Okay so tiles. If you’re renovating or building right now in Australia, you’ve probably noticed something.
More people are shopping for tiles online instead of driving around to showrooms all weekend. And I mean, it makes sense when you think about it.
I’ve been watching this shift happen for a while now, and honestly it’s been pretty interesting to see how homeowners are approaching tile selection these days.
Like, five years ago? Most people wouldn’t even consider buying tiles without seeing them in person. Now? Totally different story.
The thing is, buying tiles online isn’t just about convenience anymore.
There’s actually a bunch of reasons why this is becoming the go-to method for Australians. So let’s talk about it.
8 Ways Of Australians Buying Tiles Online
The Shift Toward Online Tile Shopping in Australia
So here’s what’s happening. The Australian market has changed a lot in the past few years.
People are busier, they want things faster, and they definitely don’t want to waste their Saturday visiting six different tile shops.
I remember when online tile shopping was still kinda sketchy.
You’d see these websites with terrible photos and basically no information. But now? It’s completely changed. The technology is better.
The photography is better. And honestly the whole experience is just… better.
Platforms such as ColorTile have helped lead this transformation by making tile selection more accessible and transparent. You can actually see what you’re getting now.
The colors are accurate, the specifications are right there, and you’re not relying on some salesperson who may or may not know what they’re talking about.
What’s interesting though is that this isn’t just younger people doing this.
I’ve seen renovation clients in their 60s shopping for tiles on their iPad.
Once people try it and realize how much easier it is, they don’t really go back to the old way.
Greater Convenience for Homeowners and Renovators
Look, convenience is huge. Like really huge.
Think about it this way. You’re working full time. Maybe you’ve got kids.
You’re trying to plan a renovation. When exactly are you supposed to visit tile showrooms? Most of them are open the same hours you’re at work.
So you’re stuck going on weekends, which is when everyone else is going, so they’re packed.
Online shopping means you can browse at 10 PM in your pajamas.
Which honestly is when I do most of my project planning anyway. You can compare options, check your color scheme, look at your inspiration photos, all without leaving your house.
And here’s the thing. You can take your time. There’s no sales pressure.
No one hovering over you asking if you need help every five minutes.
You can bookmark things, come back to them, share links with your partner or your builder.
I’ve had clients tell me they actually make better decisions this way because they’re not rushed. They can sleep on it.
Look at options over a few days. It’s just a different pace, and for a lot of people that works better.
Wider Range of Tile Options Available Online
This is where online shopping really wins.
Physical showrooms have space limits.
They can only display so many tiles. Even the big ones can’t show you everything that’s available. But online? You’ve got access to basically the entire Australian tile market. Sometimes international options too.
I was working on a coastal bathroom project last year.
My client wanted this really particular shade of blue-green.
We’re talking very specifically. In the showrooms we found maybe three options that were close. Online we found seventeen.
Seventeen different tiles in the exact color range she wanted.
You can filter by size, color, material, finish, price.
It’s like having every tile shop in Australia in one place. And you can see newer collections faster because retailers don’t have to wait to physically stock them in showrooms.
The variety in finishes alone is worth it. Matte, polished, textured, honed.
You can compare them side by side on your screen. Save your favorites. Build a whole mood board if you want.
Competitive Pricing and Cost Savings
Let’s talk about money because yeah, this matters.
Online tile retailers usually have lower overhead costs.
No expensive showroom rent in premium locations. Smaller staff. That often translates to better prices for customers.
I’ve seen price differences of 20-30% for the exact same tile between a physical showroom and an online store.
And you can compare so easily. Open a few tabs, check the same tile across different retailers. It takes five minutes.
Try driving around to different stores. You’d spend half your day and a tank of petrol.
Plus there’s sales. Online stores run promotions more often. Email discounts.
Clearance sections. End of line deals. You can sign up for notifications and jump on deals when they happen.
One thing though. You do need to factor in shipping costs. But even with delivery, the total cost often comes out lower than showroom prices.
Especially if you’re buying in bulk for a whole house renovation.
Detailed Product Information and Visualisation Tools
This is where things get really interesting.
