is not always straightforward.

So don't calculate labour based simply on the number of tiles being installed.

Fewer tiles does not necessarily mean less work.

Flooring and installation are only part of the overall renovation budget. See How Much Does a Laundry Renovation Cost in Australia? for the broader costs homeowners should consider.

Room Size Matters

Not every laundry is suited to very large tiles.

In some rooms, tile sizes may need to be carefully considered alongside:

• Room dimensions

• Layout

• Features

• Obstacles

What works beautifully in one laundry may not necessarily suit another.

Before ordering tiles, consider how the proposed tile dimensions actually work within the dimensions of your room. A particular format may look fantastic on a large sample board but result in awkward cuts once applied to a small or irregular laundry.

This is worth discussing with your tiler before purchasing the tiles, particularly if you have a small floor area, unusual room shape or multiple obstacles.

Installation Precision Becomes More Important

Larger tiles often require a high level of accuracy during installation.

Any inconsistencies in walls or floors may become more noticeable when larger tile formats are used.

This is one reason why preparation remains such an important part of the renovation process.

Large format tiles generally place greater importance on having a suitably prepared substrate. The larger the tile, the more noticeable problems with the underlying surface can become during installation.

Don't assume the existing floor or walls will automatically be ready for the tile you've selected.

Large Format Tiles, Floor Wastes and Falls

If your laundry design includes a floor waste or requires falls within the tiled floor, discuss your proposed tile size with your renovator or tiler before ordering.

Creating the required floor shape around wastes and falls can influence tile cuts and installation, and very large tiles may not suit every floor configuration.

This is one of the reasons tile selection shouldn't happen independently of the rest of the renovation planning.

Large Format Tiles And Small Laundries

Many homeowners assume large format tiles are only suitable for large rooms.

In reality, they can often work very effectively in smaller laundries.

However, success depends on more than tile size alone.

Factors such as:

• Layout

• Lighting

• Colour selection

• Overall design

can all influence the final result.

A small room does not automatically require a small tile. Look at the complete layout, likely tile cuts, grout lines and proportions rather than relying on a simple “small room = small tile” rule.

What About Maintenance?

One of the attractions of large format tiles is having fewer grout joints across the surface.

Fewer grout lines can create a cleaner visual appearance and reduce the amount of grout within the room, but maintenance still depends on the tile finish, grout selection and how the laundry is used.

Highly textured tiles, for example, may behave very differently from smoother finishes when it comes to everyday cleaning.

Consider maintenance alongside slip resistance, durability and water exposure, rather than choosing based on grout lines alone.

Don't Forget Slip Resistance

Laundry floors can get wet, so appearance shouldn't be the only consideration when choosing a tile.

A large polished tile may create the look you're after, but the suitability of the actual product for the intended location matters.

Ask your tile supplier or renovator about the relevant product specifications and suitability rather than assuming all tiles within a particular range will perform the same way.

For a broader comparison of tile, vinyl and hybrid options, see What Is the Best Flooring for a Laundry? Pros & Cons for Australian Homes.

Large Format Floor Tiles vs Wall Tiles

Large format tiles can be used on both floors and walls.

Some homeowners choose to use the same tile throughout the room to create a cohesive appearance.

Others prefer to combine different formats for visual interest.

There is no single correct approach.

The most successful outcome usually depends on the overall design vision and how the various finishes work together.

Remember that a tile suitable for a wall isn't automatically suitable for a floor. Check the manufacturer's intended applications and product specifications before purchasing.

Trends Versus Timeless Design

Large format tiles remain extremely popular, but it's worth remembering that trends can change over time.

When selecting tiles, homeowners should consider:

• Personal style

• Long-term appeal

• Practicality

• Compatibility with the home

A tile choice that suits the overall property will often age better than one selected solely because it's fashionable.

Why Tile Selection Shouldn't Be The First Decision

Many homeowners spend considerable time choosing tiles before the overall laundry layout has been finalised.

However, tile selection is only one part of the renovation process.

Factors such as:

• Storage

• Cabinetry

• Appliance placement

• Workflow

often have a greater impact on day-to-day functionality.

Finalise the functional elements of the room first — including appliances, cabinetry, storage, plumbing and layout — then make tile selections that support the overall design.

If you're still working through those decisions, our Laundry Renovation Checklist: Where to Start explains what to consider before construction begins.

The Importance Of Seeing Samples In Person

Tiles can look very different in:

• Showrooms

• Photographs

• Social media posts

• Real homes

Lighting, room size and surrounding finishes can all influence how a tile appears.

Viewing samples in person can often provide a better understanding of how a tile will work within your own renovation.

If possible, view the sample both vertically and horizontally if you're considering using the same tile on walls and floors, and look at it alongside your cabinetry, benchtop and splashback selections.

Before Ordering Large Format Tiles, Ask:

• Is this tile suitable for the intended floor or wall application?
• Is the finish appropriate for a laundry floor?
• How will this tile size work with my room dimensions?
• What cuts are likely around cabinetry and doorways?
• Are there floor wastes or falls to consider?
• Does the substrate require additional preparation?
• Will the tile thickness affect finished floor heights or transitions?
• Has my tiler seen the proposed tile before I order it?
• Have I allowed enough wastage for the particular layout and cuts?

A five-minute conversation with your tiler before ordering can be far cheaper than discovering an issue after the tiles arrive.

Final Thoughts

Large format tiles can be an excellent choice for a laundry, offering fewer grout lines, strong visual impact and a clean contemporary finish.

But larger doesn't automatically mean better, easier or cheaper.

Room dimensions, substrate preparation, floor wastes, falls, cuts, slip resistance and installation requirements all need to be considered alongside appearance.

The best approach is to choose your tile as part of the overall laundry plan — and discuss the proposed size and product with your renovator or tiler before you place the order.

About the Author

Laura Faulkner is the founder of Own Your Reno and AJM Bathroom Renovations. Drawing on experience from more than 500 completed renovations, Laura created the Own Your Reno series to help Australian homeowners plan smarter, avoid costly mistakes and renovate with confidence.