Beautiful Bathroom Tile Design Ideas

Choosing the right tile for your bathroom can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of the space. With so many options for colors, patterns, textures, and materials, it may seem overwhelming to select bathroom tiles that align with your personal style. This article will explore beautiful and trending bathroom tile design ideas to help inspire your next bathroom remodel or renovation.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Bathroom Tile

Before looking at specific tile options, it’s important to consider what factors should guide your bathroom tile selections. Keep the following in mind as you shop for tiles and finalize the designs for your bathroom:

Functionality

Will the tiles be primarily decorative or functional? In showers and around tubs, choose tiles with non-slip finishes for safety.
Larger tiles can create a feeling of openness, while small mosaic tiles or stone create texture.
Glossy or polished tiles become slippery when wet so use those selectively or add non-slip mats.

Moisture Resistance

Bathroom tiles need to withstand splashes and humid conditions. Choose tiles rated for high moisture.
Porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone tiles have very low water absorption.
Avoid unglazed tiles or tiles prone to growing mold or mildew.

Easy Maintenance

Opt for smooth, glossy finishes that are easier to clean.
Porcelain tiles resist staining and buildup of dirt and grime better than ceramic.
Stay away from tiles with rough surfaces or grout lines that can trap debris and bacteria.
Larger format tiles have fewer grout lines to clean.

Durability

Bathroom tiles take a lot of wear and tear. Select hard, dense tiles that are crack, scratch, and stain resistant.
Softer, more porous tiles like limestone require sealing to prevent damage.
Porcelain is more durable than ceramic in general.

Color/Design

Neutral colors make small bathrooms appear larger, while bold colors and patterns make a statement.
Try to limit tile patterns to one or two to avoid a busy look.
Mosaic tiles, borders, and accents tiles add interest.

Keeping these practical factors in mind while browsing through the gorgeous bathroom tile ideas below will help you select the right surfaces for your space.

Beautiful and Popular Bathroom Tile Types

Here is an overview of some of the most popular, on-trend tile materials and styles for bathrooms:

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile is one of the most common bathroom tile options because it offers unparalleled resistance to moisture, scratches, stains and high traffic conditions. Made from finely ground natural ingredients fired at high temperatures, porcelain tiles have almost zero water absorption, ultra-dense bodies resistant to cracking and chipping, and smooth surfaces that resist build up.

Some popular porcelain tile design ideas include:

Stone look porcelain with the natural beauty of travertine, marble, slate, or limestone minus the maintenance. Great for floors, walls, shower surrounds.
Wood look planks for a modern, spa-like feel. Durable and realistic.
Mosaic penny tiles in glossy colors for vintage charm or moroccan patterns.
Concrete or cement-effect tiles for an industrial vibe.
Subway tiles and hexagons for clean geometrics.
Intricate patterns inspired by encaustic cement tiles from Europe.

Ceramic Tile

Glazed ceramic tiles offer an immense range of colors, prints, mosaics, and decorative motifs. They are softer and more porous than porcelain so seal and maintain them properly, especially in showers. Some stylish ideas for ceramic bathroom tiles include:

Vivid solid colors, dramatic dark hues like navy blue, or soft pastels for color-blocked walls.
Handpainted tiles with floral patterns, Arabic designs, or artsy sketches like fish or birds.
Classic subway tiles, beveled edges, octagons, and interesting shapes.
Whimsical mosaics,borders and accent tiles to mix and match.

Natural Stone Tiles

For a touch of luxury, natural stone tiles like marble, travertine, slate, and limestone elevate any bathroom’s style. Each stone has its own personality from the veining in marble, the pits and holes in travertine, the earthy cleft texture of slate, or the muted tones of limestone. Seal these properly and they will add timeless beauty to showers, floors and walls.

Carrara marble is a classic with soft white background and subtle grey veining. Calacatta marble has dramatic thick veining.
Travertine comes in gold, ivory, tan and rustic finishes. Filled or unfilled.
Slate tiles can be purple, silver, black, green, or multi-colored. Great for modern bathrooms.
Limestone in soft beiges and greys has a European feel.

