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Ceramic tile ideas for bathroom


55 Bathroom Tile Ideas - Bath Tile Backsplash and Floor Designs

Heidi Caillier Design

The most exciting part of designing a bathroom is choosing which beautiful materials and colors you're going to spotlight. And that's where tiles come in. They're basically the bathroom MVP. If you're planning a bathroom renovation, you may be married to the idea of all-white and marble-everything, but hear us out before you commit. There's a place for bold, patterned tile in your life, and we think that's inside your shower. Or on your bathroom wall. Or maybe even your tub? You get the idea. And if you really want to stick with a white, light, and airy look or something more sleek and moody, we've got plenty of designer inspiration on this list of bathroom tile ideas for you, too.

🏡You love finding new design tricks. So do we. Let us share the best of them.

ERIC PIASECKI

1 of 55

Combine Different Shapes

Designer Kureck Jones knows how to have fun, especially when it comes to tile. The bubblegum pink subway tiles on the wall and the diamond, almost leaf-like motif on the floors of this bathroom are bursting with energy. The brass industrial-style fixtures and lighting add just enough contrast and the pop of pale purple paint is the cherry on top.

SHOP pink tiles

Kingston Lafferty Design

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Go High-Contrast

Classic Mediterranean tiles give this modern bathroom by Kingston Lafferty Design a bit of old-world charm and just enough color. The hand-painted washbasins blend right in while the black accents modernize the space.

SHOP handpainted tiles

Heidi Caillier Design

3 of 55

Make the Shower Pop

If you opt for plain and simple floor tiles, go bold in the shower (or the other way around). Here, Heidi Cailier made a statement with a unique yet classic tile design on the floor and a more subtle pattern on the walls and floors outside the shower stall.

SHOP black and white tiles

Tamsin Johnson Interiors

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Shrink the Checkerboard

Shrink down the classic black and white checkboard tile pattern for a contemporary spin on the timeless design, as Tamsin Johnson Interiors did here. We're loving the mint green retro toilet paired with the pink marble accents as well as the dot motif sconces for a touch of contrast.

SHOP Checkerboard Tiles

Romanek Design Studio

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Mix Up Checkerboard Colors

Robert McKinley Design Studio opted for a unique marigold and off-white checkboard pattern in this shower. It pairs beautifully with the fold fixtures, but it's that modern black pendant that really takes things to the next level.

SHOP yellow grid tiles

Romanek Design Studio

6 of 55

Reflect Your Surroundings

This light-filled bathroom by Romanek Design Studio reflects the beauty of the surrounding environment, from the wood-paneled sloped ceiling to the green zellige tiles. Aside from being calming and stylish, the wall-to-wall green tile floor means that basically everything in the room will hold up well when wet.

SHOP green zellige tiles

Emily Followill

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Mix Sweet and Sassy Styles

The sweet patterned floor tiles and off-white painted shiplap walls bring a warm, neutral touch to this glam bathroom designed by Meredith McBrearty.

SHOP beige patterned tiles

David Tsay

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Don't Forget About Storage

The pattern—and a trio of niches—set off a jewel-like mirror in this tiled shower by Justina Blakeney. Keep storage top of mind but also have fun experimenting with pattern, color, and shape.

SHOP blue hexagonal tiles

Robert McKinley Studio

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Alternate Directions

Robert McKinley Design alternated the direction and tone of the tiles to create a more dynamic and textured look in a small bathroom. Terra cotta tiles would look lovely and natural in this pattern, too.

SHOP terra cotta rectangular tiles

Heidi Caillier Design

10 of 55

Cast A Hex

If you want to switch things up without getting too over-the-top, opt for a unique tile shape. Heidi Caillier opted for muted gray-brown hexagonal floor tiles and added color with an antique floral motif runner.

SHOP hexagonal tiles

Nils Schlebusch

11 of 55

Think Outside the Box

Studio DB used marble hexagonal tiles to protect the hardwood floors in this open concept master bathroom. And while they serve a functional purpose, the partial coverage and angular shapes also make a unique and modern style statement.

SHOP marble tiles

Haris Kenjar

12 of 55

Fake It

If you don't want to retile your bathroom floors but love the checkboard vibe, just repaint them to mimic tiles! That's what Landed Interiors & Home did in this bathroom.

