New twists on bathroom tile

New ideas are constantly surfacing for walls, floors, and fixtures in bathrooms. Creative wall tiling is currently the latest effort to impact the look and feel of bathrooms, especially small spaces. This creativity extends to new layouts for current tile choices and updated looks, textures and designs.

Your wall tile is the most significant way you can impact the overall impression of your bathroom design. Your options are endless.

Considering ceramic tiles have been around for years, why not seek out vintage pieces to accent your design or complete a small wall? Also available are handmade tiles that vary in texture and color, giving your bathroom the warmth and feel of an older home. These Old World style tiles can be designed and installed as a section of wall or scattered throughout for pop and character.

Shiny, high gloss surfaces have been traditional for bathrooms, but you aren’t locked into that. Check out matte finish tiles in natural hues that provide a soft, peaceful feel. They also hide smudges and water droplets better than gloss—a great option for a busy powder room.

If your bathroom is on the small side, consider mixing matte and gloss tiles for a unique look that still provides the reflected light you may need to open up your space.

For those looking for an edgy, modern look, these elongated rectangles are the perfect variation of the wildly popular subway tile. Use colors in a variety of design installations, from vertical stacking to layering for a look that becomes instantly custom.

Vertical stacking is a great way to accentuate high ceilings or create the illusion of more height. If an extreme narrow tile isn’t your taste, vertical stacking with subway tile also provides a new fresh look for the traditional bathroom, or consider a herringbone design for something different.

Not sure? Ask our experts!

If you are feeling creative as you consider a new wall design for your bathroom, keep a couple of things in mind:

• Choices for your floor – busy designs on the wall may not mix well with small and/or busy designs on your floor.
• Extensive patterns or textures for your wall tile can make a small space feel smaller. Keep it simple for small bathrooms or powder rooms.

Beyond these big-picture thoughts, have fun and explore your options with our design team before finalizing a plan.