How to Use Tile for Bathroom Walls, Floors, Showers, and More

Absolutely Floored

Typically, tile for bathroom floors plays second fiddle to other design elements. But this space proves that a bathroom's tile design can take a star turn, even in a small area. Graphic black-and-white patterned cement tile offers personality and an undeniable wow factor.

In the Details

Pattern probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind as an ideal tile for bathroom floors, particularly if it's a small space. But adding pattern can be a savvy design move. Keep the rest of the main elements simple and incorporate the colors in the pattern elsewhere.

Cement tiles like these offer a wide range of pattern options. They're relatively easy to clean and maintain but must be resealed every few years. The material is porous, so like marble, giving extra diligence to spills and standing water is a must.

Perfect Pairings

A simpler tile for bathroom wall design plays a supporting role in the shower. The larger tile size ensures the running bond design doesn't look too busy. Dark grout and a matte black showerhead keep in step with the bathroom's color scheme.

On Repeat

Elements from the shower get an encore at the sink. The bathroom's wall tile design from the shower repeats behind the sink, and the matte black faucet is the same finish as the shower fixture. Most of the bathroom's surfaces are crisp black and white, but touches of wood, such as on this shelf and the floating vanity, offer warmth.

Spa at Home

Neutral tones are hardly dull when they are splashed onto interesting tile designs, as this bathroom proves. Unique textures and subtle patterns enliven a color palette of white, warm grays, and dark brown. The resulting atmosphere is serene yet full of intrigue.

Natural Inspiration

The bathroom's wall tile design suggests a flow of rippling water. Underfoot, natural river rock was cut smooth and meshed together to create the floor tile. Both nod to nature and further the bathroom's organic approach.

Rather than a door or clunky shower frame, a simple sheet of glass separates the shower from the rest of the bathroom, reducing visual clutter in the small bath and allowing for a continuous run of the floor tile throughout the entire room.

Material Mix

At the sink, a chrome faucet adds a little sparkle to the bathroom tile design. The glam finish serves as a subtle contrast to the natural aura of the tile selections. A dark, rough countertop provides a contrasting element to the room's mid-tone colors.

Bathroom Wall Tile

Call on a tile for bathroom design to set the style direction in your space. Here, clean lines bring a soothing luxury hotel appearance to a formerly tired bath. The rich, warm tones of the double-sided vanity and the wood-look ceramic tile on the floor create a striking contrast with the white freestanding tub and frosty blue glass tiles on the walls in this bathroom. A sculptural freestanding tub echoes the clean lines of its surroundings and is strategically placed under a window that overlooks a wooded area.

Easily Accommodating

Back-to-back vanities made of eucalyptus wood give homeowners their own separate spaces. The vanity bases were kept open to maintain an airy ambiance amid the dark wood, with a lower storage shelf and exposed plumbing. Frosty blue glass wall tile helps balance the dark tones of the vanity and the wood-look tile floor. In addition, the homeowners chose to wrap the entire room in the same bathroom wall tile design treatment to create a seamless look.

Storage-Packed Bath

A custom built-in offers ample storage for towels, toiletries, and other necessities without taking up any floor space. The cabinet is recessed into the wall, providing the bathroom with a space-smart and stylish storage boost. Open shelves reflect the design of the open vanities, while the cabinet tucks essentials away from view.

Versatile Vanity

White-painted maple carts (one on each side of the vanity wall) balance the dark tones of the stately vanities. The carts corral cosmetics and toiletries, and their portability makes it easy to slide them over to the bathtub for easy access to items for pampering while soaking. Glass tops and a lacquer finish offer easy-clean appeal.

Glass Tile Shower Surround

The clear glass shower surround further reflects the bathroom's seamless simplicity. Working in conjunction with the generous-size windows nearby, the steam shower's glass enclosure keeps the bathroom looking airy and light. Rather than switching up the bathroom wall tile design, the same blue glass tile from the walls is continued in the shower—another nod to simplicity.

Storage Niche

A handy niche in the shower offers convenient storage. This space provides a place to keep soap and shampoo within easy reach. Since the entire spacious bathroom is wrapped in tile, employing larger tiles rather than tiny mosaic tiles better suits the room's scale.

