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michelleroth113

Bathroom Tile Design Dilema

9 months ago

We are doing a bathroom remodel, the bathroom is 7’x7’ so pretty small. I’ve attached the design. We are tiling the shower walls a 6x12 honed white tile(see attached), and the shower floor and bathroom floor will be a mosaic also attached. What I can decide is whether is should only tile the shower walls with the 6x12 or should I do the entire wall to include above the toilet and behind. The other side is a grey cabinet with a marble countertop (see attached). The same marble on the countertop will be used to cap the knee wall and shower curb. I am thinking of wallpapering the area above the vanity and the back wall opposite the door. Anyway, just struggling with that 6x12 tile. I feel extending it across the entire wall will make the bathroom appear bigger, but will it look like a weird divide in the room? Any advise is much appreciated!!

Comments (11)

  • PRO
    9 months ago

    Too many tile styles for a small space . Grays are always an issues to match other materials I IMO a 12 x24 porcelian tile on bathroom floors and shower wals smae tile only smaller for shower floor . The you can do a nice counter that can be a bit of a star . My reason is that plan allows for many inexpensive changes down the rod like wa;; color , accessories even a new counter would all be doable with never touching the shower or the floor and just is really timeless .

  • 9 months ago

    Thank so much for your response, the materials are all picked so I have to with what I have. The tiles and countertop are honed and they all seem to work well together as far as color is concerned. Hoping I feel the same once it’s installed!! So, with that said, do you oh think I should use the 6x12 Snow White honed marble in the shower only or across the whole wall?

  • 9 months ago

    Oh, I didn’t even think of that! Would it look ok to use the mosaic on the large back wall of the shower and the floor of the shower? Then I can lay the 6x12 on the floor and the rest of the shower walls?

  • 9 months ago
    last modified: 9 months ago

    What is the slip rating on these materials you intend to use for the floor? Safety first.

    I think it is a lot of look in a small space. Sounds like you have not only selected but purchased your materials - correct? No need to make it busier with wallpaper and more tile on the walls - unless you are a total maximalist, but I am assuming you are not given the tame colors you are using.

  • 9 months ago

    I didn’t ask slip resistance, but the floor tile is a marble mosaic so I think it will be safe. Yes, all the materials are bought. Until this post I wasn’t worried about the actual materials, now I’m second guessing my picks. It’s too late though!! Yes, I was going for a spa like feel with natural materials. I do think you’re right and will skip the wall paper and go for a paint color to complement the cabinet and tile. My metals for the shower and sink faucet are brushed nickel. Still trying to figure out if I want the sconces and mirror to also be brushed nickel. The hardware for the cabinets I believe will be a brushed nickel with a glass handle by amrock.

    I think I’m going to only tile the wall shower and keep the wall above the toilet to carry over the paint color. That was my original dilemma that I posted about.

  • 9 months ago

    One thing to note with using the marble tile on the floor. Regular sealing is very important to prevent etching....like around the base of the toilet from "droplets" hitting it. My sister-in-law just removed her marble floor tile in the bathroom due to staining around the toilet that no amount of scrubbing could erase.

  • PRO
    9 months ago
    last modified: 9 months ago

    Marble stains and etches. That is dissolving of the stone, permanently. All acid based skin things and bath cleaners will do that. Which is most ”bath” cleaners. Polished marble like that mosaic doesn’t belong anywhere near a shower floor. Or a room floor, without grippy matts which will stain it funny colors.



  • 9 months ago

    Thanks for your insight with staining. We do plan to seal often.

  • 9 months ago
    last modified: 9 months ago

    I have a bathroom of similar size / layout that I am getting ready to remodel. I am planning for a neutral large-format tile across the back wall of the shower and continuing behind the toilet. (I painted this room a few years ago and discovered how difficult it is to re-paint behind the toilet.)


    Given that you are planning for a knee wall between the shower and toilet, continuing the wall tile across, corner-to-corner, would have less of an aesthetic impact; the room will still feel divided. We had initially planned for a pony wall between the shower and toilet, went back and forth on it, and have decided no pony wall. It came down to a debate about the location of the TP roll holder (LOL).


    It may be difficult to find mirrors & sconces that match the brushed nickel of your plumbing fittings. If so, what other metals are you thinking about?


    Here is my advice on wallpaper: Insert a piece of your chosen wallpaper in a picture frame and hang it on your empty wall. Then it can be easily changed.

  • 9 months ago

    Thanks! Yes, the knee wall is in, and I don't think tiling the entire upper wall will give me the flowing aesthetic I originally hoped for. I think now, if anything, we will only tile the lower half behind the toilet. I do love the idea of the large tiles. We were initially going with a beautiful marble tile in a 12x24, but changed our minds. Mainly because the tile was on clearance and was a 24x24 that had to be cut in half. I was afraid there was too great a risk of chipping brittle tile in the process.


    Thanks for the tip about the wallpaper. That's a cool idea.


    If I don't use brushed nickel, I was thinking of an antiqued brass to add a little warmth. Thankfully, the floor tile, though it is grey and white, has some of the grey's lean warmer. I really need to figure out the lighting!! I keep dragging my feet.


    I will send you a pic with the knee wall once it's tiled, I do like it. I think in that small space it will provide some privacy. We shall see! I loved your comment about the toilet paper roll debate...hahha. That's important to think about!! Thanks for your comments!