White bathroom, clean interior?

You think you've cracked the perfect white bathroom colour scheme: crisp, white mosaic tiles on the walls, slate-grey tiles on the floor. It's neutral, tasteful and will surely pass the test of time.

Or will it? Just two months on and that crisp white ain't looking so crisp. Mould and soap scum have grubbied up your grouting and, as for that floor, it's as if every bit of dust and fluff that ever existed has suddenly taken up residence.

"When choosing your bathroom tiles, the first thing you need to consider is how easy they're going to be to keep clean," says Vanessa from Beaumont Tiles. "But, at the same time, you don't want to go overboard and sacrifice all your colour and texture for low maintenance."

So how do you strike the perfect balance between style and practicality? Here are Vanessa's tips.

Size matters

As a general rule, the larger the tile, the easier it is to keep clean. Why? Because you've got less grouting, and we all know that grouting is the bane of any clean bathroom.

Colour camouflage

When choosing a low-maintenance colour scheme, let common sense prevail. That means avoiding either extremity of the colour spectrum.

"Pure whites will show up dark stains, whereas black or dark grey will show up dust and soap scum," says Vanessa. "Instead, opt for mid-range tones, like greys, browns and even aubergines or blues."

With natural 'organic' bathrooms all the rage at the moment you may be considering natural stone. But beware that natural stone (like marble, granite, limestone and slate) is porous and will need to be sealed to prevent stains and mould.

If that sounds like too much hard work, then consider replica stone in hardy ceramics and porcelains.

"Glazed porcelain, which is a very hard biscuit tile, is generally the most popular and durable," says Vanessa. "Second to that would be polished porcelain. That's got a beautiful, elegant, minimalist look that's similar to marble but with a lot less cost and a lot less maintenance."

Clean up your act

Most grouts these days are sanitised, which means they'll resist mould, but if you want to step things up a notch, consider having your grout sealed.

"This is a good idea if you're using a light-coloured grout, as in a white bathroom," says Vanessa. "It won't stop it from getting dirty but it will most definitely make it easier to keep clean."

And don't be so quick to hit the bottle.

"When cleaning your tiles, we usually advise against heavy detergents, as they'll build up in much the same way as they would in the shower if you use lots of heavy soaps and shampoos," says Vanessa. "Instead, use something as simple as methylated spirits and water, or vinegar and water."

To find out how you can manage a white bathroom with the right schemes, talk to an interior designer in your area today: