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Japanese-style bathroom tile ideas – 8 ways to achieve a minimalist look with tiles

Famous for its cutting-edge technology, breath-taking scenery and sensational sushi, Japan is a country of majestic, mountainous terrain and densely packed (but exceptionally clean) cities.

Lying off the east coast of Asia, the islands of Japan house the 11th largest population in the world. Because mountains cover around 80% of Japan, the cities are hugely populated, Japan boasts 12 of the world’s megacities.

Embracing the art of Zen and minimalism, Japanese interiors are designed to feel spacious, even if they aren’t. Clean lines, neutral colours, natural materials and plenty of greenery are all important factors in Japanese design.

Image credit: @asquareddesign_

Recommended Tile: Moov Ivory

 

What is Japanese style?

Simple, uncluttered and ultra-stylish, Japanese style incorporates neutral colours and natural
elements to create a relaxing and beautiful environment.

Favouring a minimalist approach, Japanese bathrooms usually consist of a deep bath and shower, the toilet is usually in a different room with the focus of the bathroom being very much on clean lines, simple décor and relaxation. Although having a toilet in a different room isn’t common in UK homes, if you’re redesigning a bathroom, you could locate the toilet behind a wall or a screen for a more authentic Japanese feel.

A Japanese-inspired colour palette will include neutral earthy tones like beige and cream, as well as white, black and grey.

Japanese-style bathroom tile ideas

If you fancy creating a Zen-like retreat in your home, take a look at these beautiful Japanese-style bathrooms:

Stone tiles

Japanese interiors often feature neutral colours. Soft grey stone tiles are an ideal choice for a bathroom, they’ll go with every other colour and the beauty of natural stone lies in the natural variation within each tile.

You can also opt for stone-effect porcelain tiles. The best quality tiles will contain many different tile markings, preventing obvious pattern repeats and making it hard to tell them apart from the real thing.

Image credit: @dcruzdesigngroup

Recommended tile: DD Ivory

Wood-effect tiles

Bringing natural elements into the home is a key part of Japanese interior design. Using wood is one of the best ways to achieve this and, although wood and water may not be the best combination, you can get the look with wood-effect porcelain tiles.

Suitable for floors and walls, wood-effect tiles have a grained texture, just like the real thing. Combine wood look tiles with simple tiles in black, white or grey for the best effect.

Image credit: @tansaikoubou

Recommended Tile: Naturae Wood Effect Forest

Splitface tiles

Rustic, splitface tiles are ideal for adding texture and interest to surfaces. These tiles can be made from real stone or porcelain and look especially effective when used to highlight smaller areas like showers or splashbacks. Both smooth and rough-hewn textures have a place in Japanese design making split face tiles a great choice for a Japanese-style
bathroom.

Recommended Tile: Arun Dark

White mosaic tiles

Keep it clean and minimal with a white mosaic tiled bathroom. A minimalist bathroom doesn’t have to be boring though, you can add texture and interest with beautifully shaped tiles.

Hexagons, slimline matchstick tiles and mosaic tiles are all super-stylish options that will add interest, without overpowering the room.

Image credit: @carolinesacreste

Recommended Tile: Smart White Mosaic

Black floor tiles

If you prefer a more dramatic look, black bathroom tiles are an excellent choice. Working well in small and larger rooms alike, you can add warmth with wood effect tiles. Using large-format black tiles in a bathroom will help you to create a relaxing, spa-like feel.

Image credit: @amplifiedlifestyles

Recommended Tile: Amerka Nero

White and grey tiles

Embrace the neutral approach with elegant grey and white bathroom tiles. This modern Japanese bathroom effectively combines sleek marble tiles with contemporary grey metro tiles for a look that’s clean, minimal and sophisticated.

Using large-format tiles can help you to achieve a streamlined look as there are fewer grout lines, but you can effectively combine different sized tiles without them looking cluttered, the key is sticking to a neutral colour palette.

Image credit: @kristinacheng016

Matchstick tiles

Mosaic tiles are perfect for adding interest to bathroom walls. Whether you choose to use them over smaller areas or tile the whole room is up to you, but they’re guaranteed to add a touch of luxury.

Matchstick tiles in neutral colours are perfect for pepping up small bathrooms, whilst maintaining a neutral and uncluttered feel. These tiles are often laid vertically, but you can also fit them horizontally for a different look.

Image credit: @malthadesign

Traditional style tiles

Take inspiration from more traditionally styled Japanese bathrooms, and factor in plenty of wood (wood-effect porcelain tiles are a game-changer in bathroom environments), mosaic tiles and bolder flooring patterns.

Image credit: @freddy.h.istanto

Japanese-style bathroom tile tips

● Japanese interiors are often inspired by the natural world. Consider using stone, wood and rough-textured splitface tiles in your bathroom.
● Stick to a neutral colour palette when planning a Japanese-style bathroom. Grey, white, black, beige and cream are key in creating a minimal, uncluttered look.
● You don’t have to stick to plain tiles to get a clean look. As long as the colour scheme is neutral, you can have fun with textured tiles, unusually shaped tiles, mosaics and natural materials like stone and marble.
● Japanese interiors are all about embracing nature, often wood is a key element in a bathroom. You can use wood-effect tiles as a central material, combining them with tiles in soft grey, white or contrasting black.

Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of neutral-coloured porcelain and natural stone tiles to help you achieve an authentic Japanese look in your bathroom. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.