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Tile color for small bathroom


The Best Tile Color for a Small Bathroom

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The best tile color for a small bathroom can make a huge difference in how spacious the bathroom will feel. And obviously you want a tile color that fits your interior style.

When you are renovating your bathroom you want to pick the right tiles. Both the tile design and the color of the tiles is an important step in your bathroom renovation.

But when you’re designing a small bathroom, this choice of tile color becomes even more important. You want your bathroom to feel fresh and as spacious as possible.

What is the best tile color for a small bathroom?

The go-to tile color for a small bathroom is of course white. White always makes a room look bigger and it also give a fresh look. But this post will show you that you can choose a large range of tile colors for your small bathroom. And you will see that you don’t have to be afraid to use a dark tile color in your tiny bathroom.

White tiles

White tiles are still the most popular tile color choice, especially for small bathrooms. A light tile color will make your tiny bathroom feel bigger and brighter.

Especially when you have little to no natural light coming into your bathroom, will a white tile be a classic and right choice.

photo: Anders Bergstedt

This what I call a teeny tiny bathroom. But the white subway tiles give the bathroom a fresh look.

photo: Abigail Green

When you think white is a bit boring, you can bring some nature to your bathroom with plants.

photo: Mark Zeidler

The subway tiles are put in vertical to add more lenght to the small bathroom. The light grey tiles on the floor add a little contrast.

If you don’t want to go for an all-white look in your small bathroom, you can opt for black and white floor tiles for a bit of contrast (you can also use a color for the floor tiles, which you will see later on in this post).

In these two bathrooms they only tiled the bathrooms halfway, so you can still add another color to your bathroom. Or go for a monochrome look as you can see in these two examples (photos: Tony Colangelo & houseofbeau13)

Grey tiles

When you wan’t a little bit more warmth to your bathroom, but you still want to use a neutral tile color, then you can chose a grey tile. Grey gives a bathroom a luxurious and still a light look.

design: Farlam & Chandler and photo: The Modern House

Maybe you think grey is boring. But when you add some interesting design features you get a unique bathroom look. As you can see here with the ribbed glass wall an ribbed bathroom sink.

photo: Vasastansmäklarna

Or chose interesting patterns in your grey tilework for a unique grey bathroom.

photo: The Design Villa

Luxurious ligh grey tiles with brass fittings and wood to add warmth.

photo: The Stables

Glossy gray tiles (by Di Lorenzo) with a wooden cabinet equals a beautiful small bathroom.

photo: Properties & Partners photo: Properties & Partners

Dark gray tiles also work in a small bathroom. A glossy gray tile is best because it also reflects light. In the bathroom above, the dark gray wall tiles and gray vanity and toilet are combined with black, white, and yellow floor tiles to add a brighter touch.

Blue tiles

A small bathroom with blue tiles will work splendidly. You might think that you have to opt for a light blue tiles. But a dark blue will also look beautiful in a tiny bathroom.

photo: El Mueble

This bathroom give a nature vibe. Not only because of the beautiful light blue tiles but also by that large window in the shower.

photo: Jess Isaac

Interior stylist & blogger Emily Henderson created this small blue bathroom. She used the Ogee Drop tiles in Crater Lake by Fireclay Tile.

We go a bit darker with these blue tiles combined with grey floor tiles.

And even darker with these blue tiles in Hotel Villa Ivy in Salzburg. When you go for a darker tile color in a small bathroom, then pcking a glossy tile can help in making it feel less dark (because the gloss reflects light)

See also: 40 Small Bathroom Ideas + Tips To Make A Small Bathroom Look Bigger

Pink tiles

Everything looks good in pink and that includes a bathroom. I feel as if a light pink shade is almost becoming a new neutral. And pink tiles give a cheerful, light and colorful look to a bathroom.

photo: Three Birds Renovations

Vertical pink tiles make this small bathroom look higher than it is. And the floor tiles have a range of color from blue to pink giving a nice effect.

photo: Stokperd

When an all-pink bathroom is too much for you, then why not add pink floor tiles? And adding a nice geometric design to the tiles give the small room a fun look.

Green tiles

Green is hot. You might have noticed it already, but the color green is absolutely trending right now. And that doesn’t end with the color of your walls. Green tiles will give your small bathroom a more natural look.

photo: Justina Blakeney

Jungalow’s Justina Blakeney added these blue/green tiles to her bathroom for a boho natural look. She used the Tidewater tile by Fireclay Tiles.

Green and pink tones in this small IKEA bathroom. What a fun look!

photo: livforinteriors

Green hexagon tiles combined with industrial steel framed door.

