From kitchen splashbacks to full-height bathroom and laundry walls, a well-planned tiled wall elevates style, protects your home and adds long-term value. Here’s how Joyce Kitchens designs and delivers tiled walls that work beautifully in Perth and across WA.
Why a tiled wall works in WA homes
A tiled wall is more than a splashback. In kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and sculleries, the right wall tiles design gives you:
- Durability against heat, steam and spills—ideal for Perth’s coastal lifestyle.
- Easy maintenance—great for busy family kitchens and rental-friendly spaces.
- Design flexibility—from classic shaker kitchen looks to modern minimalist schemes.
- Added value—quality tiles and custom cabinetry WA are buyer-pleasers.
Joyce Kitchens combines tiles with cabinetry, benchtops (e.g., engineered stone benchtop or laminate), storage planning and lighting to create cohesive, high-performing rooms. If you’re considering kitchen renovations Perth, integrating the tiled wall early ensures perfect alignment with power points, shelving and rangehoods.
Our renovation and installation process
1) Consult and measure
We start with an in-home or showroom consult to understand your cooking and cleaning habits, appliance sizes (600mm ovens and 900mm cooktops are common in Australia), and the style you love—Hamptons, coastal, contemporary or classic.
2) Design and specification
We refine your wall tiles design, grout colour, tile pattern (subway, herringbone, stacked, large-format), cabinetry layout, lighting and power points. We’ll advise on tile suitability behind gas per AS/NZS 5601.1 clearance rules and waterproofing for wet areas per AS 3740 where applicable.
3) Quote and schedule
You’ll receive an itemised quote covering cabinetry, tiling, benchtops, plumbing and electrical. We sequence works to minimise downtime—crucial for family homes.
4) Make, deliver, install
Our Perth team manufactures custom cabinetry, then coordinates demolition, wall prep, waterproofing, tiling, benchtops and appliances. We finish with a quality check and care guidance.
Regulatory note: We follow the NCC (BCA) and relevant Australian Standards. For further reading, see industry bodies like the Housing Industry Association (HIA) and Master Builders WA. Standard documents are available via Standards Australia.
Materials, finishes and wall tiles design ideas
Best tile types for tiled walls
- Porcelain tiles: Dense, low-porosity, excellent behind cooktops and in showers. Great for full-height splashbacks.
- Ceramic tiles: Budget-friendly, wide range of glazes and textures. Ideal for kitchen splashbacks and laundry walls.
- Mosaic tiles: Adds texture and interest to niches and feature walls. Choose epoxy grout for easy cleaning.
- Subway tiles: Timeless; works in Hamptons-style and shaker kitchen designs. Stack, brick-bond or herringbone.
- Large-format tiles: Fewer grout lines; sleek look for contemporary spaces and a modern coastal kitchen.
Finishes and colours that work in Perth light
Perth’s bright natural light is forgiving of matt and textured glazes, which help mask water spots. Soft whites, sage, sand and sea-glass greens suit coastal homes; charcoal and deep blue tiles pair well with warm timber cabinetry and brass hardware.
Grout, edges and maintenance
- Grout types: Use epoxy for heavy-use zones; cementitious grout is fine in low-splash areas.
- Edge details: Mitred or trim profiles ensure a clean finish on returns and window reveals.
- Sealing: Glazed tiles generally don’t need sealing; some natural-look finishes and grout do.
Definition: Rectified tile
A rectified tile is factory-cut for very straight, sharp edges, allowing thinner, more consistent grout joints and a crisp, modern look.
Definition: Epoxy grout
A two-part grout that cures hard, is stain-resistant and less porous than cement grout—ideal for splashbacks, showers and laundries.
Definition: Substrate
The surface beneath the tiles (e.g., plasterboard, fibre cement sheeting). Correct substrate and prep ensure tiles adhere and stay true.
Benchtops next to tiled walls: choosing the right partner
Your tiled wall sits above a benchtop, so choose a surface that complements the tiles and suits your lifestyle. Here’s a quick comparison.
| Feature | Engineered Stone Benchtop | Laminate Benchtop |
|---|---|---|
| Heat resistance | Good, but use trivets; avoid direct hot pots and cutouts near gas without protection. | Moderate; susceptible to heat. Use trivets and avoid hot pans. |
| Cost (supply + install, Perth) | Typically $800–$1,400 per m² depending on brand/finish. | Typically $250–$450 per m²; budget-friendly. |
| Maintenance | Low; non-porous, easy to clean. | Low; avoid harsh abrasives and standing water at joins. |
| Edge options | Mitred waterfalls, pencil or arris; premium look. | Postformed or ABS edges; wide colour range. |
| Style pairing with tiles | Elegant with handmade-look tiles, marble-veins, zellige. | Great with solid colours, timber-look laminates and subways. |
Ask us about low-silica engineered options and compliance with current fabrication safety requirements in WA.
