Bathroom

Beautiful bathroom tile ideas and how to choose

Published on August 2, 2024
Revised on August 5, 2024
13 min read

Amber VanWort

Writer

Detail in a bathroom, square basin on raw wood unit covered with white tiles, wall adorned with vertically aligned denim blue and white rectangular tiles, glazed ceramic pots

When it comes to the bathroom, tile just makes sense. Tile is easy to clean and is a practical choice for floors, walls and inside the shower. Although laying tile the right way can be difficult, once the job is done there is little to no upkeep required. In addition to being low maintenance, tile also comes in a wide array of styles, colours and patterns–making it easy for you to give your bathroom a little personality. With various sizes and shapes available, deciding on the right tile can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry. Below we’ll discuss different ideas to help you find the one that’s right for you.

Types of bathroom tile

Before you start selecting colours and brainstorming bathroom tile design ideas, it’s important to decide which type of bathroom tile is best for your situation. Whether you’re aiming for sleek, modern bathroom tile or something with a more rustic edge, the type of tile you choose will make all the difference. So, here are some of the most popular bathroom tile options.

Ceramic tile

In a bathroom, a half-wall covered with zellige tiles in various shades of green, marble vanity, beauty products on the countertop, black fixtures, globe-shaped light fixture

Bathroom with a wall of square white ceramic tiles and another covered with dark green rectangular tiles, pale wooden shelves and storage unit, white vessel sink, wicker basket

Photos: Stone Tile – Iris ceramica – IKEA

Ceramic tile is one of the most commonly used by homeowners due to its versatility, affordability and durability. This tile is typically made with a mix of clay, talc and sand, making it a lightweight option that’s easy to work with. Ceramic tile is ideal for most areas of the home, including bathroom floors, walls and showers.

Porcelain tile

Bathroom with grey pedestal sink and wall decorated with vertically aligned multi-coloured rectangular tiles

Bathroom wall decorated with vertically aligned rectangular tiles in ochre, indigo, and cream white porcelain, organic-shaped mirror, stainless steel basin on a full-height half-wall clad in basil green porcelain tiles

Photos: onestyle.it – onestyle.it

Porcelain is technically a type of ceramic and, as such, the two share many similarities. The main difference is that porcelain tile uses a higher grade of clay, making this tile harder and less porous than regular ceramic. Like ceramic, porcelain tile can be used just about anywhere in your home.

Marble tile

Large bathroom with white oval bathtub, Italian-style shower with rain-effect square showerhead, foutas on towel rack, walls clad in large greige marble tiles, and cement floor

White alcove bathtub with copper metal fixtures, walls and partitions in travertine with multiple shades of beige and grey

Spacious bathroom with walls and floor covered in large-format white marble tiles with grey veining, freestanding bathtub, large wall mirror installed in a niche, floating four-door wooden storage unit with two white ceramic basin sinks, and Japanese-style wooden bath stool

Photos: Shutterstock/ImageFlow – Adobe Stock/Dariusz Jarzabek – Adobe Stock/Michael

Marble tile is made from stone and is beloved for its elegant, natural beauty. When polished, marble tile offers a mirror-like finish which helps it reflect light and brighten any room. Marble tile is also great at conducting heat, making it a perfect candidate for in-floor heating–a game changer when stepping out of the shower on a cold winter morning. Additionally, marble tile is durable, easy to clean and highly customizable.

Mosaic tile

Bathroom with clawfoot bathtub decorated with silver mini-tiles, wall covered with white, grey, and black mosaic, velvet poufs used as tables for beauty products, and woven basket with rolled towels

In a bathroom, oval bathtub with towel on the edge, low table with candles, pump bottle, and plant, wall adorned with a marble niche and covered with round mosaic tiles in shades of beige and gold

Photos: Sicis – Tile Club – Tile Club

Mosaic tile is small tile laid out to create a pattern or image. This type of tile can be made from a wide array of materials including ceramic, porcelain, glass and marble. These days, mosaic tile typically comes in pre-attached sheets for easy installation. Because of the intricate details and patterns, mosaic tile is a great way to add visual interest to your bathroom.

