Apollotile Slideshow

Bathroom Tile Design Ideas

Jan 22, 2026 8 minutes read

Designing with tile is where the magic happens. The right color, size, and finish can accentuate the look and feel of your bath space, making it more luxurious and inviting. Whether your vision leans toward spa-inspired tranquility or a vibrant ambiance to get you invigorated for the day ahead, bathroom tile design ideas we’re sharing below not only deliver maximum style impact but also ensure exceptional performance, cleanliness, and waterproofing.

Like paint colors and textile patterns, the best tile for the bathroom evolves with the times. The theme for the season emphasizes wall and floor coverings that engage the senses. Warm wood tones, textured ceramic, and stone-look flooring that favors minimalism are all on the rise, offering homeowners the chance to create interiors that feel harmonious and enduring. For a catchy statement, you could consider intricate mosaics or large marble-look porcelain with pronounced veining. Regardless of current trends, it’s important to choose bathroom tile that will remain captivating years from now, even as your personal style evolves.


1. Create an Enveloping Haven with Basalt Tile

Slate Black 24x48 Matte
Porcelain Large Format Tile

First up, basalt tile! Deep, charcoal gray offers a grounding foundation perfect for a sophisticated setting. Available in porcelain, dousing the bathtub surround, vanity backsplash, or bathroom floor with resilient tilework not only gives the room a facelift but also a splashproof finish. Our Slate Black 24x48 Matte Porcelain Large Format Tile is sure to tempt you to abandon your neutral decorating ways and embrace the dark side! Its natural texture and dark coloration are as immersive as it gets, pairing nicely with crisp white and warm wood tones for stunning contrast.


2. Choose Textured, Dimensional Ceramic Tile

Chalk Beige 24x48 Matte
Linear Grid Ceramic Large Tile

Flat, glossy tiles have their place, but textured ceramic bathroom tile design ideas can take a lackluster scheme to new heights. Ridges, waves, or sculptural patterns enhance the room’s sensory experience by manipulating light and throwing shadows in interesting ways. That’s the thing about dimensional tiles… they prevent walls from falling flat.


3. Make It Whimsical with Chic Pink Tile

Blush Pink 2x10 Matte
Picket Ceramic Tile

Think it’s impossible to make your plain-Jane bathroom sing? Think again. Pink wall tiles are a fabulous idea to instill some “wow” in ways never expected. In a catchy, bold tone, they can read too expected, too visually overwhelming. Something a little muddy and murky, if you will, introduces a more comforting essence. Think dusty rose or dirty pink! These shades have more depth and grit, perfect for crafting a spot that you might just never leave.


4. Keep it Interesting with Trendy Terrazzo Tile

Bright White with Gray Flecks 24x24
Matte Square Porcelain Large Format Tile

Flat, glossy tiles have their place, but textured ceramic bathroom tile design ideas can take a lackluster scheme to new heights. Ridges, waves, or sculptural patterns enhance the room’s sensory experience by manipulating light and throwing shadows in interesting ways. That’s the thing about dimensional tiles… they prevent walls from falling flat.


5. Go Art Deco Glam with Mixed-Material Tile

Cloud White Silver 11x11 Polished
Glossy Glass Marble Mosaic Tile

If drama and elegance are the trend of the time, then extraordinary mixed-material mosaic tiles are surely the trailblazer. Apollo Tile’s Cloud White Silver 11x11 Polished Glossy Octagon Bianco Carrara Glass Marble Mosaic Tile demonstrates this perfectly. Together, marble and glass bring ornamental artistry to what is otherwise a predominantly practical space. This look is far from subtle, and that’s the point if you’re after Art Deco bathroom tile design ideas meant to impress and indulge.


6. Get into the Details with Rosso Levanto Tile

Rosso Levanto 24x48
Matte Porcelain Large Tile

Never have tile design ideas for bathrooms been more inspiring. We now have a vast selection of styles, colors, and finishes to peruse on our online tile store. And you need not spend a fortune to get a designer look, since porcelain is such a wonderful mimic of more expensive materials. If you're intrigued as to how you can achieve that old-world opulence, Rosso Levanto marble-look tile offers a sense of awe that other tiling materials can’t quite hit. Its deep burgundy base, splattered with contrasting white veins that move across like brushstrokes, has a commanding presence. Consider our Rosso Levanto 24x48 Matte Porcelain Large Tile to create that lavish, members-only club vibe.


