In a lengthy primary bathroom like this one—designed by Boca Raton, Florida–based Nikki Levy for Kips Bay Palm Beach 2022—the gleaming deep green tile serves as a wainscoting of sorts, visually breaking up the space below upper walls sheathed in a sweet and diminutive penny tile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular tile for bathrooms?
To add visual interest to shower walls, “most of our clients lean toward rectangular, brick-shaped tile in a solid color,” says Audrey Scheck, founder and CEO of Austin-based Audrey Scheck Design. “The wide variety of installation options—including straight stack, offset brick pattern, chevron, and herringbone—allows for even a solid-colored tile to bring interest to the space.” Scheck’s noticed a rise in using graphic and unique bathroom tile design in moderation in spots where they’ll have a big impact, such as shower niches and shower floor tiles. “Using a more striking tile in smaller doses is a great opportunity to infuse a space with character and personality,” she says. Baker notes Fez tile surging in popularity “because it has a glazed, handmade look that allows more variance in color, which creates a visual feeling similar to that of a heather blanket,” and she prefers the eye-catching choice applied with thinner grout.
What color tile is best for the bathroom?
“Lighter-colored tiles are always a wonderful option to keep things airy, but if it’s a moody bathroom, you’re aiming for, dark, saturated colors, which will work just as well—so long as they’re paired with great lighting,” says Prime, of JAM. Can’t decide whether to embrace natural light or go for a pop of color? Scheck has a fun approach: “We love the contrast of mixing dark and light tiles in the same room. We’ll often use a darker tile on the bathroom floor and go lighter on the walls to draw the eye up.” Call it the best of both tile worlds.
Is it better to use small or large tiles in a small bathroom?
Smaller tiles are often best for a smaller bathroom to maintain an appropriate sense of scale, Baker says. “They also create more texture that doesn’t feel cheap.” Prime looks to the architectural scale of the room to tip off tile size. “For instance, for larger bathrooms, we suggest tiles with a slightly larger scale; for smaller bathrooms, we may choose a mosaic or a smaller subway tile to give the illusion of more space,” she says. And small tiles offer more than just visual perks, especially when it comes to floor tiles. Says Scheck: “For shower floors specifically, we use a smaller mosaic tile so that there are ample grout joints to prevent slipping.”
Is it a good idea to paint bathroom tiles?
Interior designers agree that it’s generally not a good idea to paint bathroom tiles due to factors such as the moisture in the room. “Aside from obvious issues with chipping, painting a tile will never give you the look or depth of color you are going for,” says Allison Handler, principal and founder of Allison Handler Design in Bergen County, New Jersey.
