Industrial Bathroom Tile Ideas – 12 ways to achieve a stripped-back style
From exposed brick walls to factory-style concrete floors, modern industrial interior style is popular, practical and timeless.
Industrial style is packed with character, and, if you’re keen to get the look in your home, it’s a great way to make use of any unusual features that you may have such as exposed beams, pipework or brickwork. By making the most of your home’s quirks and sometimes less-than-desirable features, adopting the industrial look can be a savvy way to save money too.
Image credit: @tiny_victorian_home
Recommended Tile: Dorset Bevelled Blanco
What is industrial style?
Inspired by old factories and open-plan industrial spaces, this timeless and minimalist style is all about exposed elements, upcycling and vintage pieces.
Often associated with large, open-plan loft apartments, modern industrial interior style stems from the conversion of old factories and warehouses into homes. Huge windows, exposed beams and pipework, brick walls and concrete floors are all characteristic of the industrial style. The rawness of the industrial look has gained popularity in much smaller homes, and you can easily create an industrial style in a compact space, even in a modern abode.
Key elements of industrial-style interiors include:
- Exposed or painted brick walls
- Concrete floors
- Visible pipework
- Large windows, often with black metal frames
- Neutral colours, especially black, white, grey and beige.
One of the best things about industrial style is that it will work in any home, whether it’s an old farmhouse, a modern apartment or a 1930s semi. The combination of timeless materials and the paired-down colour scheme also means it’s far less likely to date than some more modern design trends.
Industrial bathroom tile ideas
From warehouse-inspired bathrooms to more luxuriously appointed washrooms, we’ve rounded up the best industrial bathroom tile ideas to start you on your journey to an industrial interior.
Go grey
Grey features heavily in many industrial-inspired interiors with concrete floors being a key feature in repurposed factory apartments. Recreate this classic industrial look in a bathroom with ultra-realistic concrete-effect porcelain tiles. Suitable for floors and walls, you can take the look as far as you like going for complete coverage, or combining concrete effect tiles with contrasting ones. Good partners include wood-effect, penny mosaic and metro tiles.
Image credit: @beestudiosdesign
Recommended Tile: Eco Stone Grigio
Warm it up with wood
With exposed floors and visible pipework, the industrial style can look a little cold and clinical. One of the best ways to break up a cold room is to add texture and warmth with natural wood or wood-effect porcelain tiles. The warmth and texture of wood will instantly lift a room and it makes a fantastic contrast against plain metro tiles or concrete.
Image credit: @ecoshackcom
Recommended Tile: Dorset Smooth Blanco
Mix concrete effect tiles with softer patterns
Concrete-effect tiles look chic and modern and are one of the best ways to achieve an industrial look. If you love the look but are worried that concrete tiles might look a bit stark, try combining them with bold patterned tiles in a different colour. You’ll still get the industrial look, but it’ll be softened by the pattern and an injection of colour.
Image credit: @the_interior_lens
Recommended Tile: Elements Titanium
Introduce natural materials
Combine natural materials with industrial-style fittings to create a luxurious steampunk-style bathroom.
Keep colours neutral; black, white, grey and beige are all part of the industrial palette. Use natural stones such as limestone, travertine, slate and marble or opt for stone-effect tiles for a lower-maintenance option.
Image credit: @bagnodesignuae
Combine painted bricks and vintage tiles
If you’re lucky enough to have a wall or two of bricks in your bathroom, you can combine them with vintage-style tiles for a quirky take on the industrial look.
Vintage star tiles are a beautiful addition to any room but work especially well in smaller spaces.
Image credit: @skullanddecor
Recommended Tile: Regal
Incorporate different tile textures
Realistic wood, metal, concrete, brick and stone textures can all be replicated on porcelain tiles. Using porcelain tiles is the most budget-friendly and practical way to get these elements into your bathroom. Choose a different tile style for each wall, go for contrasting walls and floors or keep the same tile throughout for a more unified look.
Image credit: @sanipexgalleryuae
Add interest with feature hexagonal tiles
Use bold, geometric tiles in a dark colour for a dramatic take on the industrial look. Combine dark grey hexagonal tiles with wood and gold brassware for a chic effect.
The sheer variety of tile shapes and sizes means that you can be really creative with this look. You don’t have to pick square or hexagonal tiles. Stick to the industrial colour palette and you can get away with tiles in any design you like.
Image credit: @chloe.cains
Recommended Tile: Ava Black
Go for broke with floor-to-ceiling metro tiles
Channel the Victorian subway stations and tile a bathroom with floor-to-ceiling metro tiles for an incredibly practical bathroom.
Metro tiles were initially developed for use in underground train stations. The Victorians wanted the stations to look good and be easy to clean. Both these features have cemented the popularity of metro tiles and they’re still one of the most sought-after styles for bathrooms. Keep grout black for an authentic industrial vibe.
Contrast plain tiles and old brickwork
Exposed brickwork can be a beautiful feature in a bathroom. It’s full of character, but it can also be full of holes and a bit crumbly. For this reason, it may not be the most practical option in a wet room, but you can solve this problem by tiling the parts of the wall that will come into contact with water.
The below industrial-style bathroom makes the most of its rustic original features, combining original brickwork with practical ceramic wall and floor tiles and wooden and metal accessories.
Image credit: @tiny_victorian_home
Recommended Tile: Dorset Bevelled White and Damask 2
Pair modern matchstick tiles with classic terrazzo
The extreme toughness of terrazzo tiles makes them a popular choice in industrial environments. You’d historically spot these tiles on floors, but a boom in demand has led to the development of a wide range of beautifully coloured and textured designs and they’re now popular on walls too.
Often made from a cement mortar that contains various aggregates, terrazzo tiles can also be made from porcelain. They’re a stunning choice for a bathroom and the fact that the aggregate chips run right through the tile means you can forego tile edging if you like.
Combine terrazzo with a modern matchstick tile or use them throughout the room for a visually interesting alternative to plain tiles.
Image credit: @obsidian_interiors
Get the rustic look with splitface tiles
No exposed brickwork in your bathroom? No problem! You can add a rustic look with stone-effect splitface tiles. Add complimentary natural stone and wood tiles, or keep it simple with plain white or grey tiles, however you choose to style these versatile tiles, they are guaranteed to look incredible.
Image credit: @by.plum
Recommended Tile: Arun Dark
Fit timeless limestone tiles
Although factories wouldn’t typically be clad in limestone, using natural stone, or stone-effect tiles can be an effective way to bring the minimalist industrial style to your bathroom.
Combine neutral stone walls with industrial-style accessories for a look that will easily stand the test of time.
Image credit: @deroseesa
Industrial-style tile tips
- The industrial look is a streamlined and practical one. Keep things simple and uncluttered for the best effect. Losing the clutter will also help a small room feel much more spacious.
- Stick to the industrial-style neutral colour palette for the best effect. Black, white, cream, beige and grey are the go-to colours. You can add pops of colour with accessories and areas of patterned tile if you want to soften the look.
- Although seen as clinical, industrial style can be warm and welcoming. Adding plenty of wood (whether natural or wood-effect) and plants will go a long way to creating a relaxed feel.
From natural stone and a wide range of metro tiles to concrete and stone-effect tiles, Atlas Ceramics stocks a comprehensive range of tiles to help you achieve an industrial look in your bathroom. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.