Vinyl tile

Bathroom blending farmhouse and Japanese styles, with an oval bathtub placed in a paneled alcove, bath stool, rattan globe pendant light, wood-imitating vinyl tiles, multi-drawer vanity unit, industrial lighting, and large shower with double glass doors

Photos: The Tile Shop – Harvey Maria

Vinyl tile is known for its extreme durability, making it an ideal option for children’s bathrooms or guest bathrooms that see a lot of foot traffic. In addition to durability, vinyl tile does a good job at mimicking luxury materials like marble or granite at a fraction of the cost. Vinyl is also a great way to achieve a wood look tile. Primarily made of PVC, vinyl tile comes in a wide range of colours and styles. Finally, vinyl is easy to clean and resistant to water damage.

Need to renovate your bathroom?

Find a contractor

Bathroom with a wall of turquoise-blue paint, leaves pattern wallpaper, wooden vanity, black and white tiles

Subway tile

Retro bathroom with staggered white tiles, wooden floor, pedestal clawfoot bathtub, double grey vanity with multiple drawers, oval mirrors, and frosted globe wall lights — Photo: Adobe Stock/2rogan

Subway tile is a simple yet timeless option characterized by its horizontal offset pattern. Most commonly this style of tile is made from ceramic or porcelain and comes in a shiny white colour. However, there is a selection of different materials and colours available for those looking to stray from the norm. Durability and mould resistance are some of the main benefits of subway tile. On the downside, the grout between each tile is small and can be difficult to clean, leading to discoloration down the line.

Slate tile

In a Japandi-style bathroom with taupe and brown shades, an oval bathtub, Hans J. Wegner chair, shelf with beauty products, wall and floor covered with slate tiles

Photos: Walls and Floors – C.P. Hart – C.P. Hart

Slate tile is a beautiful natural stone option, perfect for adding a warm, rustic touch to any room. Although the cost of slate is quite high, once installed, this tile is a highly durable and long-lasting option that’s resistant to scratches, cracks and chips. When working with natural stone, each tile will have its own unique colour combination, meaning no two slate bathroom floors will ever look exactly alike. For best results, slate tile will need to be resealed every 3-4 years.

Cement tile

A spacious bathroom in shades of grey and beige, featuring a glass-walled shower, an oval bathtub, a small bench, and a grey-painted wooden vanity with rattan baskets. The entire shower is clad in marble-imitating cement tiles, and a half-wall is decorated with a mosaic of tiles with various geometric patterns and flourishes

In a white bathroom, an embedded rectangular bathtub, wall covered with white cement tiles featuring kaleidoscope designs, half-wall decorated with vertical white tiles two green plants in the corner

Photos: Tiletopia – C.P. Hart – Bert & May

Cement tile is known for its strong thermal mass, fire resistance and bold patterns. When properly sealed, this tile is easy to clean and maintain, making it an easy choice for a bathroom or shower floor. Those aiming for a 3D tile look or a floral tile look can easily achieve this aesthetic with cement tile.

Pebble tile

In a bathroom, a full-height half-wall covered in flat pebbles of varied neutral colors serves as shelf space for picture frames, candles, and mirror, rectangular travertine basin fitted on teak countertop accompanied by brass hardware

Bathroom featuring walls covered in white ceramic tiles and flat pebbles of varying shades of grey, embedded bathtub, floating countertop holding porcelain basin, beauty accessories, and a plant

Photos: Island Stone – Island Stone

Pebble tile, as the name implies, is small, rounded pebbles laid together to create a unique outdoorsy look. Similar to mosaic tile, pebble tile can be laid out to create unique and intricate patterns on your bathroom walls or floors. While pebble tile will help your bathroom stand out, it does require considerable maintenance, something Speaker, Video Host and Content Creator for EspaceProprio, Marilena Tricarico, says isn’t worth the effort. “It is a pretty tile to give a zen spa look to your bathroom, but best to use it as a decorative element (on a wall for example) away from water exposure. Not only does it require lots of energy to clean and maintain as there is a lot of grout surrounding the pebbles, it also has a higher risk of water infiltration if not installed with the right products.”