Glass Tiles

Glistening glass tiles impart a translucent, jewel-like quality to bathroom walls. They can completely transform a space from mundane to magnificent. Use them sparingly at first if concerned about the busy or dated look. Some ways to incorporate glass tiles elegantly include:

As an accent in the shower niche or around mirrors and sconces.
To create gleaming mosaic patterns as insets within subway tile or larger solid tiles.
Stacked vertically behind vessel sinks to catch and reflect light.
As a full shower or tub surround for contemporary glam. Mix glass with ceramic or porcelain tiles.
Favorite colors are plated metallics like gold, silver or copper penny. But clear, sea glass and frosted options are beautiful too.

Metal Tiles

Once found mostly in industrial or commercial spaces, metal bathroom tiles are becoming highly popular for residential bathrooms wanting an ultra modern vibe. Made from metals like stainless steel, copper, and bronze or finished to look like metal, these dynamic tiles feature amazing reflections, depth, and texture. Use them thoughtfully to add interest and brilliance.

Common finishes are brushed, aged, oxidized or oil-rubbed looks in grays, bronze, copper and silvers.
Great for contemporary bathrooms or vintage, rustic industrial designs.
Work well in small doses on shower walls, behind sinks, or as insets within other tiles.

Beautiful Bathroom Tile Design Ideas and Layouts

Now that we’ve covered the main types of tiles available, here are some beautiful and inspiring bathroom tile design ideas using specific layouts, configurations, colors and combinations.

All White Bathrooms

Nothing evokes a feeling of openness and serenity like an all-white bathroom. White tiles paired with white fixtures and finishes create a spa-like retreat. Some approaches include:

Subway tiles on walls and hexagon mosaic floor tiles in glossy white. Ultra clean and modern.
Carrera marble herringbone mosaic floor with matching marble subway wall tiles for elegance.
Mix white beveled subway wall tiles with wood-look porcelain planks on the floor. Add texture with nubby white bath mats.
A combination of white and soft grey tiles in hexagon, brick or subway patterns prevent the all-white look from feeling too sterile.

Colorful and Vintage

Why stick to plain white when tiles come in every color imaginable? Vintage patterns and colors enliven traditional bathrooms. Ideas include:

Deep green, navy blue or black tiles paired with brass fixtures for a glamorous bathroom.
Use avocado green, mustard yellow or burnt orange tiles for a retro 70s mod look.
Vintage pink and black tiles arranged in concentric squares or diamonds patterns.
Color blocking with one vibrant wall and neutrals elsewhere prevents overwhelming.

Spa Retreat Designs

Create a relaxing spa or zen feel in the bathroom with these calming tile ideas:

Light beige travertine tile floors and stone mosaic shower walls in earthy tan and brown tones. Add bamboo accents.
Marble or limestone tile floors and walls in soft creams and grey paired with marble countertops and driftwood vanities.
Porcelain plank tiles that mimic bamboo for the floors. Use rectangular wall tiles in creamy neutrals.
Pebble mosaic tiles on the shower floor. Subway tiles on walls in misty sea glass hues.

Bold and Dramatic

Make a striking visual statement with bold colors, daring shapes, or commanding patterns:

Blue and white moroccan inspired encaustic cement tiles in graphic patterns.
Large format rectangular tiles on walls in matte black, navy blue or charcoal grey.
Shiny penny mosaic tiles as shower floor inlays within larger porcelain tiles. The metallic sheen dazzles.
Midnight black glass subway tiles on one wall to frame the bathtub or shower.

Organic Patterns and Textures

Natural shapes, authentically layered textures, and organic hues make bathrooms feel more like a spa tucked into nature:

Actual pebble tiles in a seamless mosaic on the shower floor. Neutral slate stone on walls.
Porcelain tiles sculpted and glazed to realistically resemble weathered wood planks or worn leather.
Concrete-look tiles with uneven edges and color variations for industrial flair.
Hexagon tiles handpainted with leaves, flowers or abstract watercolor designs.

