10 Marble Effect Bathroom Tile Ideas for the Ultimate Luxe Look
There’s no doubt that marble is one of the most elegant tile materials. Beloved by the ancient Greeks and used to construct some of the world’s most recognisable monuments and sculptures, marble’s natural strength and beauty have ensured its enduring popularity.
Perfect for achieving the luxurious ‘hotel-chic’ bathroom vibe, marble is timeless and elegant and has the unique ability to effortlessly slot into any style of decor.
Although real marble is naturally durable, it can’t beat the toughness and low maintenance of marble-effect porcelain. Improved printing techniques with ultra-realistic patterns have enabled tile manufacturers to create an increasingly impressive range of marble-effect tiles that are virtually impossible to distinguish from the real thing.
If you love the idea of a real marble bathroom but are put off by its vulnerabilities, keep reading to discover why marble-effect porcelain tiles are an excellent alternative.
Image credit: @wioleta_kelly
Recommended Tile: Elgin Matt White Marble
Marble Effect Bathroom Tile Ideas
Whether you want a subtle sprinkling or a decadent and dramatic drenching, there is a marble-effect tile for every style.
Marble effect metro wall tiles
Perfect for enhancing a clean, modern bathroom, marble-effect metro tiles are great for adding subtle interest within a neutral colour scheme.
Rectangular metro tiles have many benefits, not least their versatility and myriad design layouts.
Image credit: @rigby.residence
Recommended Tile: Elgin Gloss White Marble
Complete coverage marble effect tiles
Practical and durable, marble-effect porcelain tiles are ideal for cladding shower enclosures and wet rooms. The finish of marble-effect porcelain tiles can vary considerably so if slipping is a concern, look for tiles with a more matt finish or use smaller marble-effect tiles for the floor area.
Image credit: @scribetiling
Recommended Tile: Izmir Marble Polished 300 x 600mm
Marble effect hexagon tiles
Add a modern twist to a bathroom by choosing versatile marble effect hexagonal tiles for your bathroom walls or floors. Get creative with layouts by inserting different shades of marble tile within the same wall, creating unique patterns or keeping it simple by sticking to one colour.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Marble effect shower tiles
If you’re on a budget, or just want to introduce a small amount of marble to your bathroom, tiling the shower area in classy marble effect tiles is a savvy solution. Marble is extremely versatile and can be combined with a wide range of other tile styles.
Image credit: @peonyandprose
Recommended Tile: Izmir Marble Polished 600x1200mm
Pink marble effect tiles
Marble effect tiles are typically white with black, grey or beige veins but if you prefer a softer look, why not think pink? Delicate and surprisingly versatile, pale pink marble tiles are perfect for creating a romantic, relaxing feel in your bathroom.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: Onyx Pink
Large format marble effect tiles
There are no right or wrong ways to style marble tiles, but if you want your marble effect tiles to make maximum impact, going large is always a good idea. Large format tiles are best for showing off the veins in marble and creating a luxurious, spa-like aesthetic. Just be careful to avoid tell-tale pattern repeats and no one will ever know they aren’t real!
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: Elgin Matt
Gold-flecked marble effect tiles
It’s hard to get a more high-end look than marble, but if you want to turn it up a notch, look for gold-flecked marble effect tiles. Perfect for creating a softer look than darkly veined marble, this is one look you’ll never grow tired of.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: Canaletto Gold Marble
Dark marble effect floor tiles
Switch up your bathroom floors with dramatic black marble-effect tiles. Dark tiles bring a new dimension to bathrooms, adding sophistication and warmth and, if you combine them with light-coloured wall tiles, it won’t make the space feel too dark or enclosed.
Image credit: @zcollection.usa
We suggest: Ombra Moca
Marble effect shower niche
One of the main drawbacks of real marble tiles is their porosity. Placing shower gels, toothpaste and other toiletries directly onto natural marble can etch its surface, resulting in permanent damage. Not so with marble effect porcelain, which makes it an excellent option for lining a handy shower niche.
Image credit: @roomfortuesday
Recommended Tile: Renoir Isola
Marble effect checkerboard floor tiles
An iconic design, the checkerboard floor pattern is synonymous with elegance and luxury. Durable marble effect porcelain tiles are an ideal choice for flooring, look for tiles with a honed or tumbled style finish for maximum grip.
Image credit: @jtp_uk
What’s the difference between marble and marble effect tiles?
Natural marble is a type of crystallised limestone. Snow white in its most natural form, the characteristic veins that weave through many marbles are created from evaporated mineral deposits. Although marble is durable, it is one of the softer stones – one of the main reasons that it’s been used for sculpting and building over the years.
Marble tiles are suitable for bathrooms, but natural marble is porous and needs careful care and maintenance to keep it watertight. Marble effect tiles are usually made from porcelain, the toughest of all tile materials.
With continual advances in printing techniques, tiling manufacturers can produce ultra-realistic marble effect tiles. Because images are taken from real marble, there’s very little to distinguish the real marble tiles from the marble effect copies.
Here are the main differences between marble and marble effect tiles:
Durability – The Taj Mahal and the Parthenon are a testament to the durability of natural marble but, as a softer stone, marble is susceptible to scratches and chips, neither of which will affect porcelain.
Porosity – One of the key differences between marble and marble-effect porcelain tiles is their porosity. All natural stone tiles are porous, meaning they can be penetrated by water and other liquids if not sealed. Marble tiles can be damaged externally and internally by contact with acidic substances like vinegar and fruit juice.
Porcelain tiles are fired at exceptionally high temperatures to create a super-strong and impermeable finish that’s resistant to water and stains.
Weight – Marble is one of the heaviest tile materials and, although porcelain is also heavy, it’s much lighter than real marble. The ease of transporting and installing porcelain tiles is often a factor in fitting costs.
Maintenance – When it comes to maintaining marble and porcelain, there’s no comparison. Real marble needs to be regularly sealed and, because it’s soft, care must be taken not to scratch or stain the tiles. Porcelain is the toughest of the tiling lot and will easily endure the wear and tear of everyday life, making it a clear favourite for time-pressed homeowners.
Cost – Although there isn’t a big price difference between high-end marble effect porcelain and real marble, the added weight of real marble can make installation tricker and more expensive.
Are marble effect tiles suitable for bathrooms?
Marble effect tiles are a perfect choice for bathrooms. Their durability, waterproof qualities and resistance to scratches and chips make them a savvy choice for bathroom walls and floors.
Are marble effect tiles in fashion?
Marble-style tiles are a good choice if you want to create a timeless-looking bathroom. Marble effect tiles are equally at home in modern and period homes and the range of patterns and colours ensures you can find a marble tile to suit your style.
Marble tiles feature in almost all of our articles, they’re exceptionally versatile and can work with all interior designs from modern minimal to maximalist safari-style.
Marble effect bathroom tile tips
- Go large for maximum impact – There are so many ways to style marble effect tiles but very large tiles are guaranteed to make a bold statement and they’re the best option if you want to create a sleek, streamlined look. Just make sure to avoid any pattern repeats, the better the quality of the marble-effect tiles, the more pattern variation there will be in the range.
- Look for different-sized tiles – Alternatively, you can mix and match marble effect tile styles. Combine large wall tiles with mosaic marble effect floor tiles (this is great for grip too) or play around with different shapes like hexagons and rectangles.
- Think about tile finish – Highly polished marble effect tiles are perfect for achieving a luxurious-looking bathroom but you might want to look for a less polished finish if you’re using the tiles on the bathroom floor or in a shower area.
Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of marble effect porcelain tiles for your bathroom. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our friendly experts for advice.