11 Designer Secrets for Choosing Bathroom Tile

Wondering how to choose bathroom tile? As a designer, I know people frequently get overwhelmed by this task. That’s why I devised a step-by-step process to help. Watch the video below and follow the easy steps to wind up with bathroom tiles that suit your budget and decor.

1. Calculate Your Bathroom Tile Budget

When choosing bathroom tile, you should always start with your budget or at least a range. This will help keep your fantasies in check as you go through the rest of the process. Setting a budget helps you set parameters for the overall project.

2. Determine How Much Tile You Need

Calculate the total square footage you want to cover with tile. Get my FREE bathroom tile calculator by filling out the form at the end of this post. It will make this step a breeze!

How much floor tile do you need?

Find the total square footage of the footprint of your bathroom floor and know that you must have at least this much tile.

Next, think about the shower and tub surround. You’ll definitely want tile in the shower. Decide how far up the wall you want the tile to go. It should definitely go 12 inches or more above the top of the showerhead.

How much shower tile do you need?

There are lots of bathroom shower tile ideas. Extending tile to the ceiling can make your shower alcove feel taller, but it’s not required. Tile should surround the shower alcove entirely (up to your chosen height) – anywhere there is not a shower door or curtain.

How much tile for the tub surround?

If you have a bathtub that’s separate from your shower, this is the next place to consider adding tile. If you have a freestanding tub, tile at least 48” from your floor. If your tub sits next to the wall, the tile functions as a backsplash and should extend at least 12” up the wall from the edge of the tub.

Another thing to consider when determining your square footage is a tiled backsplash for your vanity. I love using an accent tile here. 

You could even get a little crazy and tile all the way up the wall! Floor-to-ceiling tile in a bathroom lends a very spa-like vibe that I love.

3. Choose a Bathroom Tile Material

Next, choose your bathroom tile material. If you select multiple colors and shapes, they do not all have to be the same material. Consider these popular materials: 

Ceramic 

Ceramic is your least expensive bathroom tile option and can look fantastic. If you’re working with a limited budget and want a bathroom with a “Wow!” factor, try a simple neutral or white ceramic square tile. Use it to cover your vast spaces, then pick a beautiful accent tile for a vanity backsplash.

Glass 

Glass is generally my go-to for accent tiles, because its so beautiful and a great vehicle for clients to express their personality. 

You’ll likely be using your glass tile in a shower niche or on a vanity wall, maybe for an accent stripe or shape. As much as you’re gonna love it, its best not to overdo it. Keep in mind that glass tile is generally too slippery and not durable enough for a floor covering.

Porcelain 

Porcelain is more expensive than glass or ceramic tile. Despite the expense, porcelain is a popular choice because of its durability and dense composition. Also, the color extends through the entire tile. If you never want to retile your bathroom, again you don’t have to because porcelain has a timeless look and lasts forever!

Natural Stone

I always love bringing nature inside a bathroom. However, stone is a more expensive tile option. Keep in mind that natural stone, which includes marble, is a little more high-maintenance than other choices. It has to be sealed, will show scratches and stains, and is more likely to crack.

 

4. Fall in Love with an Accent Tile

If your budget allows for an accent tile, I suggest you find a tile that you fall hopelessly in love with, and design your bathroom around, that tile. 

If you don’t think your budget allows for accent tile, take another look.

Even though accent tiles can be expensive, they don’t have to cover a lot of your bathroom surface. A stripe of glass tile adds so much personality. A shower cove of marble tile can quickly elevate an otherwise thrifty wall. Even a ceramic tile in an unexpected color can add interest.

This is your first step in your tile shopping process, to guide you I offer you this sound advice from Savana Schroeder, President of Schroeder in Austin, Texas:

“Try to select tiles that aren’t super trendy.  If they are too trendy, the bathroom will become dated quickly.  Also, do not select tile with resale in mind. Select for yourself and your design dreams.”

5. Home in on a Color Scheme 

Tile comes in every possible color. That’s why choosing a bathroom tile color can be paralyzing. 

I say start with your accent tile. Find the accent tile you love, then build your color design from there. 

The tiles that make up the body of your bathroom, the wall and floor coverings, may be best in white or neutrals. This is especially true when you want your accent tile to be the star of the bathroom show. 

If whites or neutral tile sounds boring to you consider that there are lots of really pretty textures available in those whites and neutrals. I’ve grown to like the textures that evoke subtle wood, grain or aged concrete.

Also, if you’ve already got a tiny bathroom, you’ll probably want to avoid dark colors. Dark colors on the walls will be dreary and make your bathroom look even smaller.

6. Select Bathroom Tile for Your Floor 

Try using a larger tile size on your main floor. This will minimize grout lines, which are harder to keep clean than the tiles themselves. 

You can pick a tile that’s not necessarily designed for the floor, but make sure to do a slip test: wet it down and move your bare foot across the surface. Would you fall?

In the shower, you’ll likely require a smaller format or mosaic tile to facilitate proper drainage. There are lots of large-format floor tiles that come in smaller format sizes. This is helpful if you want the color of your floor to continue into your shower area.

You can also use an entirely different color in your shower area. Or play with shape, too. Maybe even switch up the material. I love penny tile on a shower floor. 