Shop peel-and-stick tiles

Cameron Rupert Interiors

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Consider Use Case

The night sky-inspired floor tiles lay the perfect foundation for this whimsical children's bathroom designed by Cameron Rupert Interiors. With contrasting prints, playful motifs, and pops of red, it's a space both kids and adults can love.

SHOP star motif tiles

Audrey Hall

14 of 55

Transport Yourself

Exposed wood beams, unique craftsman-style windows, and, a farmhouse island make this bathroom feel like something out of a fairy tale. The stone floor tiles set the foundation for a cozy Snow White-like cottage atmosphere.

SHOP stone tiles

Haris Kenjar

15 of 55

Make a Wacky Pattern

Fun graphic floor tiles bring playfulness to the deep red paint color in this small bathroom designed by Andy Beers of Ore Studios. The spacious drawers under the floating vanity also help keep things tidy, a must in a tiny bathroom.

SHOP graphic tiles

Kevin Scott

16 of 55

Modernize the Subway Look

Small white square zellige tiles are a fresh take on the classic subway tile look, as proven by Studio Diaa in this small bathroom. The only surface not covered in understated tiles is the ceiling, which features a Crystalite skylight that makes the shower feel like it's in the open air.

SHOP white zellige tiles

Heidi Caillier Design

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Use Tiles to Tie Colors Together

All the varying tiles in this bathroom by Heidi Cailler Design speak to the colors in the curtains and fixtures. Classic subway tile on the walls and clinging the interior arch make this bathroom feel more spacious and open, but the abstract floor tiles help ground the room in the style.

SHOP abstract tiles

Anna Spiro Design

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Use It As a Starting Place

Though the striking freestanding marble tub with Victorian, old-school fixtures is the clear focal point of this bathroom by Anna Spiro Design, the tile floors set the foundation for the entire space (plus, their worn finish and playful design make it feel more approachable and historic).

SHOP colorful mosaic tiles

Romanek Design Studio

19 of 55

Make It Sexy

Bathroom design reaches peak sexiness in this one by Romanek Design Studio. The smokey mirrored tiles adorning the partition make it feel larger and exude an airy of mystery and intrigue. The silver zellige tiles enhance this mood even further.

SHOP mirror tiles

2Lg Studio

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Mock a Material

Who needs hardwood floors in the bathroom when you can have mock-wood tile floors? They're super easy to clean and they add a modern, cheeky edge. In this bathroom designed by 2LG Studio, the black tub frame complements the sharp black lines in the tiles nicely.

SHOP faux wood tiles

Gail Davis Design

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Complement the Paint Color

This hidden vanity in a Gail Davis–designed bathroom is such a fun surprise. The orange mirror picks up on the warmth of the curtains and wallpaper accents while the striped penny tile floor complements the navy paint.

SHOP blue penny tiles

Leanne Ford Interiors

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Take it to the Top

The white hexagonal ceiling tiles meet the stained wood shiplap to visually separate the shower and the sink area in this forward-thinking bathroom designed by Leanne Ford Interiors.

SHOP simple white tiles

LAURE JOLIET

23 of 55

Match Your Tiles

Featuring more shades of marigold than we knew existed, these zellige tiles bring so much personality to this bathroom designed by ETC.etera for Firehouse Hotel. Match your backsplash to your tiled floors and shower walls, for a similarly high-impact and cohesive aesthetic.

SHOP yellow zellige tiles

Ishka Designs

24 of 55

Vary Tile Styles

When designing a minimalist and modern bathroom, stick to things like neutral tones. But keep things interesting and varied by layering tiles of different materials for different sections in the space, as Ishka Designs did in this luxe, nature-inspired bathroom.

SHOP ribbed tiles

2LG Studios

25 of 55

Make It Monochrome

Monochrome always looks cool and this 2LG Studios bathroom is no exception. Plus, sticking to a one-tone color scheme makes the entire design process a lot easier. We also love how they made the awkward corner into something awesome with a custom vanity and mirror.

SHOP pink mosaic tiles

Stephen Karlisch

26 of 55

Add Movement

Dallas-based designer Jean Liu added tons of movement and textural intrigue with a statement wall of tiles. Since the tiles feature an intricate pattern, the grayscale color scheme maintains a sense of calm—a must for a bathroom.

