Choosing the perfect bathroom tiles

When designing a bathroom, tiles play a crucial role in defining the space’s aesthetic, setting the mood, and ensuring practicality. Whether you’re after rustic cottage charm or a contemporary spa-like feel, the right combination of colours, fittings, and fixtures can bring your vision to life. 

Here’s how to achieve seven stunning bathroom looks using tiles and complementary design elements.

English cottage bathroom

A cottage-style bathroom exudes warmth and traditional charm, perfect for those who love vintage-inspired interiors.

• Wall Tiles: Traditional square tiles in soft pastel shades, classic off-white or perhaps aged crackle glaze tiles with a slightly distressed finish for a heritage look. Hand painted tiles are a perfect fit for cottage bathrooms, from delicate patterns and corner motifs, to floral designs, traditional Delft scenes and whimsical British wildlife in our Wilding collection.
• Floor tiles: High quality stone effect porcelain tiles can mimic traditional stone flooring but without the need for sealing or maintenance. Porcelain tiles can be used throughout the bathroom including in shower spaces, for a cohesive, simple look. Alternatively, consider wood-effect porcelain planks to introduce the warmth of real wood into your bathroom.
• Colours: Soft cream and butter yellow, gentle pinks, pale greens, light blues, and warm whites.
• Fittings & Fixtures: Freestanding clawfoot bathtubs, traditional brass or antique-style taps, and wooden vanity units. 
• Design Suggestions: Incorporate vintage mirrors and picture frames, delicate wall scone lighting and floral textiles to enhance the cosy cottage ambiance.

Light and airy bathroom

If you have a small bathroom, ensuite or downstairs WC, or a room with limited natural light you may opt for a fresh, bright scheme which gives the impression of more space and light.

• Wall Tiles: Glossy white or pale coloured tiles in metro (brick) shape or traditional squares to bounce light around your space
• Floor tiles: Light coloured porcelain tiles, in stone effect, pale wood, or perhaps marble, to keep the space bright from floor to ceiling. Why not consider a light coloured terracotta to introduce warmth without darkness?
• Colours: Whites, soft greys, pale blues and light neutrals.
• Fittings & Fixtures: Minimalist vanity or sink units will avoid clutter which detracts from the feeling of space, frameless glass shower enclosures and sleek chrome taps to reflect light. 
• Design Suggestions: Maximise natural light with large mirrors, add greenery for freshness and colour against the white or light background, and choose wall-hung units to increase visibility of the floor and enhance the feeling of spaciousness.

Spa-like bathroom

Why not create a serene retreat to escape to at the end of the day, reminiscent of a luxury spa?

• Wall Tiles: Gentle neutral wall tiles have a calming effect, bringing a sense of order and peace to the space. Also consider green and brown tones to bring the feeling of nature into your space. 

  Hand painted tiles bring a sense of luxury to your space, especially those with repeat patterns such as our Ana or Patisserie tiles.

• Floor tiles: Natural stone effect or wood effect porcelain tiles in neutral shades emulate the natural world, and in large formats create the sense of space and tranquility.
• Colours: Earthy, natural tones such as sand, taupe, soft greens and gentle browns are perfect here.
• Fittings & Fixtures: Rainfall showers and deep bathtubs for soaking in are the perfect addition for a restful, spa-like bathroom. Consider solid vanity units and large basins for a sense of calm and grounding.
• Design Suggestions: Use dimmable lighting, scented candles or diffusers and wooden accessories for added texture.

Georgian bathroom

Elegance, light and symmetry define the Georgian style, and a bright bathroom with large windows and tall ceiling is the perfect showcase for this.

