Best Tiles for Bathroom, Outdoor, Wall & Floor in Kenya
When it comes to choosing the right tiles for your home in Kenya, every decision—from material and design to installation and maintenance—matters. Drawing on my years of working in interiors and renovation projects in Nairobi and beyond, I’ll walk you through what to look out for, what I’ve learned the hard way, and how you can get the best result for your budget and lifestyle.
Tile Use Case | Key Features to Look For | Why It Matters in Kenya | |
Bathroom (wet zone) | Porcelain, glazed ceramic | Low water absorption, slip-resistance, dense body | Kenya’s humidity, showers, and easy maintenance |
Wall tiles (interior) | Ceramic, porcelain, light stone | Lightweight, good finish, installation ease | Faster installation, less structural load |
Outdoor / patio | Porcelain 20 mm, granite, quarry tile | Weather resistance, anti-slip, UV-stable | Exposure to sun, rain, dust, and foot traffic |
Floor tiles (indoor) | Porcelain, natural stone | High wear rating, good for foot traffic, large format | Living rooms, corridors: durability matters |
Understanding the Tile Material Basics
Before picking colours or patterns, you want to nail the material question — what the tile is made of is half the battle. For example, as explained in a Kenya-market guide, ceramic tiles are commonly used and more affordable, while porcelain offers superior water and wear resistance.
From personal experience, I once helped a client pick ceramic wall tiles for their bathroom — beautiful, yes — but later regret surfaced when moisture seeped behind the thin adhesive and caused peeling. If we had chosen a denser porcelain variant from the start, that issue would have been minimized.
Why is this crucial؟
- In bathrooms and outdoor areas, moisture, drainage, and exposure to the elements accelerate wear and tear.
- In Kenya, dust, variation in installation skill, and sometimes fluctuation in quality make it even more important to pick wisely.
Material dictates how the tile handles maintenance, cleaning, and longevity.
Best Tiles for Bathroom Use
When you’re shopping for bathroom tiles (for floors, walls, or shower areas), your focus should be: water resistance, slip-safety, ease of cleaning, and choosing a look that suits a humid environment.
For example, I recently worked with a family in Mombasa where the bathroom was near a sea breeze — we opted for porcelain tiles with a matte finish and minimal grout lines. That decision paid off: less salt deposit, fewer cleaning headaches.
What to aim for
- Choose tiles with a low % water absorption (porcelain is ideal) so you avoid staining and water ingress.
- Choose finishes that aren’t ultra-glossy for shower floors: matte or textured surfaces reduce slip risk.
- Use slightly larger formats where possible (for example, 600x600mm) to reduce grout lines, which trap mold and grime. As one guide notes, larger formats give a “wider, cleaner” effect.
- Coordinate the wall tiles and floor tiles so the transitions feel seamless.
My tip
If you’re on a budget, use a high-quality porcelain for the floor and a more affordable ceramic for the walls — this balances cost and performance. I did this recently for a client in Nairobi: we used premium porcelain for the floor and glazed ceramic for the walls; the client has reported no issues after 18 months.
Choosing Wall Tiles (Interior & Exterior)
Wall tiles often get less wear than floors—but that doesn’t mean they’re unimportant. For interior walls, aesthetics and ease of installation tend to dominate. For exterior or feature walls, durability and weather-resistance become key.
Wall tiles for interior
- Lightweight helps the installer and reduces structural demands.
- Good finish (gloss, matte, patterned) lets you set a style without huge cost.
- Grout colour matters—especially if you want to minimise visible dirt.
- Match tile size to wall height and room size. Smaller rooms often benefit from larger tile sizes (less interruption by grout lines).
Wall tiles for exterior / feature walls
- The tile must resist UV fading, temperature shifts, and moisture.
- For example, natural stone can look great, but if it’s soft or porous, it may deteriorate outdoors unless sealed properly.
- Usually use 20 mm thick porcelain or special outdoor-rated tiles for patios and external walls.
My anecdote
I once visited a villa outside Nairobi where the exterior wall tiles had peeled after 3 years — the wrong adhesive was used in a high-sun area. Lesson: don’t just pick a “nice tile” — pick one suitable for that location. The wall is just as important to protect as the floor.
