It looks like you’re going for a contemporary / modern look so I would go with black hex on floor (black grout). Long white subway tile around bathtub installed horizontally in a stacked pattern (bright white grout). Shower: 12x24” black (marble look) tile in shower installed horizontal & stacked (black grout). Small white tile in shower floor with white grout.

is your waterproofing dequate?

We have not waterproofed anything yet.

I would do White tile on the shower walls all the way to the ceiling, and black on the floor.

It's all small, so keep the light bouncing around the white walls. Dark floor to ground the room.

It depends upon what YOU like. I would go for all dark walls, shower & bath and a white floor for a moody look OR all white walls and a black floor with dark grout for an airy feel. Consider looking at bath photos, create an idea book of the photos you like then go back and look at the photos. Which ones appeal to you the most?

For the floors I like either the black hex or the black marble. Both beautiful!!!
I wonder if you can get a black marble type hex tile - which would just make the decision easier on you.

(I personally think hex is more MCM so if you want to lean that way go with hex, if you want to lean more modern contemporary marble....)

Love the wood vanity
And love the light fixture!!!
Both are beauty choices!!

For the walls I’d either continue the floor tile. Yes black on walls.

Or the white straight set, stacked tile.

No more hex....

Where do you want penny tiles?
Don’t do too many shapes, sizes and colors...

We redid our very small bathroom in December 2020. We did mosaic hexagonal white tiles on the floor and same up the side of the corner bath, the matt black tiles similar to yours covering the walls and a plain beautiful light wooden counter top with a white basin. It is very dramatic and people are crazy about it and in awe of my boldness in doing it that way around and not vice versa.

Wow !! I hate to be a stick in the mud, but you should have planned all of this before you started ripping things apart. If that's your new vanity. why was it placed prior to doing the floors??

Personally, I would use larger tiles. I prefer the look and they are more practical for cleaning than the small. Even so, I had always thought I wanted a tile floor until I got one and found the reality of their cleaning and upkeep. Its one thing for a wall that occasionally needs wiped down but a lot of work for floors and showers.

Exagonal white tiles to create contrast with wooden top. ὄC

Thanks for all the feedback! My hubby and I are doing all the work so we are flexible in changing things up-and to clarify the vanity isn’t hung yet. We still have alot more to go.

Generally sounds like hexagon is the way to go-Black or white still up in the air!

We originally thought classic style 3x6 subway tile halfway around the entire bathroom and all the way up in the shower of course. Then after many boards and inspiration pics contemplated stacked instead-vertical or horizontal -

I will point out that because our tub is not a free standing soaking tub, full tile around the tub may look weird in the sense that it creates a look that a shower is there. But I am not sure stacked halfway or even 3/4 will look good. In pics it seems stacks are more a full wall look. I do see alot of classic subway style half walls. And if that route next question is 3x6 or 3x12s.

Thanks again everyone

I think with a freestanding tub you can do 3/4 tile.
With a regular standard tub I think the tile should go to the ceiling.

Excellent choice to use gray grout; yes, even with white tile. Never use white grout.

i like your idea of subway tile 3/4 up the wall all around the room. It's classy and you won't be sorry. Consider framing the vanity area by raising the tile over the vanity [to include mirror, of course] in a kind of art deco style where you graduate the height.

See photo, the thick black line in shower.

This pic also illustrates the value of a matching dark base tile if you use the dark tile on the floor [I would].

[photo would not load in prior comment]

HU-77193660- Really appreciate all your thoughts. I totally agree that black marble hex would be the solve all too btw lol! Its hard to find matte black 2x2s in the budget-esp the marble hex! All the flooring opts I have on here are $2-$5 a sqft! I do hear mixed opinions on solid black hex being easy or hard to keep clean. But as you and other users mentioned-dark floor would ground the room nicely! Love your feedback. Would you do classic 3x6 as in photos or 3x12 for classic laying route?

I like the 3x12, it's classic, but not old fashioned. Y'all have fit a lot into a small space (which is great), it runs the risk of looking busy from all the grout lines if you use smaller tiles on both the floors and walls.

The 3x12 gives the subway tile is a fresh take on an old classic and gives a more modern vibe ,if that’s what you are going for. The 3x6 is classic and spans many design styles. It really depends on the feel you are trying to establish. The vanity has a modern look and I would probably go with the 3x12 if it were my home. Regardless of what tile you use for the main floor you should use a smaller tile in the shower as it is more slip proof.

You'd mentioned possibly using charcoal grout. Before you commit to that, you should talk to your tile provider. We've used charcoal grout from both Mapei and Ardex and have found that the color tends to bleed and over time it fades and becomes splotchy. Perhaps there is a newer formulation or an additive that will hold the color longer.