If you prefer your bathroom a bit moodier but still natural, you can opt for dark green tiles. As I mentioned above, its a good idea to chose a glossy tile when you go for dark in a small bathroom (photos: The Mozart Hotel, Pinterest & woodsintothewoods)

Black tiles

Yes, you can choose black tiles for a small bathroom. A dark color will give a rich look to a bathroom. But when you chose a dark tile color it is important that you pay good attention to the lighting.

As with the dark green tiles we’ve seen above, it is best to chose a glossy tile. You can see in the bathroom below that even though the tiles are black. The finish they used on these tiles reflect the natural light streaming into the bathroom.

design: Crystal Sinclair & photo: Sean Litchfield

Even though they used black tiles in this bathroom, it doesn’t feel dark at all. The light floor obviously helps, but also the fact that they didn’t tile this bathroom all the way to the ceiling. The white border adds a fresh and light touch to this tiny New York bathroom.

photo: Dan Doran

Another example of black and white in a tiny bathroom. The white tiles above bring enough light to this tiny room that you don’t have to be afraid of the black tiles.

See also: 50 amazing black bathroom ideas

Colorful floor tiles

When colorful wall tiles in a bathroom scares you, then you can always opt for a color touch on the floor. With white wall tiles your bathroom will look fresh, light but still colorful.

photo: Chris Snook

White subway tiles combined with pink & white floor tiles. The floor tiles add such a lively colorful touch to this tiny bathroom.

photo: Borden Interiors

Another pink floor added to a small bathroom. The white walls adds enough lighness that you can go a bit bolder for the floor tiles.

I hope this post inspired you to go for color in your small bathroom renovation. The tile color of your tiny bathroom can make a huge difference to how your bathroom looks. But whether you want light or dark tiles, when you have a small bathroom you can chose both!

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12 Stunning Tile Ideas for Small Bathrooms

By

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 11/29/22

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

When the time comes to renovate your small bathroom, there are many things to consider: Should you stick with bright colors? Is it time to ditch that bulky tub? Can large tiles work in a small space? Designing a small bathroom means you'll have to be clever and purposeful with every decision, and your bathroom's tile is one of the first things you'll notice when you step into the room. 

Here are some ideas for tiles for small bathrooms. 

Small Bathroom Tiles + 150 PHOTO

Small Bathroom Tiles

Would you like to know how small bathroom tiles are used? Photo design of finished projects will reveal secrets. About everything in more detail later in the article.

Contents:

See also: Modern fashion design combined bathroom with washing machine. TOP-10 space-saving ideas + 50 PHOTO

Features of the material

Ceramic finishing material is practical, unpretentious in maintenance and resistant to moisture. Models of tiles differ not only in color, texture, but also in size. This allows you to use the material for facing the room.

Ceramics – one of the materials for wall decoration

Decorating techniques can visually enhance the atmosphere of even the smallest space. At the same time, the original design will increase the degree of comfort. Therefore, when choosing a material for facing a small bathroom, you must consider:

Choose different textures, textures and colors for your bathroom

It will be interesting for you: OVERVIEW: Bathroom tile panel options: 185+ (Photo) Wall options

Read also: Children's room design for a little girl and a teenager from 3 to 16 years + 150 PHOTOS Memorable interiors

Large-scale or small

Stylish designs dispel the myth that it is not rational to use large-sized tiles for facing small rooms. By correctly positioning the tiles, you can visually add volume to the room. Just do not decorate the entire surface with it.

Give volume to the room with tiles

An excellent option would be to lay vertical stripes of large rectangles or squares in the center of a large wall. A 20x50 cm tile with an ornament on the floor in the center of the room will create the illusion of carpeting.

Large rectangles in the center of the wall

Unusual tiles to create a cozy bathroom

Using large tiles to decorate a small bathroom is possible, but difficult, so medium and small sizes are considered the most suitable:

1models 10x10 cm fit the design, but it should be remembered that the dark scale visually "eats" the real dimensions, it looks a little gloomy;

Models 10x10 cm match design

2 The perception of 20x20 cm squares is hardly affected by their shade or design, the main role is played by the visual impression;

Visual impression with a size of 20x20

3mosaic allows you to create original ornaments of various options, but requires an accurate calculation.

Original mosaic panel

It is believed that the correct size and shape give a more pronounced effect of increasing the volume of space than the color palette. If the bathroom is narrow, the large size of the tile will reduce the number of conditional lines and create a visual effect of spaciousness.

The effect of increasing space due to tiles of the correct form

The optimal size of tiles for a rectangular bathroom of modest size are rectangles of 20 by 30 cm, and for a square - 20 by 20 cm.

