How to Choose the Right Tile Finish

Finish Makes the Difference

Two tiles can share the same base design and look completely different depending on the finish applied. Gloss, lappato, matte, structured, and honed finishes each interact with light differently — and each is better suited to certain applications than others. Getting the finish right is as important as selecting the right colour or format.

Polished and Gloss

Polished or gloss finishes reflect light strongly, creating a sense of brightness and luxury. They work exceptionally well in smaller bathrooms where maximising light is a priority, and on feature walls where you want the tile to catch the eye. The trade-off is that gloss and polished tiles tend to show water marks, fingerprints, and foot traffic more readily than other finishes — so they're better suited to walls than floors in most residential applications.

Lappato

A lappato finish sits between gloss and matte — semi-polished, with a subtle sheen that catches light without the full reflectivity of a gloss tile. It's one of the most popular finishes in contemporary residential design because it reads as refined without being high-maintenance. Suitable for internal floors and walls.

Matt and Honed 

Matte and honed finishes are forgiving, practical, and on-trend. They don't show marks as readily as gloss, and their flat, understated surface suits the earthy, textural aesthetic dominating Australian interiors right now. Matte and honed tiles work across floors, walls, and feature areas, and are available in a wide range of designs from concrete-look to stone-look.

Structured or Outdoor

Structured finishes have a textured surface that provides grip — essential for outdoor areas, wet zones, and commercial applications. Honed finishes are smooth but not polished, offering a natural stone-like aesthetic that suits both indoor and outdoor use. The trade off is, it sometimes can be harder to clean due to the textured surfaces.

 When specifying tiles for external areas or around pools, always check the slip resistance rating and confirm it meets Australian standards.