Minimalist and Geometric

Keep the eye moving around the bathroom space with linear patterns, crisp lines, and seamless geometry:

Herringbone floors in marble, limestone or porcelain. Continue the chevron motif in the shower niche.
White brick or fish scale shaped tiles, set in square or angled rows. Alternate matte and glossy finishes.
3D hexagon tiles covering entire walls and floors. The uniform tiling makes rooms feel grand.

Bathroom Tile Ideas and Tips

Use large format tiles to make small bathrooms feel bigger and less choppy visually. Try 12″ x 24″ laid vertically or horizontally.
Vary tile orientation from floors to walls to transition smoothly. For example lay rectangular floor tiles vertically and wall tiles horizontally.
Limit patterns to one or two elements like subway tile walls with mosaic inset borders or geometric shower floors with a strip of marble running through.
Carry a color from walls through to floors to connect spaces. Such as navy walls with matching navy and white mosaic floors.
Use wood-look porcelain planks vertically on walls for a spa vibe. Helps ground tile bathrooms with warmth.
Frame showers and mirrors with decorative borders in contrasting colors or finishes. Penny tiles, listellos, and mosaics make great trims.
Mix textures and materials in thoughtful pairings: sleek porcelain floors with natural stone walls, or glass tile accents within subway tiled walls.
Choose slip-resistant tile finishes like honed, textured, or satin for shower floors. Avoid very glossy or smooth floors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Beautiful Bathroom Tile Ideas

Here are answers to some common questions homeowners have when selecting tiles for bathrooms:

What are the most popular tile sizes for bathrooms?

Subway tile 3×6 inches or 4×12 inches
Hexagon mosaics 1 inch
Standard square tile 12×12 inches
Oversized rectangular planks 6×24 inches or 12×24 inches
Mosaic penny tiles 1 inch

What tile materials work best in bathrooms?

Porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, and glass tiles are most suitable for bathrooms. Porcelain has the best performance ratings for water resistance, durability, and easy maintenance. Ceramic and glass tile require sealing. Natural stone needs the most protection from water.

How do I choose tile colors for a small bathroom?

Lighter, muted colors like whites and very soft greys, beiges and taupes make small bathrooms appear larger. Glossy tiles also reflect more light. Bold or dark colors and busy patterns can overwhelm a tiny space.

Should bathroom floors and walls match?

Uniformity looks clean and elegant. But mixing materials, finishes, colors and patterns on walls versus floors adds nice contrast. Just make sure some colors complement each other to unify the look.

What tile layout patterns work best in bathrooms?

Simple offsets of rectangular or square floor tiles laid straight or diagonally prevent a cluttered look. Herringbone floor patterns add interest. Stacked subway wall tiles keep things clean. Graphics and mosaics use space efficiently on walls.

How can I add personality with bathroom tile?

Use accent tiles like mosaics, borders or medallions behind sinks and mirrors. Go for pops of color or metallic glass or stone tiles. Try a decorative floor insert or rug. Use natural stone mosaics for organic yet elegant character.

Should I hire a tile installation professional?

Proper thinset application and precise tile alignment require skill and experience. Avoid uneven floors, sloppy grout lines and damage to tiles by hiring a qualified tile setter, especially for natural stone or large format tiles.

Beautiful Bathroom Tile Designs – Final Thoughts

Bathroom tiles can range from basic white subway squares to stunning mosaics, stone slabs, intricate motifs and more. By thoughtfully considering your design goals, color preferences, style of home, and bathroom functions, you can select the perfect backdrops.

Keep practical factors like durability, moisture-resistance and maintenance in mind. Then have fun exploring the possibilities with on-trend colors, artistic patterns, natural textures and creative tile layouts. Use this overview of popular bathroom tile ideas and options to inspire your own beautiful designs. With proper installation and care, you’ll enjoy your bathroom tiles for decades to come.