No “punches” of color. Not unless the whole home is designed to use color properly. Defaulting to a few bold things to “add interest” means the basic design is lacking.

Bath vanities use the standard 4“ of counter material for splashes. No additional tile is needed unless the design encompasses tiling the whole wall

Agree, no different backsplash. Use the countertop material for all back and side splashes. I did a 6” backsplash because I prefer a talked backdrop behind faucet, but 4” is fine too.

Having the penny tile just as a backsplash strip won't work well. It won't give the punch you're looking for. Just use the same material as the countertop.

Hex tiles are easier to install and you'll end up with less grout around the tiles Check American Olean for their range of porcelain colors.

You could also do the penny tile in a nice shower niche....

Use the pennies on the floor IF you have a fantastic tile setter and a good budget. Hex and pennies look best on the floor. Putting a penny tile in a niche is just asking for trouble. If you need a “pop” of color, look to your textiles or paint. Good luck.

Less is more....

Agree with scottie mom, penny tiles have too much grout to look good as a backsplash. They are marginal in a niche, but good for traction on the floor.

Fuzzyguy....Where is your Inspo photo #1 from? Link? I love it...

tangerinedoor.....https://www.houzz.com/magazine/room-of-the-day-vibrant-retro-tile-adds-pizazz-to-a-small-bathroom-stsetivw-vs~74024109

PAINT the bath a color as a foil to all the black and white. Paint can be easily swapped. Tile...............not so much. Brilliant towels can add the same punch. Keep it SIMPLE. Especially in a "small bath "

Less is more ! I agree , keep it simple ....because it's a SMALL bathroom !

Something like this would be great...

Just make sure whatever tile you choose, that you love it!

Good luck!

I think penny tile looks cool, but once I realized how much more grout it needs that typical tile, I would not use except in a very small area. I would rather spend on tile not grout plus who wants to clean all that grout? Maybe it could be an accent. I personally like a niche that blends in so I would use for a band in shower or could be a border tile on floor.

I would NOT use the penny rounds and use the hex instead. Do not mix the two, they don't go well together. Too busy.

I think that mixing in some bright penny round will work fine! It’s your place and you have the vision - go for it.

Are penny tiles maybe on the way out as tile slabs and less grout comes in?

Penny tiles only look good on the FLOOR. In a small bath, with dark grout.

Brenda-

Minimizing the amount of grout has always been in; it’s not a trend. As for penny rounds, I thought they looked dated the first time I saw them, and haven’t grown any fonder of them in the intervening years.

We used penny tiles on the shower floor and a "plainer" tile on the shower walls. I love it! I wouldn't even do the niche -- I don't understand when people spend creative energy on niches and the are then completely covered up with shampoo bottles...

The important feature about a shower floor is a non-slip finish. Penny rounds allow sealed grout to serve the non-slip requirement, but they may be “too much” if the walls are also penny rounds. I would use a simpler tile for the walls with an 6” accent line or border of penny rounds if desired. If you have a niche, use the plain tile.

There are many non-slip shower floors that need far less grout than penny rounds. The more grout, the more likelihood of floor staining due to minerals in the water. Of course you want to be sure that your floor has adequate anti-slip properties, but it’s not a bad idea to do it in a way that doesn’t end up creating appearance issues or more maintenance in the future.