Pencil Tile Edging and More: Trends and Ideas

If you’re planning a tile installation in your kitchen or bathroom, don’t forget about the trim! Tile edging is available in a variety of shapes, sizes and looks, and it’s a great way to give your new tile a clean, finished appearance. Whether you’re designing a tile shower or retiling your backsplash, find the perfect trim for the job with these ideas and tips.

What is Tile Edging?

Tile edging is used at the end or top of a tile installation in your kitchen, to give it a finished look and conceal the setting products underneath the tile. Tile edging is also used to trim windows or shower niches, creating a defined, clean and finished edge at corners where the tiles meet one another.

Popular tile edging styles include bead, chair rail and pencil bullnose. Let’s take a look at some of our favorites!

Bullnose Pencil Tile Edging

Pencil bullnose tile edging is one of the most popular tile trim choices, available in a range of sizes from finger-width to pencil-thin. It features a smooth, rounded look that can stand out from the tile or blend in seamlessly, depending on your preference. Soft and timeless, bullnose pencil tile edging in glossy or matte varieties is ideal for a range of uses.

This trim style can be used to add visual interest or even a contrasting color to your tile installation. A black pencil trim on an all-white subway tile shower, for instance, instantly adds a decorative look and stylish contrast.

Bead Tile Edging

Bead trim is simple, sleek and understated—perfect for giving your tile installation a contemporary finish. H-Line Cotton Glossy bead trim, a popular choice, gives a clean, smooth edge to backsplashes, showers and more.

Bead trim is particularly great for edging outside corners in showers, offering a clean appearance that blends with your tile grout.

Chair Rail Tile Edging

Chair rail trim offers a more decorative look that can be great for adding extra detail to your installation. Chair rail tile edging has a higher profile than the sleeker pencil or bead trim, adding a bit of drama and classic styling that makes your tile stand out.

Chair rail is a great choice for adding some detail to a minimalist subway tile installation, for example. With a look that mimics the elegant curves of crown molding, chair rail can give timeless, Old-World style to travertine, marble, and porcelain tiles alike. One favorite is H-Line Café chair rail, which elevates earth-tone installations with a glossy, rich tone.

These are just a few of the options when it comes to tile edging and trim. Visit your local Arizona Tile showroom to learn more and see your favorite trim styles in person.