Beautiful Bathroom Tile Ideas That Will Make You Want To Renovate

Best Of Hometalk
by Best Of Hometalk

Tile has been a bathroom staple for decades. It’s a practical and pretty choice. Not only does its hard surface protect the room from water damage, but it’s also available in such a wide variety of styles, shapes, and colors, it’s suitable for absolutely any decor. Whether you choose to use tile on the wall, floor, or both, these beautiful bathroom tiles ideas are sure to inspire.

Bathroom Tile Ideas (pixabay)

From adding an accent border to your spa tub or a wall of subway tiles in the shower to completely changing the look of your bathroom by painting over existing tile, yes paint, they’re all here. Best of all, none of them are budget busters and all of them are doable DIYs. So let’s take a peek, shall we?


Bathroom Wall Tile Ideas

Tiling your bathroom walls is an effective way to protect the room from day to day exposure to water and steam while adding interest and beauty at the same time.


Painted Wall Tile

Let’s start with a common dilemma. You have a functioning bathroom, the layout works well, the tile is in excellent shape, but you hate it. Maybe it was there when you bought the house, maybe you’ve just outgrown it, either way, you don’t have to rip it out to get a fresh look. Believe it or not, you can paint bathroom tiles. It’s one of the quickest, easiest and least expensive ways to give your room a lift. It does take some prep and you need to make sure you’re using the correct products, but the results are amazing and very durable. The paint can be applied wherever you have tile, to the front of the bathtub, the walls behind it, even shower walls. Whether you choose a colorful tone or go with an all-white bathroom scheme, you’re sure to love the results!

Painted Bathroom Tile (Sabrina)

See post: Sabrina|Yes! You Really Can Paint Tiles: Rust-Oleum Tile Transformations Kit


Try A Kit

If you’d like to give paint ago, but are intimidated by the process, why not try a kit? Hometalker Katie Lloyd Mansfield was eager to update her 1990’s dark blue bathroom shower tile with paint, but her husband preferred the idea of replacing the tile wall instead. However after the project got pushed back, Katie decided to take matters into her own hands with an all in one bathroom tile paint kit. She prepped and cleaned the walls according to the directions. Then she sanded them lightly and wiped them down with the supplies included in the box. Two coats of paint later, her blue tiles were well hidden under a new layer of color. It covered the dark tone completely, looked and felt like real tile and best of all she didn’t have to wait for or pay for a total renovation.

Bathroom Tiles (Katie Lloyd Mansfield)

See post: Katie Lloyd Mansfield|Rust Oleum Tub and Tile Refinishing Kit


Subway Tile Stunner 

Subway tiles are long, thin tiles, usually 3 x 6 in size, that are reminiscent of those used in New York City subways at the turn of the century. Needless to say, they are a classic. When used to decorate bathroom walls, subway tiles can add a sleek look and compliment just about any decor style from contemporary to country, depending on the finish you choose. By combining a plain white subway tile with a blue border tile and mosaic square focal point, DIYer Kati Urbanek, from Countryesque, was able to completely transform her basic beige bathroom into a bright, modern space with a traditional flair. While the old tile stopped a few feet from the tub, Kati wrapped her tile all the way around the bathroom, creating a functional and beautiful room for her entire family.

Bathroom Subway Tile (Kati Urbanek-Countryesque)

See post: Kati Urbanek-Countryesque|Bathroom Makeover: Before & After


Top It Off With Tile

Today, many shower walls are constructed with acrylic surrounds. They are quick, easy and economical to install, but often lack personality and they usually stop several feet short from the ceiling, leaving part of the wall exposed to the hazards of overspray. When Hometalker Karen, from Karen’s Up On The Hill, found herself with chipping paint, she decided to conquer both issues at once with the addition of tile. Her DIY husband prepped the showers walls above the surround and then covered them with small square tiles he picked up at a local box hardware store. It was a simple fix that dressed up the bathroom and prevented a larger water damage issue down the line. How fabulous. 

