When we start a new renovation project in our home, there is a list of decisions we have to make from the get-go. Some of the most difficult and tiresome decisions are when renovating bathrooms.
Bathroom renovation can be extremely stressful because there are a lot of variables in the mix. Homeowners must consider things like plumbing, electrical issues, water drainage, etc. One of those decisions is what tiles to use.
In this blog post, we have prepared a comprehensive list of ideas for bathroom tile designs to help you make that decision.
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Reasons to Choose Tiles in the Bathroom
You have probably seen photos of designer bathrooms with wood floors and painted or wallpapered walls. Don’t be fooled—these are not bathrooms that are frequently used.
Choosing tiles for your bathroom renovation is by far the best option.
Here are the top 3 reasons why you should choose tiles for your bathroom remodel:
- They are water resistant – tiles are water resistant, while other materials tend to get mouldy or gradually lose structural integrity when placed in a wet room.
- Tiles are durable and cost-effective – modern bathroom tiles are really strong, which makes them durable and cost-effective.
- Easy maintenance – tiles are easy to clean and maintain, which is crucial to the overall hygiene in the bathroom.
One other reason that not many homeowners consider is that tiles add long-term value to your home. Homes with tiled bathrooms tend to be preferred among wannabe homeowners, because they offer longevity and are cost-effective.
One bonus reason is that if you plan on installing underfloor heating in your bathroom, tiles are a great conductor of heat and will further improve your installation’s effectiveness.
Should You Cover the Entire Bathroom in Tiles?
If you are not a fan of bathrooms with tiled walls, fear not—there are many options available.
When deciding on what area to cover with tiles, think of the use of the area. For example, if you plan on placing a bathtub near the wall, it may be a good idea to use wall tiles. The reason is that if you do not, the wall will probably get wet which can result in the growth of mould or bacteria.
If you plan on installing a stand-in shower rather than a bathtub, then you can tile the walls only on the inside of the shower. That way, you have enough protection for the walls but don’t sacrifice any bathroom design ideas you may have.
This also applies to flooring. You may love hardwood floors, but they are a very bad decision for your bathroom remodel. Instead, choose durable floor tiles for any wet area in your home, not just the bathroom.
Depending on the amount of water used in different areas of the bathroom, you can decide whether it’s best to tile floor-to-ceiling or only some of the walls and floors.
10 Trendy Ideas for Bathroom Tiles
The style of your bathroom and the choice of tiles depends mostly on the overall style of your home.
For a long time, classic subway tiles were the preferred option for many homeowners. They come in all sorts of sizes and colours and give the bathroom space a timeless look. But gradually, even classic subway tiles gave way to other materials and designs.
Nowadays, there are so many tile options that sometimes it’s hard to choose the ones that best reflect your personal space.
Here, we have gathered some of the best bathroom tile ideas.
Source: Pexels
1. Using Natural Stone
Using natural stone in the bathroom has become very trendy in the past few years. There is a wide variety of stones available in the market.
The main benefits of stone tiles are their durability and sustainability. Most stone tiles come from stone quarries. Depending on the type of rock you choose, they can be extremely durable. Since the stone comes in all colours and textures, there are lots of options to choose from.
Natural stone tiles are especially popular for historic homes.
You have to keep in mind that stone tiles are thicker than ceramic or porcelain ones and that may influence the process of installation. Also, avoid porous stones for the bathroom – they will catch more moisture and will be hard to clean.
2. Large Format Tiling
One of the main reasons people choose large-format tiles is that they are easier to install. It sounds a bit strange because manoeuvring with large tiles can be difficult, but the format significantly influences the time required for installation.
Large format tiles, especially for flooring, can halve the time needed to finish the bathroom renovation.
Homeowners can choose from ceramic and porcelain tiles to large stone slabs.
One thing that you should look out for is finding a really good tiling expert. Large format tiles can be difficult to install properly, especially if they have some kind of pattern or grain that has to be matched with every individual tile. Hiring a professional for this job is the better option.
Source: Unsplash
3. Installing Patterned Tiles
Patterned tiles have risen in popularity in the past years. There are a lot of homeowners who like to express their personal style even in the bathroom, and one way to do that is with tiles.