7. Choose the Main Tile for Your Walls

Truly, a bazillion options to choose from for bathroom tile on the walls. But fortunately you have already picked an accent tile you love. You’ve also got a color scheme and material selected. You may ask at this point, “Should bathroom floor and wall tiles match?” They can, but they certainly don’t have to.

This is a good place to pause and look carefully at your budget, since you’ll likely cover a lot of square footage. 

With your accent tile and your budget in hand, search for a neutral backdrop for your accent tile, bathtub, fixtures, and cabinets. 

“Neutral” bathroom tiles on the walls does not have to mean boring. In fact, it should not mean that. This is the tile that will cover most of your bathroom. Make sure it speaks to you.

If “neutral backdrop” rings hollow to you, don’t despair. If you want to use a statement tile to cover your bathroom walls, it can totally work. Know that it will visually create a lot of energy. Make sure you want that kind of energy in your bathroom—it’s not likely to be soothing. And be clear that you know you want it for the long haul because tile is a bit more permanent than paint. 

8. Select Tile Shape and Size to Determine the Overall Look

The shape and size of the tile you choose are important. Even if you choose a traditional shape—a square or rectangle—you have many options in proportion and dimension. 

The look you get using a large rectangular bathroom wall tile is very different from the look you get using a small rectangular bathroom wall tile.

When choosing bathroom tile shapes, keep in mind what tile consultant Savana Schroeder suggests. She says: 

“Try to avoid being a little too conservative.  I see a lot of 3×6 white subway tile and while it is a classic there are so many other interpretations of it that are more up to date – 4x12s, 4x8s, etc.”

And if you don’t necessarily want a rectilinear tile, your options are astounding. Be aware that often when you use a non-traditional shape, the shape itself determines the layout.

Here are some other tile shapes to consider:

 

 

9. Find Your Favorite Layout

If you’ve picked a traditional tile shape—squares or rectangles—you have lots of options for layout pattern. Here are some options:

Running Bond

Like a brick pattern, Running Bond is a tried and true pattern. It looks especially great with a rectangular shape, such as subway tile or large format 12” X 24” tile. 

And don’t think you have to run your rectangular tile parallel to the floor. Perpendicular running bond is an unexpected choice that can make your walls look taller.  Running Bond is an appropriate pattern for both walls and floors. 

Stacked

This is another option to consider when choosing bathroom tile and is exactly what you would expect: tiles are stacked on top of each other in perpendicular lines. It’s a very distinct look! 

Generally, the Stacked look will feel less busy than Running Bond because the grout lines are uninterrupted, straight lines. But, as if by sleight of hand, it can look busier, too! It depends on the size and shape of tile, along with the thickness and color of grout.

Herringbone

Also called herringbone, basket weave is a beautiful option for a layout. This layout is best used in conjunction with a tile of subtle color and texture. 

When I choose this pattern, I also generally pick a grout color that is similar to the tile color. A good rule of thumb is this: if you’ve chosen a complicated layout pattern, use restraint when picking tile and grout. 

When considering bathroom tile layouts, don’t be afraid to play with different proportions and layouts. The project below uses the classic rectangular shape but uses different proportions and layouts. This strategy, along with thoughtful color selection, yields beautiful results.

10. Pick a Tile Finish

A tile finish gives the tile material some texture. It can be high or low-sheen. The process of finishing the tile can make the material more or less slippery and more or less water-resistant.

There are different tile finishes available for all-natural materials like travertine and stone than there are for man-made materials like ceramic and porcelain.

To learn more read 12 Tile Finishes to Make Your Bathroom Design Pop!

11. Pick the Bathroom Tile Grout

While I’ve left grout selection for the end of this post, you really shouldn’t make choosing your grout an afterthought. It changes the whole look of your design. 

An important first step is to decide whether you want your grout lines to take a back seat to the tile. Most people chose this role for grout, but it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Thin Tile Grout Lines

If you want your grout to be merely a backdrop, choose thin lines. Also, select a color of grout that is similar to the color of your tile. If you are going to want your grout to recede into the background, be sure to read How to Make Thin Grout Lines. It contains a step-by-step guide for how to do it right.

Do you want your grout to be a feature? If yes, you have so many options. I’m always amazed by how many color options and widths there are for grout.  Note that when the grout becomes a feature, your chosen layout pattern becomes a feature, too.

Grout Color

Keep in mind that if you choose a dark grout, it may show efflorescence  (whitish or grayish spots from salts) over time.

And a word on white grout: it will show dirt more—it really will. So if you absolutely must have white grout, use thin lines and make sure to use a grout sealer.

Choosing Bathroom Tile: Tips for Success

There’s no doubt about it: Picking bathroom tile is a daunting task. But you can do it! Just follow these suggestions, and you’ll end up with a beautiful bathroom that inspires you and is within your budget.

And a special note: If you are laying tile in a small—or very small!—bathroom, be sure to read 18 Small Bathroom Tile Ideas to Make Your Space Feel Bigger.

See 21 Tips for Perfect Bathroom Tile for links to all our best bathroom tile resources, including articles about how to choose the best tile materials, the best tile size, the best tile colors, and the best tile finish for your project.

The Bathtubber’s Official Bathroom Tile Calculator

Be sure to get the free bathroom tile calculator. It will make any bathroom tile project so much easier! . Fill out the form just below and we’ll send it to you for free.

Tags: accent tile, bathroom floor tile, bathroom tile budget, bathroom tile material, choosing bathroom tile, tile grout, tile layout