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In many of my projects, I like to start with the accent tile as my "inspiration" for the bath materials. Sometimes you can find a pattern or color that really speaks to the client and can inspire the selection of the rest of the materials and colors. But I shy away from the typical 6 to 12 inch wide border of tile installed at eye height. There is nothing inherently wrong with this concept but let's face it, it's not all that creative.
With so many beautiful decorative tile options in the marketplace, it is a shame to not highlight the beauty of your selection in a creative manner and punch up the overall design. But not all baths need a true accent tile. In some instances just varying the size of the tile used can have dramatic impact. Equally as interesting is building an accent wall of field tile that may vary in size or color.
Decorative tile can also be a budget buster if you need too much of it to make a statement. In many of these baths, just a few square feet makes a big impact! Let me know what you think!
With so many beautiful decorative tile options in the marketplace, it is a shame to not highlight the beauty of your selection in a creative manner and punch up the overall design. But not all baths need a true accent tile. In some instances just varying the size of the tile used can have dramatic impact. Equally as interesting is building an accent wall of field tile that may vary in size or color.
Decorative tile can also be a budget buster if you need too much of it to make a statement. In many of these baths, just a few square feet makes a big impact! Let me know what you think!
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1.
Designer's Tip: Make sure installer floats out the accent tile if is not same thickness as the field tile.
Designer's Tip: Make sure installer floats out the accent tile if is not same thickness as the field tile.
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2. Create a killing point.
Designer's Tip: Having a "killing point" with any decorative tile will make the look sleeker without needing trim pieces. The niche here is perfect for killing the tile into each side.
Designer's Tip: Having a "killing point" with any decorative tile will make the look sleeker without needing trim pieces. The niche here is perfect for killing the tile into each side.
by Shane D. Inman
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3.
Designer's Tip: If you have room, add towers on each end to "capture" the tile in between. And do not try and tile around the mirrors...too much work for the cost savings and you get a much more seamless look. It's worth it!
Designer's Tip: If you have room, add towers on each end to "capture" the tile in between. And do not try and tile around the mirrors...too much work for the cost savings and you get a much more seamless look. It's worth it!
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4. Add an accent wall. Make a focal wall of mosaic tile for major drama in a small bath. Remember the killing point.
Designer's Tip: Coordinate the wall color around the tile with the darkest color in the tile. This keeps continuity and adds more depth to the accent wall.
Designer's Tip: Coordinate the wall color around the tile with the darkest color in the tile. This keeps continuity and adds more depth to the accent wall.
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5. Create a tile rug. Don't forget about the floor either when considering accent tile! This vintage styled bath utilizes nice layers of varying sizes of tile in order to create an interesting pattern on the floor.
Designer's Tip: In a small bath you can eliminate cuts in the tile by putting the large tiles in the middle of the floor and filling in around the edges with an accent tile. This works best in boxy floor plans. Example: if you have a 48 in wide powder bath, you can do two 18x18's in the middle of the room and outline the perimeter in 6 in wide accent tiles. Mosaics cut be cut on the sheet to fit.
Designer's Tip: In a small bath you can eliminate cuts in the tile by putting the large tiles in the middle of the floor and filling in around the edges with an accent tile. This works best in boxy floor plans. Example: if you have a 48 in wide powder bath, you can do two 18x18's in the middle of the room and outline the perimeter in 6 in wide accent tiles. Mosaics cut be cut on the sheet to fit.
by Kerrie L. Kelly
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6. Be creative with left overs. Tie in your accent tile to a mirror frame if you can pull it off well. This can be a great way to use excess tile after the rest of it is installed.
Designer's Tip: Make the mirror so that it can hang rather than adhere to wall. This way is mobile when you tire of it. We use a french cleat to hang them as this supports the weight very well.
Designer's Tip: Make the mirror so that it can hang rather than adhere to wall. This way is mobile when you tire of it. We use a french cleat to hang them as this supports the weight very well.
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7. Accent a recessed niche. The back of a niche is one of my "go to" ways of adding accent tile to a shower area. It is a cost effective way of using more expensive materials, and a little bit goes a long way in adding great style points.
Designer's Tip: Just tile the back of the niche with the accent tile. It will be much easier to use the field tile to wrap the insides of the niche.
Designer's Tip: Just tile the back of the niche with the accent tile. It will be much easier to use the field tile to wrap the insides of the niche.
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8. Textures make a statement. An accent of pebbles in the back of the recessed niches harmonizes with the color of the field tile and adds nice texture without overpowering the cleaner look of the shower. This is a good decision when you want a modern style.
Designer's Tip: Make your niches architectural. Space them to make a statement.
Designer's Tip: Make your niches architectural. Space them to make a statement.
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9. Eliminate boundaries. Flow accent tile from bathroom walls straight into the shower. This creates a seamless look that is perfect for a smaller bath.
Designer's Tip: In a small room consider tiling all of the walls. This is a quick way to give a spa feeling when using larger tiles. And bonus is easy cilean up for the walls!
Designer's Tip: In a small room consider tiling all of the walls. This is a quick way to give a spa feeling when using larger tiles. And bonus is easy cilean up for the walls!
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10. Frame a window. Typically I am not a fan of big windows in the shower. In this case the window is highlighted by a decorative ceramic tile that is the only decorative element in the shower. It frames it nicely and adds a custom touch.
Designer's Tip: This will not work well with the smaller windows typically found in showers, but is a great way to utilize expensive accents in a small way.
Designer's Tip: This will not work well with the smaller windows typically found in showers, but is a great way to utilize expensive accents in a small way.
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11. Be bold with borders. Ok so if you must do a border of decorative tile, at least make it big! Say no to 8 or 12 in wide borders. There are too many ways to be far more creative with your design!
Designer's Tip: Try keeping colors monochromatic when you do this type of border. It keeps the visual element clean and uncluttered.
Designer's Tip: Try keeping colors monochromatic when you do this type of border. It keeps the visual element clean and uncluttered.