Optimum size for tiles 20 x 30 cm

It will interest you: OVERVIEW: Finishing the bathroom with artificial stone: Washbasin, countertop, shelves. Features of using material

See also: Design of a small bathroom combined with a toilet. TOP-12 techniques for unique space correction + 50 PHOTO

Features of texture

Modern ceramics are diverse not only in size, decor, but also in the texture of the front surface. There are tiles only for wall or floor cladding, universal models that are suitable for both coverings. Products with a surface are presented:

1 glazed;

2 unglazed;

3gloss;

4matt.

Shiny for small spaces. Gloss contributes to the visual increase in space. The glazed surface is easy to clean and wash.

Also available. Therefore, an option for a small room would be a tile with two layers of glaze and small bulges. Such a surface looks very original.

Glitter for small spaces

Glass and mirror materials will require more frequent cleaning, but in combination with other materials they will give the atmosphere lightness, airiness, spaciousness.

Glass for the airiness of the interior

It will be interesting to you: OVERVIEW: Bathroom furniture: Features of choosing Washbasins with a cabinet - how not to make a mistake? (190+ Photos)

See also: Ceramic tile for backsplash in the kitchen. Modern design and expert advice + 180 PHOTOS

Perfect colors

The color scheme sets not only the direction of the design of a modest bathroom, but also allows you to add volume and airiness to it. The darker the shades, the smaller the small room seems. A similar reaction occurs with sharp color contrasts.

Sharp color contrasts to enlarge the room

Tiles for small bathrooms are preferable to light colors. At the same time, it should be remembered that light shades are also divided into categories:

1Warm.

Warm color when choosing design

2 Cold.

Light but cool shade in the bathroom

3 Neutral.

Neutral shades in the bathroom

4Achromatic.

Shades from deep black to white

It will be interesting to you: REVIEW: Options for finishing the Bathroom with Tiles (175+ Photos). Create a design that will be remembered

Warm shades

Trendy warm colors include:

1Bright yellow.

Yellowish shades in bathroom elements and decor

2 Peach.

Natural shades in your bathroom

3 Sand.

Trendy sand for bathroom walls

4 Beige.

Elegant beige wall decoration

The combination of several tones of this range looks impressive, preferably with a horizontal demarcation of the color palette. The expansion of space is facilitated by the location at the top and bottom of dark narrow stripes that do not change the predominance of the background of the light palette.

Several tricks for a successful expansion of space

If you want to visually "raise" the ceiling of the room, it is important to design narrow vertical stripes on both sides of the wall. A combination of these two methods is not excluded.

Lines in the center of the wall will help to raise the ceiling

Dark color inserts are used to highlight a certain section of the wall. This illusory approximates the selected part.

Highlight the wall with dark inserts

Following the tradition

Bathrooms are traditionally clad in shades of blue and light purple, which are of a cold type, or neutral tones of white and light gray, which do not affect the feeling of warmth.

The achromatic palette includes shades:

1 Pink.

Pale pink bathroom

2 Lilac.

Lilac shades for comfort

3Green.

Greenish shades in harmony with white

They do not contribute to any unambiguous sensations, but awaken a purely individual perception of the scale.

Modern solutions include tiles imitating the texture of metal, wood, stone, paper.

Imitation of wood in wall tiling

Dilute white tiles with bright accents

It would be a mistake to tile a small bathroom with only white tiles. Excess whiteness will make the interior boring, similar to a medical facility. In addition, in this way it is impossible to achieve the effect of expanding space. White color will only enhance the illumination of the space. But it looks great in combination with other light surfaces:

1terracotta;

Expansion effect with terracotta

2 pearl grey;

Light solution for a small bathroom

3 light blue or light blue;

Blue color in the design of the bathroom

4 muted green or light green;

Muted green in the interior of the bathroom

5 light yellow or pale lemon;

Yellow shades even in the bathroom decor

6 peach;

Peach colors in a classic bathroom

7lavender;

8 sand.

Neutral sand for comfort and relaxation

Muted navy blue or marsala tiles will add depth to the design without negatively impacting the room's geometric feel.

Inclusions of not only monophonic elements, but also with a pattern will help to revitalize the interior. Randomly arranged vertical stripes and borders add creativity to the atmosphere.

Dark blue shades add depth to the design

You may be interested in: OVERVIEW: Design and decoration of the bathroom with plastic panels 110+ Photo - A quick and cheap way to decorate

Optimal combinations

If you want to decorate a small bathroom with two-color tiles, you need to choose elements that do not contrast, but complement each other. The main thing is the predominance of light shades. Winning combinations:

  • blue with light blue;
  • pink with soft purple;
  • ivory beige.

