Bathroom tile is one aspect of your home that can have one of the most dramatic impacts. It can be used in so many different areas of your bathroom such as shower walls, shower floor, shampoo niche, walls around the tub, standard walls, backsplash, and floor. You can also add borders or lines to customize your space create the look you want to achieve. There is a lot of pattern play and mixing of tiles that can be done in a bathroom with everything from neutral tiling in simple shapes to patterned tiling in complex shapes. You can style your space however you would like and make it your own. Whether you are considering adding river rock tile to your walk-in shower, or a new subway tile backsplash above your vanity, the natural beauty of tile will enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home, as well as prevent moisture and other substances from causing damage to your space.
Types Bathroom Tile
Porcelain
Porcelain tiles are a common tile for bathrooms and are a type of ceramic tile that is fired at a much higher temperature. That makes the final product extremely hard and durable. Not only can porcelain withstand frequent use, it’s extremely moisture-resistant. There are also many colors and designs for you to choose from. Since extra time and effort are put into the manufacturing process, porcelain is generally more expensive than standard ceramic.
Natural Stone
Using natural stone in the bathroom is always a good choice because of its exquisite qualities and broad spectrum of usage. Natural stone can become part of your bathroom in any form and give it more of a natural feel. One of the universal usages of natural stone tiles is as flooring or as a combination of floor and wall tiles.
Pebble
Pebble tiles bring an element of nature into the bathroom and are often used as shower flooring or backsplashes. Their unique texture adds warmth to a space. Pebble tiles are a durable bathroom tile option.
Marble
Often considered one of the more expensive natural stone tile materials, marble is an elegant and bold choice, as it exudes a level of elegance and sophistication that is hard to replicate with other materials. Marble is a type of limestone tile with unique veining patterns which make no two slabs look alike. Marble is always a classic, timeless choice that can be used in designs to create any look from traditional to sleek-modern. It comes in a variety of styles, sizes, shapes, and colors, which makes it an even more universal tile option.
Subway
Subway tile is always a safe classic choice since it is one of those trends that shows no sign of stopping. The pattern consists of rectangular tiles placed horizontally in an alternating stack. Minimal cuts are needed, with the exception of corners and potentially edges. Subway tile is ideal for wall tiles rather than shower flooring.
Patterned
Patterned tiles are a great way to really make an impactful statement. You can create patterns using plain tiles, or pick tiles with graphic patterns. You can also adjust the level of drama with patterned tiles. Neutral-on-neutral tones create a softer effect that is more timeless while bright colors enliven the space but may need to be updated sooner.
Penny Round
A penny round is an excellent tile option for the wall or floor in your space. A penny round, also referred to as a penny mosaic, is what it sounds like: round, decorative tiles about the size of a penny that are an easy way to add a different shape, color, and subtle nod of texture to your room in a delicate manner. We love using this tile for a variety of styles from traditional to modern looks.
Learn about tile finishes in our backsplash tile blog!
Things to keep in mind when choosing bathroom tile
Texture. Honed (matte) flooring is a must. Consider the texture of a type of tile while wet. Anything too slippery can lead to a falling hazard. The tile you choose for your bathroom floor should have some sort of friction in order to prevent an injury from happening. Polished (shiny) flooring is slippery when wet and therefore will lead to falls happening.
Grout = traction. In addition to honed tile, grout provides more grip. The more grout lines the better for shower floor, therefore, smaller tiles and wider grout lines will increase traction in these wet environments.
Aesthetics. Tile shape, color, and pattern can greatly impact the overall look of your space. You can mix different patterns, shapes, or colors along with changing the scale of the size of each tile in order to create any look you can imagine from extremely elaborate mosaics to simple neutrals.
Floor to ceiling tile takes bathrooms above and beyond. Generous tile in a bathroom can bounce light, give the illusion of more space, provide a cohesive look, and in most cases, looks best. Full floor to ceiling tiling along with how the tile is laid can make the room appear larger and even taller.
We know it can be overwhelming when it comes to all of the interior design details you may not have thought about. Let us take the stress off you and make designing your bathroom a breeze. Creating your very own bathroom design should be a fun experience, and we love coming up with ways to make our client's dreams a reality! Start a conversation with a designer with years of expertise today and see what we can do for you!
~This blog was brought to you by S. Donnelly Interiors. Learn more about the interior design project process by following Stephanie Donnelly and her interior design services in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and the surrounding areas!
