A feature wall is the easiest way to give a room personality without redoing the whole space. Deco tiles do it better than paint or wallpaper because they add colour, texture and shine that lasts for years. This guide covers how to plan a deco tiles wall with our Gaia range, from choosing a colour to ordering the right number of boxes.
Why Slim, Glossy Deco Tiles Work So Well
Our deco tiles collection is built around the Gaia range: glossy porcelain wall tiles made in Italy, each 70 x 280 mm and 9 mm thick. That format does three useful things:
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More grout lines, more texture. A slim tile creates a rhythm across the wall that a large tile can't, so even a plain colour looks designed.
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Gloss adds depth. A glossy finish reflects light and shifts in tone through the day, which makes a small wall feel richer.
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Porcelain suits kitchens and bathrooms. Porcelain absorbs very little water, so it's a practical choice for splashbacks and bathroom walls.
Choosing Your Gaia Colour
Gaia Veily (grey)
Gaia Veily is the safest bold choice. It brings shine and texture without dominating the room. It suits contemporary kitchens with white or grey cabinets.
Gaia Sophisty (white)
Gaia Sophisty brightens north-facing or darker rooms. Because the colour is quiet, the layout and grout do the talking, so it's a good choice for herringbone.
Gaia Salse (taupe)
Gaia Salse is warm and earthy. It pairs well with wood effect floors, oak furniture and brushed brass.
The range also includes blue, green and black designs for anyone who wants bold tiles that become the centre of the room.
Mixing colours: Gaia tiles share the same size and finish, so you can combine them. Try two tones in bands, a lighter colour on the lower half of the wall, or a subtle random blend of two close shades.
Planning a Deco Tiles Wall
Pick the right wall. Choose the wall your eye lands on first when you enter the room: behind the hob, behind a bath or basin, a chimney breast, or behind a bed.
Choose a layout.
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Vertical stack: straight vertical lines make ceilings feel higher.
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Horizontal brick bond: a relaxed, classic look that widens a narrow wall.
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Herringbone: the 1:4 shape of a 70 x 280 mm tile works well in herringbone for a more crafted finish.
Get the wall flat. Glossy tiles reflect light, so they show dips and bumps in the wall more than matt tiles do. Ask your tiler to check the wall is flat before tiling starts.
Plan the edges. Where tiles stop partway up or along a wall, a slim metal trim gives a clean, finished edge. Choose chrome or black for a modern look, or brass for warmth.
Choose your grout. Matching grout creates a smooth wash of colour. Contrasting grout highlights the layout, which is especially effective with herringbone.
Light it well. An LED strip or wall light placed close to the wall skims across the gloss and brings out every tile.
Keep the floor calm so the wall stays the focal point. Neutral marble or stone effect floors work well.
How Many Tiles Do You Need?
Each box of Gaia tiles holds 50 tiles and covers 0.98 m².
Worked example: a wall 2.4 m wide and 1.8 m high is 4.32 m². Add 10% for cuts to get 4.75 m². That's 4.85 boxes, so order 5 boxes. For herringbone, add 15% instead of 10%.
Order everything at once. Tiles are produced in batches, and shades can vary slightly between batches. Ordering your full amount together keeps the colour consistent. Gaia tiles currently take 4 to 5 weeks to arrive, so topping up mid-project could delay your tiler.
Which UK Tile Shop Has the Best Selection of Patterned and Decorative Tiles for Feature Walls?
For a feature wall, the details that matter are different from buying everyday tiles. You need to see the gloss and colour in real light, check that every tile is rated for wall use, and find floor and plain wall tiles that sit well beside it.
At Axar Tiles, you can see our Gaia deco tiles next to our wall tiles, marble, stone and wood effect ranges, so the whole room is planned in one place. Once your wall is finished, our guide to cleaning decorative wall tiles will keep it looking new.
Visiting Wall Tile Shops in London?
Compare the Gaia colours side by side at our Stanmore showroom in North West London.
Showroom: Devonshire House, 582 Honeypot Lane, Stanmore, HA7 1JS
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm
Phone: 0203 355 1197
Email: info@axartiles.com
Free UK delivery on orders over £500, Price Match Promise and 100-day returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are glossy deco tiles suitable for kitchens and bathrooms?
Yes. Gaia deco tiles are glossy porcelain, which absorbs very little water and wipes clean easily. That makes them well suited to kitchen splashbacks and bathroom walls.
Can Gaia deco tiles be used on floors or outdoors?
No. Gaia deco tiles are specified for wall use only. For floors, choose from our floor tiles range, and for patios and gardens, see our outdoor tiles.
How many boxes of Gaia tiles do I need for a feature wall?
Each box covers 0.98 m². Multiply your wall's width by its height, add 10% for cuts (15% for herringbone), then divide by 0.98 and round up. A 2.4 m by 1.8 m wall needs 5 boxes.
Can I mix different Gaia colours on one wall?
Yes. All Gaia tiles share the same 70 x 280 mm size and glossy finish, so colours can be combined in bands, two-tone halves or a random blend.
Why should I order all my tiles at once?
Tiles are made in batches, and shades can vary slightly from one batch to the next. Ordering your full quantity together keeps the colour consistent. Gaia tiles currently take 4 to 5 weeks to arrive, so plan ahead.
