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Tile Design Ideas: The Best Tile Patterns for Your Bathroom
From the sleek sophistication of marble to the artistic essence of glass, bathroom tile comes in a variety of materials, colors, and styles. If you have a bathroom makeover on the horizon, find inspiration from these exceptional examples of tile design.
Modern
Designer Ammie Kim went with a modern look in this stunning combination of marble stone and glass panels. She started with a granite countertop and smoke-gray cabinetry, adding complementary tile to the floor and wall. She used thin ceramic tiles in a staggered design to create visual interest not only in the shower but the rest of the bathroom, as well. Tiling nearly to the ceiling makes for a costly bathroom makeover, but you will love the look and durability of the design. HGTV featured this bathroom in its Designers' Portfolio gallery.
Spa
The tile design of this bathroom creates a shower surround straight from the spa. Large stone tiles grace the ceiling and walls, while smaller stone tiles cover the floor. Even smaller rectangular tiles create visual interest at the border and inset. The marble bench provides a pop of creamy, rich color and gives the user a spot to sit and take in the serene surroundings. This design comes from GlassTileHome.
Focal Point: River Rocks 
Not all tile design involves squares and/or rectangles, as shown in the bathroom featured in This Old House. This shower's river rock floor serves as a focal point in the bathroom, and while it looks expensive, the rocks come as sheets with mesh backing for easy installation. If you can't afford an elaborate tile installation in your bathroom, pick one area such as this to make a statement. Other options could be a tile border on the floor or a backsplash on top of the counter.
Traditional
Smaller bathrooms, light colors, and clean lines make the space feel not so cramped. In this bathroom featured in House Beautiful, small white porcelain tiles serve as wainscoting, blending perfectly with the white pedestal sink and toilet. Black and white subway tile adds a graphic dimension to the floor, creating a traditional feel with a bit of an urban edge. The tile design in this bathroom was done by Newell Turner, the magazine's editor-in-chief.
Sheets of glass tile that graduate from light to dark blue create an artistic waterfall effect in this shower, found in the home of the vice-president of Oceanside Glasstile. While glass tile proves one of the most expensive options when it comes to tile design, it also comes in sheets, allowing for a much easier installation.
Additional sources of inspiration can be found in design magazines and on tile design websites. It's a good idea to gather multiple examples that represent the materials, colors, and styles you like before meeting with a professional tile installer. Present examples that will help him or her understand your vision and help make it a reality. A professional tile installer also can keep you stay on budget in terms of both money and time.