You can find tiles with different intricate patterns everywhere on the market. They can vary in shape, tile size and style. There are even tiles that puzzle up to a large image when placed properly.
From modern to whimsical to vintage, patterned tiles are really beautiful and can be the main focus of your bathroom space. Depending on your design idea, they can be placed on the floor or the walls.
One thing you need to keep in mind here is the installation process. Make sure that you don’t mess up the pattern of the tiles. In this case, it’s also better to enlist the help of a professional.
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4. Choosing Bolder Colours
Most people have one common misconception about bathrooms—they need to be white. White tiles are a symbol of cleanliness, so it’s natural to think of them as such.
Yes, we all remember the old-school 70’s style bathrooms with colourful tiles, sinks and toilets. But why not choose bolder colours?
Pink tiles, green tiles, bright blue tiles – these can make the overall feel of the space very different. They also add significant appeal to the bathroom and are far easier to access. Different colour combinations can alter any space and make it more interesting.
You have to remember that some colours are harder to maintain than others. For example, dark green, dark blue, or black tiles will make any sprayed water stains more visible when the water dries out.
Here, the colour of the grout you are going to use is also really important. Depending on the colour and style of the tiles, you can choose a neutral or bold colour grout.
5. Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring has become increasingly popular with homeowners in the last few years. One of the reasons is that it’s easy to install.
This type of flooring is good for any bathroom remodel because vinyl is fully waterproof. It is also a very inexpensive option if you are doing a bathroom remodel on a tight budget.
Compared to normal ceramic tiles, for example, vinyl tiles are soft to the touch and conduct heat well. Vinyl is a very good insulator, so it’s a good choice for the bathroom.
Considering all the pros of vinyl, you should know that it’s really difficult to remove once installed. It has to be glued on any existing flooring, so if you decide to remove it later on, it will damage the floor below.
Also, vinyl is the least sustainable option on the market because it’s not biodegradable.
Source: Pexels
6. Wood-Look Tiling
We know we said that wood flooring is not for the bathroom, but there’s a catch – tile manufacturers have started making tiles that imitate wood. Some of them are so well made that you really can’t tell the difference.
With the use of wood-look tiles in the bathroom, you won’t sacrifice your personal preference. You can design a space that looks more welcoming and warmer with different wood patterns on the tiles.
Wood-look tiles are mostly used on the floors of the bathroom, but some people choose to install them on a feature wall.
One thing that you have to consider is that if the tiles also imitate the grain and structure of the wood, they will be harder to clean.
7. Checkerboard Flooring
Checkerboard flooring is another way to add an accent to any bathroom space. It’s universal in style, and you can see it in both modern homes and vintage spaces.
Checkerboard floors go well really with anything. You can combine them with a wide variety of colours and they are a great focal point. Also, this type of design is really good for small bathrooms because it creates an optical illusion of elongating the room.
Again, one important thing to decide is the colour of the grout you are going to use. You can choose between white and black for the checkerboard, but consider also colourful grouts. They can add more interest and provide an unexpected take on this classic.
Source: Pexels
8. Adding Marble Tiles
Marble tiles have been a top choice for modern homeowners.
Marble effect tiles and flooring can make any bathroom look significantly more expensive. This type of stone is also really durable and can withstand water damage for years if properly installed.
One of the key ways to add interest when using marble tiles is to follow the veins of the marble. Some high-end homes have marble slabs installed on the walls. That way, it’s easier to connect the veins of the stone and follow a symmetrical design.
Marble tiles are also really easy to polish and clean, but also get dirty more easily because of the glossier finish.
9. Using Green Materials
Since sustainability and green living is becoming more of a focal point in modern society, it’s really not surprising that more people decide on using green materials in their bathroom remodel.
Recycled glass tiles are one way to do that. They come in all shapes and colours, but most importantly – they are sustainable.
One other material is low-emission ceramics. The ceramic production industry is very damaging to the environment, but more and more companies start producing this type of materials.
And, off course, the most sustainable material for the bathroom is natural stone. It’s derived from stone quarries all around the world, and there’s a wide variety of choices.
