You want to add an accessory to your bathroom wall. In any other room you’d just drill into the plasterboard, but in the bathroom a rock-solid surface stands in your way: the tiles.

The good news is that there’s a way to safely drill into your tiles and decorate your space however you choose. You just need to do so in a way that avoids chipping and cracking, as replacing tiles is a time-consuming and costly affair.

In this guide we’ll teach you how to drill into tiles in a way that avoids those issues, and delivers the clean and professional results you're looking for.

Knowing your tiles, preparing your tools

Your first task is to check exactly what you’re drilling into. While all tiles are hard and brittle, some are more forgiving than others. Porcelain, for example, has a glass-like brittleness, and will crack far easier than ceramic. Natural stone, meanwhile, can be more prone to chipping and flaking.

The tile material will determine the best drill bit for the job:

• Ceramic: A masonry or carbide drill bit.
• Porcelain and natural stone: A diamond-tipped drill bit.

Don’t worry, you won’t need to remortgage your house to buy a diamond drill bit – you can pick them up (relatively) cheap at your local hardware store.

A step-by-step guide to drilling into tiles

Let’s talk technique. The same process more or less applies no matter what type of tile you’re drilling into. Here’s how it plays out:

• Measure and mark: Measure twice, drill once. Before you put your finger on the trigger, double-check your chosen spot/s, particularly for rails and towel holders that need to sit square and level. Place a piece of marking tape on the spot to give yourself a surface you can easily mark and to stop the drill bit from slipping and scratching the tile.

• Start the hole: When you’re ready to drill, begin by ensuring the drill's hammer or impact function is disabled, as this will cause cracks. If you’re using a diamond drill bit, which will have a rounded end, start on an angle to gain an initial toehold, then gradually work your way back to perpendicular as you begin to drill through the tile.

• Carefully drill through: Drill at a slow but consistent speed, and with a moderate amount of pressure. If you push too hard, you risk hitting and cracking the tile when you break through to the other side of the wall.

• Manage friction and heat: Be wary of thermal shock: a buildup of stress caused by the temperature difference between the hot drill bit and the otherwise cool tile. Every 10-15 seconds dip your diamond-tipped drill bit in water to cool it.

• Anchor strategically: If your mount uses wall plugs, you risk cracking your tile when the plug expands as you screw your fastener into it. Push the plug just past the tile layer so it sits within the plasterboard that the tile is mounted on, not the tile itself.

Securing your accessories

Your job isn’t quite done once you’ve drilled your hole. You then need to mount your accessory. Here’s how to do so safely:

• Mounting plates: If your accessory is mounted on plates, be careful not to overtighten the screws, as this can cause the tile to crack. Use a lower torque setting on your drill, or if you’re tightening by hand, simply aim for a firm fit without wrenching the screwdriver too hard.
• Fitting hardware: Carefully attach your towel rails, robe hooks or toilet paper holders onto their brackets without hitting or scratching the tiles, then gently tighten the grub screws underneath.
• Weight considerations: If you’re hanging an accessory with a bit of heft, like a mirror, or that could be asked to hold a bit of weight, like a double towel rail, check the weight rating of the anchor to ensure it’s capable of handling the necessary mass. Metal wall anchors are capable of holding far more weight than plastic wall plugs, for example.

Ready to start your bathroom reno?

With the right tools, a bit of patience and a good technique, drilling into tiles can be a surprisingly simple task – and it’s a skill that grants you the opportunity to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of your bathroom whenever and however you see fit.

Thinking about adding accessories to your space? Get some bathroom design inspo in our breakdown of the latest design trends, learn how to plan your reno with our complete guide, and when you’re ready to choose your accessories, you can shop our vast range.

Our team is also here to support you through the whole process, with expert, pressure-free advice whenever you need a helping hand. Just reach out.