Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - How high to tile when only tiling "half" the wall?

I am in the process of finishing my basement, which includes the addition a 6'X6' bathroom with a stall shower. The walls are ~7'6" high.

I plan on tiling the entire shower, but only tiling part of the walls. Is there a "typical" height for the tile when not tiling all the way up the wall, or is just personal preference?

My light switch is centered 48" above the floor. My eye thinks that keeping the tile below the switch will look too low. So, I was going to have the trim row end several inched above the switch.

I just wondered if there was a convention when tiling only half the wall.

Thanks

I've seen 36" and 48." I don't think I've seen higher. Precut wainscot is 36" I think.

The 36" will be too low. Go high enough up the wall to be slightly higher than the light switch.:)

I'm tiling one of my bathrooms. The wife says 4 feet up is just right.

I don't think there is any hard and fast rule about how high the wall tile should be. I think it should be where it most pleases you. Try mocking up a section of the bath at different heights (pick heights that will give you full tiles w/trim) and decide which you like best.

I have half tiled walls in all 3 baths. Two are at 38" and one is at 36". When I tiled them I took my cue from the chair rail in a couple of bedrooms.

I'm tiling one of my bathrooms. The wife says 4 feet up is just right.

How high are your switch plates?

Switchplates is key here. You need to go above or below with enough room for the plate to sit flat without triming. We have one at my work that is halfway up the switchplate with a ceramic switchplate and it's all caulked up around it--it looks awful.

With the shorter ceiling height, I'd be inclined to go around 42". But then I'm not looking at it.

I believe your TITLE, or QUESTION answers it's self. HALF THE WALL IS, HALF THE WALL.

If your wall is 96", then 48" is HALF. hehehe.

I wish you well, REALLY!


Dale

Thanks for all replies. I'm not sure how I managed this, but I mismeasured the height my light switch.:o

My original post said it was centered at 48", but it is actually centered at 42"! So, I think the transition from tile to paint can easily be made in the neighborhood of 48"--I'll have to go a little higher than 48" to make sure a full trim piece can fit above the switch plate.

Most all half walls in "normal" houses are real close to 48". This should just over your switchplate. If your switch plate is higher, I would take it 2" over the plate. Hope this helps, Tim