Your Bath: Boost Your Tile Style
Tile Accents Large and Small Make Your Bathroom Beautiful
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
Houzz readers, I’m on a bathroom kick. My last post focused on jazzing up the bathroom with an accent wall, and this time around, I’m talking tiles. Tile is obviously a very common material on bathroom floors, walls or inside the shower. However, with all the shapes, colors, sizes and textures now available in tile, it’s time to get a little funky and go beyond the typical application. I'm hoping these pictures will help you look at tile with new eyes. Nervous about the dent it might leave in your wallet? Don’t be. There are solutions for budgets big and small, allowing everyone a chance to sneak a touch of tile into their bathroom.
Punch it up with color. It’s easy to fall into typical white tile, but it would never have had the same impact as this glossy coral and orange combination. Mixing it with a natural wood sink and neutral walls allow the tile to rightfully steal the show.
Browse home tile finds
Browse home tile finds
Checks, please. There are few things I love more than a classic black-and-white checkered kitchen floor, so when I saw this neutral reproduction on the wall of this bathroom, I instantly fell in love. It proves that no tile is off limits in your bathroom space: The geometric appearance of these oversized square tiles set a balanced backdrop for the curvy bathtub base.
Add a stripe. Here’s a great way to get a dose of unique tile without dropping the big bucks. Choose a basic, inexpensive tile for your floor and shower space (but do your research — inexpensive should not mean poor quality),then splurge on colorful, fun tiles to create a pop-of-color strip across the wall. The different patterns on each of these tiles equals a bathroom with great personality!
by Niche Interiors
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Here’s another example of splurging on colorful tiles for a fun accent strip around the wall. It really adds a punch without draining the budget. Choose tiles in similar shades yet different sizes to create a unique, layered look.
If your sink is sort of awkwardly floating on a very narrow strip of wall between two windows, consider a strip of tile to ground it. The eye will forget that the sink has a slightly unusual placement when it’s mesmerized by tiles!
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| Unify. Here’s another great example of splashing an otherwise neutral bathroom with great color via tiles. If you look in the mirror, you’ll notice the shower is done in the same green tile. By extending the tile along the wall outside of the shower, it creates cohesion between bathroom and shower. |
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| Create something unexpected. First of all, if you’re remodeling your shower, consider adding some sort of bench or seat. Not only are they helpful clutter-holders, but they’re also great for shaving. Second of all, have a little fun by tiling it in a bold shade! You’ll surely appreciate the unexpected aesthetic of this functional addition. |
Frame your face. Vanities are a great spot for a little extra attention, and tiling around the mirror will give the bathroom an interesting focal point. Striped tiles in complementary shades give texture to this clean-lined bathroom, especially with a few patterned tiles mixed in!
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| Get glamorous with an accent wall done in iridescent tile. Complement it with sophisticated bold shade topped with white trim to brighten the space. You’ll never leave your bathroom feeling anything less than red-carpet worthy. |
Frame the commode. Everyone’s always tiling the shower. Let the toilet get in on the fun! Tiling behind the porcelain throne and continuing it on the floor will ground the toilet and give interest to a generally ignored bathroom necessity. Consider bordering the tiles to make them stand out.
This picture is essentially the same idea as the above. I just couldn’t decide which one I liked better! I have to admit, I love the use of penny tile in this example. Tiles need not be square!
Trick the eye. If your bathroom is narrow, use horizontal tiles to widen the space. There are lots of design tricks out there. Use them to your benefit.
For just a hint of flair, create the look of an area rug with tile. Carry the pattern onto the wall by creating a frame with the same tile. This is another money-saving solution.
Line a niche. Niche spaces are always great little spots to have fun with design. This could have easily been painted a color or even left white, but the tile gives it dimension. Don’t forget to accessorize your niches; these extra spaces are opportunities for mini design statements.
If you’re tiling more than one wall, consider changing up the tile for a little visual spice. Scale is really the important thing to balance here; be sure they’re complementary. However, feel free to mix and match colors however you wish.
Go all out. The color, texture and jaw-dropping aesthetic of this mosaic wall will result in a bathroom both edgy and sophisticated. And let’s be honest, when I stumble into the bathroom at 6 a.m., I’d much rather look at this mosaic than a mirror any day.
More: Tile finds
House Planning: How to Choose Tile
Straight From Spain: New Trends in Tile
More: Tile finds
House Planning: How to Choose Tile
Straight From Spain: New Trends in Tile
Comments
Carolina Girl I'm looking for ready made mosiacs to add interest to my backsplash above my cooktop, anybody have a suggestion where to look?
2 years ago · Like
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Derya Baysal Mosaics give a character to the bathrooms and kitchens. I LOVE the collection of the pictures here. I used mosaics every bathroom in our house. This is a picture of our powder room. 
2 years ago · Like
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dreemer thanks shawn, all of these images are beautiful and so inspiring!
2 years ago · Like
Ideabook published on May 21, 2011.
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