11 Bathroom tile ideas designers swear by
Tiles are the designer’s secret weapon in a bathroom. They aren’t just about waterproofing or easy cleaning — they’re the backdrop that sets scale, rhythm, and atmosphere. Get them right, and a modest London bathroom suddenly feels expansive; get them wrong, and even the grandest en suite can feel unsettled.
Designers tend to swear by a handful of trusted approaches: ways of using tile to draw light into a narrow room, to stretch the eye across a small floor, or to introduce texture without fuss. Some ideas are bold — playful patterns, unexpected layouts — while others are quieter, almost invisible in their restraint. But all of them prove one point: the most successful bathrooms start with careful planning, long before a single tile is laid.
In this list, we’ve gathered 11 tile strategies designers return to time and again. Each is practical, beautiful, and achievable, whether you’re rethinking a small shower room or a full-scale master suite.
1. Large-format tiles for a calm, continuous look
Image credit: Atlas Concorde
Large-format tiles are a designer favourite because they simplify the visual language of a bathroom. With fewer grout lines interrupting the surface, the eye reads the room as broader and more generous than its footprint. This is especially powerful in London bathrooms, where space is often borrowed from corridors or tucked into loft eaves.
Porcelain slabs around 1200 x 600mm are practical and versatile: they can replicate marble, travertine or terrazzo with remarkable realism, but without the sealing and upkeep natural stone demands. In smaller bathrooms, running the same tile on both wall and floor creates a “carved from one block” effect, while in larger rooms, oversized tiles give fittings the stillness of a gallery backdrop.
Beams tip: Ask your tiler to dry-lay a few pieces before fixing. A subtle shift in where the tiles break — say, aligning the grout line with the centre of a basin or shower head — can make the room feel meticulously planned.
2. Textural tiles and 3D reliefs for tactile character
Image credit: DigsDigs — a serene minimalist bathroom featuring large-scale textured tiles that introduce subtle depth and interest without overwhelming the space.
Now as designers shift away from flat, uniform surfaces, textural and three-dimensional tiles are rapidly gaining ground in bathroom design. These tiles allow for the interplay of light and shadow, turning walls into sculptural features that feel rich in detail yet restrained in expression.
In the UK market, such tiles are appearing in a range of finishes — from gentle ripples evocative of water flow to geometric domes that animate the wall plane. The appeal is twofold: they add dimension and sensory intrigue, while simultaneously softening the often clinical feel of tiled spaces. And the best part? They don’t clutter the eye, making them excellent for minimalist or calming schemes.
Textural tiles are particularly effective when paired with soft, diffused lighting. Indirect LEDs, cove lighting, or wall-wash spotlights bring out their tactile quality especially well. Used sparingly — say on a feature wall behind a basin or in the shower — they can elevate a modest bathroom into something quietly luxurious.
Beams Tip: Pick a texture you love, then request a sample to see how it reads in your actual space and at different times of day. Install lights to graze its surface — even a single spotlight can make the tile sing.
3. 3D relief & textural tiles for living surfaces
Image credit: Contemporist
Textural tiles—particularly those in three-dimensional relief—are increasingly a go-to among designers aiming to bring depth and tactility into bathroom spaces. They transform ordinary wall surfaces into something sculptural, offering quiet drama without overpowering the senses. This isn’t about loud ornamentation, but restrained detail that comes alive with shifting light: soft ripples, geometric reliefs, or subtle wave motifs evoke a sense of movement and craft.
UK-specific context: London flats, townhouses, and even modern new builds often favour subtle texture over bold pattern—both because they can elevate compact spaces with minimal fuss and because they pair effortlessly with clean-lined, fitted cabinetry (a hallmark of many UK renovations). Plus, the advances in porcelain and ceramic manufacturing mean these tactile effects can now be incredibly life-like and low-maintenance.
Textural tiles also serve a dual purpose. In showers or above baths, reliefs create both visual interest and non-slip surfaces (just ensure they’re rated appropriately). When placed behind basins or baths, they catch those little spots of reflected, natural light — suddenly walls feel alive, even in north-facing spaces.
Beams tip: Use relief tiles as an accent—not the whole room. A single feature wall (e.g. behind the vanity or bath) is enough to brighten things up and add designer polish without risking overwhelm. Ensure lighting grazes the surface to show off the texture; a spotlight or linear uplight can make a world of difference.
4. Play with patterns: geometry, motifs & checkerboards
Image credit: RenoGuide
Patterned tiles are making a confident comeback in 2025 — think geometric precision, Art Deco flair, Moroccan motifs or bold chequerboard floors. This isn’t about overloading the senses; rather, it’s a refined nod to playful design rooted in precision and balance. Designers are using pattern sparingly but purposefully — a feature wall, half-height dado, or the area around a bath becomes the stage for pattern to shine.
