Tile in Bathroom: 9 Unusual Design Ideas

What could be more conventional than tile in the bathroom? It's the most practical and reliable material for a humid room, and it's hard to find a substitute. But typical options like 'pigskin' tiles have grown rather tiresome.

We've gathered great bathroom interiors with unusual tile and non-standard solutions. Let's take a look.

Tile only in the 'wet' zone

The main reason why people usually use tile in the bathroom is that it doesn't let water through and doesn't deteriorate from moisture. That means it should only be used where water comes into contact — in the shower, near the bathtub, and above the sink.

The other walls can be decorated however you like: paint or wallpaper. But in pursuit of originality, don't forget about practicality — choose moisture-resistant materials to ensure long-lasting results.

Notice how strikingly unique this interior looks, where tile is used only on a small portion of the wall. This design choice adds contrast between colors: rich, deep blue next to pristine white ceramic.

Design: Irina Raikhel

In this countryside bathroom, they decided to keep the cobblestone walls and lay tile only where it's truly necessary. Ceramic stone mimicking marble and painted wood create a lively combination: a sort of 'bohemian' farmhouse.

Design: Evgenia Shimkevich

Relief Tile

Relief or 3D tile is rapidly gaining popularity. No wonder — it looks truly unique. And three-dimensional tiles are not just an interesting design choice, but also a trend: recent trends in global design emphasize texture over ornamentation.

In this bathroom, relief tile was used only on one wall, while regular tiles from different collections were chosen for the others. The result is a minimalist and stylish interior.

Design: Alena Shishkina

Unusual 'Pigskin' Tile

The beloved 'pigskin' tile is great for many reasons: timeless classic, neutral background for bold design solutions, and simple choice.

But when something good becomes too common, it starts to annoy. In the case of tiles, the solution is simple: you like 'pigskin', but want to escape monotony — consider a colored version and an original laying method.

Design: Masha Yashina

Non-Standard Shape Tile

Those who are tired of classic tiles will definitely appreciate non-standard ones: in the shape of honeycombs, fish scales, or even geometric patterns with complex layouts.

Design: Olga Tishkaeva

Design: Maxim Novinkov

Design: Rimma Semenova

Combination of Tiles from Different Collections

Decorating the entire bathroom with one type of tile is like wearing a sportswear suit — quick, convenient, but lacking in imagination.

Try selecting different tiles that complement each other. It's not difficult, considering that most manufacturers now offer ready-made solutions. The interior will definitely become more interesting and modern.

Design: Julia Chernenko

Design: Design Filosofia

Tile Imitating Natural Materials

Modern tile production technologies allow for an accurate replication of the texture and pattern of natural materials. Sometimes, it's hard to distinguish the tile from real stone or wood — both visually and by touch.

Tile imitating wood, marble, onyx, or concrete allows you to create a stylish interior that will remain relevant for years, as natural materials are timeless.

Design: Irina Fakhrutdinova

Vibrant Decoration

Want an unusual interior? Make it vibrant! Rich tones add character to the space and set the mood. The key is not to overdo it with color: three or four colors are enough. Too many shades are hard to combine and can make the interior look tacky.

Just look at how interesting and lively bathrooms you can create by playing with color!

Design: Olga Kulikovskaya-Eshbi

Design: Anna Veretennikova

Design: Art Group

Colored Grout

Ordinary, unadorned tile can be beautifully reinterpreted and presented in a new look with contrasting grout. This idea will appeal to those who love simple yet original interiors.

See how beautifully the grout complements the companion tile here: the color seems to flow from one to the other, creating a harmonious composition.

Design: Andrey and Alena Timoniny

Terrazzo

Another trend in our list. Cement-based pieces of colored glass, marble, and stone have become very popular this year and are increasingly seen in interiors.

This material was invented long ago in Venice, and then it was a way to dispose of construction waste. Now terrazzo is experiencing a second life as purely decorative material.

In this interior, designers selected an amazing color combination: concrete gray with pink specks and the same pink main tile.

Design: Ekaterina Tretyakova