Tile selection for a small 5 x 8 bathroom

xjjordan

last year

Been to two tile stores and seem to keep running into dead ends in finding elegance without glass and marble.

Here are the photos of my old 5 x 8 bathroom:

Whole bathroom has been demoed now.

Here are my two initial options for tile placement:

Tile #1 will be a 12 x 24.

I initially liked this floor/decor combo BELOW: BELUCCI BIANCA MATTE (tile 1, walls) and fan mosaic (tile 2, shower pan) and white herringbone (tile 3, bath floor). I like the elegance, but realized that glass on the floor was slippery so I eliminated it.

When I did a mock with the fan mosaic up on a vanity wall, it was WAY too busy!

So, I'm back to the start.

TILE 1

-I like white or whiteish 12 x 24 on all walls (above FD fine)

Q1: If I use the same 12 x 24 tile on walls and bathroom floor will that make the space look bigger or just more boring?

TILE #2 and or TILE #3

Q2: Do I use separate TILES 2 (SHOWER PAN) and TILE 3 (Bathroom floor) or the same?

Q3: If so, any suggestions on tile on the shower pan and/or bathroom floor?

List of tile preferences:

blue/green/gray/light charcoal/ colors, prefer arabesque or leaf or elongated hex or herringbone,

I likethis tile:

but "DCOF Rating Below 0.42 (Not Slip Resistant)" and I worry that the grout isn't enough for traction.

List of tile avoids:

NO marble or natural stone, glass, penny tile, or hexagon....trying to find something that tends to the elegant side (but not marble).

SORRY for LONG POST.

Thank you in advance.

Featured Answer

PRO

Debbi Washburn

last year

I feel like you don't always need a patterned tile to make something feel elegant. It is also important that you define what elegant means to you.

Here are some pics of bathrooms I think look elegant:

There are plenty of tile companies out there who do porcelain mosaic tiles - herringbones, hexagons, basket weaves etc so you don't have to do marble.

Hope these pictures can help you. It is not all about the tile - it is every component coming together to give you the level of elegance you are looking for.

try doing a google search for " elegant small bathrooms " and see what catches you eye.

Good luck!

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Comments (10)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
last modified: last year
My advise with bathrooms is to keep them simple I use 12 x24 porcelain tile on the bathroom floor and shower walls a smaller tile for shower flooors whic you do not have , That makes a nice simple background that you will not say "waht was i thinking " in a couple of years. It allows you to change wall color , acessories, towels all to still be able to keep the tile I use matching grout too .
xjjordan thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
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xjjordan
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Agree with Patricia on the 12 x 24 for walls and bathroom floor.

And, Debbi, these photos (esp 1-4) are ovely. And, maybe I was thinking timeless as apposed to elegant. But, yes, elegant is in the eye of the beholder.

I designed this bath on my own and it seems timeless, although I would have gone with satin nickel finishes.

But I am stuck with the one I just posted because it is where I will live. I have spent hours and hours pouring over photos and still don't have tile, sadly.

If either one of you have time and are interested, I would definitely LOVE to hire a designer. Please message me here. I'm dizzy at this point.

With gratitude, Julia
dani_m08
last year
last modified: last year
Did you select the tile for the bathroom that you posted above - or did the homeowner (or is this a rental that you own)?

I would do what Debbi has suggested - find some photos of bathrooms that have the feel/look that you'd like to have in your new bathroom.

Come back here and post some photos in a comment. Once people are able to see what your style is, then they will be able to provide more specific assistance re: tile suggestions + colors.

If the bathroom has already had demolition occur, what is your time schedule for having the tile on site for installation? Are you doing the work? I'm asking because we need to know if you need to have tile selections that are "in stock" at a big box store - or if you have some time for something to be ordered and shipped to you.
xjjordan thanked dani_m08
xjjordan
Original Author
last year
Yes, I picked the tile for the marble-type porcelain photos above! I love it, but want something different.

I love this style which Debbi posted as well:
xjjordan
Original Author
last year
Oh, yes, and to answer, I need the tile by the end of next week.

Thanks
dani_m08
last year
last modified: last year
Floor and Decor - La Jolla porcelain tile (also comes in a fan mosaic shape):

Floor and Decor Seaside Polished Blue Ceramic tile:

They will have white mosaic tile that will work inside your shower for the pan + larger format tile in white for the bathroom floor + other shower walls if you want to use one of the above as an accent tile only on wall wall.
xjjordan thanked dani_m08
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
If the rush is one one more reason to go see what is in staock come back with pics of those so we can help. I stay with my keep it simple plan and for sure when you are in a hurry . Leave the vanity backsplash for later to add a bit of bling but plaes simple is best.
xjjordan thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
Oh that is a time crunch. So now you are limited on what you can get.

Get to your favorite tile store and start looking. Tell them you do not want any natural stone and need something in stock or super quick ship. Then see what your options are.

Classics are tile similar to the bathroom you did. I don't care for a hex tile on the whole floor - do the larger 12x24. I love the large format on the shower walls. I am not a fan of tile wainscot around the room - I prefer a wood wainscot and some bolder paint colors or wall paper. You need to do what's best for you.

Get to the tile store today and try to enjoy it! Forget Pinterest and online images. Look at what's right in front of you. You already did one bathroom that you really liked. You can do it again.

Do you have your shower faucets? they will need all the rough in components for those right away.

Side note to everyone - your projects should never begin or be scheduled until you have made all of your selections and know when they will arrive. Less stress and a much smoother installation.

Good luck - post pics !
xjjordan
Original Author
25 days ago
It was an unusual situation as this was an emergency repipe of the in wall plumbing.

I finished the bathroom in Nov 2024 , but finally posting now. This is end result. I used all in stock tile from floor and decor