In the UK, patterned tiles work particularly well in period properties, cottages, or bathroom schemes aiming for unscripted charm. Porcelanosa’s latest trend forecasts highlight decorative laying patterns and mosaic artistry as prominent design moves next year. Meanwhile, Tile.co.uk’s extensive patterned tile collections, from monochrome geometrics to floral-inspired designs—give homeowners flexibility in style, scale, and layout.
When working with pattern, consider scale and contrast wisely. Smaller, intricate motifs suit half-height applications or small zones, while larger, bold patterns can anchor a master bathroom. Chequerboard remains timeless when done in neutral tones; pair this with warm metal fittings or softer grout shades to keep it warm and contemporary. Designers are also mixing shapes—say, a hex pattern floor with elongated subway tiles on the wall—for a layered, yet cohesive result.
Beams tip: Choose one “moment” for pattern — perhaps the floor or a shower wall — and keep the surrounding surfaces calm. If you’re bold, opt for contrasting grout (e.g., charcoal in white tiles) to emphasise the pattern; if you want elegance, match grout to tile hue so the design reads as a texture rather than a print.
5. Add depth with zellige-style glazed tiles
Image credit: — Zellige Emerald Gloss Tiles: capietra.com
While large-format tiles are all about smooth continuity, zellige-style tiles embrace the opposite: texture, variation and a hint of imperfection. These hand-crafted or hand-look glazed tiles bounce light unevenly across their rippled surfaces, giving small bathrooms a gentle shimmer that feels rich without being loud. Designers love them for injecting soul and tactility into what can otherwise be very clinical spaces.
They work beautifully as splashbacks behind basins, or wrapped around shower walls where natural light can graze across the surface and bring the subtle tonal shifts to life. Even in pale colours, they add depth and movement — so your bathroom walls don’t just sit there flat and blank, they glow. Think boutique hotel, but without the eye-watering nightly rate.
Beams tip: Zellige-style tiles need care in fitting. Their edges are usually irregular, so use wider grout joints and colour-matched grout to soften the lines. It’s worth dry-laying them first to balance the tonal variation — this stops you accidentally clumping three dark ones together like a tile-based eclipse.
6. Lay metro tiles vertically to lift the room
Image credit: Porcelain Superstore — Metro White Gloss Tiles: porcelainsuperstore.co.uk
Classic metro tiles are often laid in a horizontal brick bond, which can visually stretch a wall but also emphasises low ceilings. Flip them vertically, and something clever happens: your eye naturally follows the grout lines upwards, creating the illusion of extra height. Designers lean on this technique constantly in tight London bathrooms and attic en suites where every inch of headroom counts.
It’s a small move with a big payoff. Suddenly the room feels airier, lighter and more balanced — like someone quietly straightened its posture. The slim proportions of metro tiles make them perfect for this, especially in high-gloss finishes that catch the light and further enhance the sense of vertical lift.
Beams tip: Plan your coursing before you start tiling. Vertical layouts highlight any misalignment, especially around mirrors and taps. If the lines don’t land perfectly, you’ll see it every time you brush your teeth — and once you’ve noticed it, you can’t unsee it.
7. Bring character back with checkerboard floors
Image credit: — Bianco & Nero Porcelain Tiles: domusgroup.com
Checkerboard tiles have roared back into bathrooms — not as a retro gimmick, but as a way to inject structure and personality into small, plain spaces. Designers love them because they bring instant geometry underfoot: the alternating pattern gives your eye a clear rhythm to follow, which oddly enough makes the floor feel longer. It’s like visual scaffolding, but far more glamorous.
They work brilliantly with otherwise minimal schemes — a crisp black-and-white grid beneath white walls, soft sage panelling or warm timber accents creates just enough drama without tipping into chaos. And if monochrome feels too stark, try tonal neutrals (like warm greys or chalk and clay) for a gentler but equally graphic look. You get the personality without the optical hangover.
Beams tip: Use larger-format squares (at least 200mm) to avoid the pattern feeling fussy, and make sure your subfloor is laser-flat. Even slight lippage between black and white tiles will catch the light and scream “DIY” — which is not the vibe you’re going for.
8. Add subtle texture with fluted or reeded tiles
Image credit: — Flute Gloss Jade Tiles: capietra.com
Fluted or reeded tiles are the antidote to flat, echoey bathroom walls. Their vertical ridges catch the light and throw soft shadow lines that instantly add depth — a subtle way to build character without clutter. Designers use them as quiet focal points: behind a vanity, in shower niches, or running floor-to-ceiling on a single feature wall to gently draw the eye upward.
