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camille_mcbride83

Which tile should I use in my basement powder renovation.

8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago

Cabinet and faucet is staying. Torn between using the encaustic look tile on the floor and then paint the walls or the dark hex on the floor and the glass hex on the wall behind the cabinet . The walls in the basement are painted barn door by BM and Dove Wing BM. sThe powder room space measures 81"H 46" W 91"L Any suggestions or constructive comments are welcomed. thanks in advance











Comments (23)

  • 8 years ago

    Adding photos of the space and your choices will help :)

    Camille Mcbride thanked miss lindsey (She/Her)
  • 8 years ago

    Yes I am trying too but there coming in upside down. thanks

  • 8 years ago

    ok photos of the powder room are up. s

  • 8 years ago

    I would do the encaustic look tiles!

    If I did the hex, I wouldn't tile the wall with the glass ones. Not in the same hex, maybe in glass subway.

    Camille Mcbride thanked miss lindsey (She/Her)
  • 8 years ago

    Whatever you use know that ALL BASEMENTS WILL FLOOD. Be sure and use something that will be a little resistant to water, so when the inevitable happens, you won't have spent a fortune on something that will need to be replaced.

    I like the encaustic look tiles. I'm not sure I like the hex with the cabinet??

    Camille Mcbride thanked Kathi Steele
  • 8 years ago

    True encaustic tiles are have very specific installation instructions and can be very tricky to lay and come out right. I think OP said these are encaustic look tiles.


    And you may be right because flooding is designated as 6" of water or more, but...... "Finally, know this truth. You may not like it, but it is true. There is no such thing as a basement that won’t get water! Some will flood and some will get minor seepage, but EVERY basement will get water. No matter how well built or “water proofed” or how large a sump pump and / or flood control system you install, ALL basements will get wet. Maybe not today or next week, but at some time in the house’s life, it will get water. So, the point is not to spend all your time and money trying to put off the inevitable, it is to be smart and arrange your basement so that when the water does come in, it will do little or no damage. Don’t put anything that you don’t want to get wet in your basement. When you store stuff down there, put it up on shelves or skids, NOT on the floor. Don’t finish the basement with expensive furniture and carpeting and, especially not, hardwood flooring (really! Some people actually do this!). Be smart." https://www.deckerhomeservices.com/basement_flooding/

    Camille Mcbride thanked Kathi Steele
  • 8 years ago

    I like the cement-look tile and think it would supply all the visual pop you need in a small powder room. Two different hex tiles of the same size in the same space would just compete with rather than complement each other.

    Camille Mcbride thanked Libby Estell
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Lol, all basements flood, yeah, no they don't. And they don't all get wet. What-if a meteor hit the house tomorrow, what-if it got swarmed with locusts, what-if aliens invaded? Should we never do anything because of the what-if? She didn't ask for your lecture on basements and what she shouldn't do.

    I really love the encaustic tiles.

    Camille Mcbride thanked suedonim75
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I think the encautic is the star and the backsplash should be a simple subway in one of the colors from that tile.

  • 8 years ago

    I would not do the hex on the wall. too much w/the other. I like the cement-look pattern. try something like this w/it. white subway w/black grout, white walls



    or a black ship lap or wainscot









    some other wall tiles






    Camille Mcbride thanked Beth H. :
  • 8 years ago

    So to everyone who mentioned flooding. Thats exactly what happened ! A pipe from the kitchen down to behind the fireplace had a very slow leak. In fact when we pulled out the drywall there was lots and lots of mould. It finally gave way. So now its new floors paint and fireplace tile. Hadn't planned to do the powder room but now it looks like crap as the rest of the basement is being put back together with new stuff. Thanks for all of your ideas. Those tiles are definitely encaustic looking, they're only $5 a tile. Haven't decide yet which way to go as I really like the glass hex for the wall but don't know what to do with the floor if I go that route.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Camille, I like the way the tile on the floor in your photo reflects in the glass of the vanity door. I would also not choose a dark color for the walls, I would appreciate some light in the space.

    Camille Mcbride thanked Myra Nissen
  • 8 years ago

    What about that click together vinyl floor for the floor instead of wood? I have seen some beautiful flooring of that type. They also make a waterproof one that has a channel underneath - but I have only seen ones that look more industrial.

    Camille Mcbride thanked Myra Nissen
  • 8 years ago

    Beth I like the iridescent tiles in that photo you posted in the kitchen. Where does one get them?

  • 8 years ago
    A powder room is a place to go wild...or at least less tame. I love the big graphic tiles more than the hex tiles. Those big tiles will be your focus. Everything else should be in agreement with the tiles. Sink, faucet, mirror, some storage, paper holder, tissue holder, toilet and seat, small trash receptacle, and some art. Done.
    Camille Mcbride thanked felizlady
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I like the floor tile idea, but adding in the hex on the walls might be a bit "too busy". The tile is already very decorative, doing an accent of white subway tile would look great.

    Camille Mcbride thanked Designer Drains
  • 8 years ago

    Myra, here. the one in the photo is weathered white

    https://www.cletile.com/collections/glazed-terracotta-tile-zellige

  • 8 years ago

    Thank you, their printed stone tiles are amazing!

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    We think the encaustic look tiles on the floor and then simple subway tiles might be the way to go. Here is a design of ours to help guide you along the way:

    Elegant Restoration and Update - Shower Room · More Info

    Elegant Restoration and Update - Shower Room · More Info

    Camille Mcbride thanked Chi Renovation & Design
  • 8 years ago
    Large ones.
    Camille Mcbride thanked KK1000
  • 8 years ago

    Thanks so much everyone for all your comments. Encaustic look it is. Not sure if I'll tile the walls or not. Seems like a waste of money by the time the mirror lights and cabinets go up in front of it. Perhaps just paint. Will post a photo when it gets done. Thanks again

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Camille, consider a smaller encaustic tile. That one looks like it will overwhelm a powder room. Is it 18" square, or larger when you get the whole pattern done? You can get tiles that do a pattern in a smaller size for a smaller room. See the tiles in Chi Renovation and Design's post, with the shower with black framing? The tiles look great there, in a full bath. If your room is small in comparison, you will probably want a smaller format in your design. Otherwise, I love the choice for a powder room.

    Camille Mcbride thanked Nancy in Mich
  • 8 years ago

    Camille, I thought I wanted to tile the rooms in my powder room, and then I found a mirror with a wide mosaic frame, I am happy with that for now. Am using the money I save on another bathroom remodel. :-)

    Camille Mcbride thanked Myra Nissen