Limestone tile

Photos: The Tile Shop – Adobe Stock/Darshika

Limestone is a naturally porous material so before you go installing limestone tile in your bathroom, you want to ensure the tile is properly sealed. However, once sealed, limestone is a perfect addition to any room. This tile is durable, easy to clean and beautiful. Limestone tile, although quite heavy, is easy to customize to the exact shape and size you prefer. It’s available in a decent variety of naturally occurring colours and shades.

Which tile to choose?

Tile in the bathroom is a fun way to make a statement in one of the most used rooms in your home. However, with so many quality tiles to choose from, settling on just one for your bathroom isn’t an easy task. Each type of tile has its own unique advantages when it comes to things like durability and aesthetics–so how can you tell which one will work best for your bathroom? Well, sometimes it’s best to start with a little bathroom tile inspiration. Before you settle on the perfect type of tile, consider these ideas.

Bathroom walls tile ideas

In a bright bathroom thanks to French doors, a full-height half-wall covered with grooved white tiles, topped with a floating wooden countertop and porcelain basin

In a bright white bathroom, corner Italian-style shower separated by a glass partition, walls covered with subway-style ceramic tiles, cabochon-tiled floor, long rectangular mirror, wooden shelves with bottles and plants, floating countertop, and ceramic basin

Photos: Walls and Floors – Unsplash/Hemant Kanojiya

Using bathroom tile on walls is equal parts practical and stunning especially when used around the tub or behind your vanity. But, as Marilena Tricarico suggests, you don’t have to cover the entire wall in tiles if you don’t want to. “It is a trend that comes and goes to put tiles everywhere in our bathrooms. If you choose this option, it is best to go with larger formats. Less grout, easier to clean,” Tricarico explains. “For the areas on walls that are not covered with tiles, best to use a moisture proof paint for easy cleaning and maintenance.”

Use white subway tile on bathroom walls for a crisp, clean classic look. This tile will be especially helpful if you’re looking to brighten up a bathroom with low light.

Carry the same tile from the floor up the wall behind your sink to create an interesting accent wall.

Alternatively, use a fun pattern or bold colour to create accent wall tile anywhere in the bathroom. A mosaic image would work well here too, especially if your bathroom has a certain theme.

Highlight your simple light-coloured wall tile with a dark-coloured grout to make it pop.

If colour isn’t your vibe, why not play around with different shapes and textured tiles to make your neutrals more interesting.

Take this renovation opportunity to add custom built-in shelves covered in the same tile as your walls. This seamless shelf look is sleek and perfect for storing guest towels or extra products.

If you’re aiming for a farmhouse or industrial look then try using brick-look terracotta tile to give the illusion of exposed brick walls in the bathroom.

Find a contractor to renovate your bathroom

Get a quote

Bathroom, geometric cement tiles, oval bathtub, subway tile shower

Bathroom shower tile ideas

Bathroom featuring an embedded bathtub adjacent to a shower, walls and floors covered with large-format marble tiles in shades of beige and dark grey

In a bathroom, open shower with white marble and grey veining, niche for beauty products, black panel on one wall, and small wooden bench. Four-drawer vanity, oval-cornered mirror, and wall sconces

In a bathroom, shower with walls and floor covered in pebbles, niche for hair products, wooden bench, and fouta

Photos: Adobe Stock/Andy Dean – The Tile Shop – The Tile Shop

Whether you’re working with a shower tub combo or a standing shower with a glass door, using tile in the shower just makes sense. Of course, with all that moisture you’ll want to pick a shower tile that’s not super porous or at least one that’s been properly sealed. After that, the possibilities are plentiful.

Use mosaic or pebble tile to create intricate patterns or images on the shower floor. In a small standing shower this is a fun way to sneak in a little colour and visual interest.

If you’re looking for tile shower ideas for small bathrooms, then try building a shower niche and covering it in tile. According to Marilena Tricarico, this small built-in shower shelf is a practical solution for storing shampoo bottles and other products that would otherwise clutter your shower floor or ledges. As a pro tip, Tricarico suggests placing the niche in a less visible spot away from water splashes.

