6 Simple Ways to Cover Ugly Bathroom Tiles?

Are you tired of looking at those ugly old tiles in your bathroom? Do you want ideas to beautify your bathroom?

You might have thought of removing the ugly, worn-out tiles and installing new ones in their place. However, this is an extremely time-consuming and expensive job.

A much more cost-effective and simpler solution is to cover the old tiles in your bathroom rather than getting new ones.

In this article, we will give you some easy and hassle-free tricks on how to cover ugly bathroom tiles.

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How to Cover Ugly Bathroom Tiles?

There are plenty of ways in which you can cover ugly bathroom tiles.

Nevertheless, the most important thing to keep in mind is that your solutions have to be waterproof.

Even if your tiles aren’t directly getting wet from your shower or sink, they will still have to withstand a lot of condensation produced by the humidity of your shower.

Without further ado, here are a few simple and useful ideas that you can use.

Use Waterproof Paint to Paint the Tiles

A great way to cover ugly tiles in the bathroom is to paint them. Water-resistant tile paint will give your bathroom tiles a fresh and clean look.

When selecting the tile paint, you need to ensure that it’s particularly developed for the bathroom.

Generally, epoxy and latex are your best picks!

They are available in matte, satin, and glossy finish so that you can attain the desired look! Certain bathroom tile paints are also effective in preventing mold growth.

In case you cannot file waterproof tile paint, you can pick any paint you like and coat waterproof sealant on top.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that you cannot paint on the grout. In order to prevent this problem, cover the grout with tape before you start painting.

Here are the steps you need to follow when painting over the tiles.

Step #1 – Thoroughly Clean the Tiles

You need to ensure your tiles do not have any mildew, dirt, or soap scum on them.

Start off by using a bathroom cleaning solution to clean the tiles. Then use a damp sponge to wipe the tiles.

Wait for the tiles to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step #2 – Sand the Tiles

Use synthetic sandpaper (either 180 grit or 220 grit) and gently sand the tiles with it to remove the gloss from the surface.

You can also use a sander to complete the job more quickly.

Step #3 – Brush Off the Dust

The sanding process will fill up your bathroom with dust.

Use a wet cloth to clean up the dust and let it dry.

Step #4 – Apply A Coat of Primer

An epoxy paint primer in your preferred color will prevent the paint from peeling off the tiles.

Use a foam brush to cover the tiles with the waterproof primer to keep the paint intact.

Allow the primer to dry for the suggested time before you start painting.

Step #5 – Paint the Tiles

If you have selected acrylic latex paint to paint your tiles, apply as many coats as needed and let it dry.

The same process applies to epoxy paint. Carefully follow the instructions on the label and let the paint dry completely.

The only drawback of using epoxy paint is that its available in very few colors.

Use A Shower Liner to Cover the Ugly Tiles

Another great option is to cover your ugly bathroom tiles with some bath and shower liner.

This method is much less laborious than painting your tiles. However, it’s not a lasting solution.

Shower liners are generally a piece of PVC or solid plastic that’s made to fit the shower perfectly.

Floor-length shower liners can give a classy and complete look to your bathroom. Plus, they are also mold-resistant and waterproof.

You can use a silicone sealant to adhere the shower liners to the wall.

Shower liners are available in standard sizes and shapes, so you can just measure the dimensions and place an order online.

If you are short of time, you can opt for this 100% PEVA, environment-friendly shower liner.

It’s long-lasting and durable, with rustproof grommets that are easy to fix up and resistant to tears.

Hang a Shower Curtain

Another great option to cover ugly bathroom tiles is to hang a beautiful shower curtain.

A well-designed and matching shower curtain will instantly uplift your bathroom and keep the ugly tiles out of sight.

This option is especially great if you want a short-term solution to hide the ugly tiles and don’t want to paint your tiles or install a shower liner.

In fact, this trick is perfect for tenants who don’t wish to invest money or time in hiding old bathroom tiles.

To effortlessly and quickly create a brand new look, hang a water-resistant shower curtain such as the one available here.

It will add a nice touch to your bathroom while covering the nasty-looking tiles.

This curtain is machine-washable and manufactured with special mildew and mold-resistant polyester material for added durability.

Apply Tile Stickers

The fourth option to cover ugly bathroom tiles without removing or replacing them is to use tile stickers.

You can use tile stickers both on the walls and the floors of your bathroom.

The best thing about tile stickers is that they’re available in several sizes, designs, and colors, so you can pick one that best matches your needs.

To apply the tile stickers, you need to first clean your tiles thoroughly using a cleaning solution. This will ensure the stickers adhere perfectly.

After you have cleaned the tiles, let them dry before removing the back cover of the tile and applying them to the tiles.

Even though tile stickers are the easiest and quickest solution to cover up ugly tiles, they do have certain disadvantages.

For instance, the biggest drawback is that the adhesive can wear out with time, especially in environments with high moisture.

Use Water Repellant Wall Panels

Shower wall panels are essentially water repellant panels that you can fit around your bath, sink, or shower area.

These perfect tile substitutes are available in various sizes, and you can cut them into any shape you want.

Installing shower panels is a fairly simple process and, unlike tiles, doesn’t require any grouting.

Thus, they are quite low-maintenance. All you have to do is wipe the panels with a damp cloth to retain their newness.

Shower wall panels are ideal for both contemporary and traditional bathrooms.

However, since they are available in both traditional and modern patterns, you can use them in almost every type of bathroom.

Shower wall panels can be made from stone, slate, and also marble as a high-end option. The low-cost materials are made using moisture repellent MDF or acrylic stone.

Some wall panels even have elements such as glitter to beautify their appearance.

Irrespective of which material you opt for, all shower wall panels are highly durable and don’t lose their color.

Shower wall panels are available in a number of different sizes ranging from 600 mm to 1200 mm.

Nevertheless, you can easily cut them into any size of your choice to fully hide your old bathroom tiles.

In addition, shower wall panels are completely waterproof and offer a long-term solution for covering ugly tiles.

This low-cost solution is quick and easy to install and doesn’t require you to get rid of the old tiles before installation.

The fact of the matter is that tiles can take up to 2 days to install, whereas shower panels just require 2 hours to install.

All in all, shower wall panels are low maintenance and hygienic option and, unlike tiles, are less likely to lead to mold growth.

Attach Beadboard Panels

Beadboard is a traditional wall paneling style that’s made with several narrow strips of wood.

It’s a fairly common choice for wainscotting in the living room and kitchen. However, you can even use it in your bathroom.

Use waterproof paint to pretreat your beadboard panels before you install them.

You should also finish the edges with grout to ensure that no water or moisture gets trapped between the wall and panels and results in mildew or mold growth.

Wrapping It Up!

These simple, budget-friendly, and cost-effective strategies are a great way to cover the ugly tiles in your bathroom and give it a completely new look.

All these tile covering options give you the freedom and flexibility to explore various styles.

You can even combine various materials to attain a diverse look and highlight certain areas of your bathroom.

Selecting the right materials to cover your bathroom tiles is challenging. However, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of every option can definitely help you out!

For instance, beadboard is highly attention-grabbing and can create a visual texture. However, faulty overhead plumbing or a leaking roof can severely damage it.

After all, it all depends on what you can afford and what gives you the maximum benefits.

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