Master Bath Redesign Tile Help - do I go dark or light floors?

last year

Deep in the process of remodeling our master bath, ready for tile and vanity but haven't ordered either. Its a fairly large bath with 3 windows and a skylight in the PNW. The plan is for the shower to be curbless, and the main floor tile to be used throughout the shower and bath/closet. A large freestanding tub will set adjcent the shower next to the windows.

Doing all the work myself, and as a single guy I have a terrible time deciding on things, and tend to do things twice. Obviously I can't do that with the tile, so need some guidance. I'm thinking about doing a dark slate look porcelain tile for the floors, a walnut vanity to add warmth, and a lighter wall tile for the shower. Wall tile is very much not decided.

The floor tile scares me, I worry about it being too dark and dreary. I've never had experience with a dark floor before. The contrast does "seem" nice in the samples, but in practicality maybe its too much. Any ideas or reassurance that it'll be great? Being in the PNW, I don't want it to feel dark overall.

Pictures of the space below, as well as some sample tiles I have. The darker tile is what everyone seems to gravitate towards. Open to alternative plans.

Current favorite from most people

Fordham Girgio from TileBar.

Arizona Tile Ardesia Ash. Looks lighter in person.

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Minardi

last year

last modified: last year

The lighter floor wimps out all the details.

You also need to work on your detailing. The Kerdi needs to extend out into the room over the Ditra, with a capillary break detail. That shower is too small to only waterproof just the shower area. You will have issues.

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Comments (9)

Mark Huntley
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
@Minardi. Thanks, yes the lighter floor does look less dramatic. Do you like the darker floor overall?

And yes, the floor has been fully waterproofed, with the exception of the closet. Just took that picture before that had been done. Also wall to floor transition has been waterproofed throughout. The last picture kinda shows the waterproofing.

I'll look into capillary breaks some more, not much detail on it from what I can see. My plan was to use grout colored silicone caulk around the shower tile perimeter before setting the rest of the floor, to prevent any moisture from wicking out of the shower pan area. Perhaps there is a better way?
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ladybug A 9a Houston area
last year
We are in the middle of remodelling, went with darker floor tiles and light walls, well, some light walls...here is a pic, most of the floor is covered up, we like it...the light tile is the same tone as the veins
Mark Huntley
Original Author
last year
That'll look great!
dani_m08
last year
I am just finishing my primary bathroom. I used real charcoal slate tile from Brazil (4x12) in a herrignbone pattern + real carrara honed marble tile for shower surround and around freestanding tub (42" on the walls around tub). I am also doing a stained wood vanity.

So - I think the darker tile works better! Looks like you have a large space and enough light. Go with the darker floor!
Mark Huntley thanked dani_m08
Mark Huntley
Original Author
last year
@dani_m08 Thanks for the sanity check! I'll go with the darker tile!
hwalund
last year
We are doing something similar. What is the name of the third tile? Also the tile in the last photo listed from left to right? I do like the darker best too.
Mark Huntley
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
@hwalund In the last picture with all 3 shown, left is StoneTiledepot.com Riptide. Seems high quality but they wouldn't give me any details on who makes it. Made in Italy. Middle tile is Fordham Girgio. Right tile is Arizona Tile Ardesia Ash.

I tested the darker Riptide one with some tap water, and it showed water spots. Not sure I want the maintenance of the real dark one. Might do a slightly lighter tile as shown below, this one is glazed porcelain, but still wet dcof rated for showers. Didn't show water spots at all. Marazzi Tile Stormy Sky. Just a tad darker than the Arizona Tile Ardesia ash.
hwalund
last year
That is beautiful with the subtle striations!

Thank you for sharing!