The information available online is usually way more detailed than what you get in a showroom. Technical specifications, exact measurements, slip ratings, water absorption rates.
It’s all right there. You don’t have to ask someone to go check in the back office.
A lot of online tile stores now have these visualization tools.
You can upload a photo of your actual room and see how different tiles would look. Or use their room templates.
It’s not perfect but it gives you a much better idea than just looking at a small sample.
Some sites show the tiles in different lighting conditions. Because yeah, that tile that looks amazing under showroom spotlights might look totally different in your bathroom with one small window.
Seeing it in natural light, artificial light, that helps a lot.
And the reviews. We’ll get to those more in a minute, but having access to photos from actual customers who installed the tiles? That’s information you just don’t get in a showroom.
You see how it looks in real homes, not styled display areas.
Easy Delivery Across Australia
Delivery used to be the big concern. How do you ship tiles without them arriving as a box of broken pieces?
But the logistics have gotten so much better.
Online tile retailers have figured out the packaging. They use proper crating, protective materials, and pallets for larger orders.
The breakage rate is actually pretty low now.
Most online stores deliver across Australia. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, sure. But also regional areas that might not have great tile showrooms nearby.
If you’re building in a smaller town, online shopping might actually be your best option for variety.
Delivery to your door or job site. You choose the date. The tiles show up. You don’t have to load them into your car or arrange a trailer.
Have you ever tried fitting boxes of tiles into a sedan? Not fun.
Some retailers offer free shipping over certain order amounts. Others have flat rate shipping.
Either way, you know the cost upfront. No surprises.
Trusted Reviews and Customer Feedback
Reviews are honestly one of the best parts of shopping online.
You can see what real people think. Not the sales pitch.
Not the marketing copy. Actual homeowners and renovators who bought the tiles, installed them, lived with them.
They’ll tell you things like how the tile looks after six months.
Whether the color stayed true. If it’s easy to clean. Whether it shows water marks. This is the stuff you want to know.
And the photos. Customer photos are gold.
You see the tiles in normal houses with normal lighting. Not perfectly styled showrooms.
Sometimes the photos are taken with a phone camera in average lighting and honestly? That’s more useful because that’s real life.
Bad reviews are useful too. If multiple people say a tile scratches easily or the sizing is inconsistent, you know to avoid it. Or at least you go in with realistic expectations.
You can usually sort reviews by rating, read the most recent ones, see verified purchases.
It’s transparent in a way that showroom shopping just isn’t.
Better Support for DIY and Professional Projects
Whether you’re a DIYer or a professional, online shopping has perks.
For DIY renovators, the information online is usually more accessible.
Detailed installation guides. Video tutorials.
Customer service via chat or email where you can ask questions without feeling rushed. You can research at your own pace.
A lot of online stores have calculators to help you figure out how much tile you need.
Wastage allowances. Grout requirements. This helps avoid over-ordering or under-ordering.
For professionals like builders and tilers, online ordering is efficient.
They can set up trade accounts. Order for multiple projects. Track everything digitally. Get consistent pricing. Reorder the same products easily.
Some online retailers offer sample programs.
Order small samples first, see them in your space, then commit to the full order. You’re not guessing based on a tiny chip in a showroom.
And if you’re doing a staged renovation, you can save your favorites, keep track of product codes, order more later.
Everything’s documented in your online account.
Conclusion
So yeah. That’s why more Australians are going online for tiles.
It’s not that showrooms are dead or anything.
Some people still prefer to see and touch everything in person, and that’s totally valid. But for a lot of homeowners and renovators, the online option just makes more sense.
Better selection. Better prices. More information. Convenience. It’s a pretty compelling combination.
I think we’ll keep seeing this trend grow.
The technology will get better. The visualization tools will improve.
Maybe we’ll get AR apps where you can see tiles in your space through your phone. Who knows.
But for now, if you’re planning a renovation and haven’t checked out online tile shopping yet? Maybe give it a look.
You might be surprised at how much easier it makes the whole process.
Just remember to order samples first. Because yeah, you still want to see the actual tile before you commit to covering your entire bathroom floor with it.
