9 Tile Styles for Contemporary Bathrooms
From playing with patterns to introducing texture and colour, be inspired by these tile ideas for your modern bathroom
Susannah Hutchison
14 January 2019
Houzz Contributor
Choices, choices… From shape to size and colour to finish, which tiles work best in a contemporary bathroom scheme? If you’re struggling to narrow down the options, perhaps one of these nine tile ideas could be translated into your own bathroom.
1. Keep it simple
Pairing basic tiles with more high-end fixtures and fittings is a good way to achieve a cool, contemporary look on a more limited budget. Here, the plain white square tiles take on a whole new feel when teamed with matt-black accessories and dark grout.
Browse more beautiful black-and-white bathrooms
Pairing basic tiles with more high-end fixtures and fittings is a good way to achieve a cool, contemporary look on a more limited budget. Here, the plain white square tiles take on a whole new feel when teamed with matt-black accessories and dark grout.
Browse more beautiful black-and-white bathrooms
2. Work in some texture
If glossy surfaces are not to your taste, there are lots of different tile finishes to experiment with, from matt to mottled, corrugated to coarse.
This panel of gently wavy tiles provides an immediate point of difference in the room without the designers having to introduce a new colour to the all-white scheme.
Lighting above a wall of textured tiles, as seen here, is a good way to highlight the design and add depth to the scheme.
If glossy surfaces are not to your taste, there are lots of different tile finishes to experiment with, from matt to mottled, corrugated to coarse.
This panel of gently wavy tiles provides an immediate point of difference in the room without the designers having to introduce a new colour to the all-white scheme.
Lighting above a wall of textured tiles, as seen here, is a good way to highlight the design and add depth to the scheme.
3. Take the long view
There are no rules that state which way tiles must be laid, and metro ones like these work in either landscape or portrait format. Running them vertically, like this, increases the feeling of height in the room and creates a more elegant look.
The pale, sea-green colour is toughened up when teamed with the dark basins, black taps and speckled vanity unit.
Read about the top bathroom and ceramics trends for 2019 from the international Cersaie trade fair in Italy
There are no rules that state which way tiles must be laid, and metro ones like these work in either landscape or portrait format. Running them vertically, like this, increases the feeling of height in the room and creates a more elegant look.
The pale, sea-green colour is toughened up when teamed with the dark basins, black taps and speckled vanity unit.
Read about the top bathroom and ceramics trends for 2019 from the international Cersaie trade fair in Italy
4. Mix up styles
Can’t choose your favourite style or shape of tile? Don’t be restrained by convention. Instead, consider using a combination of colours and finishes for a unique look.
Here, matt charcoal hexagonal tiles on the floor and shower walls (seen in the mirror) have been teamed with shiny white rectangles laid in a herringbone formation on the basin wall.
The key to mixing designs while keeping a calm look is to restrict the colour palette. So while there are three tile styles here – with penny-round mosaics around the left-hand window joining the herringbone and hexagons – there are only two colours in the room, giving it a harmonious feel.
Can’t choose your favourite style or shape of tile? Don’t be restrained by convention. Instead, consider using a combination of colours and finishes for a unique look.
Here, matt charcoal hexagonal tiles on the floor and shower walls (seen in the mirror) have been teamed with shiny white rectangles laid in a herringbone formation on the basin wall.
The key to mixing designs while keeping a calm look is to restrict the colour palette. So while there are three tile styles here – with penny-round mosaics around the left-hand window joining the herringbone and hexagons – there are only two colours in the room, giving it a harmonious feel.
5. Add some colour
It’s not all about monochrome, though, as this lively scheme proves. Mustard is the sophisticated cousin of sunshine yellow, packing a punch without overwhelming the senses when you brush your teeth in the morning.
Creating a mural-like, almost 3D effect, this tiled wall gives added depth to this compact space.
It’s not all about monochrome, though, as this lively scheme proves. Mustard is the sophisticated cousin of sunshine yellow, packing a punch without overwhelming the senses when you brush your teeth in the morning.
Creating a mural-like, almost 3D effect, this tiled wall gives added depth to this compact space.
6. Feature a chosen few
There’s no need to tile your whole bathroom; if you’re tempted by a strong colour, a narrow strip of tiles can be just as effective. These deep-green handmade lava tiles add warmth and interest to this simply styled bathroom.