• Wall Tiles: Gentle pastel shades in traditional square shapes bring simplicity and soft colour to your walls - think pale greens, pinks and blues, or pair off-whites or neutrals with coloured paint and wall paper. Why not consider delicate hand painted tiles to introduce artisan beauty to your room, such as our Delft tiles, intricate corner motifs, Spring Flower tiles or patterned tiles such as our Emma or Pattiserie collections.
• Floor tiles: Large natural stone effect or wood effect porcelain tiles introduce a genuine heritage feel. Alternatively opt for neutral coloured checkerboard floor tiles for muted interest.
• Colours: Gentle tones such as pale blues, sage greens, warm creams and off-whites are perfect for a light and airy Georgian bathroom.
• Fittings & Fixtures: Traditional pedestal sinks, symmetrical vanity units and brass or chrome fittings finish the space.
• Design Suggestions: Create interest with mid-height panelling - using wall tiles finished with a bolection, or dado, border on the top or wood panelling in dry spaces. Classic wall scones, ornate mirrors and delicately patterned farbics complete the refined Georgian aesthetic.

Dark and sophisticated bathroom

Dark and moody does not have to mean gloomy. You can make a statement in your bathroom with intense colours and dramatic features which transmit a feeling of relaxation, warmth and intimacy.

• Wall Tiles: Deep colours are the perfect addition to create a statement wall or backsplash - consider dark colours such as navy blue tiles, bold dark greens and opulent purples. Jewel tones are your friends here!
• Floor tiles: Darker toned stone effect tiles can be great in dark bathrooms, or consider marble with strong veins for a statement look.
• Colours: Earthy, natural tones such as sand, taupe, soft greens and gentle browns are perfect here.
• Fittings & Fixtures: Rainfall showers and deep bathtubs for soaking in are the perfect addition for a restful, spa-like bathroom. Consider solid vanity units and stone basins for a sense of calm and grounding.
• Design Suggestions: Use dimmable lighting, scented candles or diffusers and wooden accessories for added texture.

Art Deco bathroom

Introduce the glamour of the 1920s to your home with an Art Deco bathroom. With bold colours and geometric patterns, the era is perfect to create a dramatic statement in your bathroom.

• Wall Tiles: Scalloped tiles are hugely popular for art deco spaces, or tiles in jewel tones such as deep greens, bright teals and navy blues. Pair with white or yellow-gold accents such as tile borders or trim.
• Floor tiles: Black and white checkerboard or geometric patterns are great in art deco spaces. Alternatively balance the colour and pattern on your walls with simpler stone effect or terracotta porcelain tiles on the floor.
• Colours: Deep emerald green, navy blue, gold, and black and white monochrome accents.
• Fittings & Fixtures: Ornate mirrors, brushed gold or brass fittings, pedestal sinks and dramatic lighting features such as fringed or stained glass Tiffany light shades.
• Design Suggestions: Incorporate bold patterned wallpaper in dry areas of the room, vintage wall sconces and fluted glass shower screens or dividers for a glamourous flourish.

Victorian bathroom

Grand, colourful and ornate - the Victorian period of home decor embraced colour and detail, including nature, wildlife and exoticism as exploration and science flourished.

• Wall Tiles: Ceramic subway tiles are great additions to Victorian bathrooms - just like those used in the historic London Underground stations of the period. Pair neutral coloured tiles with bold paint colours, or introduce colour through a tiled space in colours such as emerald green, teal, navy blue, burgundy, deep purples and terracotta.

  Also consider hand painted tiles for interest - the Victorians loved intricate patterns such as those found on our Patisserie collection, as well as traditional Delft tiles in our bold Rosalind blue. The Victorian love of nature can be introduced through our hand painted collection of Wilding tiles - whimsical wild animals painted in a classic blue tone.

• Floor tiles: Encaustic tile laid in intricate patterns are commonly seen in Victorian properties, but you can also consider large format stone effect porcelain tiles and wood effect tiles to introduce natural finishes to the space.
• Colours: Deep jewel tones such as emerald green, dark navy blue, warm terracotta, golden yellow and burgundy are all staple colours of the era.
• Fittings & Fixtures: High level cistern toilets, roll-top freestanding baths with claw feet and intricate metal fixtures complete the look in a Victorian inspired bathroom.
• Design Suggestions: Use decorative cornicing, vintage wall sconces and luxurious textiles for an authentic Victorian feel.

The right tiles can make all the difference in achieving your desired bathroom aesthetic. Whether you prefer a rustic, airy, spa-like, or heritage look, carefully considering colours, fittings, and fixtures will help you create a stylish yet functional bathroom. Need a bit more help? Feel free to contact us with any questions!