Layouts, styles and real WA examples
Kitchen tiled wall layouts
- U-shaped and L-shaped: Wrap the tiled wall continuously around corners for visual flow and easy cleaning.
- Galley kitchen: Full-height tiles behind the cooktop and up to the underside of overheads on the prep side.
- Island with feature wall: Tile the wall behind the rangehood to the ceiling for impact; pair with an island in a shaker kitchen profile.
- Scullery/pantry: Durable porcelain tiles where heavy prep or appliances live.
Bathroom and laundry
- Wet zones: Full-height tiles in showers; half-height or full-height behind vanities. Follow AS 3740 waterproofing guidelines.
- Laundry splash zones: Tile behind troughs and benchtop appliances; consider bump protection at door entries.
Style directions
- Hamptons/coastal: White or pale-blue subways with shaker cabinets, brushed nickel handles and a butlers pantry for storage.
- Modern minimalist: Large-format matt porcelain, handleless cabinetry, integrated LED strip lighting.
- Industrial: Charcoal tiles, open shelves, black tapware and concrete-look benchtops.
Case-style examples (Perth)
Scarborough coastal kitchen: We paired a sea-glass subway tiled wall in herringbone with a durable engineered stone benchtop and white shaker cabinetry. The 900mm gas cooktop met clearance rules, and epoxy grout made cleaning easy after beach days.
East Fremantle bathroom: Large-format matt porcelain tiled walls reduce grout lines. Warm timber-look vanity, black hardware and a recess niche with mosaic tiles add texture in a compact space.
Costs and budgeting in Perth
Every project is unique, but these ranges help plan your budget. All figures are indicative for Perth/WA and include GST.
- Kitchen splashback (tiled wall): $950–$2,800 for standard areas (materials + labour). Handmade or mosaic tiles and complex patterns may run $2,000–$4,500.
- Full-height feature wall: $1,800–$5,500 depending on tile type, size and prep (e.g., wall straightening).
- Bathroom tiled walls: $4,500–$10,000+ in a typical remodel, affected by waterproofing, niches and tile size.
- Laundry splash zone: $800–$2,200 for practical coverage behind sinks and appliances.
Costs vary with tile choice, substrate condition, access, electrical/plumbing changes and whether we’re coordinating custom cabinetry, appliances, and benchtops. We provide a fixed quote after site measure.
Practical pre-renovation checklist
- Confirm appliance sizes: 600mm vs 900mm cooktop, 600mm dishwasher, fridge width and door swing.
- Decide tiled wall coverage: benchtop-to-overhead, window reveals, or full-height to ceiling.
- Select tile size and layout: subway, herringbone, stacked, brick-bond or large-format.
- Choose grout colour and type: light vs dark, epoxy vs cementitious.
- Plan power points, mixer position and any pot-filler before tiling.
- Discuss benchtop material and edge details to align with tiles.
- Consider shelf brackets or rails that need pre-drilling before grout cures.
- Confirm compliance: cooktop clearances, waterproofing to AS 3740 in wet areas.
- Schedule: allow time for demolition, wall prep, waterproofing, tiling and curing.
- Maintenance plan: cleaning products safe for your tile and grout.
Ready to plan your tiled wall with Joyce Kitchens?
From kitchen renovations Perth to bathrooms, laundries and custom wardrobes, we design, manufacture and install integrated solutions—custom cabinetry WA, tiles, benchtops and more. Book a free design consultation and we’ll help you choose tiles, grout and finishes that suit your style, budget and the way you live.
FAQ
Are tiled walls still on-trend for Australian kitchens?
Yes. From handmade-look subways to large-format porcelain and textured glazes, tiled walls remain a durable, design-forward choice. They suit shaker, Hamptons and modern styles and are easy to refresh with new grout or open shelving.
What tiles are best behind a gas cooktop in WA?
Porcelain or quality ceramic tiles with heat-resistant glazes are excellent. Ensure clearances per AS/NZS 5601.1 and the cooktop manual. Epoxy grout resists staining and heat better. Toughened glass is an alternative where specified.
How much does a tiled wall splashback cost in Perth?
Expect around $950–$2,800 for standard tiled splashbacks, or $2,000–$4,500 for handmade/mosaic or complex patterns. Prices vary with tile type, layout, substrate prep and access.
How do I choose grout colour and keep it clean?
Match grout to tile for a seamless look or contrast for definition (e.g., white subways with mid-grey grout). Use epoxy grout in heavy-use zones and clean with pH-neutral products; avoid abrasive pads on glossy glazes.
Can Joyce Kitchens handle tiling, waterproofing and cabinetry together?
Yes. We manage end-to-end design, custom cabinetry, benchtops, tiling and waterproofing, coordinating trades to meet Australian Standards and deliver a fast, tidy renovation.