SHOP dimensional tiles

Heidi Callier Design

27 of 55

Create Texture

Between the orange penny tiles on wall, marble tiles on the floor, and bronze statement sconce, there's so much amazing texture in this Heidi Cailier–designed bathroom. The olive cabinets and brass accents round out the color story perfectly.

SHOP marble tiles

Regan Baker Design

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Make a Statement Wall

This master bathroom designed by Regan Baker Design is a showstopper, thanks to the entrancing statement wall. It's rich in both color and pattern, which helps give more depth to the otherwise bright white surfaces. The plant wall brings some life while the area rug adds warmth.

SHOP blue patterned tiles

Sara Ligorria Tramp

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Mix With Marble

The green marble shower and tub is the obvious winner in this Emily Henderson–designed bathroom, but the zellige tiles on the ground are the unsung heroes. The natural, handmade feel of the tiles speaks to the natural stone whereas classic subway tiles or a patterned mosaic might throw off the organic appeal.

SHOP mini zellige tiles

Felix Forest

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Go Grayscale

If you prefer minimalist color palettes but still appreciate a little personality shining through, take a cue from this modern bathroom designed by Arent & Pyke. The grayscale tiles create a mesmerizing graphic pattern without feeling visually chaotic.

SHOP angular tiles

16 Modern Bathroom Ideas to Recreate In Your Own Home

Above all else, a bathroom should look and feel clean. It is, after all, where you go for all things personal hygiene? And aside from a regular cleaning routine to keep things shiny and new, thoughtful design also plays a role in a clean, fresh-feeling bathroom. Enter: modern design. With minimalist silhouettes, cool materials, contemporary lighting, and state-of-the-art plumbing and technology, modern bathrooms are the perfect balance between form and function. Ahead, discover 15 modern bathroom ideas, examples, and tips straight from our favorite designer spaces.

1

Embrace Exposed Materials

Paul Raeside

Interior design firm Les Ensembliers kept the industrial bones of exposed brick for a grittier edge, while a dramatic marble vanity introduces some polished style. For a budget-friendly alternative to custom built-ins, they converted two nightstands below the countertop and sink to provide extra storage room and keep the surfaces clutter-free.

2

Take Inspiration From Nature

Helen Norman

This en suite bathroom is modern and sleek, yet there's also something romantic about it. “I wanted it to feel calm, quiet, and seamless,” says designer Lauren Liess of the cave-like concrete shower area coated in waterproof stucco. The nod to nature is indeed a classic characteristic of modernism.

3

Design Around a View

PHOTO: Alexandra Rowley; DESIGN: Studio DB

With little ornamention and simple, nature-inspired materials, this bathroom designed by Studio DB is a modern masterpiece. The rounded floating bathtub is strategically placed by the dramatic floor-to-ceiling window to draw our eyes out.

4

Modernize Preexisting Features

Thijs de Leeuw/Space Content/Living Inside

Matching curtains, an open doorway, and a muted caramel color scheme link the primary bedroom rooms to the modern bathroom beyond. Design studio Atelier ND modernized the clawfoot tub with a marble cube stool and a contemporary sconce.

5

Experiment With Surface Materials

Shawn Henderson

As seen in this bathroom designed by Shawn Henderson, cork is a visually surprising material, but its benefits extend far more than cosmetics. Cork is a renewable material and it offers warmth and cushion (great for noise-reduction!) and also serves as a natural climate control mechanism. Using quirky, avant-garde materials is always a plus when the goal is to create modern look.

6

Choose Glass

Romanek Design Studio

In this bathroom designed by Romanek Design Studio, the baby blue zellige tiles and sleek matte black and glass enclosure make a modern statement. A floating bench adds both formal and functional value, too, and bathers won't have to worry about a pesky curtain getting in the way as they wash up.

7

Mix In Organized Shapes

laure joliet

Organic shapes and tight color story make this fun bathroom designed by Corinne Mathern a happy place to wash up. With preexisting midcentury foundations but contemporary fixtures and updated textiles, it's the best of both worlds.

8

Play Up Natural Elements

Valerie Wilcox

Here, Sarah Richardson spotlights a slab of swirling marble that serpentines like the angle of the ceiling. This is a very clever way to make tricky or irregular rooflines work for you and look intentional.

