Bathroom Tile Design Ideas

When looking for bathroom tile design ideas it is important to consider several factors before delving into the many styles, colors and configurations that you can choose from. Tile is an excellent choice for bathrooms because, unlike carpet or wallpaper, it is durable, water resistant, easy to clean and will withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, depending on what pattern or scheme you choose, tile can make or break the design of your bathroom.

A few important factors to consider before choosing a tile pattern are:

• The size of your bathroom
• How much natural light the room receives
• Flooring (wood, tile, carpet, etc.)
• Budget

Once you have determined these elements, you then have a wide variety of tiles and tile designs to choose from.

For example, if you have a really tiny bathroom, consider a tile pattern that covers the floor, walls and ceiling. If your bath is more spacious you can incorporate a few different design ideas--one for the floor, another for the backsplash and yet another for the shower or tub area.

One of the best ways to decide what type of pattern and color scheme you like is to look through home design magazines and visit local tile design shops. Pay attention when you visit friends' houses and decide what you like and what you don't like.

While the options can become a little overwhelming, there are a few hot trends on the market today that are certain to keep your bathroom looking fresh and current. Any of these styles can be incorporated into a modern or traditional design scheme, and many can be executed within a reasonable budget.

Whether your look is highly traditional or extremely contemporary, a metal tile scheme--including stainless steel, copper, or recycled aluminum--can provide excellent wow factor for your bathroom. Small metal tiles can be configured into a wide array of patterns that offer playful texture and shine to the space.

A brushed or polished stainless steel will provide a more modern design, while warm bronze or copper tiles combined with classic ceramic tiles and traditional color schemes add timeless style to a bath. Recycled metals, such as aluminum or brass, are a perfect choice for those who want an eco-friendly material.

Because metal tiles can be a little more expensive than ceramic or glass, it is best to keep the metal to a backsplash area or a single wall. You can also use metal tiles as accents in between ceramic, granite or marble.

Check out the following online sources for metal tile:

• MetalStainlessSteelTiles.com
• Ann Sacks
• MetalWallTiles.net

Although wood has a bad reputation for rooms that are exposed to water, the newest hardwood tile versions are much more resilient to mold and mildew. Some manufacturers have also recently created porcelain tiles that look like real hardwood.

The hardwood look is perfect for someone who likes a spa-style bathroom, reminiscent of the interior of a sauna or a tropical home. It is an exquisite look that creates immediate warmth, and can be incorporated into either a traditional or modern design scheme.

Here are a few resources for hardwood-style tile:

• Aparici.com
• AmLinkMarble.com

Although glass tile used to be an expensive material, today prices are incredibly reasonable because of the proliferation of manufacturers. Because it is so versatile this material can be used for backsplashes, shower walls, floors and countertops. Polished glass adds depth and sparkle to any bathroom.

If you decide to use glass tile, there is an incredible color palette to choose from as well as a range of finishes, from glossy to flat. If you are looking for a more modern look, consider using glass tile on your walls and floors. For a more classic design scheme choose flat finished glass tiles and intersperse them with ceramic or marble.

Many glass tile companies offer mosaic tiles, which can be configured into an incredible array of patterns. The sky is the limit, so it ultimately comes down to your budget.

• Oceanside Glass Tile
• GlassTileStore.com
• Hakatai.com

Ceramic tiles are still the most widely used by homeowners because there is such an amazing array of styles, colors and sizes to choose from. Ceramic is also the least expensive option available.

Many homeowners choose to play it safe with neutral-hued ceramic tiles, but adding a few accents here and there can make your bathroom a much more interesting space.

Consider the following ideas:

• Combine a solid ceramic floor with border tiles of different colors to add interest to the floor
• Add accent tiles, such as hand-painted florals, metal, glass, patterned or oddly shaped pieces to your ceramic scheme to help visually break up a solid wall
• Accent your countertop with a bright green, blue or yellow backsplash. The glossy texture makes ceramic tiles easy to clean, so they are perfect for a countertop application
• Choose a smaller size of tile for a shower or bathtub surround. Even if you want to maintain a consistent color scheme, choosing different sizes of tile will help create visual texture and interest

When choosing bathroom tile design ideas there are a few important concepts to avoid entirely. Unlike paint or wallpaper, tile is difficult and expensive to redo, so you want to make certain that you maintain a relatively versatile scheme and then accent with accessories.

Here are a few things to consider avoiding when choosing your tile design:

• Decorating a bathroom in all dark tile (black, purple, navy blue, etc.) is outdated and will make the space feel gloomy instead of bright and cheerful
• Using more than two or three colors will create too much visual interplay and will feel overwhelming
• Avoid patterns that clash, such as too many florals or an excessive amount of texture

The most important thing to remember is to choose something you will like for a long time. Don't follow a trend just because it is stylish. When in doubt go for a neutral palette that matches the overall decor of your home. You can always change your accessories to switch up your look.

• Country Style Decorating Ideas
• Bathroom Design Pictures
• Interior Paint Color Combinations

• Country French Style Basics
• Common Themes for Teenage Bedrooms
• Designing for Small Spaces
• Basics of Color Design
• Asian Style Interior Design