Bathrooms are notoriously tricky rooms to ‘get right’ – they need to strike the perfect balance of both beauty and practicality which isn’t always easy to achieve. We help thousands of customers in choosing their dream bathroom tiles and there are numerous factors to consider such as the size of the room, amount of natural light as well as the functional aspects. With this in mind, we wanted to bring to you our own guide on modern bathroom tile inspiration.
Having recently renovated a bathroom myself, I spent a lot of time gathering bathroom inspiration online and in magazines which really helped in my own decision making. Creating mood boards with pictures and samples is a great way to ensure all your choices will work together! Below is a list of bathroom tile trends and ideas that will work in both modern and classic bathroom designs.
Marble Effect Tiles
Marble effect tiles or faux marble tiles have been a popular alternative to real marble for a number of years, thanks to the realistic print, array of designs available and easy maintenance of marble effect porcelain.
The Lucca Malachite is a rich green marble effect porcelain featuring unique veining from tile to tile in a greyish white and occasional flecks of orange. This porcelain replicates the look of real Malachite marble with bold details and patterning. A perfect bathroom tile for a modern bathroom scheme providing just enough of a statement, working particularly well here with a concrete sink and black tapware.
If you’re looking for something a little more understated and classic, the Treviso Bianco white marble effect tiles are a wonderful choice as a classic marble effect porcelain in a white hue with contrasting intricate grey movement from tile to tile. Similarly, the Athena marble effect has an authentic white base with contrasting dark grey veining but available in a large format 1200x600 rectangular tile for maximum impact.
Herringbone Tiles
Herringbone tiles have always been a wonderful format to enhance any space and they seem to be having their moment with a resurgence of the herringbone tile look in modern bathrooms. We find this laying pattern is effective with metro tiles to add a decorative touch. A herringbone tile look is achieved by installing the tiles at a 45 degree angle and is a versatile laying pattern, so long as the width of the tile is half or less of the length of the tile. For more information on herringbone tiles read our blog on everything you need to know about herringbone tiles.
A few favourite herringbone metro tiles for modern bathroom inspiration would be the Orkney White metro tiles in a matt finish, or Zellige Grey metro tiles in a gloss finish. Both offering a neutral shade that will complement a range of bathroom interiors.
For a richer hue, the Arta Emerald metro tile is a beautiful green with an artisanal handmade feel and classic brick format. With its Zellige style glazed surface, this metro is perfect for contemporary bathrooms, providing a moody and unique wall tile. Alternatively, the Hockley Antiqued Sage metro has an industrial rustic look in a muted green
Kit Kat Tiles
Kit Kat tiles are one of the biggest bathroom design trends this year. Kit Kat tiles are a style of tile that, as the name suggests, resemble the popular chocolate bar, featuring small, rectangular tiles arranged in a grid pattern. These mosaic finger tiles are admired for their streamlined linear appearance, working with contemporary bathrooms. The Nori Pearl stick tiles are a popular option for their soft variation, offering a tile that is subtle and classic in tone but with an on-trend design.
The Sundae Strawberry stick tiles provide a pop of colour in this popular kit kat tile format working with contemporary bathrooms and ensuites as feature walls or combined with contrasting colours in the space.
Pink Bathroom Tiles
Bathrooms are an opportunity to express personality and a chance to have fun with colour. It seems like pink is having its moment again, with a revival in pink toned paints, pink vanity units and even pink tiles! Those courageous enough to involve brighter hues will love these pink tile ideas. Our first pick would be the Jelly range of metros in shades Jelly Marshmallow for a pastel pink or Jelly Raspberry for a dusky berry pink. With a high gloss finish and consistent tone from tile to tile, these metros can be used for an all-pink colour palette or combine with other hues such as green for a vibrant and playful style.
Another modern bathroom pink tile is the Demi Blush with a pink and white geometric design that can be laid to create various patterns from stripes, chequerboard tiles to arrows. Its versatile square format and super matt finish provides a sleek and contemporary look and is a favourite for the modern bathroom wanting a touch of colour.
Terrazzo Tiles
One modern bathroom tile inspiration is having a full tiled bathroom from floor to walls. Not only is this practical with porcelain tiles (much easier to keep clean than other surfaces!), but it can also make a small space feel bigger if opting for the right tile.
The famous terrazzo tile has risen in popularity again in the past few years and we love it for its playfulness, unique flecked shades, and ability to create a modern look to any bathroom or en suite. These versatile square 600x600 tiles work perfectly on the walls or floors in a range of colourways depending on the feel you want to create. A favourite choice is the Terrazzo Ivory which has a creamy base with a mixed palette of contrasting flecking – combine this with black tapware and the Orkney Terracotta metros for the ultimate modern bathroom tile inspiration!
Striped Tiles
Our final round up for modern bathroom tile inspiration is on the theme of stripes! We’re seeing stripes trending across interiors for 2024 – incorporating them into a modern bathroom space adds a decorative and playful touch to bathrooms. The Kiki Décor Ink tiles give a nautical navy and white stripe square tile in a glossy finish, providing a retro tile look. Alternatively, for a unique contemporary tile, the Demi Olive porcelain tiles can be laid to create a diagonal stripe for a white and muted green colour palette.
A great starting point for any bathroom tile project is to order our complimentary hand samples. Each sample is carefully packed by our team and delivered straight to your door. These samples are fantastic to use against your paint charts, bathroom units and hardware, within the natural light of your home.