9

Play With Graphic Prints

Haris Kenjar

Fun graphic floor tiles bring playfulness to the deep red paint color in this small bathroom designed by Andy Beers of Ore Studios. The spacious drawers under the floating vanity also help keep things tidy, a must in a tiny bathroom.

10

Stick to One Grayscale Color

Nicole Franzen

The infinity effect works well in a modern, minimalist environment, such as this bathroom designed by Kristin Fine. While a clay-white color veils the entire space, the many layers of texture and shape ensure visual intrigue.

11

Blend Traditional Elements

Read McKendree

Your bathroom doesn't have to be monochromatic and austere to be modern. For a modern bathroom with more traditional overtures, take note of this bathroom by interior designer Elizabeth Cooper. She opted for a marble shower stall, vanity topper, and backsplash with rich blue veining and then painted the cabinets an icy pale blue paint color for continuity. Brass accents inject just the right amount of warmth.

12

Keep Things Simple

Shawn Henderson

Simplicity in layout and color scheme can often be best in smaller spaces, as proven in this tiny New York City bathroom designed by Shawn Henderson. This formula (pretty shelves, matching hardware, and simple, high-end accessories) is also always an easy win in a rental.

13

Mix Textures

Ishka Designs

When designing a minimalist and modern bathroom, stick to things like neutral tones. But keep things interesting and varied by layering tiles of different materials for different sections in the space, as Ishka Designs did in this luxe bathroom.

14

Stick to One Statement

Tamsin Johnson Interiors

Tamsin Johnson extended the gorgeous custom marble material up from the vanity to the backsplash and even framed the double oval mirrors with it. The rich purple veining makes for a unique and modern yet calming impression. For a similar look, splurge on one statement material but practice restrain when it comes to mixing too many different things together.

15

Float Your Sink

Hecker Guthrie

The sparkly tiles in this bathroom designed by Hecker Guthrie have a gorgeous glimmer, making it look extra luxe while still being in line with the modern style. The floating sink is also a fixture in modern bathrooms.

16

Opt for Enclosed Storage

Joshua McHugh

Modern designs tend to be soothing to look at, which means all clutter and unsightly essentials should be tucked away neatly out of sight. Enclosed storage, whether DIY'ed with a curtain to hide a gap between the floor and sink or via custom cabinetry is the way to go. The glossy white floating drawers in this modern bathroom designed by Raji RM are perfect.

Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.

114 photos and 6 design rules

The tile is not a natural material and its appearance is an imitation.

The modern design of bathroom tiles is an imitation of natural materials: wood, marble, travertine, metal, concrete. All pink, peach, red and other glossy options do not satisfy this rule and immediately disappear.

If it seems counter-intuitive now, I'll give you a bunch of photos that will prove that the tile is a finish, not a decor.

6 rules and 4 types of tiles for the bathroom

6 things to consider when choosing a bathroom tile design:

    Light tiles are much more practical than dark ones. The main type of pollution in the bathroom is white salt stains from dried water.
  1. The larger the size, the better it looks.
  2. Matt or semi-gloss tiles look better in the bathroom (photos are not shown). When the surface is uneven and part is matte and part is glossy. An example of semi-gloss is imitation of metal.
  3. Decors, borders, drawings and flowers are rubbish and the collective farm almost without exception.
  4. The choice of tile grout color is critical.
  5. Correct tiling i.e. distribution on the walls is no less important than she herself.

And 4 types of tiles with the correct design:

  1. Imitation of wood, concrete, travertine.
  2. Imitation marble, but available from terrible to chic. It is important to feel the edge subtly (photo examples will follow).
  3. Patterned (patchwork), geometric, and pentagonal and hexagonal tiles are also good options.
  4. One-color tiles that do not imitate any material can only be taken with a texture. The only exception for a single color is white gloss (including a wild boar).

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Separately, read how best to choose a bathroom tile - it's about the technical nuances of choice.

Colored glossy tiles for the bathroom are usually completely unprincipled - you won't be able to make a stylish design with them. An example of a combination of just 2 types of ceramics and a perfectly seasoned style:


When you first hear about the imitation of concrete and wood, you usually imagine a gloomy brutal loft-style bathroom, no less. In fact, with the help of such a tile, you can get a very different design, and now there will be a perfect example.