7. Steal the Spotlight with Statement Saltillo Tile

White Pink 8x8 Matte
Square Motif Porcelain Tile

Traditionally associated with Spanish and Southwestern-inspired interiors, Saltillo tiles from Apollo Tile are no background player; they are the star! These beautifully striking wall and floor adornments feel both historic and contemporary, effortlessly bridging eras of design. In muted pink and warm white, White Pink 8x8 Matte Square Motif Porcelain Tile adapts to various décor themes, especially in powder rooms where you can introduce a truly unexpected wow-moment. Oh, and how’s this for a bonus? It pairs so well with Dusty Pink 8x8 Matte Square Porcelain Tile for a look that’s nothing short of enchanting.


8. Frame the Shower Niche with Herringbone Tile

White 3x12 Textured Bianco
Carrara Etched Dot Elongated Subway Tile

While the shower niche needs to be a functional nook, there’s no reason the walls surrounding it can’t be a standout feature. We love the idea of framing it with herringbone tiles for contrast. After all, any pattern that stretches out the shower to create a feeling of endlessness is a plus. And you needn’t use them in swaths – a splash on a single wall is all it takes to add decorative panache.


9. Opt for Interlocking Star and Cross Flooring Tile

Graphite Black 7" Star with
Terracotta 5" Cross Matte Porcelain Tile

When we added Graphite Black 7" Star with Terracotta 5" Cross Matte Porcelain Tile to our inventory, we knew we were onto something! Interior designers have proven time and time again that shapes provide tactile appeal even to the simplest of spaces. This holds true for the star-cross pattern, which has become a coveted choice for bathroom tile design ideas. Used as flooring, a good approach is to keep walls, cabinets, and countertops simple and reserve all visual interest for the surface beneath the feet.


10. Lean to Simple, Modern Large Stone-Look Tile

Ivory Pearl White 24x48
Honed Porcelain Large Tile

Sometimes the “less is more” adage holds true! Stone-look porcelain continues to be the best tile for bathrooms compared to the real deal. Replicated with incredible realism, large formats won't visually break up the space. Instead, fewer grout lines ensure a clean, modern aesthetic that highlights the tile’s texture and makes the room feel more serene.

Conclusion

Each of these bathroom tile design ideas delivers the finest foundation for great decorating. Whether you’re inspired by eye-catching small formats or prefer something rather understated, the perfect surface finish will not only enrich your space visually and functionally but also remain relevant through fleeting trends and evolving tastes. To experience your favorite look firsthand and see how it complements the room’s lighting and fittings, feel free to order tile samples. For more styling tips, check out our top bathroom backsplash ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the new bathroom tile trends for 2026?

The trends for this season are all about creating a spa-like luxury and introducing statement color. Think sculptured walls that inspire a sense of touch and material drenching in deeper, more saturated hues.

2. What is the most popular tile size for a bathroom?

Large formats, especially 12x24, 24x24, and 24x48 tile, remain a coveted choice for creating a bathroom that feels expansive, cleaner, and contemporary.

3. What is the most popular flooring for bathrooms?

The best tile for bathroom flooring is one that’s hard-wearing, watertight, slip-resistant, and has endless design options. Porcelain floor tile remains a top choice, offering realistic hardwood, terrazzo, and stone looks.

4. Which tile is best for a bathroom, matte or glossy?

Both are great vertical and horizontal surfaces. Glossy tiles work best for decorative walls, with a reflective quality that brightens the room. Matte tiles’ non-shiny finish imparts a softer visual feel and provides better grip underneath.

5. What is the color trend for bathrooms in 2026?

The shift away from all-white modern bathroom tile design ideas continues, replaced by warmer, richer colors that inspire relaxation and lend a fresh injection of energy. Think clay, slate black, terracotta, and navy blue.

6. Do bathroom tiles look better vertically or horizontally?

Tile orientation is a matter of preference. A horizontal layout can help widen narrow walls, while a vertical layout can give an impression of taller walls and a high ceiling.

7. What is the most relaxing bathroom tile color?

Soft tones, such as light beige, warm gray, pale green, and muted blue, are the most soothing. They simply exude a clean, calm, and timeless appeal.
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Keshia

Keshia

Keshia Mataboge is an enthusiastic, hardworking team player with a thrill for writing. Her background includes over eight years of experience in the content creation space, with a fierce passion for home décor. Writing for Apollo Tile since February 2024, she is excited to be sharing engaging content by exploring everything from the latest tile trends to some of the best products and how to adapt them to your evolving lifestyle.

Previously, Keshia worked as an interior designer, where she garnered her knowledge of all things design-related. From there, she became a freelance writer, covering home decor and luxury lifestyle for multiple sites and publications. With a profound ability to stay up-to-date with modern industry trends, she continues to deliver accurate, current, and resourceful content that boosts brand visibility.

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