Continue shower wall tile down and out onto the bathroom floor for a fun, seamless look.

Opt for large format tile in the shower for a uniform look with fewer grout lines. Not only is this design choice nice to look at, it’s easy to clean and maintain as well.

Speaking of grout, don’t be afraid to switch it up in the shower with a fun colour like gold or pink.

Bathroom floor tile ideas

Bathroom with walls covered in greige tiles and cabochon floor tiles in cream and black, open shelving filled with bottles, ceramic basin on a storage unit, table mirror, towels, and woven basket

Bathroom with pale grey painted brick wall, three wooden shelves with beauty products and books, freestanding bathtub, corner shower, floor covered with patchwork cement tiles, bentwood Thonet chair, and striped terry towel

Photos: IKEA – Shutterstock/Archi_Viz

Your bathroom floor is one of the most obvious places to lay tile and there are so many unique ways to do it.

Custom design your own mosaic to give your bathroom tons of personality. You can even get a little cheeky with it and use tile to spell out certain words on the floor.

If bold colours aren’t for you, then laying your tile in a unique pattern is an easy way to add character, think chevron tile or herringbone tile.

Keep it classic and cool with some black and white checkered tile. This look pairs especially well with a deep, jewel-tone on the walls.

Get creative with layouts by using neutral-coloured tile on the majority of your floor and patterned tiles to frame a certain area (perhaps around the sink or toilet.)

Choose penny tile for a functional non-slip surface with a mosaic look.

Small bathroom tile ideas

In a contemporary-style bathroom, mirror embedded in a wall covered with a multicolored ceramic mosaic, oval basin on a floating countertop, and yellow towel

In a small bathroom, two-door vanity unit decorated with a soap dispenser, eucalyptus branch, and two woven storage baskets, wall covered with vertically placed rectangular white tiles

In a bathroom with walls decorated with vertically placed white tiles, an Italian-style shower with black hardware, glass partition, towel warmer, and floor with grey and white geometric patterned cement tiles

Photos: Adobe Stock/Lois GoBe – West Elm – Bert & May

In some ways, working with a small bathroom can limit your renovation options. But don’t worry, when it comes to bathroom tile, you can still play around with different trends and materials to create a bathroom that feels far bigger and brighter than it is. So, if you’re not sure where to start, here are a few small bathroom tile ideas to get the inspiration flowing.

One way to make your small bathroom appear bigger is to use small tile. Penny tile is easy to cut so contractors will have no problems fitting it into every nook and cranny of your space.

If small tiles aren’t your preference, Marilena Tricarico suggests using only one kind of tile throughout the entire bathroom. This will create a similar optical illusion and make your bathroom appear much larger.

Carry your floor tile up onto the wall for a cohesive look.

Use interesting geometric tile shapes on the floor to contrast against bright white walls for a space that feels open and grounded.

Put a twist on the classic subway tile by stacking it vertically on walls. This will draw the eye upwards and make your small bathroom appear bigger.

Use tile to create a small backsplash behind the bathroom sink. This helps define the area and supports the illusion of a larger bathroom.

Tips to choose the right bathroom tile

Depending on the size and purpose of a room, not every tile is going to be a perfect fit. For example, if a tile is known for being more slippery than most, you probably won’t want to install it on your shower floor. You also wouldn’t choose a delicate tile that’s susceptible to chipping to go in a high-traffic area like the bathroom either. Additionally, not all colours and patterns will work. If your bathroom is already lacking in natural light, you’ll likely want to stay away from dark tile that does nothing to brighten the space. Before you get your heart set on any one type of tile, consider the following.

Bathroom size

The size of your bathroom makes a world of difference when choosing the right tile. For example, most contractors would advise against using hard-to-cut tile such as porcelain or glass tile in a small bathroom with lots of tight corners. On the flip side, in a large bathroom, you might choose to avoid more expensive natural stone tile that will quickly eat up your renovation budget. At the end of the day, it’s always best to consult with your contractor or a designer to ensure you pick the tile that’s right for your space.

