The tile you choose has a huge impact on the look of your bathroom. Whether you’re doing a complete remodel or just adding an accent wall, the right bathroom tile design ideas can instantly brighten and change the room’s style.
Minimalists will want to stick with clean-lined subway tile bathroom designs, while maximalists can let their creativity run wild. Here are 32 beautiful bathroom tile ideas to inspire you.
Patterns
Tile is the perfect surface for expressing your design personality, whether you choose a classic subway tile for a clean look or opt for square ceramic tile for a retro feel. If you’re looking to add a little extra flair, try patterned tiles for a look that’s modern and bold. Decorative bathroom floor tiles like those seen here, pictured by indiaholmslice, offer plenty of visual interest without overpowering the room.
For a more subtle style, consider a monochrome color scheme for your bathroom floor. Designer Marisa Molinaro suggests choosing shades within the same family for a cohesive look that feels calm and serene. In this bath, for instance, pale pink marble tiles resemble a tranquil sea while dark fixtures keep the room feeling grounded and fresh.
A textured surface can also work as a focal point, as in this spa-like bathroom, designed by Carrie Carter. She uses pebble-like hex tiles on the floor to give this small bath a tactile appeal. Then, she pairs the textured floor with a simple pattern on the shower curtain for a look that’s still polished and refined.
Using a staggered layout for your tile can create interesting patterns as well, as shown in this bathroom from homebypolly. Instead of laying your tile in one continuous row, stagger the rows to create an intricate basketweave pattern that looks sophisticated and streamlined.
If you’re not ready to commit to a full-on patterned bathroom tile idea, opt for a mosaic design, such as the hexagonal shapes used here to create floral-like designs on the shower walls and the bathroom floor. Then, use a neutral grout to keep the look from feeling too overpowering.
Textures
Whether they are rough, smooth or studded, textured tiles give walls and floors texture that enhances a room’s overall style. From curved wave wall tile that mimics how water flows to create a fluid environment to a pebble floor that is reminiscent of the outdoors, there are countless ways to incorporate texture into your bathroom.
Rather than relying solely on the material surface, textured tile design ideas incorporate innovative layouts, differences in tones and mixed materials. For example, a rough-finished granite floor pairs well with polished porcelain wall tile for a contrast in textures and finishes. A textured tile that looks like stone is also a good choice for pairing with other natural elements, such as wood furnishings and a trailing scented plant in the shower.
There’s no room in the home where a fresh bathroom color scheme can make as much of a difference as it does in the space. When it comes to choosing a color for a bathroom, it’s important to consider how different shade options might feel when viewed from varying angles and under varying lighting conditions. For a soft, feminine touch, opt for a range of pinks that span from a light baby pink to a deeper blush tone. A classic monochrome bathroom can still be a bold look if you choose a high-gloss option with a contrasting grout.
If you’re looking to create a more dramatic effect, use the tiling to define different areas within the room. For instance, a large bath can be made into an impressive focal point with a tiled wall that rises all the way to the ceiling around the shower surround. This zoning approach is also great for small bathrooms, where you can create an area to hold the sink and all its accessories and another to house the toilet.
Geometrics
Geometric shapes never go out of style and can make a dramatic impact in your bathroom. Instead of laying tiles side-by-side or end to end in predictable even rows, designers are now creating more interesting tile patterns with shapes and sizes like rectangles, triangles, polygons, diamonds, and hexagons.
You can use geometric tiles in your bathroom for floors, walls, or backsplashes, and you can also mix them with other tile types to create unique designs. For instance, you can pair square tiles with half circles to create a beautiful chain of ovals. Or you can lay a series of regular rectangular tiles with a herringbone pattern to add an intricate and sophisticated feel.
These unique tile patterns are eye-catching and can transform a boring space into something truly special. Geometric tile designs can also work well in other rooms, including kitchens and living spaces. However, the best place to implement a bold geometric pattern is in the bathroom. This way, you can let your personality shine through with a design that is uniquely yours.
If you’re not quite ready to take the plunge with a geometric tile, consider incorporating the pattern into one or two accent walls in your bathroom. This is an easy and affordable way to experiment with the design without having to rip down existing walls or install new cabinets. This way, you can see if it works for your space and if you want to commit to the design. Once you’re sure it’s right, you can extend the pattern to the rest of your bathroom. Then you can decide if you’d like to carry the design through to other areas of your home.
Large-Scale Tiles
When it comes to bathroom tile ideas, larger-scale patterns can be an eye-catching way to add visual interest. Rather than opting for a traditional rectangular or square ceramic tile, consider patterned options like herringbone. This still-neutral pattern adds texture and visual appeal while providing a clean, classic look that can complement any style of décor. It can also make a smaller room feel bigger by reflecting more light and making the floor area appear larger.
In addition to patterned tiles, you can experiment with larger-sized porcelain options that come in a variety of finishes and designs, including stone-look options that look more luxurious than standard subway tiles. These large-format options can be laid in a variety of patterns to create unique and dramatic bathroom flooring, walls, and showers. In this calming, monochromatic bathroom, oversized porcelain tile in a cool white and greige finish called Bardiglio from MSI’s Eden Porcelain Tile Collection is used to cover the floors and the wall behind the sink for continuity and a sleek aesthetic.
Large-format tiles can also be cut to custom shapes and sizes to produce one-of-a-kind accent pieces for the space. These hexagonal tile accents in this sage green bathroom provide a pop of color without overtaking the room. Large-format tiles with straight manufactured edges can also be laid closer together than their smaller counterparts, which creates a smooth, seamless look with fewer grout lines to break up the visual space.
Mixing different styles of bathroom tile is a fun and easy way to make the space feel fresh. Here, smoky gray tile is used on the floor of this spa-like bathroom paired with classic subway tiles in a darker shade for contrast and an interesting layout. Pale, ceramic polygonal tiles form a honeycomb design on the shower walls that coordinates with the zig-zag layout of the floor for a balanced, contemporary look.
Glass Mosaics
Mosaics can make a huge design impact in bathroom areas. They can be used to create a picture, mural, or even type of tile “wallpaper” for the wall. They come in a wide variety of patterns, materials, and shapes, making them one of the most versatile ways to add a focal point or accent. They are also a great way to define spaces. Mosaic sheets can be easily cut into strips for border use, and companies that specialize in mosaics can create entire murals or pictures out of them.
Glass mosaics can be used to bring a bright, modern aesthetic to your bathroom. These eye-catching tiles are available in a range of colors and can be made from all glass or a mix of glass with other materials like marble. The shimmering gem-like quality of the tiles makes them a stunning choice for an accent wall or backsplash. They work especially well when combined with other more neutral tile types, as in this shower featuring Cararra marble subway tile and green fan-shaped mosaics from the 3D plus series.
Alternatively, glass mosaics can be used to create an organic or natural look in your bathroom. For example, a design inspired by nature is sure to please any eco-friendly homeowner. Mosaics in the shape of seashells, mermaid-style scales, honeycomb, or bamboo are all popular choices. Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra suggests that these shapes can be complemented with a trailing scented plant like jasmine to truly enhance the natural feel of your bathroom.
When choosing tile for your bathroom, remember that there are many different factors to consider. While color and texture are the most important aspects to consider, shape can be a powerful element as well. Choose a pattern that complements the rest of the room, but don’t be afraid to take risks with your floor or shower walls.