Outdoor & Patio Tiles: What Kenyan Homes Need
When you step outside—whether it’s a patio, balcony, garden path, or pool area—the demands on your tile escalate. Exposure to the elements, changing temperatures, heavy foot traffic, and even local wildlife or vegetation mean you need a robust solution.
Key features for outdoor tiles
- Slip resistance: Rain can make many surfaces slick; textured or coarse surfaces help.
- Weather and UV resistance: The tile must hold its colour and integrity under direct sunlight.
- Thickness and strength: Outdoor surfaces often need tiles 20 mm thick or stones like granite.
- Drainage and proper base/sub-structure installation matter — even the best tile will fail on a bad substrate.
- Consider local logistics: in Kenya, sourcing outdoor-rated tiles may cost more due to import/transport; weigh that in.
My tip
For outdoor areas in Kenya’s climate, I’ve found that going a little higher budget for the tile upfront pays off: fewer replacements, less maintenance, better resale value. One homeowner in Kiambu who chose an indoor-only tile for the terrace regretted it when cracks appeared within 2 years.
Floor Tiles for Indoor Living Spaces
Floors are high-use zones—living rooms, corridors, and kitchens all need tiles that handle daily life. In Kenya, where children, pets, dust, and sometimes outdoor-soiled shoes converge, the tile you pick must be tough and easy to maintain.
What to prioritize
- A tile rated for high traffic or commercial use (if your family is active), so it won’t scratch or crack easily.
- Large format tiles reduce grout lines and create a more seamless look. As noted earlier: “large size tiles from 60×60 cm … widen the space”.
- Material: porcelain or higher-grade natural stone—if you’re aiming for a premium look. For more modest budgets, good ceramic can work, but accept trade-offs on wear.
- Colour and pattern: Lighter tones help brighten rooms in Kenya’s indoor-outdoor light environment, but darker grout might hide marks better.
My suggestion
If you have a budget and want longevity, go for a porcelain tile for your main floor (living/dining). Use a slightly cheaper tile in less-seen zones (storage rooms, pantry). I did that for a client in Eldoret: main floor porcelain, secondary zones ceramic. Budget stretched, but most of the space got the “best” tile.
Why Choose Us at Pergas Group Limited
If you’re shopping in Kenya, consider our offering at Tiles in Kenya, where we carry a wide range of high-quality tiles suited for bathroom tiles, wall tiles, outdoor tiles, and floor tiles. We also have dedicated sub-landing pages that may help you focus: Floor Tiles in Kenya, Wall Tiles in Kenya (you can navigate through our site for precise categories).
Our years of experience mean we’ll help you choose what fits your space and climate in Kenya—not just what looks good in a showroom.
FAQs
What type of tile is best for bathrooms in Kenya?
For bathrooms, I recommend porcelain tiles because of their low water absorption and strong durability in wet zones. This is especially important given Kenya’s varied climate and the need for long-term value.
Can I use outdoor-rated tiles indoors, and vice versa?
Yes—technically you can, but there is a compromise. Outdoor-rated tiles are built to withstand harsher conditions, so they will generally perform very well indoors but may cost more. Conversely, indoor-only tiles may not stand up outdoors (sun, rain, freeze-thaw,) so using them outside may lead to faster failure. It’s almost always better to match the tile rating to the environment.
How much extra should I budget for good tile installation and maintenance in Kenya?
In Kenya, you’ll want to factor in: quality adhesive/grout, correct substrate preparation, possible tile sealing (especially natural stone), and skilled labour. As one guide on Kenyan stone and tile markets notes, transportation, import duty, and labour can all add meaningful cost. I recommend budgeting at least 10-15 % extra above tile purchase cost for installation, plus an allowance for future maintenance (e.g., sealing every 1-3 yrs for natural stone).
Selecting the right tiles for your home in Kenya is more than aesthetic—it’s a long-term decision that affects durability, maintenance, cost, and comfort. Whether you’re looking for bathroom tiles that withstand moisture, wall tiles that elevate a room, floor tiles that endure heavy use, or outdoor tiles that brave the elements—follow the guidelines above, lean on local expertise, and make sure you buy from a supplier you trust.
Whenever you’re ready to explore options, feel free to visit our full collection of tiles in Kenya or connect with our team to tailor a solution for you.