Source: Pexels
10. Arranging Hexagon Tiles
Hexagon tiles have become more popular in recent years. Homeowners seek a unique element for almost every space in their home, and this shape works really well in all types of spaces.
The major problem with hexagon tiles is the arranging and installation process. Because of their geometric form, it’s easy to make a mistake when laying the tiles. If you decide to use hexagon tiles in your bathroom remodel, you should hire a professional for installation.
What Tile is Best for Each Bathroom Zone?
After you decide on the style of your bathroom remodel, you have to make sure that you pick the best tile for each bathroom zone.
There’s not a “one-tile” solution to remodelling a bathroom. Each zone has a different purpose, therefore different tiles.
Source: Unsplash
Bathroom Floor
The main thing you have to consider here is slip resistance. Bathrooms are almost always wet and humid places. Leaving water on the floor can result in injuries if you don’t choose the right tile.
Most professionals suggest porcelain or natural stone tiles for the floors. They offer very high slip resistance and are easy to maintain.
Also, you can choose large format tiles for the floors in your bathroom. These provide a seamless look and are easier to clean.
Don’t forget to consider water drainage, which will affect the slope of the tiles during the installation process.
Bathroom Wall
There are no rules for bathroom walls. Most homeowners choose porcelain or ceramic tiles for the walls because they come in a wide variety of colours, textures and shapes.
Glass tiles can add huge interest to every space because they are shinier than the other options. They also reflect natural light better.
If the tiles are in a frequently wet zone, you should keep in mind that they’ll need more cleaning.
Shower
In the walk-in shower, you should consider two factors when choosing the right tiles – slip resistance and hygiene.
Avoid textured tiles for this space because they are really hard to clean. Instead, choose tiles that have a glossy finish and don’t need scrubbing all the time. Be really careful with the colour because water residue is more visible in some colours.
For the shower floor, most homeowners choose durable ceramic or porcelain tiles that offer good slip resistance. Mosaic tiles offer even more support when they are wet.
Splashback
Splashbacks are placed around bathtubs and the sink area to avoid water damage to the walls. If you decide to use tiles for the splashback, again, make sure they are not embossed. If the tiles have some kind of rigid pattern, they will retain moisture more and are hard to clean.
Choose tiles that have a glossier finish. For splashbacks, large format tiles are also suitable. You can create a seamless design with them, adding an expensive look and feel to your bathroom space.
If you are a fan of marble – this is the best place to implement it.
Source: Pexels
Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Bathroom Tiles
If you plan on installing bathroom tiles yourself, you have to be prepared. Most mistakes in this type of remodel come from not knowing the material of the tiles you’re working with and not prepping the surface beforehand.
Some of the most common mistakes in tile installation are:
- Lack of surface preparation – always make sure that you’re tiling a level, clean and dry surface.
- Incorrect tile selection – choosing unsuitable tiles for your project can result in injuries. Make sure to consult a professional before buying tiles.
- Working without a plan – the tile installation process is heavily influenced by measurements of the space and a layout plan. Without doing so, you will easily make a mistake in laying the tiles, resulting in odd patterns, not enough materials, etc.
- Using the wrong materials – make sure that you do your research before starting the remodelling project. Follow all labels and recommendations on the packaging.
- Take your time – after installing the tiles, make sure you give them sufficient time to dry. This is extremely important to the structural integrity of the tile work.
To avoid all of these mistakes, you can hire a professional to do the bathroom remodel for you. This is sometimes the best option.
Professional renovators’ services, particularly tile laying, are better in the long term because you can be sure that every aspect of the installation process is considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is the colour of the grout in the bathroom remodel?
Grout is extremely important not only for structural integrity, but for interior design also. If you add colored grout lines for your bathroom, you will add more visual interest in the space.
Can I use paint for the walls in the bathroom?
Yes, you can use paint for the walls in the bathroom, but you should make sure that the paint is moisture resistant. That way you will avoid any mould and bacteria growth.
Can I do a bathroom remodel without hiring a professional?
Yes, you can. You have to make sure to measure everything beforehand, develop a step-by-step plan and choose the right materials. Don’t rush and take your time to do it as best as you can.
