Whether you’re contemplating a complete bathroom redesign or thinking of tackling a feature wall project, your bathroom should be a sanctuary within your home. We know the satisfaction of updating your space to exactly how you want it, but it can be overwhelming when there are so many options and avenues to consider.
From different tile designs, aesthetics and colours, there are plenty of ways to bring your interior personality into your bathroom. Read on as we explore how to transform your bathroom with our bathroom tile design ideas, including how to get the best out of a smaller space.
1. Retro charm
Interior design trends have a habit of returning over time. Look no further than the avocado bathroom resurgence to see for yourself. If you’re looking to add character to your space, retro tiles are full of personality.
Sometimes, you may be lucky enough to move into a home with vintage tiles left in great condition. But if nostalgia is your aesthetic and you’re renovating your bathroom, there are plenty of retro tiles that pay homage to more traditional, vintage or quirky designs.
There are various avenues you can follow to take your bathroom back in time. Eye-catching textures and patterns celebrate vintage eras. Consider whimsical and eclectic tiles such as zellige, or playful patterns like our Capri Terracotta Decorative Tiles. You can also opt for retro colours such as coral, pink, terracotta and jade.
2. Modern tiles
Whether you prefer colour, monochrome, marble, stone, or porcelain – modern bathrooms are effortlessly elegant and relaxing.
Metro tiles are a popular way to dress modern bathrooms, and there are plenty of tile designs to choose from, including:
- Brick bond design – imitating a traditional bricklaying effect.
- Horizontal – laying metro tiles horizontally can help make your walls look wider.
- Vertical – this contemporary look can make your bathroom appear larger and taller. Herringbone – this attractive and sophisticated pattern is achieved by laying tiles at a 45-degree angle in alternating directions.
- Basketweave – transform simple tiles into an elegant pattern by grouping tiles in threes or fours and alternating their direction by 90 degrees each turn for a woven effect.
Alternatively, if your dream bathroom features a clean, seamless look, large format porcelain tiles might be an option. If you have lots of wall space, this is a great opportunity to show off large tiles and natural marble effects.
3. Bring on the colour
While interior tastes can be subjective, one way to instantly inject personality into your bathroom aesthetic is by adding colour.
From high-contrast navy and white decor, calming greens tiles to energising pops of orange, different colours can dramatically transform the mood of your bathroom.
You don’t have to colour drench to add life to your bathroom. Consider selecting a couple of key areas to mirror with the same colourful tiles. This could be your sink backsplash and shower or bath area, for example. Have fun with different patterns, textures and tile designs.
Colour doesn’t have to remain on the walls, either. Multicoloured or monochrome, unleash your creativity beyond the four walls with mosaic floor tiles. Our Ammoudi Green Patterned Tiles are suitable for both floors and walls.
4. Feature walls
Suitable for most bathrooms, feature walls act as the focal point of the room. You can centre your feature wall around key bathroom fittings like your bathtub or shower. In other cases, you might highlight the wall your attention is most drawn to as you enter the room, such as the wall opposite the door.
Feature walls can be mixed media, combining wall tiles, wallpaper or painted walls. Or you can opt for a miniature take on a feature wall with a dramatic sink splashback.
Feature walls offer the chance to invest in and emphasise tiles you really love. They can also help make your bathroom feel larger and more dynamic, adding depth and contrasting with the rest of the room. From large textured tiles to intricate geometric patterns, consider different bathroom tile designs, sizes and colours.
5. Calming neutrals
The ideal blank canvas, neutral bathrooms are all about organic hues and natural tones. Whether you prefer clean and contemporary or rustic heritage designs, the neutral look is a popular choice for versatility and longevity.
When designing a neutral bathroom, consider if you prefer warm or cool-toned neutrals. For a cool palette, opt for white and grey. To add warmth, reach for white, ivory and beige.
Depending on your style, if your tiles have a range of earthy tones, you may be able to mix and match your colour accents too. For example, blue and beige are opposites in temperature, but when combined, they create a beautifully serene palette.
Dreaming of designing your own at-home spa? Neutral tiles, accents and plants are the way to go. Learn more about how to make your bathroom feel like a spa with our guide.
6. Patterned tiles
Generally speaking, bathrooms aren’t usually the largest rooms in the house. For maximum impact in a smaller space, consider using patterned tiles.
Patterned tiles add an extra layer of visual interest to your bathroom space. From eye-catching splashbacks to matching floor and wall tiles, there are plenty of options to adopt patterns and add decorative flair.
- Terrazzo – these multi-tonal tiles are made up of tiny chips of marble and quartz offcuts to create a collage of colour.
- Geometric – from Victorian checkerboard to mosaic-like patterns, consider these tiles to add colour and texture to your walls and floors.
- Moroccan – create a Mediterranean motif with vibrant Moroccan tiles, known for rich blues, earthy oranges and rustic textures.
- Florals – bring in botanical designs with bathroom tiles patterned with flowers and foliage.
You can also utilise plain tiles to make a statement, such as arranging different coloured metro and Kit Kat tiles into a dynamic pattern. For more design tips, read our guide exploring our favourite patterned tiles.
Firenza Verde Alpi & Firenza Cararra
7. Minimalist bathroom tile designs
Sometimes, less is more. Minimalism is visually impactful and can help set the right mood for designing a calming bathroom.
The recipe for a minimalist bathroom is often simplicity. When choosing your bathroom tile designs, consider one or two colours or styles and let your space speak for itself. Take inspiration from luxury hotel bathrooms. Meanwhile, adding warm accents, subtle textures and the odd houseplant will help steer your space away from feeling too clinical.
The best approach is to decide on a theme, such as natural materials or a particular colour palette. You can also strip back your decor to focus on a stand-out feature, such as a free-standing bathtub or well-designed vanity.
Knowing how to choose the right tiles for your space is key. You could opt for large format tiles for a spacious, seamless effect, or white metro tiles for a classic, refreshing look.
8. Tips for ensuites and small bathroom tile designs
Even if you have less space to work with, designing functional, stylish and spacious bathrooms is easy with the right tile choices.
For bathrooms with low ceilings, we recommend laying narrow tiles vertically to give the illusion of a larger space. Alternatively, using larger tiles in a small bathroom can help maximise your wall and floor space. With fewer grout lines, this can make the room feel cleaner and roomier. Think concrete-effect, marble and large terrazzo tiles.
Choosing lighter colours can also help make your space feel bright and airy, allowing light to reflect from the walls. Meanwhile, matching your wall and floor tiles can help open up the room, adding a touch of luxury with an immaculate, seamless design.
Discover more tile ideas for small bathrooms and ensuites, including how to use patterns in a small space.
Design your dream bathroom with Stone Superstore
From sleek and contemporary to rustic chic, keep up to date with brand-new designs with our latest tile arrivals. Visit our blog to explore more interior home design advice, from how to boost the value of your home to renovation stories.
