12 Patterned Bathroom Tile Ideas to Make Your Floors and Walls Pop
Patterned tiles are officially back in style and they’re bigger and bolder than ever before. Perfect for breathing life into rooms of any size, patterned tiles can help you turn your bathroom walls or floors into spectacular works of art. Choose from bold or more subdued colours and delicate or flamboyant designs inspired by nature and far-flung destinations.
If you’re looking to pep up a tired family bathroom or inject interest into an ensuite, keep reading to discover our pick of some of the most beautiful, vibrant and fun tile designs.
Image credit: @Atlasceramics
Are patterned tiles still in style?
From trending terrazzo to exquisite hand-painted designs and vintage-style prints, patterned tiles are hugely popular right now.
Using patterned tiles in your home can be daunting, especially if you’re set on a bold, bright design. If you love patterns, don’t be tempted to play it safe with plainer styles, with a little planning, you can easily find the right style for your bathroom that you’ll love for years to come.
Patterned tiles will transform a bathroom in a way that plainer tiles just can’t, they’ll add bags of character and, this is a big plus, they’re pretty forgiving in terms of watermarks and day-to-day splashes and spills so you won’t be forever cleaning them.
The way that you use patterned tiles in your bathroom can make a big difference too. Patterned floor tiles will instantly lift a room, you can pick out a feature wall with bold patterned tiles or, if you prefer a subtler touch, tile a splashback with beautifully ornate or vibrant patterned tiles.
Patterned bathroom tile ideas
If you’ve got your heart set on patterned tiles but aren’t sure which design will be best for your bathroom, we’ve put together a collection of beautifully patterned bathroom tiles to suit every style:
Magnificent mural tiles
If you want to create the ultimate statement wall in your bathroom, a tiled mural masterpiece is a brilliant way to do so. The mural is created in such a way that you can use part of the design as a panel between plainer wall tiles, or cover the whole room in a glorious, jungle-inspired, tiled artwork.
Decorative floor tiles
You can instantly revive a tired bathroom with boldly patterned floor tiles. Symmetrically patterned tiles work especially well on floors; the larger the pattern, the bigger it will help the floor space look.
Balance bold floor tiles with plainer wall tiles for an effortlessly elegant-looking bathroom.
Fabulous floral tiles
Patterned tiles don’t have to be big and bold to be effective, we love these delicate floral tiles which will add interest and character to a small bathroom or create a beautiful focal point in a larger space.
Pick out your favourite colours and choose plain tiles to complement patterned tiles for the most sophisticated finish.
Relief tiles
Three-dimensional tiles are perfect for adding subtle interest to bathroom walls. Combine them with smooth tiles in the same shade for the best effect. Depending on the style you choose, tiles with a relief texture can add an ultra-modern or traditional touch to your bathroom.
Nature-inspired tiles
Spending time around nature is proven to boost your mood and enhance your well-being. Designers are well aware of the importance of creating beautiful and relaxing interiors and the impact they can have on mental health, and this is apparent in the growing range of nature-inspired wallpapers, paint colours, accessories and our favourite, tiles.
Fill your bathroom with serene, green tiles inspired by the natural world, they’re subtle enough not to be overpowering but offer enough interest to help you create a strong focal point in your bathroom.
Lily pad tiles
One of our favourite tile designs, the simple lily pad style is hugely popular and can make a big splash in bathrooms and wetrooms.
Made from porcelain, these little tiles are as tough as they are beautiful. Lily pad tiles are a wonderful way to add character to a bathroom and look fantastic on floors, walls, or both. As they are so popular, there are a few different colours to choose from, each offering a completely different look. You can also effectively combine them with plain hexagonal and metro tiles.
Beautiful bamboo tiles
Bring a subtle elegance to your bathroom walls with tiles in understated, nature-inspired designs. Introducing elements of the natural world into your everyday life can help you relax, unwind and de-stress.
Patterned tiles in subtle shades will pair beautifully with natural stone and wood-effect tiles, or you can add a pop of colour with complementary brightly coloured tiles.
Terrazzo tiles
One of the hottest tile designs around, terrazzo tiles are perfect for adding a modern touch to your bathroom. The chips in terrazzo tiles can vary considerably in size, creating a completely different look.
Terrazzo tiles come in a wide range of colours and they can be used to make a bold statement or a surprisingly subtle one. They’re a perfect way to include pattern in your bathroom design scheme and work equally well on floors and walls.
Traditional decorative tiles
If you are worried that the patterned tiles you choose might date quickly, you could opt for a more traditional tile pattern. Inspired by Victorian designs, these ornately patterned tiles will add a welcome pop of colour and interest to modern and period bathrooms alike.
Vintage star tiles
Patterned tiles are one of the most popular choices when it comes to decorating bathroom walls and floors and vintage-style star tiles are an ideal choice if you want to make a serious style statement.
These versatile tiles have a worn, aged appearance so will work well in industrial or rustic-style bathrooms and more modern bathrooms. They’re often spotted on bathroom floors but they work just as well on walls and make the perfect splashback.
Patchwork tiles
Moroccan-inspired patterned tiles are perfect for adding an exotic look to your bathroom. They’re an exceptionally popular design and you can opt for subtler black-and-white patterns or more authentic multi-coloured designs. You can even effectively combine the two.
Characterful canine tiles
We’ve left the best for last with these incredibly playful doggy tiles. Take your love of our four-legged canine companions to the next level with these quirky wall tiles. As they’re in an on-trend black-and-white colour scheme, you can pair them with neutral tiles, or style them with coloured tiles to suit your home.
Patterned bathroom tile tips
● Order samples first
It’s always a good idea to order a few samples of your favourite tiles but especially so when you’re choosing an unconventional tile design or style. Grab a few samples and see how they’ll look in situ before settling on your final choice.
● Balance patterned tiles with plainer designs
If you’ve chosen a bold tile design, be sure to balance it with plainer tiles so that you don’t feel overpowered by pattern every time you step into your bathroom.
● Choose vintage designs
If you’re worried that modern patterned tiles might not stand the test of time, you can opt for more traditional patterns instead. Look at vintage styles, Moroccan-inspired designs and Victorian tiles for beautiful, future-proof solutions.
Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of modern and more traditional patterned wall and floor tiles to help you make your bathroom walls and floors pop. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.