Whether you’re drawn to warm colours and vintage patterns brimming with character, or clean white surfaces that instantly brighten up a space, there’s plenty you can do with bathroom tiles to make your wash space your own.
Of course, picking the right bathroom tile design can be tricky, especially if you’re in search of modern bathroom tile ideas that will make your home unique and personal to you.
Fortunately, today’s contemporary bathroom tile designs offer endless possibilities, from versatile metro layouts to bold patterns and unique prints, meaning you have plenty to get started with when coming up with your own modern bathroom tile design.
Read on to learn more about how to get started creating your own modern bathroom style and discover our top 8 modern tile ideas to help get you inspired to create a stylish, contemporary bathroom that perfectly suits your taste.
What are the best types of tiles for a modern bathroom?
Much like when selecting kitchen tiles, when it comes to bathroom wall tiles and bathroom floor tiles, you want to choose a practical material that is both long-lasting and waterproof. After all, you’re going to be using your bathroom every day, which makes these two features a must.
For that reason, porcelain bathroom tiles tend to take the lead here. Offering both impressive durability and low maintenance qualities, while being the go-to tiling option for modern styles, porcelain’s versatility allows you to get creative with your bathroom design.
Firenza Verde Alpi & Firenza Carrara Marble-effect Porcelain
Our favourite contemporary bathroom tile ideas
Ready to get started styling your new modern bathroom? Take a look at our favourite modern bathroom tile ideas below to get started:
1. Play around with Terrazzo
Terrazzo bathroom tiles are perfect for adding a contemporary edge with a playful twist thanks to their "tutti-frutti" effect — where flecks of colour are scattered across a neutral background. This creates a lively, textured look that not only brings visual interest but also a sense of warmth to the space.
And to enhance the modern appeal, you can pair terrazzo tiles with sleek black accents, such as matte black faucets, frames, or hardware. This contrast sharpens the design, emphasising the terrazzo’s colourful specks while keeping the overall look sleek and refined.
Manhattan Grey Terrazzo-effect Porcelain
2. Add in pops of colour
Another way you can enhance your modern bathroom design is by adding a pop of colour, with modern bathroom tiles strategically placed throughout the space in bold and vivid hues.
For instance, consider a splash of terracotta red above the bath or basin for a striking focal point, then opt for neutral tiles for the existing surroundings. Alternatively, experiment with a mix of bright pink tiles to create a stunning effect in a walk-in shower, while green tiles throughout the rest of the space provide a refreshing contrast.
Terracotta Light Porcelain Tile
3. Modern metro layouts
Metro tiles are a highly versatile tile choice, bringing a modern feel to even the simplest of spaces. Their versatile ‘brick’-inspired design is available in a wide variety of colours and will work beautifully within a range of contemporary bathroom settings.
Better still, bathroom metro tiles offer endless layout options — such as the classic horizontal stack, herringbone, or vertical layout — letting you create a bespoke modern look that perfectly reflects your style. Go that extra mile by combining different colours of metro tiles to create a striped or checkerboard pattern within their layout, or even use coloured grout colours like pink, black or orange to make neutrals pop and add a bold contrast.
4. Create character with artisan tiles
Artisan tiles bring a unique sense of character to any bathroom. Their hand-crafted details instantly elevate a space, creating a luxurious ambience reminiscent of a boutique Mediterranean hotel — perfect for facilitating an indulgent and serene getting-ready routine.
Zelliege-effect tiles replicate the beauty of handmade tiles through subtle imperfections and rippling surfaces within a durable and practical modern material.
Artisan White Glossy Ceramic Tiles
5. Relax with immersive murals
Create a tiled mural with large, vibrant designs to help to bring your vision to life. From vintage florals to leafy botanicals, the right modern bathroom tile design can create an immersive, relaxing experience.
To make a statement, focus these bold tiles around key features like the sink, shower, or toilet. Then balance the space with plain, neutral tiles in other areas to prevent the prints from feeling overpowering.
Tropical Jungle Patterned Tiles
6. Go on-trend with kit kat tiles
Eye-catching kit kat tiles create a stylish, modern statement, while bringing a hint of colour and personality to your bathroom. They strike the perfect balance between minimalism and modern elegance, beautifully embodying the popular Japandi design trend.
The sleek, linear style of kit kat tiles embody a tranquil, spa-like feel, perfect for suiting the mood of a relaxing bathroom space. These tiles work beautifully in walk-in showers, especially when chosen in a soft green shade that evokes a lush, nature-inspired vibe. When paired with an oversized showerhead, the effect is a soothing, natural oasis that transforms everyday showering into a refreshing ritual.
7. Take the edge off with vibrant geometric tiles
The clean lines and structured patterns found in geometric tiles are a great way to add a lively, modern touch to your bathroom. Their unique shapes and patterns will create visual interest, making them an ideal choice for splashbacks or accent areas.
In smaller bathrooms, you don’t need to cover large surfaces to make a statement. Even a small section of geometric tiles — like a few arranged just above the sink — can bring a lot of impact. This approach is also perfect if you want a stylish look without overwhelming the space with bold, heavy prints.
Metro and pattern tiles bring endless design possibilities, and you can customise feature walls, splashbacks and shower areas by laying them in different patterns and arrangements.
Medina Cotto Porcelain Patterned Tiles
8. A touch of decadence with chic marble-effect tiles
Despite being a traditional bathroom tile material, marble-effect tiles also embody modern minimalism, ideal for bringing a luxurious, high-end hotel ambience to your bathroom. Their light delicacy gives them a timeless quality that enhances natural light, making them perfect for smaller bathrooms, while their veining portrays nothing but class.
To maximise brightness, choose a light, neutral-toned marble for optimal light reflection. And in larger bathrooms, consider a two-tone approach by pairing a darker marble tile with a lighter one in a repeating pattern to create a chic, contemporary feel that is sure to wow.
Firenza Carrara & Firenza Nero Marquina Marble-effect Porcelain
Browse our modern bathroom tile collection
We hope you’ve found the ideas from our modern bathroom tile inspiration useful in helping you envision your dream space. Modern bathroom tiles are more than just a surface - they are a great way to put your own personal stamp on your bathroom look, showcasing your individual eclectic style.
If you’re ready to find your perfect modern bathroom tiles, explore the full Stone Superstore range today and order free samples to see how your top choices look in your home.
For more design tips and advice, visit our inspiration hub, where you’ll find more essential bathroom and tile guides for your next project.
