IDEAS
17 tile ideas for small bathrooms
Updated 11/24
By: Lara Sargent
Our guide to tile ideas for small bathrooms will help you inject masses of style and character into the tiniest of spaces. With tile ideas for walls, floors, splashbacks, and showers, follow our tips for maximising the feeling of space in your small bathroom.
Lara Sargent
Lara loves writing about every aspect of the home – from the latest colour trends to emerging designs. She has a lot of experience writing about home trends and interior advice for leading titles such as The Telegraph, Metro, and Homes & Gardens.
Not sure where to start with tile ideas for small bathrooms? Look no further.
With so many colours, patterns and different tile shapes available, you'll be spoilt for choice. But you might need a little inspiration to help maximise the design and space limits of a small bathroom.
In this post, we'll guide you through some of the most stunning small bathroom tile ideas.
Small bathroom tile ideas
The best way to make an impact in a smaller bathroom? Tiles.
That's right, don't let size limit your creativity when it comes to the style and design of your compact bathroom.
Whether you want to make a statement or create a sleek, minimalist vibe, we'll show you how with our guide to small bathroom tile ideas.
Find out how to elevate a mini ensuite, teeny toilet or compact cloakroom with tile ideas for small bathrooms.
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1. Keep it neutral with tiles for small bathroom
Colour is an important consideration in interior design.
Light, natural tones will make your small bathroom appear bigger and brighter. However, that doesn't have to mean 'boring' with the variety of sizes, shapes, and textures of tiles available.
Create a super modern feel in your teeny shower room by cladding walls and floors in a neutral tile.
Tones of sand, biscuit, taupe and greige add a warm backdrop to clean white sanitaryware.
Lay matt tiles for a feel-good texture that's also non-slip underfoot.
For a really professional finish, we recommend hiring the expertise of an experienced tiler.
Pop your postcode in the search bar below and find out which local tradespeople have been recommended in your area.
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2. Go for glass bathroom tiling ideas
Glass reflects light, so choosing a glass tile can make your small bathroom appear larger.
Pick out a shimmery glass tile that will add sparkle and light to your walls and create a sense of greater depth.
We love adding a mosaic tile to bathroom splashbacks. It's a brilliant way to inject a luxe upgrade for less as you won't need to splash out on as many tiles in a compact bathroom.
Take the look one step further by cladding your bath panel in matching mosaics. Time to shine!
3. Make a statement with a tiled shower wall
Another clever trick for bathroom tiles ideas is to create a vertical accent wall in the shower or wet room.
Seek out eye-catching tiles to create a focal point, drawing the eye upwards to give the illusion of added height.
Blush pink pencil tiles are an on trend way to inject colour and personality into the smallest of spaces.
Offset with a coloured grout to really ramp up the design tempo.
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4. Choose large format tile ideas for small bathrooms
Don't be fooled into thinking you need small tiles for a small bathroom.
In fact, large format tiles can make a smaller bathroom appear uncluttered and more spacious.
You'll get fewer grout lines with bigger tiles so the result is less busy. (That means less time cleaning grout too!)
Perfect for uninterrupted and streamlined bathroom surfaces.
If you want to learn how to tile a bathroom wall, check out our handy blog. Otherwise call on the help of a professional tiler who can create a beautiful finish.
5. Size up subway tiles for small bathroom
Metro or subway tiles remain a classic style choice for every bathroom. But in smaller spaces, they can create a busy appearance especially if you go for a contrasting grout.
The key is to go for a larger format Metro tile so you'll use less of them.
Dark charcoal grout is more forgiving (and needs less cleaning) than pure white.
We have loads of advice for regrouting tiles for a show home finish or changing your grout colour.
6. Mix and match tile ideas for small bathrooms
There's no reason why you can't choose two different tile designs in a small bathroom. The key is to stick to the same palette for a cohesive, upmarket finish.
Here, the large format charcoal tiles create an uncluttered floor idea. Flow the tiles seamlessly up to half of the wall for a visual, space-enhancing trick.
Contrast with a scattering of metallic glass mosaics flecked with silver and gold to elevate the look. A fabulous idea too for a feature wall in a small bathroom with shower.
7. Get creative with pattern
Hexagonal or geometric-patterned tiles are a contemporary and creative way to add texture and depth around the basin area in a small bathroom.
Even subway tiles installed vertically or in a herringbone layout will add visual interest while still achieving a clean and crisp look.
8. Zone with small bathroom tile ideas
Use tiles to create zones and make a small bathroom feel bigger.
Choose a decorative tile behind a vanity basin or in a shower. Then, pair with a classic white tile throughout the rest of the space.
It's a simple way to create visual interest and a focal point in one area of a compact bathroom or an en-suite.
9. Go bold with tiles in a compact cloakroom
Cloakrooms might just be the perfect spot to unleash your love of colour and creativity with tiles.
Small spaces work oh so well with bold tiles on every wall. Choose jewel-like colours or a busy print and offset with a large mirror to reflect all the gorgeousness even further!
Finish with beautiful bathroom lighting and gold taps for a hint of low key glamour.
10. You can't beat white for bathroom tiling ideas
Embrace an all-white bathroom if you love that chic, clean-lined look. It's such a simple, fool-proof way to upgrade a bathroom, plus white tiles are so easy to get hold off (and won't break the budget!).
Yes, white tiles are an enduring design trick to make a small bathroom, en-suite or shower room feel bigger than it is.
Keep the rest of your bathroom neutral for a calm and serene mood but add foliage and plants for a spa-at-home bolthole.
And relax...
11.Go for a luxe tiled splashback
In a super small bathroom or downstairs WC, you may choose to only tile the splashback around the basin.
Inject maximum style by picking a daring tile. There's a huge range of tile colours, patterns, and textures available, so you can add personality to a small space.
Remember, if you only need to tile a small area, such as the splashback, you might be able to save some pennies by using a few tile samples!
And if you've got your heart set on an expensive marble tile, for example, only needing a small amount can help your budget stretch further.
Bathroom tiles ideas for small bathrooms - floor tiles for every space and style
In a small bathroom, it's essential to choose your floor tiles wisely to give a feeling of more space.
Prepare to be floored by these bathroom tiling ideas.
Classic monochrome: If the floor is the biggest surface in your small bathroom, make it the design focal point with a classic black and white tile.
Optical illusion: Run floor tiles up the wall and create the illusion of extended floor area. Or lay your floor tiles in a herringbone format to trick the eye into thinking the room is bigger than it is.
Choose dark colours: You don't always need to pick white tiles to make a small bathroom seem larger. Clad your space head to toe in large charcoal floor and wall tiles for a contemporary yet cocoon-like mood.
Be bold: Just because you're designing a smaller space, it doesn't mean you can't choose a daring tile design. A patterned floor tile can make your bathroom appear bigger.
Let the mosaics flow: Choose mosaics tiles if you have a multi-tiered floor in a small bathroom. Flexible mosaic sheets will create a smooth, undulating surface; bigger tiles need more cuts and resizing.
Size matters: Large-format, porcelain or ceramic tiles are an excellent flooring choice for small bathrooms, but going too big will make it tricky to create a visually pleasing layout. Contact a professional tiler for more advice.
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