Ok so this is where we are at with black floor choices. We will do classic layout with longer tiles. Votes on black floor?

You are right Donna-I have heard dark grout can be tricky.

If anyone has a tried and true brand that would be great to know for charcoal and black grout specifically.

I prefer the two darker black tiles on the ends because it will provide more contrast. Of those two, the larger tile appeals to me because there is more contrast to the wall tile. Sealing grout does wonders! I disagree with mdenton2014. We have had ceramic tiles for decades and find them the easiest to clean. In fact, that is why we chose it. The color of the floor makes a difference-- white and black floors will show everything (as opposed to a medium color). As long as you go into it knowing that, you'll be fine.

I love ceramic tile (especially porcelain), but I've have bad luck with using contrasting grout colors. When we installed a white tile floor I picked a medium gray grout because I thought white would get dirty. And guess what? The gray grout looked dirty from day one, even when it was clean. Charcoal (dark) gray grout with dark gray tile, on the other hand, has been great. Even if it's a little darker or lighter than the tile, I like it. (The tile and grout colors don't have to be an exact match.) Yes, spills will show up lighter or darker than the grout (just as they will on the tile), but there's really no way around that, no matter what color you choose.

The only concern with contrasting color grout on subway tile is that your grout lines need to be even and straight. If the tile laying is not done well the grout exaggerates all the imperfections. I had a terrible tile job once with large 12x 24 tiles that had to be redone because the grout between each tile was not even. When replaced with white like the tile all the imperfections melted away.

I like the tiles you chose. Using the black hexagon on the floor, continuing it into the shower with a smaller version of it, or another small black matte tile, will make the room seem larger.
I would suggest considering using a stacked installation with the wall tiles for a more modern look. The choices you made will make for a classic bathroom that will look good for a long time.

One question that you asked is should you have tile on the walls (1/2 or 3/4 up the wall) around the entire room. I vote yes for the simple reason that painting bathrooms is a pain-especially in a small bathroom. Painting around the vanity, removing the toilet etc is a pain. I prefer tile on the walls and then you can change paint on the upper 1/2-1/4 of the walls if you choose. I always tile the walls in small bathrooms.

paddlerchick-that makes so much sense about the painting! That solidified that decision.

redryder-Thank you! I do really like the stacked but just unsure if stacked vertical or horizontal will look good outside the shower if we tile 1/2 or 3/4 walls …. ?

aniluap-with my little kids I don’t trust white grout lol. Thank you and Kari for the opinion on the tile size.

ladas and myoldstonehouse-thank you- I am prepared to have tile. And yes i hear black and white is the same upkeep basically! That grey marble option I have is probably the easiest to appear clean. I am a sucker for hexagon but we will see….the marble porcelain is better maintenance wise

I would install glass instead of wall between tub and shower since it is a small space i would pick one or two tiles for cohesion u could run tiles from bahind tub into shower for a unified look

Stacked horizontal was my thought, even with a wall.

I have large white tile w white grout on floors in both bathrooms and I love it. I would also love the large black tile w black grout. Personally, I like grout to match a large tile in a small space.
No matter which tile you choose , I think you’re doing exactly the right thing by choosing contrast. It really adds a simple drama to a small space. Your bathroom is going to look great, Michelle👍🏽

I have had the hardest time picking between the two dark tile options -the charcoal marble vs the hex! and let me ask this-has anyone had any issue with black pennytile with black grout in their shower? We have a water softner. A tile guy said natural stone would be an issue but not porcelain and esp if grout is sealed.

The hexagon tile looks like it might be less slippery when wet. I also prefer it aesthetically, but I'd definitely choose the safest option. Of course, click the following link and you'll see that: honed black marble hexagon tile also exists. Could be the best of both worlds.

I don't see why penny tile would be an issue in the shower. Do you have a specific concern about it?

We have unpolished Carrara marble hex mosaic tile on our shower floor. We have well water that is softened and it does have some calcified residue from the salts but does not show up in white and grey tile but I think it would be more noticeable on a black tile. You could try leaving a square of the tile in your shower for a month and see how it fares.

Black tile might show a variety of minerals that dry on the shower floor. Not sure if it will be an issue for you but aesthetically, the black tile in the shower will be stunning. Maybe there is something you can clean it with that will prevent that problem. Let’s hope one of the pros can answer this.

I have porcelain tile ON MY DRIVEWAY in the expansion joints . It’s a slightly textured 12” random patterned slate print.
It has been down since 2003. NO MINERAL DEPOSITS . NO BREAKS . NO CRACKS.
So I wouldn’t worry about lime etc.
The only time it’s an issue is when I set a large planter on my tiled porches, & even at that it cleans up easily w vinegar and a scrubby and that’s OUTSIDE . It amazes even me .

