Tile helps to set the tone and style for any bathroom design. Tile features throughout a bathroom design, including flooring, walls, shower floors, and more. From the tile shape and size to the material, color, texture, pattern, and more, tile covers a large surface area in any bathroom and influences your bathroom’s aesthetic.
Which tile is the best fit for your new bathroom depends on a range of factors, including which bathroom you are remodeling, your lifestyle, design preferences, and budget. When choosing tile make sure you balance timeless elegance with fresh ideas inspired by the latest trends.
Remember also that your tile choices must work together, for example wall tile with floor tile, and also coordinate with other features like your vanity and countertop.
In this blog we will cover some of the top trends in tile designs for bathrooms. From classic styles to bold patterns and natural textures, there are tile options to enhance any bathroom design. Let these trends inspire your bath design plans and then visit our full-service showroom to see more tile styles in person.
Bold Patterns and Geometric Shapes
Go for bold statement tiles to create a focal point in your bathroom design. Some top options include hexagons, chevrons, herringbone, floral, and Arabesque shapes. Alternatively, painted patterned tile lets you add beautiful patterns and color to your design. Pair patterned tile with neutral walls or cabinetry to give your design balance, so you tile patterns do not overwhelm your space.
Tile patterns and shapes are ideal for shower walls, backsplashes, or floors. Depending on the pattern you choose, it can work well in both contemporary and traditional bathroom designs. Go for a hexagonal shaped or herringbone pattern floor, or a mosaic or arabesque tile feature wall. Tile shapes let you express your unique style and draw attention to a stylish focal point in your bath design.
Large Format Tiles for a Sleek Look
Large format tiles are an increasingly popular choice. Oversized tiles are an ideal option for walls or floors, and slab-style coverings work well for shower walls. This is a beautiful and practical option that suits any size bathroom design, but in particular make small bathrooms feel larger and more open, especially in a light color.
They also go with any bathroom design style, but especially suit a contemporary bathroom aesthetic.
Since large format tiles include fewer grout lines, your design has a cleaner, more seamless appearance. It is also easier to clean and maintain, making it a stylish and practical choice. You can go for either matte or polished finishes depending on your preferences. If the tile if for your flooring, a textured surface that is non-slip is preferable and a safer choice.
Natural Stone and Stone-Look Tiles
Stone has a timeless appeal that enhances any bathroom design style, with marble, travertine, slate, and granite popular options. It adds luxury and sophistication to any bathroom style, bringing natural colors, textures, and beauty to your bathroom. You could also go for a pebble tile shower floor for a true spa-vibe bathroom design.
With the latest advances in porcelain tile technology, you can also find realistic stone-look alternatives. The benefit of using a porcelain alternative instead of natural stone is that it is lower maintenance, highly durable, and usually more cost-effective. The best applications for this tile material are shower surrounds, floors, and vanity backsplashes.
Earthy Tones and Nature-Inspired Colors
In some bathroom designs, there has been a shift from stark whites and grays toward warmer hues, including beiges, taupes, terracottas, and greens. This also reflects the influence of biophilic design, which brings the calming essence of nature indoors. It pairs beautifully with wood vanities, matte black fixtures, and organic textures, and is great for spa-like, relaxing bathroom designs.
Textured and 3D Tiles
Textured tiles add depth and tactile interest to bathroom walls, and can also be featured in shower floors, such as pebble tile. 3D tiles, such as wave patterns, fluted designs, and ridged surfaces are striking options that work well as an accent wall behind a freestanding tub or vanity.
These tile styles create a high-end, designer look for any bathroom design when used well and balanced with sleek, simple features. A top tip for incorporating textured or 3D tiles is to use them strategically in specific areas to avoid overwhelming your bath design.
Metallic and Glossy Finishes
Tiles with metallic accents such as gold, bronze, copper, or silver are on trend and add a touch of glamour and luxury to modern bathrooms. These tile styles are often used in mosaics, borders, or as accent details. Their reflective surfaces also brighten up smaller bathrooms, reflecting light throughout the space and making your room feel instantly brighter and larger.
Terrazzo Revival
Terrazzo is making a comeback in modern bathroom design. It is a mix of chips (such as marble, quartz, or glass) embedded in cement or resin and is available in terrazzo slabs or porcelain-look tiles. This is a unique, playful aesthetic that words for both floors and walls, and pairs well with minimalist cabinetry and neutral color palettes.
Go for this tile material if you want to make a statement in your bathroom design and consider including it in a specific area of your bathroom and balancing it with classic choices.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Tile Choices
There is a growing focus on sustainable materials that benefit your home’s atmosphere and the environment. Choose tiles made from recycled or sustainable materials and production methods for the most sustainable options and go for low-VOC adhesives and grouts that contribute to healthier indoor air quality.
Wood Look Tiles for Warmth
There are beautiful and practical options in porcelain or ceramic tiles that closely replicate hardwood floors. They offer the warm look and texture of wood in a moisture-resistant surface that is essential for bathrooms.
These tiles work well in rustic, farmhouse, and transitional bathrooms, and also enhance spa-vibe bathrooms with their nature-inspired color and texture. It is available in planks and herringbone layouts to enhance any bathroom style.
Mixing Finishes and Styles
By mixing finishes and styles in your bathroom’s tile design you can embrace contrast and layered style to add depth to our bathroom design. For example, you could pair matte with glossy finishes, or textured tile with smooth tile. Consider combining neutral large-format tiles with bold patterned accents in a tile feature.
This approach lets you personalize your bathroom design while balancing classic styles with the latest trends.
Choose The Perfect Tile to Accent Your Bathroom Design
Trends provide inspiration for your bathroom tile design, letting you explore the latest colors, patterns, and innovations in bathroom design to create a space that is all your own. Tile trends can be adapted to fit any style bathroom, from modern to traditional, farmhouse, spa-vibe, and more.
Our experienced team at Guthrie Kitchen & Bath Plus can help with all your bathroom design and remodeling needs, including incorporating tile into your design. We will work with you to create a design that is a perfect fit for your home and lifestyle, and finding the ideal materials to complete your design. Contact Guthrie or visit our full service showroom to browse styles and speak to our team.