10 warm and inviting Mediterranean-style bathroom tile ideas
Separating Europe from Africa and with a coastline of 28,600 miles, the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean sea border 22 countries.
Known for its long hot summers, fabulous fresh food and crystal clear seas, the Mediterranean is a popular holiday destination, attracting almost a third of the world’s international tourists.
As well as the appealing climate and beautiful sea, the Mediterranean is famous for its iconic style. Crisp white-washed buildings contrast with brightly coloured foliage, and natural materials like wood and stone are abundant.
If you’d like to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your bathroom, keep reading to discover which tiles to pick to help you achieve the look.
What is Mediterranean style?
Light, bright and warm, the Mediterranean style is simple and chic. Think of it as a traditional style with a modern twist. Earthy colours and natural textures blend effortlessly together to create a look that’s both elegant and understated. With influences from Africa and Europe, Mediterranean interiors are usually based around a neutral backdrop. Colour can be added with rich fabrics and tiles, or the look can be kept simpler with more rustic natural materials like stone and wood. How can I get the Mediterranean look in my bathroom? If you’re keen to bring the feel of the Med into your bathroom, think bright and airy with plenty of white and natural materials. Make the most of available light and avoid using very dark colours. Terracotta, natural stone tiles like marble and travertine, colourful glazed tiles and wood are all features of Mediterranean interiors. To achieve a warm and inviting feel in your bathroom choose neutral colours and mix them with subtler hues of blue, yellow, green, brown and red.
Mediterranean bathroom tile ideas
From bold Moroccan-style tiles to elegant Italian travertine and colourful Spanish-style bathrooms, we’ve collated some of the most breathtakingly beautiful Mediterranean-style bathroom ideas to inspire you.
Choose rustic tiles
Warm, rustic tiles set against a neutral backdrop are the perfect way to bring Mediterranean style into your bathroom. Choose tiles made from terracotta, stone or stone-effect porcelain in natural, earthy hues to achieve a similar look. Mosaic tiles add interest and are often associated with bright colours but they can be just as striking in natural tones.
Image credit: @studio3727interiordesign
Tile a shower enclosure with Moroccan tiles
One of the most effective ways to bring the Mediterranean look to your bathroom is to tile an area with bold Moroccan-style tiles. You can choose from a range of colours, opt for simple blue and white or mix it up a little more with patterns that incorporate green, ochre, blue and red. Although original Moroccan tiles can be extremely expensive, porcelain and ceramic versions are a great budget-friendly option.
Image credit: @mikayla.keating
Add colour with vibrant Spanish-style tiles
Mediterranean style is known for its warmth and character. Use boldly coloured patterned tiles to bring a Spanish vibe into your bathroom. Combine different tile shapes and colours for a busier look, or keep the rest of the tiles plain and highlight an area such as the floor or a feature wall.
Image credit: @engelvolkersholland
Lay a traditional terracotta tile floor
Natural terracotta tiles are synonymous with the Mediterranean. Use these warm, cheery tiles to clad bathroom floors for a rustic look. Because terracotta tiles are made from clay, you can expect variations in the tile colour.
Image credit: @jocorinteriors
Recommended Tiles: Handmade Terracotta
Use crisp white tiles
If you love the simplicity of the Mediterranean style, choosing plain white tiles is an effective and budget-friendly way to brighten up your bathroom. Mix it up with terracotta-coloured grout for a look that’s a bit different.
Image credit: @houmi.projekty
Choose feature wall tiles
Liven up a neutral background with ornate feature tiles. Fish-scale tiles are inspired by ocean waves and look especially effective when used in a plain, bright bathroom. Choose green or blue to represent the Mediterranean sea.
Image credit: @balimandira
Recommended Tiles: Mermaid Olive
Fit luxurious Italian marble
Italian marble is considered by many to be the best in the world due to its purity and colour. It’s not a cheap option, but it will transform a bathroom into a luxurious, spa-like haven. If your budget doesn’t stretch to the real deal, you can choose from a range of realistic and practical marble-effect porcelain and get the luxe look for less. It won’t be any less striking! As well as large-format marble tiles, you can choose smaller tiles, more rustic looking tumbled marble and marble mosaic tiles.
Image credit: @cordreycollection
Recommended Tiles: Elements Lux Gold
Bring the sea inside with multi-hued blue tiles
A key aspect of the Mediterranean style is indoor-outdoor living. Although this isn’t always an option in the cooler UK, you can bring the ocean into your bathroom by using creative tiling techniques and clever colour combinations.
Image credit: @iscdeducation
Recommended Tiles: Rio Cielo
Keep it classy with all-white tiles
One of the easiest ways to create a simple, Mediterranean feel in your home is to fit white wall and floor tiles. It’ll open up the room instantly, making even the smallest space feel bright and airy. You can paint the walls an earthy, Mediterranean-inspired colour to warm it up a little.
Image credit: @thelittle_blackguide
Recommended Tiles: Vintage White
Opt for timeless travertine
One of the most beautiful tile materials, travertine is a type of limestone. It’s rustic and timeless and will add warmth to any space. Use travertine tiles for the floor or tile the whole bathroom for a look that will never go out of style.
Top tips for achieving the Mediterranean look with tiles
● Keep it simple, a neutral backdrop with elements of stone, terracotta and wood is one of the most effective ways to achieve a laid-back Mediterranean look.
● You can also opt for bolder, colourful tiles an stay authentic with a Mediterranean colour palette of blue, green, ochre, brown and red.
● Although marble and travertine can be expensive options, you can achieve a beautifully elegant and authentic Mediterranean-style bathroom with simpler white or Moroccan-style tiles.
● Experiment with contrasting tile materials and textures for a rustic feel, for example, try natural terracotta with glossy white ceramic.
Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of terracotta, natural stone, porcelain and patterned tiles to help you achieve the Mediterranean look in your bathroom. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.