It's almost inevitable that a tiling project will involve tiling a corner, but what type of corner will depend on your project. Bathrooms and kitchens typically have more inside corners than outside corners, but both require the right technique to achieve a smart, professional-looking finish.
When tiling a wall, an inside corner is typically easier to deal with. However, you do need to be careful when making cuts, especially if using a contrasting grout colour. Outside corners need more precision and additional hardware to get that fine finish. Here you’ll find what you need to know to get the results you desire.
Tools you'll need to tile a corner
- Manual/electric tile cutter - like this Vitrex Torque Master Power Tile Cutter from Amazon
- Notched trowel
- Tape measure - like this STANLEY Tylon Tape Measure from Amazon
- Felt-tip pen
- Tile nippers
- Tile file - like this 6-Inch Diamond Coated Flat File from Amazon
Shop these tools to help tile a corner
This compact manual tile cutter is a great choice for cutting wall tiles. Its durable tungsten carbide blade cuts through tiles up to 12mm thick and 430mm in length.
Made from high-quality stainless steel for smooth application this notched trowel comes with 6mm notches on front and one side. A soft grip handle provides security and comfort.
A pair of heavy-duty carbon steel nippers, ideal for cutting ceramic and glass tiles. Ergonomic soft-grip, non-slip handles ensure you can trim intricate shapes with ease.
Harriet is a tile and interiors expert at Topps Tiles, with over a decade at the brand and more than 15 years’ experience working with home and lifestyle brands. She specialises in all things tiles and tile design.
Stephen is an independent tiler with other 30 years in the industry. He specialises in kitchen tiling, walls and floors and general tiling repairs.
Tiling internal concave corners
When approaching a corner you’ll reach a point where you can’t place a whole tile onto the wall. Here you will need to measure up and cut the tile to make it fit. Measure from the last whole tile into the corner. Then take away the tile spacer size - typically 2mm or 3mm to get a tight fit.
Stephen Russell, Tiler at Ashley Cross Tiling, explains how to cut: "If the tile cut is more than 40mm, you can use a manual tile cutter." He adds, "If the tile cut is less than 40mm, it is difficult to use a tile cutter. Use an electric tile cutter (if you have one) or a pair of tile nippers. Check out our guide on cutting tiles for more tips.
Once cut, it’s time to check the fit. “For internal corners, once your tile is cut, you need to check to see that it fits and make small adjustments using a tile file," explains Harriet Goodacre, Interiors and tiling expert from Topps Tiles.
To finish, she adds: “Use the narrow end of a notched spreader to put adhesive on the back of the cut tile and press it into place so it’s level.”
Tiling external convex corners
The common option for tiling around an external corner is to use tile trim like this Diall White Straight PVC External edge from B&Q, which helps hide any manmade tile edges that haven’t been glazed.
But you will need to choose the right size, as Goodacre reveals: “For external corners, you’ll require a tile trim to help protect the edges of your tiles from chipping. Choose a trim one size bigger than your tile depth so you have room for the adhesive.” So if you have a tile that has a depth of 6mm, get 8mm trim.
Measure the trim to the right length, then cut with a hacksaw. Now get a notched trowel and apply tile adhesive (about the width of the tile trim) along the wall edge where the trim will go. Now press the trim into the adhesive.
Russell shares how to get a flush finish: "The trim should overhang the wall edge by the width of the tile you are using, i.e. 6mm." He adds, "Test by holding a tile against the edge of the trim to make sure you have the right size overhang to create a seamless corner."
FAQ
What size tile trowel do I need?
Tile trowels have notches that come in different sizes for different applications. These determine the depth of the adhesive and the spacing between adhesive strips. For example, large floor tiles need bigger notches than standard wall tiles.
Russell explains what's needed. "As a general rule, you will need a trowel with 6mm or 8mm notches for wall tiles," He adds, "These are a good choice for wall tiles up to 300mm x 300mm."
For smaller tiles, smaller notches are preferable. Russell says, "For tiles under 100mm, like mosaics, smaller 3mm notches are a better choice." He adds, "You can still use 6mm or 8mm notches for mosaics, but 3mm notches provide better adhesion."
Different-sized notches mean that different amounts of adhesive are used on a tiling project. Check out our guide on How much tile adhesive do I need? to help ensure you have the right amount for a job.
When tiling corners, you can look at how the original corner was tiled if tiling over tiles. If you need inspiration for a tiling project, our guides on tiling patterns and bathroom tile ideas for small bathrooms are here to help.