Spa-Inspired Shower

Fixtures are an easy way to enhance the appeal of a bathroom. With a range of spray options, this showerhead provides an invigorating, spa-like experience. The continuation of the tiled backdrop creates a smooth transition between the shower and the rest of the room.

Keep Tile Looking New

Clean better, clean faster. Get tips for keeping tile in bathrooms looking sparkly and new. With these tricks, cleaning has never been easier or more effective.

Reflective Beauty

In this gorgeous bath, strategically selected surfaces create a light and bright atmosphere. An oversize mirror on one wall of the bathroom helps create the illusion of a larger space. The bathroom tile design in shimmery green also reflects light and mimics the greenery and trees in the garden just outside the bathroom. Large stone floor tiles contrast the smaller scale of the wall tiles, creating balance.

Looking Glass

Though most bathroom sinks are topped with a medicine cabinet rather than a window, these homeowners opted to keep the window to preserve the light and the view. When they need a mirror, they open the door to the medicine cabinet to the right of the sink. An expansive countertop offers maximum storage and primping space.

Contemporary Tile

Green glass tiles capture the essence of the contemporary bath's natural aesthetic. The variegated tile design contributes a custom look, while the soft sage-green hue of the tile offers a serene backdrop of color. A thick white countertop provides a strong visual weight amid the many grout lines.

Shapely Tile

Geometric shapes—a square tub, a rectangular tile and shelf niche, a round showerhead, and controls—are characteristic of contemporary design. A glass door helps this tub-shower combo feel open. The tiled surround protects the walls from moisture.

Visual Variety

Simple lines and a subtle color scheme visually enlarge the bathroom. Here, a sleek wall-mount faucet mingles with the modern simplicity of green rectangular tile for a bathroom that features luxury and function. Located under an expansive window, the geometric basin adds an indulgent touch.

Fresh Start

A freestanding tub, modern fixtures, gorgeous bathroom tile designs, and a toilet room transformed this dormer-size bathroom into a spa-like retreat. Floor-to-ceiling tile covers the walls for a striking focal point. The different hues of blue and brown tile work together to complement the natural feel of the bath. Clean, modern lines add warmth and a little sophistication.

Tile with Modern Flair

Rather than a traditional medicine cabinet, the homeowners opted for a mirror framed in the same dark-stained oak used for the vanity and storage shelf. The dark hue also helps draw out the brown accents in the bathroom wall tile design. In addition, repeated shapes, such as the rectangular shape of the mirror, sink, and vanity, bring cohesiveness to the space.

Luxe Lighting

Distinctive light fixtures make a style statement in the bathroom. Modern wall-mount sconces dress up walls and add essential lighting to the vanity area. The streamlined, simple design counters the swirling, variegated pattern of the wall tile.

Elegant Vanity

A mix of materials plays off one another for a sleek and sophisticated vanity. The modern vessel sink echoes the style of the tub and contrasts with the dark vanity. A simple chrome faucet shines next to the matte finish of the vessel sink and coordinates with the light fixtures.

Center of Attention

As the room's focal point, the soaking tub looks like a piece of modern art at the center of the room. A new energy-efficient window lets in lots of light. White sheer curtains contribute subtle texture and softness without detracting from the rest of the room's design elements. Red oak flooring stained a rich brown enhances the sense of warmth and connects the new space to the 1920s style of the home.

Open & Inviting

It's hard to say which offers a more luxurious spa feeling, the tub or the shower. Blue mosaic tiles flecked with earth tones cover bathroom walls for a stunning look visible through the shower enclosure. Glass shower doors achieve the natural, open feel the homeowners desired.

Extra Detailing

In this bathroom, the simple lines of the tub filler repeat those in the rest of the room. The chrome finish of the filler also coordinates with the bathroom's other fixtures. In a space where the bathroom tile design is the star, the other elements need to be unified so nothing competes for attention.

Tucked Away

A pocket door that matches the flooring separates the toilet from the rest of the bathroom. Pale blue walls replicate the shade in the primary bedroom and match the tile used in the rest of the bathroom. This thread of common color creates a cohesive primary suite.

Watch: How to Clean Grout

Tile grout can be a trap for grime. When grout is dirty, it can cast a pall on the rest of your space. Learn how to clean grout with a few easy and efficient tricks.