Tile-edging strips are narrow lengths of metal or plastic used to finish off tile walls, splashbacks and floors. The trim borders the edges and protects tiles from chipping. The range of finishes and colours available today has transformed these utilitarian strips into design stars. Here are five projects where designers used tile edging to add graphic punch to each room’s overall look

1. Industrial bathroom with graphic punches

In this industrial-inspired bathroom, the designer played off other black tapware and elements in the room by capping the top of the tiled splashback with a matt-black edge trim. The visual weight of the black mirror frame is about the same as that of the trim. This creates a nice balance throughout the bathroom, as the same strips also appear in the shower. Here is the matt-black edging in the shower. It provides a crisp, graphic outline in the corners and around the shower recess. The geometric floor tile is again framed with black tile edging, making it stand out even more.

1. Organic Zen minimalist bathroom

In this Zen minimalist bathroom, the interior designer also used matt-black tile edging. In a shower featuring large-format tiles, it adds a subtle yet impactful detail detail that reinforces the shower’s symmetry and ties in with the other black elements in the bathroom. Here’s a closer look at the strips. The contrast between the black metal and the concrete tiles enhances the look of the tiles. Across the room, carefully placed vertical strips echo the line in the shower stall.

1. Bold and colourful tropical bathroom

Interior designer Stéphanie Fortier specified white tile-edging strips to cap off the splashback in this happy and bright tropical bathroom. “This gives it a seamless look,” she says. “Be careful to specify white when you want it, because most contractors will automatically use stainless steel.” She also chose white strips to give the tiled shower surround a nice clean, protected edge.

1. Glittering shower

In this contemporary shower, the shine from the brushed stainless-steel tile edging adds some bling to the edges of the bench and generous niches.

1. French bistro-inspired kitchen

As a kitchen and bath designer, USA-based Alison Griffin is very familiar with edge-protection profiles and what they can do for a design. In this French bistro-inspired kitchen, she capped the outer corners of the tiled wall with stainless steel trim to add an industrial touch. You can see it on the windowsill’s vertical edge.

This small but impactful detail helps tie the walls to the custom range hood, faucets, sconces, hardware and appliances.