Start your bathroom renovation now

Find a qualified contractor

Contemporary bathroom with round mirrors, black matte stone wall, pale stone floor tiles and recessed lighting

Choose the material

While all tiles have their pros and cons, when dealing with the bathroom there is one major factor you need to account for and that is moisture. Porous materials that require regular resealing and constant upkeep to protect against mould and mildew likely won’t cut it in the bathroom.

Pick the right colour

In a Memphis-style bathroom, orange pedestal sink with floor-mounted brass faucet, half-wall full height and floor decorated with terrazzo tiling, upper part of the wall covered with long pine green zellige tiles, oval mirror and industrial brass pendant light

In a bathroom, butter yellow tiled wall, taupe two-door vanity unit with surface-mounted basin, circular mirror surrounded by flat spotlights, shelves filled with various beauty accessories

Spacious bathroom featuring an Italian-style shower area separated by glass partitioning from an oval bathtub area, walls covered in frosted mint blue zelliges, large round wood-framed mirror, pendant lights with globe bulbs, light wood storage furniture, rolled towels on top of large marble-like tile-covered half-wall

Photos: C.P. Hart – IKEA – Shutterstock/Golden Dayz

From the tile to grout, picking the right colour makes a world of difference. Stick to the same basic rules you would use if you were having the walls painted: dark colours can be used for a warm but dramatic look though they will make your space appear smaller. Light colours will help brighten and open up your space.

Take into consideration the maintenance needed

When it comes to maintenance, not all tiles are created equally. For example, you might adore the look of pebble tile. The small, often multi-coloured stones add a unique natural look that helps your bathroom stand out. But this type of tile requires almost daily cleaning and regular deep cleaning. Things like water, shampoo and soap build up quickly between cracks and when left unattended can ruin the quality of your tile. So, if you’re not down with regular upkeep, then choosing a low-maintenance option like porcelain or vinyl is probably your best bet.

FAQs about bathroom tile

Can you paint bathroom tiles?

The short answer is yes, you can technically paint bathroom tile. However, the process isn’t as straightforward as painting your walls and getting ideal results isn’t easy. If you’re getting tired of your current bathroom aesthetic, the easier route is to retile the room altogether. And if you’re looking for something artistic, speak to your contractor about sourcing unique hand-painted tile. The results will be better and longer lasting.

How to set bathroom tile?

Setting tile is a multi-step process involving many tools and a bonding agent (usually thin-set mortar). There is a large margin for error when setting tile and working with a professional is always recommended especially for beginners.

What do you put under tile in a bathroom?

There are a few underlayment options when laying bathroom tile, but cement-based backer boards are among the most popular.

Is bathroom tile waterproof?

No, not all tiles are naturally waterproof. However, you can choose to seal the tile, giving it a protective waterproof outer layer. Depending on the material you choose, you may need to reseal the tile every few years.

Is porcelain tile good for bathrooms?

Yes. Porcelain tile is durable and easy to maintain. It’s a popular choice for both bathrooms and kitchens.

Renovate your bathroom with professionals

When laid correctly, tile is a long-lasting option for bathroom floors, walls and showers. Choose the right materials and you’ll have a bathroom that’s bright, inviting and, most importantly, easy to clean and maintain. The best way to ensure success with your bathroom tile is to trust the professionals. After all, why invest tons of money in tiling tools and materials only to end up with broken or wobbly tiles? At RenoAssistance, our Renovation Advisors will refer up to three trusted bathroom contractors who will get the job done right the first time. Our advisors are with you every step of the way from scheduling appointments to helping you understand the quotes you receive. So don’t wait, start your project with RenoAssistance today.

Start a project

Amber VanWort is a freelance content writer with a degree in journalism from Durham College. Amber’s work has been published in Narcity, Chicago Tribune, The Belleville Intelligencer, Best Reviews, and more. Her passions include food, travel, and real estate. When she’s not busy meeting her client’s expectations, you can find Amber in the kitchen, elbow-deep in a bag of flour.