Bathroom Tiles: 8 Ideas to Steal From
From intricate mosaics to natural stones, decorative tiles can transform the bath and beyond
Bathroom tiles are no longer restricted to the underfoot area but cover countertops, walls and more. Whether you prefer minimal and muted patterns or something a little more opulent, this ideabook has some interesting design ideas you would love for your bathroom.
2. Go rustic with stone cladding
Wall cladding is a decorative covering, which involves application of one material over another. It is also referred to as stone cladding when done with thin layers of natural stone, or with tiles that simulate stone, like limestone or travertine. This is a cost-effective and durable option. Take a cue from this bathroom with tiles by Stone Source. Square travertine tiles adorn the floors and walls while the shower walls and sink backsplash are clad in narrow strips. The use of earthy tones complements the rustic finish.
Makeover on a Budget: 10 Tips to Style Up Your Bathroom
Wall cladding is a decorative covering, which involves application of one material over another. It is also referred to as stone cladding when done with thin layers of natural stone, or with tiles that simulate stone, like limestone or travertine. This is a cost-effective and durable option. Take a cue from this bathroom with tiles by Stone Source. Square travertine tiles adorn the floors and walls while the shower walls and sink backsplash are clad in narrow strips. The use of earthy tones complements the rustic finish.
Makeover on a Budget: 10 Tips to Style Up Your Bathroom
3. Wow with wall murals
Feature walls in the shower area can be so appealing. In this image, Sonali Shah brings a garden to the bathroom with tile murals in blacks, greens and yellows. The floral motif adds a bit of theatre and gives you flowers that are always in bloom. If floral is not your style, you can go for a theme like aqua – or cartoon characters for the children’s bathroom.
Tip: Bring in muted colour tones (in tiles) to the other parts of the bathroom and let the mural steal the show.
Feature walls in the shower area can be so appealing. In this image, Sonali Shah brings a garden to the bathroom with tile murals in blacks, greens and yellows. The floral motif adds a bit of theatre and gives you flowers that are always in bloom. If floral is not your style, you can go for a theme like aqua – or cartoon characters for the children’s bathroom.
Tip: Bring in muted colour tones (in tiles) to the other parts of the bathroom and let the mural steal the show.
4. Find faux wood tiles
Wooden flooring brings in a luxurious feel to any space. But such floors (think hardwood) are expensive, high maintenance and not very practical for very humid areas like bathrooms. Why not try faux wood tiles, such as the ones in this image, which are made of porcelain or ceramic? They have a look similar to hardwood floors but are budget-friendly and don’t swell up due to moisture the way wood can.
Tip: Pick faux wood tiles in elongated rectangular shapes that closely resemble regular hardwood slabs.
Wooden flooring brings in a luxurious feel to any space. But such floors (think hardwood) are expensive, high maintenance and not very practical for very humid areas like bathrooms. Why not try faux wood tiles, such as the ones in this image, which are made of porcelain or ceramic? They have a look similar to hardwood floors but are budget-friendly and don’t swell up due to moisture the way wood can.
Tip: Pick faux wood tiles in elongated rectangular shapes that closely resemble regular hardwood slabs.
5. Contrast dark with light
Contrast opposing shades from the colour wheel, like black and white, to keep the look crisp and edgy. Here, Make Bathroom maintains uniformity by using deep-grey tiles on the walls, the bathtub surrounds, and on the curbs. The dark colour is offset by classic white through the white tiles on the rest of the floor and walls, accentuated, of course, by the white bath. The wooden shower platform softens the space and brings in a tropical feel.
Contrast opposing shades from the colour wheel, like black and white, to keep the look crisp and edgy. Here, Make Bathroom maintains uniformity by using deep-grey tiles on the walls, the bathtub surrounds, and on the curbs. The dark colour is offset by classic white through the white tiles on the rest of the floor and walls, accentuated, of course, by the white bath. The wooden shower platform softens the space and brings in a tropical feel.
6. Mix and match
Fadd Studio uses rich blue mosaic tiles on one part of the shower backsplash while the adjacent wall, that behind the countertop and in the niche, are accentuated in vibrant multicoloured vertical stripes. The wall above the toilet is done in larger white tiles to give a bit of breathing space from all the colour.
Fadd Studio uses rich blue mosaic tiles on one part of the shower backsplash while the adjacent wall, that behind the countertop and in the niche, are accentuated in vibrant multicoloured vertical stripes. The wall above the toilet is done in larger white tiles to give a bit of breathing space from all the colour.
Tip: Why mix and match tiles on countertops, floors and backsplashes alone? In this image, unfinished granite tiles are used to adorn the mirror. A clever way to use some left-over or broken tiles, isn’t it?
9 Extraordinary Basin Designs
9 Extraordinary Basin Designs
7. Get into geometry
Up the ante of your bathroom with inspiring geometrical patterns that play with angles and lines. In this image, the designer lays out a straight herringbone pattern on the bathroom floor. Only two colour groups of handmade standard-size subways are used. They are placed strategically to create the illusion of an unending space.
Up the ante of your bathroom with inspiring geometrical patterns that play with angles and lines. In this image, the designer lays out a straight herringbone pattern on the bathroom floor. Only two colour groups of handmade standard-size subways are used. They are placed strategically to create the illusion of an unending space.
8. Play with patchwork
A patchwork of patterns, shapes, sizes, textures and colours on a single wall can liven up a bathroom. You can combine natural stone tiles with mosaics, granite and marble, or just use different patterns in the same kind of tiles as shown here. The Mediterranean-inspired patterns are finished with a decorative border to create a horizontal collage.
Tip: You can also combine a series of border tiles to create a similar patchwork.
Read more:
10 Ways to Beautify Your Bathroom Niches
Safety: How to Make Your Bathroom Slip-Proof
Tell us:
Which of the above tile designs would you use in your bathroom? Give us your thoughts in Comments below.
A patchwork of patterns, shapes, sizes, textures and colours on a single wall can liven up a bathroom. You can combine natural stone tiles with mosaics, granite and marble, or just use different patterns in the same kind of tiles as shown here. The Mediterranean-inspired patterns are finished with a decorative border to create a horizontal collage.
Tip: You can also combine a series of border tiles to create a similar patchwork.
Read more:
10 Ways to Beautify Your Bathroom Niches
Safety: How to Make Your Bathroom Slip-Proof
Tell us:
Which of the above tile designs would you use in your bathroom? Give us your thoughts in Comments below.
Mosaic tiles, also referred to as glass tiles, provide a depth of colour and added intensity to an existing design scheme. With these, one can create eye-catching patterns using both contrasting and similar hues. In this image, Make Bathroom goes for a controlled contrast burst of shades of mauve. These tiles cover the walls, mirror, bathtub and the column behind the basin – it kind of leads the eye around the room. The floor, too, is made of mosaics, but the anti-slip kind, to minimise the risk of accidents.
Tip: To add some bling, do up some parts like the sink or the backsplash with glittering mosaic tiles. You can also install bold metallic faucets or an eye-catching sink in copper or gold.