They work especially well in small bathrooms where colour or pattern might overwhelm. Because the interest comes from texture, not print, you get layers and movement without the visual noise. Pair them with a simple matt floor tile and clean-lined fittings, and they give the whole room that considered “someone really thought about this” feeling — which, ideally, they did.
Beams tip: Fluted tiles need meticulous alignment — even tiny lippage will break the shadow lines. Use a levelling clip system during installation, and run a fingertip down the grooves as you go. It’s surprisingly satisfying and stops future you quietly seething at wonky ridges every morning.
9. Inject playfulness with terrazzo tiles
Image credit: — Terrazzo Nuovo Collection: domusgroup.com
Terrazzo is having a very welcome renaissance — not the cold, speckled school corridors of the 1980s, but bold, character-rich surfaces that designers are using to inject life into otherwise pared-back bathrooms. Its scattered chips of marble, quartz and pigment give the floor (or walls) a confetti-like energy that instantly lifts the mood of a small space.
Used thoughtfully, it’s surprisingly versatile: soft neutral mixes feel earthy and calm, while colourful terrazzo reads joyful without becoming chaotic. Designers often use it as a single “hero” surface — wrapping it across the floor while keeping walls crisp and minimal so it steals the show. The best part is its practicality: it’s tough as old boots, low maintenance, and hides everyday mess better than you’d like to admit.
Beams tip: Keep your surrounding finishes quiet so the terrazzo can breathe. And be ruthless about samples — order at least 3–4 sheets and lay them side by side at home. Terrazzo varies a lot batch to batch, and it’s better to catch that before it’s halfway up your wall.
10. Use matt tiles for a softer, calmer feel
Image credit: — Lounge Matt Porcelain Tile: toppstiles.co.uk
Bathrooms are full of hard, shiny surfaces — which can make them feel a bit clinical, especially in tight spaces. Matt-finish tiles take the glare out of the equation. They diffuse light gently rather than bouncing it straight back, which makes walls feel softer and colours more grounded. Designers often use them to create spa-like bathrooms where you can actually exhale instead of squint.
They’re particularly effective in neutral tones: think warm clay, soft taupe or gentle greige, all of which pair beautifully with brushed brass or matt black fittings. You get texture, warmth and calm in one go — and they make small spaces feel cosier without tipping into gloomy.
Beams tip: Matt tiles can show marks more easily than gloss, especially on floors. Choose mid-tone shades that hide everyday footprints, and make sure they’re R-rated for slip resistance. Nothing ruins the zen quite like ice-skating to the towel rail.
11. Bounce light around with high-gloss tiles
Image credit: — Lucida Gloss Porcelain Collection: domusgroup.com
Gloss tiles are the secret weapon when you want to make a small bathroom feel bright and airy. Their reflective surface bounces natural and artificial light around like a pinball, softening shadows and opening up tight corners. Designers often use them to visually double the width of narrow rooms, especially in light tones like white, pearl or soft blush that dissolve edges rather than define them.
They’re also brilliant for adding a bit of low-effort glamour. A glossy herringbone splashback behind a basin, or a full-height shower wall that glints under warm lighting, can give the whole space a boutique finish without overcomplicating the scheme. Just enough sheen to catch the eye, without turning your bathroom into a disco ball.
Beams tip: Gloss tiles show every lump in the wall, so your prep has to be flawless. Make sure the substrate is dead flat and use white adhesive to avoid shadowing through pale tiles — it’s one of those invisible details that quietly makes the whole room feel more expensive.
Bathroom tile FAQs
How much do bathroom tiles cost in the UK?
Tile costs vary hugely, simple ceramic wall tiles might start around £20 per m², while premium terrazzo, porcelain or handmade encaustic options can reach £70–£120 per m². Labour adds a sizeable chunk too, especially for complex patterns or large-format tiles that need meticulous prep. For a clearer idea of how tiles fit into overall project budgets, our guide on renovation costs in the UK breaks down typical spend levels for full bathroom refurbishments.
Are large-format tiles suitable for small bathrooms?
Definitely. Fewer grout lines mean fewer visual breaks, which helps small bathrooms feel calmer and more expansive. They do require a perfectly flat substrate and strong fixings — the kind of forward planning that’s central to how we deliver every bathroom renovation at Beams.
Which bathroom tiles are easiest to maintain?
Porcelain tiles are the most forgiving — they’re dense, non-porous and don’t require sealing. More decorative materials like zellige, encaustic or natural stone bring incredible character, but they do need regular sealing and gentler cleaning products to keep them looking their best.
Are patterned tiles too busy for small spaces?
Not if they’re used sparingly. Designers often use patterned encaustic-style tiles just on the floor or as a single feature wall, while keeping everything else calm and neutral. It creates character without overwhelming the space — something we prioritise in every bespoke renovation we deliver.