@lisadoll - That is so helpful to know. I think we are all worried about the maintenance of black tiles. @Michele P, go for the black tiles in the shower!

Yes @Donna Collins I was concerned about black tile in the shower for mineral deposits showing etc. but thank you so much @lisadoll for the input! @RedRyder- I am going to go for it! I just settled on the black hex yesterday and picked them up. For anyone interested they are a matte 9x10.5, have good reviews from Home Depot and turn out to be about $2.88 sqft. As for shower I will go smaller with black penny tile or smaller black hex like you mentioned:) Next I have to look up how to finish the tile without bullnose and what to do for trim where the floor meets the wall tile.

I just realized we have two accounts lol. This previous comment should read from @Michele P but this is my hubby's account-sorry for the confusion

Everyone you have been so helpful! update that we will do black hex, and stacked horizontal tile 4ft up all the half walls and all the way up the shower walls and with same tile flipping to make a vertical niche.

Floor and Decor make the exact white tile that matches my tub, however the install instructions ask for 1/8 spacers AND the tile is water resisitant-tho ok for shower walls. Anyone ever use their 3x12 white subway tile without spacers?

Home Depot on the other hand has a similar size 4x12 with built in spacers, allowing for a 1/16 grout line. The white isn’t perfect by a tick, but the grout spacing and fact the tile is totally waterproof is what sways me. I am hoping other elements will distract from the whites matching.

Lastly, another user mentioned that their gray grout looked dirty from day one. I have read alot about frost or warm gray. Any more input on grout colors? Thank you!

Hey all-made some progress. The black hex floors are in, and we set the toilet. We last decided that we would do a horizontal stack of white subway tile on the walls. However the wall behind the toilet won’t fit the tiles across like we hoped, it would mean two small

cuts on the side tile - giving us a sliver, two whole tiles and a sliver.

We can do

Opt A:dont tile the small bathroom area

B: Do a black slat wall behind the toilet and keep white walls on the side

C: Classic bricklay bathroom rather than horizontal stack (I thought of vertical too but seem to find more pics of horizontal or staggered with the black hex).

Thoughts apprecaited again! some pics to show progress. And a pic ex of a black slat wall .

Wow, it looks great! I love the way you did the wall tiles. You must be relieved you’ve gotten this far. Post again when the glass doors come.

Thank you so much! def SO relieved. Will post again later with shower door-maybe a while. We have projects every which where 🤗🙃

That is lovely!

Thank you so much! Ppl on Houzz were so helpful!

RedRyder and anyone else on here- I have another post I would love you to read and comment on. It’s a bit long-winded and has to do with the exterior of my house and then eventually the kitchen.

I love how your bathroom turned out! Wondering if you are happy with the black hex floor and both grout colors? I am losing my mind trying to make decisions for my bath remodel, and running out of time! Love the look of the black matte hex but have been told it is impossible to keep clean, esp oil from skin. I will have a curbless shower so I can either do a 2 or 3 in hex throughout floor/shower or large hex on floor and smaller in shower with a threshold in between. I am also 4 x 12 white subway tile, thinking layed staggered not stacked. What color grout do you end up using? Thanks!

Thank you M D. I was there too, but now with another part of my house lol. I so enjoy the putting a room together and dive really deep into details and options because it’s so permanent -so I want to get it right lol. I literally purchased white 2in hex to start and returned it all for the big black. I don’t know the size of your space-but everyone on here was right about black grounding my small space and white on walls. I see water spots or dust and have 4 kids that use the space. We step on bath mats and there has been no amount of lotion or grease that has bugged me-but IMO there is maintenance with either color. I personally love that I went black hex. It’s Mapei ultra color Plus FA in black, and it definitely dries charcoal. I was surprised how it lightened but then became fine with that because my subway tile grout is warm grey and it connected well. And I did also buy Mapei colored grout sealer because I will want to make it a little darker eventually. Just a tiny detail preference. FYI Mapei has a black and a jet black color. Just keep that in mind because I purchased jet black caulk not realizing and then had to redo caulk around shower base because it was harsh and shiny next to the Mapei black grout.

I love that I did 3x12 tile. It took a lot to stack and go against the traditional stagger. But honestly these combos are all great, stacked horizontal, vertical or staggered. It was just a cleaner look for me once I saw it with the big black hex to go stacked. A pro on Houzz gave me an opinion that staggered and hex would be too busy. I couldn’t unsee it lol so I stacked, but I think it depends on your style in your house and that it can be done. Grout color factors in alot too.

If you go all white I like to match the whites-but I will say I worked hard to match my white tile to tub and once it was up the shades don’t look the same smh lol. These details started to bug me less once the bathroom was done and other parts of the room came together. Hope this helps. Oh and I love curbless but we decided it was best to keep water contained because of kids and for hubbys peace of mind lol.