Pink with soft purple - as one of the options in the interior

To combine bright and unusual shades on a light background, the following combination options:

  • blue with yellow;
  • muted orange and dark lilac.

Muted orange and purple in the bathroom interior

A small pattern on the elements of a contrasting shade will add sophistication and elegance to the design.

A touch of style that enhances style

Any style suits a small bathroom. Can be emphasized with shades:

  • light yellow, sand and green - classic;
  • peach, brown, splashes of red - Japanese and oriental styles;
  • light blue, blue and white - Mediterranean motifs;
  • brown and white - provincial country;
  • with bright contrasts - avant-garde.

Blue and white - Mediterranean style

See also: Modern design ideas for the hallway and corridor (furniture, lighting, decor). TOP 10 design rules + 200 PHOTO

TOP 10 successful solutions for a small bathroom

1 Blue walls are perfectly complemented by marble-like tiles on the floor.

Marble floor

2 Glass mosaics on the walls and fine ceramics on the floor.

Glass mosaic on the bathroom walls

3The floor and the lower level of the walls of the same color will create a bottomless effect.

Same color floor and walls

4Wall to wall mirrored surface masks the dimensions of the space.

Bathroom mirror

5 Mint green walls combined with white fixtures give the atmosphere a fresh effect.

Mint tile

6 Black painting part of the ceiling and walls in black creates the illusion of infinity in the room.

Black and white bathroom

7Using a background tile in two light colors with mosaics in a similar range unites a small area, neutralizing clutter.

Bright bathroom with mosaics

8The mirror in the frame opposite the glass door of the shower cabin “dissolves” the walls.

Glass shower cabin in tandem with a mirror

9 Walls lined with white ceramics look organic in combination with imitation wood on the floor.

Imitation wood in the bathroom

10Two red opposite walls give the space of a miniature room an imaginary depth.

Two red walls in the bathroom

See also: Wall panels (MDF) for interior decoration. TOP 7 interior applications + 165 PHOTO

Relief and ornament - creative and stylish

Decorative accents enliven the design, create a sense of completeness of the image. In a small bathroom, this task is handled by:

  • tiles imitating fabric;
  • vertical and horizontal patterned elements;
  • friezes or borders.

Patterned borders in your bathroom

The number of compositions is minimal. They should complement the decor, but not stand out from a single concept. Shiny particles of gold and silver enhance the attractiveness.

The use of embossed elements, especially models with a 3D effect, creates the ultimate expansion effect, but only when decorating small areas of the wall. Embossed tiles on the entire surface will cause the opposite reaction.

Embossed with 3D effect

Drawings or ornaments on the tile floor give personality to the environment, but a small bathroom will look smaller if it is decorated with large colorful panels. In such a room, a dim image of tiles that are the same as the size of the main cladding is relevant. It is preferable to place not a picture on the wall, but small patterns on each segment of the material.

Ornament for individuality of design

The surface of light tiles on top with tiles a tone darker below, divided horizontally by a decorative pattern, looks stylish. And at any level. The room seems wider and more spacious.

See also: Rooms for teenagers boys and girls in a modern style. TOP-8 design ideas + 175 PHOTOS

Mosaic - space for decor

When multi-color solutions, it is preferable to use mosaics. Better single color or neutral colors. For its production, ceramics with a porous structure, glass, smalt, and less often metal are used. And for flooring - granite, marble, sometimes jasper.

Mosaic elements for multicolor solutions

Miniature size is the advantage of this cladding material. It allows you to lay mosaics in hard-to-reach places, for example, rounded shapes. This is a definite plus for decorating a small bathroom, where there are a lot of bizarre curves.

The advantage of the mosaic is its small size

The advantage is the multitude of forms. The multi-angled format expands the possibilities of creativity, goes well with tiles.

Mosaic in the form of accents adds sophistication and originality to the setting. Many mosaic ornaments created in past centuries have survived to this day, which testifies to the durability of such cladding.

Mosaic in the form of an accent

See also: Design options for rooms in an apartment (+150 Photos). TOP-12 trends and TOP-4 anti-trends

Recommendations for choosing

To decorate a small bathroom, the choice of tiles is not an easy question. Before buying, you should listen to the recommendations of experienced designers:

1For most of the room, purchase light-colored tiles so that the decor contributes to the visual expansion of the space. Dark-colored tiles should be laid at the bottom of the walls or on the floor.

Light tile to expand the visual space

2 The glossy surface of the elements has a mirror property, so it adds airiness and light to the room. But on shiny dark surfaces there are traces of water.