Here is the bathroom with bathtub, separate shower, washbasin and toilet with installation. Those. the area is big. At the same time, it uses only 2 types of tiles : gray with a slight concrete look and wood effect with stylized painted boards. Thanks to the correct lining (about the layout of the last part of the article), it turned out very stylish and modern. And just try to say that it's boring:




I have already used these photos in the material about the design of a bathroom with a toilet. perfect example.

The main thing to understand is that the stylish design of the bathroom is based not only on the finish, but the tile itself must imitate the real natural material , not glazed, it's not clear what.

Examples of modern tile designs

Ceramic tiles in the bathroom are the same finishing material as paint or wallpaper in other rooms. This is not an accessory or decor, it should not be catchy or bright.

Finishing material, not decor.

2-3 types of tiles are enough for a bathroom in an apartment, even taking into account the floor. The wall is usually chosen lighter than the floor.

  1. So we get a gradient: dark on the floor, lighter on the wall and a white ceiling.
  2. A lot of water gets on the walls and stains are less noticeable on light.
  3. All plumbing in the bathrooms is white and is better when there is no strong contrast with the walls.





Fashion in general is a controversial thing, but in the bathroom it is now really adequate. See photos of modern bathroom interiors. Let's take a look at the tiles right now. Floor in the bathroom : wood effect porcelain stoneware.



For bathroom walls in patchwork fashion:





Variations of gray tiles look beautiful (no, not boring), especially with texture (looks stylish when backlit). Many of the types of gray tiles in the photo are quite budget options and look good in real apartments.












Very practical, but visual design for an amateur - pixel:


or its beautiful modern counterpart with convex squares:

Still in style and perfect for modern bathrooms, tiles imitating stone, marble, slate, etc.













These are all types of proper bathroom tile designs. Anything lower is a risk.

Of risky design options: all glossy non-imitating (only white boar tested), and cladding and zoning options using mosaics. But this is at your own peril and risk.





















Texture

Except white only 1 tile - IMMIRAM IMMIRAMS. It is suitable for both modern and classic bathroom design styles. But the main thing to understand is that marble is a risky option. It is difficult to formalize which marbled tile is good. Therefore, we look at specific examples. Very poor marble imitation:





Normal:




Cool:






Fine between a bad marble toss, if you are not sure, choose something else.

To simulate all other materials, besides the pattern, a texture must also be transferred. On the stands, this is usually not felt as strongly as after laying. Photos on the Internet also convey the texture very poorly. Everything needs to be seen live and be sure to touch it with your hands.

The trendiest tile designs in 2019 are concrete and wood. The first look very cool in a matte finish (but matte is more expensive), and the tree with a deep texture. Because the concrete is gray and patchy, even without texture it is very practical and does not show water stains. Let's see the options for gray cladding on real photos.

Expensive matte concrete effect tiles:

Average price ($11/m2) untextured gray tiles from that bathroom with shower from part 1:

And several economy class options from the Belarusian manufacturer Keramin:







Color

There is a lot of water in the bathroom. Water dries to white spots. These are the salts that were dissolved in it. No adequate filter options will save you from this, trust experience. To make beautiful tiles not only on the stand:

The standard colors for tiles in the bathroom are light. Otherwise - permanent white spots.

And 2 more hard facts:

  1. Neutral colors are enough for a stylishly fun bathroom design.
  2. Almost all colored tiles are terrible.

This is especially true in the interior of a small bathroom. And to immediately prove that even a bathroom completely finished with gray tiles can be cool and interesting, here is a photo:



almost all of them are rubbish , which cannot be saved either by an ideal layout or other tricks. But there are rare exceptions. Therefore, any colored tile is a risk. Sometimes it can turn out well, but you need a sense of taste and proportion, a very painstaking choice. Colored bathroom tiles when it comes in and out (the edge is very thin):








But even a good colored tile should be accent, not the main one. The base color should always be neutral. In no case should aggressive colors like red, pink, purple, green be dominated. In short, the same rules as described in the material about the combination of colors (for example, why pure red is almost impossible to fit into the interior normally).

Photo examples of how to use colored tiles correctly / incorrectly:




And a bonus for those who read it. When choosing a tile design, take advantage of the free design services that are provided in most salons. Feel free to contact consultants with a request to make a free model of a room with a layout for you. So you can protect yourself from mistakes when combining several collections, and you can think over and minimize trimming. However, this does not oblige you to buy it. Good luck with the repair!

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