Victorian bathroom tiles have rocketed in popularity recently, and we're seeing vibrant patterned tiles everywhere - but are you familiar with all the styles out there to choose from when it comes to bathroom tile designs? And how do you pick the right tile design for your space?
What tiles are best for bathroom?
We've researched eight of the most popular tile styles to help you decide which is best for your bathroom; from metro tiles to mosaic tiles, there's a design here for everyone and every home.
And the best part? Your bathroom doesn't have to be tiled to the nines to make an impact, sometimes just a tiled splashback or tiled shower cubicle is enough to totally transform your space.
Read on for our pick of the best bathroom tile designs, and if you're wondering which tiles are best for a small bathroom, check out our tips for that too below! And don't forget to check out our guide to choosing the right kitchen tile style.
Bathroom tile design ideas
Metro tiles
Metro tiles are one of the most popular tile styles on the market right now. They're hugely versatile, come in a wide range of sizes and colours, and are one of the cheapest options for buying tiles too.
You could use metro tiles for just a section of your bathroom wall, such as a splashback behind your sink, or use them to zone areas such as the shower or bath. Or, why not go all out and create a statement wall with colourful metro tiles like these mustard tiles from Walls & Floors?
More inspiration
Have a gander out our ultimate tile style guide to see which metro tile pattern is your fave. One option is to arrange your bathroom metro tiles in a herringbone pattern, as shown above. It will create instant drama in the bathroom and works particularly well with a monochrome palette.
For the full effect, incorporate other geometric shapes and designs through your flooring patterns and accessories like hand towels and plant pots.
Terrazzo tiles
For a high-end, oh-so-Instagrammable look, terrazzo tiles hit the brief. These trend-setting tiles are still in high demand and it's no surprise; they're both classic and contemporary and come in a vast range of colours and variations.
Whether you're looking to tile your walls and floors or just a small zone of your bathroom, terrazzo tiles will add a modern, creative vibe to your space. They work just as well in period homes as they do in modern homes too.
Small bathroom tile ideas
Wondering what tiles to use for a small bathroom? Here are 3 tips to help you decide...
- Go bold with one bright colour It may feel safest to go with white tiles for a small bathroom, but sometimes a deep colour or vibrant shade can give a small room depth and turn a tight space into a cosy, welcoming nook.
- Choose shiny tiles High-shine tiles will help bounce light around your room and give the feeling of a bigger space.
- Pick larger tiles for the floor Steer away from small tiling on your bathroom floor as this will look too busy and cramped. Larger tiles will give the illusion of a wider floor space.
Check out our guide to small bathroom ideas for more inspiration.
Fan tiles
Fan tiles (also known as fish scale tiles and scallop tiles) will add an aquatic feel to your bathroom thanks to the scale-like curves of the design.
Keep things on the more traditional end of the scale (pardon the pun) by choosing white fan tiles, or, for a full-on ocean aesthetic in your bathroom, choose a sea-green, teal or ocean blue colour. To keep things from looking too busy, install your fan tiles on to just the bottom half of the wall.
Wood-effect tiles
Fancy more of a rustic look in your bathroom? If you're a fan of the Japandi interior style you may well want to go for a wooden look on your bathroom floor. Wood creates a warming effect in a room, but it's not the most practical when it comes to bathrooms. Wet wood can rot and it's much tougher to clean and keep hygienic. Step in, the wood-effect tile!
These handy porcelain tiles give you all the rustic charm of wooden flooring but with the ease and practicality of long-lasting, wipe-clean porcelain.
Picket tiles
For something simple but striking, you could try Picket tiles. Lay these tiles horizontally or vertically, and use two colours to extenuate the geometric style of them.
We like the use of pink picket tiles running along the bottom half of this bathroom wall, with white on top. As well as looking lovely in a large bathroom, this bathroom tile design would also look great in a small bathroom, as it will create the illusion of a higher ceiling.
Marble tiles
Longing for a spa bathroom? Since ancient times, marble has been used in bathing houses and swimming pools to create a feeling of luxury and relaxation. Luckily for us, we can now recreate this look at home as you no longer need to spend a small fortune on the stuff!
This marble-effect tiling from B&Q looks both soothing and high-end but comes in at a remarkably reasonable £14.04 per sq metre. Complement the grey marble effect tiles with humidity-loving plants and blonde wood.
Victorian tiles
2021 has seen a massive spike in interest for Victorian tiles, and it's perhaps no surprise when we think of the similarly nostalgic craze for cottagecore style.
Victorian tiles evoke a sense of grandeur, especially in a bathroom. You can choose from a mix of styles, including floral patterns, geometric designs and deep earthy colours. For a timeless design that will never fall out of favour, try a chequer mosaic tile design like the one above from Walls & Floors. You can customise the design by adding borders and create contrast with plain white tiling alongside.
Mosaic tiles
Patterned tiles are a wonderful way of pairing style and practicality in your bathroom; with a decorative tiled splashback or a tiled wall, your bathroom will go from basic to bougie!
If you're a fan of global-inspired interiors, mosaic tiles may be the one for you. Harking back to ancient times, mosaic tiles have had many revivals over the centuries and you can now choose from a vast range of styles. We love the Moroccan-inspired tiles above which pair wonderfully with gold accents.
For something a bit more modern and playful, try these Tivoli tiles. They feature a light wooden background which makes them adaptable to a range of bathroom styles and they'd work well in both old and new builds. Lay them as a single line behind your sink, or go big with a feature wall of them.
Feeling inspired? Don't miss out on our guides to the best kitchen tile ideas and our ultimate guide to tiles for the whole home!
