1920s Bathroom Tile Ideas – 10 Ways to Get the Glitzy, Glamorous Look
One of the most flamboyant decades in terms of fashion, design and music, the Roaring 20s was a time of speedy economic growth and big consumer spending. Cars, clothes, innovative electrical items and desirable beauty products were on everyone’s wish list as people recovered from the effects of war and a period of little to no spending.
The 1920s was a decade of spectacular change. It welcomed the groundbreaking discovery of penicillin, votes for women and the development of commercial radio, magazines and movies, pivoting its stars into the dizzying heights of fame.
Thanks to the development of steel and reinforced concrete, New York saw its first skyscrapers and stylish semi-detached homes with bay windows began to appear on the UK’s streets.
If the boom in spending, building and social change wasn’t enough, art and design rapidly evolved with the emergence of exciting new art movements, notably Art Deco, Expressionism, Impressionism and Surrealism.
Unsurprisingly, this defining period had a dramatic impact on interior design. Keep reading to find out more about the distinctive 20s style and how you can bring the look into your home.
Image credit: @kv_interior_design
Recommended Tile: Habana White Ceramic
What did 1920s interior decor look like?
Bold, glitzy and glamorous, 20s interiors were bursting with colour, pattern and a refreshing vibrancy. A welcome departure from the starker neutrals of the previous years, the 20s colour palette embraced rich, bold colours and shimmering metallics.
Jewel-toned shades contributed to an opulent, luxurious feel, think dark reds, deep greens and moody sapphire blues with bold black accents and splashes of silver and gold. Neutrals and paler colours were also in fashion with light greens, pinks and blues featuring on walls and clothing.
Art-Deco-inspired geometric patterns were also popular with diamonds, starbursts, stripes and fan shapes appearing on wallpaper designs and tiles.
1920s bathroom tile ideas
Take inspiration from the Golden Years and elevate your bathroom to luxurious heights with our pick of the glitziest 1920s-inspired bathroom designs:
Enliven a bathroom with black accent tiles
Black tiles will always make a statement, but we’re not talking about fully clad walls, just a strip of black border tiles can give your bathroom a subtle 1920s feel and it’s a perfect way to give a high-end finish to your bathroom.
For the best effect, match black tiles with pale colours or opt for metro tiles in jewel tones.
Image credit: @hyggeandwest
Recommended Tile: Brick Pink
Smarten it up with bold stripes
From Breton to pinstripes, this linear design was everywhere in 1920s fashion. Give your bathroom a dapper facelift with a vertical striped tile design. Black and white is an iconic colour combination and is often associated with the 1920s due to the photographs of the time.
Image credit: @akindofhome
Recommended Tile: Welsh porcelain slate
Transform a bathroom with lilypad tiles
Hexagonal tiles may seem like a modern trend but they’ve been used in homes since the early 1900s. With its striking looks and Art-Deco-esque linear design, the lilypad hex tile is perfect for creating a 1920’s 1920s-inspired masterpiece.
For an extra glam finish, try extending the tile design onto the floor and ceiling. Hexagonal tiles are one of the best shapes for creating patterns as you can leave the whole tile intact, rather than cutting a straight edge.
Image credit: @emny.design
Recommended Tile: Ava Azul Decor
Add class with black and white chevron tiles
Stripes, zigzag and chevron patterns are all typical of the 1920s and what better way to replicate these striking designs than with tiles?
Versatile metro tiles are a great choice and will enable you to create a wide range of patterns. Mix it up with different colours and choose elegant marble tiles for the ultimate in luxurious living.
Image credit: @shila_athens
Recommended Tile: San Vincenzo
Experiment with different tile shapes
If you love the idea of a maximalist bathroom, choosing differently shaped tiles in two or more bold colours is a great way to nail the 1920s vibe.
This striking bathroom features square, hexagonal, triangular and rectangular tiles, laid to perfection to create a one-of-a-kind design. Creating and tiling archways is another effective way to get the 20s look in a bathroom. Arches were a classic Art Deco feature, often used to create visual interest.
Image credit: @vintagebathroomlove
Recommended Tile: Ava Rosa
Go bold with brilliant border tiles
Border tiles were a key feature of 1920s designs and are a perfect way to help you get the look in your home. There’s a wide selection of moulded border tiles, or you can use metro, square or patterned tiles in a contrasting colour.
Perfect for edging a half-wall of tiles or separating different tile colours, you can also use vertical border tiles within a wall of plain tiles or insert a beautiful Art Nouveau-inspired decorative tile panel.
Image credit: @nels_eyreinteriors
Recommended Tile: Atlanta Charcoal
Fit a retro penny tile floor
Petite, practical and full of personality, penny tiles are an excellent choice for a 1920s-themed bathroom. Originating in the early 1900s, penny tiles were typically white and black but as tile manufacturing methods improved, more colours were added to the mix. The small size and shape of penny tiles make them the ideal tile for creating patterns and borders.
Hexagonal floor tiles and metro wall tiles are a classic combination that was as much about practicality (no more rotting wooden floors) and good hygiene as great looks. If you want to create a bathroom with a nod to the twenties, this tile combination that’s still in vogue a century later is a savvy style choice.
Image credit: @myhousethismonth
Recommended Tile: Waxman shapes Octagon White
Get fancy with fan-shaped tiles
Mermaid tiles might seem like a modern trend but fan shapes were widely used on Art Deco wallpapers, fabrics and decorative objects. These beautiful mosaic tiles are perfect for transforming a bathroom and, with the right colours and accessories, can help you get the perfect 1920s-looking bathroom.
Image credit: @catalystelectrics
Recommended Tile: Mermaid Olive
Make the ultimate style statement with gold tiles
The 1920s were a riot of colour and sparkle and when it comes to designing a 1920s-themed bathroom, more is definitely more.
For the most luxurious-looking bathroom, go all out with a wall of shimmering gold tiles. Opt for delicate mosaics or larger format glass tiles infused with gold leaf for a bathroom that oozes glamour and sophistication.
Image credit: @waterandwooduk
Recommended Tile: Kaleidoscope Gold
Mix marble and mirrors
The epitome of elegance, marble is one of the most versatile tile materials and works with period and modern bathroom designs. Mirrors and mirrored furniture were popular during the Art Deco era, adding sophistication and glamour to their surroundings and helping to reflect light and enhance the space they were placed in.
Mirror tiles are a brilliant way to enlighten a bathroom and a clever way to maximise a smaller space. Opt for crystal clear mirror glass tiles or choose antiqued, vintage-style tiles to bring old-school glamour to your bathroom.
Image credit: @todhunterearleinteriors
Recommended Tile: Canaletto Gold Marble
1920s bathroom tile tips
Ready to embrace the roaring 20s? Here’s what you’ll need to consider when choosing your tiles:
Colour – The 1920s colour palette is vast. Choose a neutral base and enhance it with dark border tiles, go for a showstopping black and white colour scheme or pair a wall of jewel-toned tiles with beautiful Art Deco-inspired wallpaper for the most beautiful bathroom.
Shape – The 20s was a revolutionary decade in many ways, not least in terms of design. Plain and simple designs made way for bold shapes and experimental patterns, all inspired by exciting new art movements. Think about combining different tile shapes to create a serious style statement.
Material – Opt for smooth, glossy tiles in porcelain, polished stone or glass. As well as being easy to clean, glossy surfaces are the best for making spaces feel larger.
Atlas Ceramics has an extensive range of traditional-style, shaped, patterned and glass tiles to choose from. Browse our collection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.