Bathroom Shower Tile (Karen's Up on The Hill)

See post: Karen's Up on The Hill|A DIY Tile Project


Tiled Bathtub Border

Tile borders can actually be added anywhere and just for decorative purposes, as well. You don’t need a shower stall or water problem to include one. This glass tile trim complements the rectangular tiles on the tub front and adds a little bit of sparkle to this room. Tiny tiles are easy to work with since they usually don’t require much cutting and they’re available in a variety of colors and finishes that you can grab right off the shelf. That makes them an excellent choice for weekend DIYers who want a touch of glamour and to create a spa-like bathroom on a budget.

Bathroom Tiles Design (Kaysi Gardner)

See post: Kaysi Gardner|How to Tile a Bathtub to Make It Look Like a Spa

                                                                                                                     

Cover The Wall

Perhaps you like the idea of a tile accent on the wall, but are looking for a little more drama than a small border will provide. In that case, why not tile the entire bathroom wall? You can completely change the look of a room, especially a small bathroom, by adding tiles from floor to ceiling. Your eye will naturally be drawn to the pattern and elegance of the focal wall and the up to the ceiling, making the room appear larger than it actually is, no matter the design. And speaking of designs, you can cover that wall in subway tiles, glass, porcelain, marble, stone, wood grain or brick. Let your imagination run wild, because you can be sure there’s a tile, or even better, a combination of tiles, out there for you. 

Bathroom Wall Tiles (Kirsten S)

See post: Kirsten S|DIY Glass Tile Accent Wall in Master Bathroom


Bathroom Floor Tile Ideas

Tiles on the bathroom floor are a very sensible choice. They are in fact the one most people opt for, but just because they’re practical doesn’t mean they have to be boring.


Perfectly Patterned

Patterned bathroom tile floors are all the rage right now and it’s no wonder why they’re beautiful. They give a room a high-end designer look and they’re no harder to install than plain tile. Plus, while they look like they’d be a pricey custom order supply, they’re available at box hardware stores for budget-conscious renovators. They work well in bathrooms both large and small and come in a multitude of options to fit any decor or palette. This charming space already had a dual-toned floor, black and white checkered tiles, well suited for a historic townhome. However, the addition of a fresh motif underfoot took the look up a notch, yet it still fits the home’s older bones. 

Bathroom Shower Tile Ideas (Catherine)

See post: Catherine|Before & After: A Little Black & White Bathroom Gets an Update


Showstopping Stencil

So you want a patterned floor tile, but you don’t want to rip up the old and replace it with new? Why not update it with paint instead? This dramatic makeover was completed by simply painting and stenciling the existing bathroom tile. While the process may be a tad tedious, it’s not difficult and it’s certainly much less work than re-tiling the whole room. Just clean, prime and apply chalk paint to the floor in a base color of your choice. Add a stenciled design and a border color if you wish and top it all off with a durable sealer that is made for flooring. Waterproof, smudge-proof and absolutely outstanding for a fraction of the cost of new tile.

Stenciled Bathroom Tiles (Elizabeth @ Creating Rustic Charm)

See post: Elizabeth @ Creating Rustic Charm|I Painted and Stenciled My Ceramic Tile!


Borderless Beauty

Here’s another stenciled floor tile idea for your bathroom. This one doesn’t include a painted border, but it’s equally as dramatic. The basics of the application are the same, however, by choosing a stencil that is the exact same size as the tile on your floor, you can take the design all the way to the edge of the room. To ensure a clean line, use painter’s tape to protect the moldings and to keep your stencil firmly in place, you can use a repositionable spray adhesive so it won’t slip or smudge as you work. A roller can spread the paint evenly and make quick work of the job. When thoroughly dry, these tiles were topped off with a water based flooring polyurethane to make sure the timeless paint job lasts and lasts.  