Tiling a small area is also a cost-effective way to experiment with more pricey tiles, as only a few are needed.
There’s no need to tile your whole bathroom; if you’re tempted by a strong colour, a narrow strip of tiles can be just as effective. These deep-green handmade lava tiles add warmth and interest to this simply styled bathroom.
Tiling a small area is also a cost-effective way to experiment with more pricey tiles, as only a few are needed.
7. Think pink
For a less edgy take on the contemporary look, these mottled-pink tiles come in varying depths of colour, giving a softer overall effect than tiles of one solid colour.
The slight sheen of the tiles also works well with the brass fixtures and fittings, which are enjoying a revival in modern bathroom schemes.
For a less edgy take on the contemporary look, these mottled-pink tiles come in varying depths of colour, giving a softer overall effect than tiles of one solid colour.
The slight sheen of the tiles also works well with the brass fixtures and fittings, which are enjoying a revival in modern bathroom schemes.
8. Play with pattern
Tried-and-tested metro tiles are paired with a dynamic patterned design to add flair to this contemporary scheme.
Green is always a popular choice of colour in a bathroom, with its echoes of the natural world providing a gently refreshing start to the day.
Tried-and-tested metro tiles are paired with a dynamic patterned design to add flair to this contemporary scheme.
Green is always a popular choice of colour in a bathroom, with its echoes of the natural world providing a gently refreshing start to the day.
9. Go halfway
Large-format marble tiles give a contemporary yet classic finish to this bijou bathroom. Tiling halfway up the wall is a good solution to ensure a small space like this doesn’t feel overwhelmed by one material.
There are lots of marble-effect porcelain tiles on the market if your budget doesn’t stretch to the real thing.
Tell us
What are your favourite tile styles? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Retiling your bathroom this year? Find a tile supplier near you to discuss your ideas and needs
Large-format marble tiles give a contemporary yet classic finish to this bijou bathroom. Tiling halfway up the wall is a good solution to ensure a small space like this doesn’t feel overwhelmed by one material.
There are lots of marble-effect porcelain tiles on the market if your budget doesn’t stretch to the real thing.
Tell us
What are your favourite tile styles? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Retiling your bathroom this year? Find a tile supplier near you to discuss your ideas and needs
Related Stories
Most Popular
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Bathroom Designer
A good bathroom designer will help bring your vision to life, within your budget – here's how to find the right one
Full Story
Most Popular
All the Dimensions You Need to Know for Your Bathroom Makeover
Fit everything comfortably in a small or medium-size bathroom by knowing standard dimensions for fixtures and clearances
Full Story
Working with Professionals
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Tiler
Perfect tiles? Tick. Next up is finding an experienced tiler to lay them – here's everything you need to know
Full Story
Most Popular
9 Small-Bathroom Challenges and How to Solve Them
Follow these handy tips to overcome problems when designing a tiny wash space
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Most Popular
5 Reasons Your Bathroom Smells Funky (and How to Fix the Problem)
A plumber reveals five reasons your bathroom might smell like sewage or emanate a musty odour
Full Story
Most Popular
Budget Bathroom Renovation Ideas for Under $5000
Refresh your bathroom on a budget with these simple yet stunning ideas for an easy bathroom makeover
Full Story
Picture Perfect
17 Small Bathrooms That Manage to Squeeze in a Bath
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
Bathroom Expert Advice
Bathroom Essentials: Right Heights for Vanities, Mirrors & More
By tidgboutique
Making some bathroom upgrades? Here’s how to place all your main features for the most comfortable, personalised fit
Full Story
Bathroom Renovations
10 Expert Tips for Designing the Right Shower For Your Home
By tidgboutique
Keep these style and layout ideas in mind as you plan your dream shower and bathroom
Full Story
Cushioned vinyl in the hall might show heel marks. I have had Karndean in my kitchen for 5 years without a mark. About to have it laid in my own hall soon.
Thanks to those who knocked the knockers! Why post and criticise just because the particular styles aren’t the same as yours. Even those who perpetually complain about “practicalities“. People are different and had different needs and lifestyles.
Some great ideas. I personally don’t like the pink or green tiles as I feel they will date the bathrooms, however if you are planning to stay in the home for a long time, this is fine as it’s your personal taste and space.