Carefully choose dark surfaces

Choose quality materials

3Themed collections make your decision easier.

Browse the thematic collections

TOP 3 laying system secrets

1For the walls of small bathrooms, a direct laying of square tiles without offset in rows is appropriate.

2On the floor, the half-size mixing method or the diagonal layout allows an illusory increase in space.

Diagonal layout on the floor

3 Placement of rectangular elements on the walls vertically “stretches” the height. Horizontal arrangement - expands the surface, but reduces the level of the ceiling.

Vertical tiling stretches the height of the ceiling

Small bathroom layout options

VIDEO: Bathroom design 175+ Photos).
Create a design that will be remembered

PHOTO GALLERY: The best design solutions for a small bathroom

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Tiles for a small bathroom

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9003 9003) tiles to choose in a small bathroom?

If you take into account a few subtleties, you can lay tiles of any size. To complete the finish, it is advisable to combine different products. But in the end, it all depends on the preferences of the owner of the apartment, even if it is a small bathroom in Khrushchev.

  • Large products (for example, 30x40) are laid horizontally, this method will visually expand the walls. The grout for the joints should be chosen to match, so as not to crush the space with thin contrasting lines.
  • Medium-sized tiles (20x30, 30x30) are the best option for a small bathroom.
  • Products of small sizes (these include "boar" 10x20 and square 10x10) can crush the space if you use different colors and contrasting grout. It is recommended to choose a monophonic material, due to which the room will visually come together.

The photo shows a large-format tile with an inconspicuous tone-on-tone grout.

  • Mosaics usually decorate one wall or, for example, a shower cabin. If you want to decorate the whole room with a mosaic, it should be the smallest and lightest shades in order to create a general background without affecting the geometry.

The photo shows a combined bathroom, the walls of which are decorated with ceramic mosaics interspersed with mirrors.

Tile color recommendations

Designers do not advise decorating a small bathroom with dark tones. You need to choose neutral shades: white, sand, blue, light green, gray. When combining different colors, it is also recommended to use muted tones.

Products of a rich palette are appropriate as decor for niches, mirrors, bath screens: the choice depends on taste preferences and the layout of the room.

The right choice of tile design to increase space

To divert attention from the modest size of the bathroom, designers offer some interesting ideas. For example, you can lay out the same tiles on both the walls and the floor, uniting the space. Or vice versa: make the flooring saturated in color - it will draw attention to itself - and decorate the walls in neutral colors. The same technique works with bright furniture and accent elements.

Be sure to check out other ideas for making a room look larger.

In the photo, a small bathroom is visually expanded due to the same coating on the wall and floor.

In a small bathroom, you can also combine local areas, such as shower and floor.

Photo of compact bathrooms with wide marble effect tiles.

Which surface to choose: glossy or matt?

Any finish is suitable for a small bathroom, but each has its own characteristics:

Glossy Matt

Visually increases the area of ​​the room, giving depth.

Used in interiors where gloss is inappropriate.

Glitter tile reflects light to expand the space. Suitable for walls.

The rough texture of ceramic tiles is safer, so it is suitable for flooring.

Water drops and handprints are more noticeable, but the surface is easy to clean.

Matte finish is less visible, but harder to clean.

Since the purpose of decorating a small bathroom is to expand the space, glossy products are preferable.

Shown here is a glossy boar that adds depth to a small bathroom.

Which tile shape is best?

The modern ceramic tile market is full of a variety of shapes. But not all options will look good in a small bathroom.

Standard rectangles and squares emphasize the geometry of the room, look unobtrusive: what you need in a small room. Walls with three-dimensional, embossed or hexagonal tiles look impressive and eye-catching, but you should not overload the space with them.

View bathroom tiling options.

The photo shows a rectangular brick-like tile in a milky shade.

Irregular-shaped items (eg scales) or triangles are suitable only for decorating individual areas.

How does layout affect a small bathroom?

It all depends on the proportions of the bathroom: the layout can lengthen the space or expand it. Long horizontal products - expand the walls. The same effect is given by lines of contrasting tiles, ceramic or glass mosaics.

Vertically laid tiles visually raise ceilings.

The photo shows a narrow "wood look" tile laid along the wall.

An interesting effect in a small bathroom gives a diagonal arrangement.

Ideas for a small bathroom

If a solid white bathroom seems boring, you can create a border or lay out a pattern with contrasting elements. Bright accents complete the interior. Decor from details with a finished pattern would be appropriate.

Be sure to see how you can tile the toilet.

By combining different colors and textures, you can "dissolve" the extra corners that appear as a result of combining the bathroom and the bathroom.

Learn more