How to Choose Bathroom Tiles: Tips for a Stylish and Functional Space

Bathroom tiles are a stylish choice for creating a serene, tranquil atmosphere with a contemporary touch. But with so many choices sleek and modern, timeless and classic, minimalistic and polished, rustic and cozy it can feel overwhelming when trying to find the perfect fit for your aesthetic.

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Choosing the right tiles can completely transform your bathroom and bring your dream space to life. To help simplify the process, I’m sharing a guide on selecting bathroom tiles that can effortlessly elevate your bathroom without the stress. 

Whether you’re giving your bathroom a sophisticated upgrade or planning a full remodel, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive in!

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How to Choose Bathroom Tiles: Tips for a Stylish and Sophisticated Space

Consider the size of your bathroom.

The size of your bathroom is a key factor in choosing tiles that will enhance the space effectively. 

For small bathrooms, smaller tiles can make the room feel busy, cluttered, and visually tighter. On the other hand, larger tiles create the illusion of an open and spacious room due to fewer grout lines. 

In large bathrooms, you have a bit more flexibility. While large tiles can still achieve a streamlined, spacious look, small tiles can be used creatively to add texture or bold focal points without overwhelming the room.

Determine your color scheme. 

When it comes to deciding on what types of tile you prefer, determine your ideal color scheme, first. 

A light color can create a peaceful, spa-like atmosphere. Minimalist colors such as sage greens, light creams, and velvety grays seamlessly produce a light and airy effect.

Alternatively, deep blues, rich greens, and luxe blacks can create a striking, bold contrast if you have lighter fixtures or furnishings. 

Prioritize durability due to the space. 

A bathroom is naturally a high-moisture environment exposed to frequent foot traffic and harsh cleaning materials, making longevity and durability essential.

Ceramic is a featured tile choice for creating a functionally chic space, while porcelain is another good option if your budget allows. Both are water-resistant, easy to clean, and adaptable to different aesthetics. 

If you’re looking at a bathroom design incorporating tile floors, ensure they are slip-resistant and water-absorbent! 

Decide on texture and finish. 

Texture and finish are crucial factors when renovating a bathroom, influencing both functionality and style. While enhancing the visual appeal of your space is important, practicality is a priority.

Glossy finishes are fantastic for reflecting light and creating the illusion of a larger space, but they can get slippery when wet ideal for walls, less suitable for floors. 

Mattes or more textured finishes, such as stone tiles or textured ceramic tiles, are an optimal choice for floors and shower areas. 

Match tiles to your bathroom style. 

While the color palette is important in a space, aligning those colors to your aesthetic is equally important. 

Picking a tile design that is cohesive with the vibe of your bathroom guarantees that everything harmoniously blends together. 

When there’s consistency in color, pattern, and texture, it enhances visual appeal through continuity. 

Consider the tile layout and pattern. 

Choosing tiles with an intentional layout and pattern can positively impact the perceived size, visual interest, and functionality within your bathroom. 

Herringbone and hexagon are classic choices if you’re focused on visual appeal through patterns. To make the space feel larger, diagonally patterned tiles add dynamic movement. If you want to create a look that utilizes both, mosaic tiles offer a stylish touch. 

Think about long-term trends. 

Bathroom remodeling has many moving parts, so it may not be something you can do with the changing trends. Prioritize tiles that have staying power and won’t age as time passes. 

While remodeling a space with what’s currently trending in design can be fun, timeless options will always be a sustainable and stylish choice. 

Neutral tones and classic shapes are quintessential options for tile in a bathroom. Consider using trendier tiles as accent pieces so you can refresh them in the future. 

Assess maintenance and cleaning ease. 

Durability is key, as well as choosing tiles that are easy to maintain and clean. Easy-to-maintain tiles help avoid grime build up and stain penetration. 

Grout color is another maintenance factor when choosing your bathroom tiles. Darker grout lines or grout-resistant sealants can reduce cleaning time and help conceal imperfections.

Choosing the right grout color is just as important as selecting the tiles themselves. Unsure which color to choose? Keep reading!