Stenciled Bathroom Tile Ideas (Cutting Edge Stencils)

See post: Cutting Edge Stencils|How To Paint A Floor With A Tile Stencil

                                                                                             

Brick It

Not into paint or patterns? Well, there are plenty of other bathroom floor tile ideas to choose from, like this interesting brick veneer. If you’re a fan of rustic decor, this just might be the one for you. The thin brick tiles can be laid out in any pattern you choose and they go down just like a standard tile. Hometalk DIYer Adrienne Carrie Hubbard, from Crafty Little Gnome, set hers in a 90-degree herringbone pattern to minimize cuts and sealed her tiles twice, once before she grouted them and once after. Their rugged, outdoorsy texture is paired with her wide planked walls to perfection. 

Bathroom Floor Tiles (Adrienne Carrie Hubbard | Crafty Little Gnome)

See post: Adrienne Carrie Hubbard|Crafty Little Gnome|How to Install a Brick Tile Floor


Hexagon Hack

Hexagon floor tiles are another traditional design that works in any decor. They come on a sheet, so they’re quick to install and will never go out of style. As a bonus, they are inexpensive and in stock, ready to go at most large hardware stores and tile shops. Camille Walker was smitten the moment she saw them online and loved the way they looked in her home. However, when working with the tile, Camille realized that the tiny cuts needed to make the tile fit properly against the tub were very difficult to make. It was those cuts that drove the cost of installation up. Instead of giving up on her dream floor, her husband added a piece of trim to cover the gap between tile and tub and was able to save the day!

Bathroom Floor Tile Ideas (Camille Walker)

See post: Camille Walker|A Simple Hexagon Tile Hack


Easy Tile DIY

If you’re ready to tackle a tile DIY in your own bathroom, but the idea of cutting has you hesitating, this idea might be your way out. If you have an area like this one that measures 5 feet by 5 feet, one-inch square tiles will fit perfectly without the need to trim. They come on a sheet like the hexagons, so again, they go down on the floor in large pieces and installation is relatively quick, even for a beginner. It’s a great way to try your hand at tiling before jumping into a larger project or using tiles that require cuts. Like most other tiles, they are available in a variety of styles and colors, from budget-friendly stock patterns to special order designer collections. Just because your tile doesn’t need to be cut, doesn't mean it can’t be cutting edge.

Easy DIY Floor Tile (S)

See post: S|Easy Tile Job for Bathroom Floor


Gray Tile Floor

While white is a classic, gray seems to be the decorating color of the decade. It’s the new neutral and whether you’re considering a modern bath or a farmhouse one, gray works and so do these wide plank tiles. They look like authentic, solid wooden floorboards, right down to the faux grain, except they’re not. Don’t let that finish fool you, they’re waterproof and perfect for a bathroom installation. They won’t warp, crack or split like wet wood could, but they look the part, warming up the space with that cozy patina. Oh, and if you’re not into gray, no worries, these bathroom tiles come in brown tones, too. Choices are a good thing. 

Farmhouse Floor Tile (Kaysi Gardner)

See post: Kaysi Gardner|How to Tile a Bathroom Floor With 12x24 Gray Tiles


Beautiful bathrooms, one and all, and each with a completely different style, that has been enhanced by the addition of new tile. Whether you completely replace your tile with something fresh or choose to paint older surfaces to revive them, it’s a surefire way to update your master or guest bathroom and increase the value of your home. Which one of these bathroom tiles ideas would you try?


Have you tackled a tile project in your own bathroom? Are you looking for more inspiration or do you have questions about the technique? Well then, ask the DIY community for more tips, tricks, and advice!


Written for the Hometalk community by: Kim | Exquisitely Unremarkable


Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • Mike Mike on Jul 23, 2020

    Can tile be placed over existing tile? Shower, Walls and floor? Without removing the old tile.

  • Katherine Romero Snead Katherine Romero Snead on Feb 21, 2021

    What is the name of the tile used in the first picture?


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