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Renovating a kitchen, bathroom or outdoor area is exciting—until you start tile shopping. Then the overwhelm kicks in. Endless styles, finishes, sizes and price points, plus a long list of Melbourne suppliers, can make it surprisingly hard to know where to start.
Tiles are also one of the most permanent choices you’ll make. Paint colours and décor can change, but the wrong tiles will stare back at you for years. That’s why it pays to be strategic about where you shop and how you compare your options across the city.
This guide walks you through how to narrow your choices, what to look for in a retailer, and how to make the most of your showroom visits so you feel confident with your final selection.
Get Clear on Your Project Before You Shop
Before you step into a showroom or browse online, take a moment to define the basics of your project. It sounds simple, but it will immediately filter out a lot of noise.
Think about which rooms you’re tiling and how they’re used. High-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens and living spaces need hard-wearing, low-maintenance tiles. Bathrooms and laundries require non-slip options and good water resistance. Outdoor areas need tiles that can handle weather, drainage and temperature changes.
Style is next. Are you drawn to minimalist, hotel-style bathrooms, classic heritage patterns, coastal neutrals or bold feature walls? Pull together a few reference images so you can clearly communicate the look you’re going for.
Finally, be realistic about your budget. Tiles themselves are only part of the cost—you’ll also need adhesive, grout, trims, labour and a buffer for wastage. Knowing your overall budget range helps both you and your supplier make smarter recommendations.
Shortlisting the Right Tile Shops in Melbourne
Once you know what you’re working with, it’s time to decide where to shop. In a city as large as Melbourne, you’ll find everything from big-box hardware chains to specialist boutiques and trade-focused warehouses.
A good starting point is to shortlist a reputable tile shop melbourne that specialises in residential and architectural projects rather than treating tiles as just another item on the shelf. Specialist showrooms tend to offer better-curated ranges, more knowledgeable staff and displays that help you visualise tiles in real spaces.
When you’re researching suppliers, pay attention to the variety of materials they carry, whether they stock both trending and timeless designs, and how easy it is to access technical information on slip ratings, suitability for wet areas and recommended applications.
What to Look for in a Quality Tile Retailer
Not all tile retailers operate at the same level. The right one should feel more like a design partner than a simple checkout.
Look for staff who ask questions about your project rather than pushing whatever is on promotion. They should be able to explain the differences between porcelain and ceramic, matte and gloss, rectified and non-rectified edges, and give realistic advice about maintenance and cleaning.
A strong showroom also presents tiles in room-style displays or large-format boards, not just small chips. Seeing tiles on a larger scale helps you understand how patterns, veining and grout lines will read in your home.
Ask about lead times and stock levels, especially if you’re drawn to imported or speciality tiles. The best retailers will be upfront about availability and can suggest alternatives if a particular range won’t arrive in time for your build or renovation schedule.
Matching Tile Choices to Room Function
Different areas of your home have different demands, and a good retailer will help you match product to purpose.
Kitchen floors typically benefit from durable, easy-clean surfaces that hide crumbs and minor spills. Bathrooms call for floor tiles with appropriate slip ratings and wall tiles that complement your vanity, tapware and lighting. Feature walls or splashbacks can be bolder in colour or texture, but you still want them to coordinate with the overall style of the room.
For open-plan living spaces, consider how tiles will flow into other materials like timber, carpet or polished concrete. Consistency in tile size and tone across connecting spaces often creates a more cohesive, high-end feel.
Balancing Aesthetics, Practicality and Budget
It’s easy to fall in love with a high-end tile that blows your budget—or choose the cheapest option and regret it later. The sweet spot lies in understanding where to invest and where you can save.
Large-format tiles, for example, can make small bathrooms feel more spacious and reduce grout lines, but they may cost more to install. Patterned feature tiles might be best used in smaller doses—such as a shower niche, splashback or entry—to keep costs manageable while still delivering impact.
Discuss total installed cost with your tiler and retailer, not just the per-square-metre price. Sometimes a slightly more expensive tile that’s easier to lay can work out similar overall, while giving you the look and performance you really want.
Making the Most of Your Showroom Visits
Once you’ve narrowed down a few suppliers, plan your visits to get real value from your time there.
Bring floor plans, measurements, photos of your existing space and any other finishes you’ve already chosen—such as benchtops, cabinetry samples or paint swatches. This makes it much easier to see how everything works together under showroom lighting.
Don’t be shy about asking for samples to take home. Tiles can look very different under natural daylight or warm indoor lighting compared to a bright showroom. Viewing samples in your space helps you check undertones, how they pair with your furnishings and whether the texture feels right underfoot.
If you’re comparing multiple options, lay them out together and imagine them across larger areas. Small variations in shade and pattern can have a big impact once multiplied across an entire room.
Choosing a Supplier You Can Rely On
The best tile shopping experiences feel collaborative and informed, not rushed or confusing. You should walk away from a decision feeling confident about how the tiles will look, how they’ll perform and when they’ll arrive.
Specialist retailers such as Erneste focus on curating high-quality melbourne tiles across bathroom, kitchen, living and outdoor applications, making it easier to keep your project cohesive from one room to the next.
Ultimately, where you buy your tiles in Melbourne matters just as much as which tiles you choose. When you combine a clear vision for your home with the right tile shop, expert advice and a realistic budget, the process becomes far less overwhelming—and the finished result is a space you’ll enjoy living in for years.