How to Choose Grout Color for Bathroom Tiles

Match the grout color to your tiles. 

Choose a grout color that compliments your tile, either by blending in seamlessly or by creating a bold contrast to make the tiles stand out. 

For a seamless, cohesive look, use a grout color in the same color family as your tiles. This creates a smooth, blended look that ties everything together. 

If you prefer a bold contrast, choose a contrasting colored grout to make the tiles appear more prominent. For example, white subway tiles with black grout offer a striking option that blends classic and contemporary styles perfectly. 

Consider your tile size and the layout of the tiles. 

The size and the layout of your tiles can impact the prominence of grout lines, so consider how much you want the grout to influence the overall design of the space. 

Small tiles typically call for larger or more frequent grout lines. By using a darker grout, you can prevent the lines from looking too chaotic. For some tile patterns, a lighter grout will work to add texture and depth. 

In contrast, large tiles will have less noticeable grout lines since they naturally occupy more space. A similar-colored grout keeps the focus on the tiles themselves rather than the focal point being drawn to your grout color. 

Take bathroom light into consideration. 

Bathroom lighting can impact the appearance of tiles and grout, so it’s important to be mindful of this when choosing your color. 

Well-lit bathrooms have the versatility to utilize a lighter grout color to maintain an airy and bright vibe or a darker grout to provide contrast and depth. Darker or smaller bathrooms can feel visually expansive when designed with lighter grout. 

As always, this depends on your aesthetic, the atmosphere of the bathroom, and the color palette you decide to go with. 

Keep maintenance in mind. 

Maintenance is key when choosing tiles for a bathroom. Whether you’re looking for wall or floor tiles, choose a grout that aligns with your cleaning habits. 

Darker grout hides dirt and stains better than lighter grout, which works wonders in a high-traffic bathroom or a bathroom with a lot of moisture. 

Lighter grout can emphasize a clean and polished ambiance, but can also be quicker to show discoloration. If you love the clean and fresh look of lighter-colored grout, always consider using a grout sealer. 

Coordinate grout color with the bathroom style. 

Coordinating your grout color with the bathroom style plays an important role in the overall appearance of the space. 

Similar to choosing a style color and pattern, the grout color can harmoniously tie the room together. 

For example, if your bathroom is earthy and naturalistic, tones like taupe or creamy mushroom can complement natural stone tiles.

Choose grout based on the tile function. 

When deciding on a grout color, the location of the tiles can be important. 

In more saturated areas, like shower floors, a medium or dark-colored grout is efficient in hiding soap scum and wear and tear.

If you’re looking to tile your wall, you have more versatility to choose between lighter grouts. This is an exciting way to add a chic, polished touch without worrying about discoloration. 

Test it before you commit to it. 

Before you apply your grout to your entire room, test a few different colorways in the area you’re considering tiling. This is an effortless way to test how the grout looks in different lighting throughout your day. 

Don’t forget that grout slightly changes in color when it gets wet. Test wet and dry samples to better understand how the color you choose blends (or potentially clashes) with your space. 

Be mindful of trends versus timeless additions. 

You may see a pattern between choosing a grout color and a tile color that’s why they’re equally important! 

If you love a trendy grout color, consider how you may feel about it a year from now. Trendy colors can feel fun and add a pop of personality, but they can feel dated as the trends change. 

Timeless alternatives like soft whites, neutral grays, or deep blacks will always be timeless and versatile options. This is a safe bet if you want a style that will look good for years to come.

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What tile and grout color are you using to upgrade your bathroom?

When you want to update a bathroom with personal style and flair, keep these essential tips in mind. It’s easy to find a style that’s both functional and complementary to your aesthetic; you just have to know where to start. And remember, grout is more than just filling in the blank spaces. It’s a stylish addition that can aid in transforming a space. 

For more bathroom-related inspo, check out some of these posts: Sage Green Bathroom Ideas, Bathroom Lighting Ideas for Small Bathrooms, and Helpful Tips for a Minimalist Bathroom.   

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