Nautical Bathroom Tile Ideas – 13 ways to get the seafaring look

We all love to be beside the seaside, and often we want to introduce the breezy, laidback style and the glorious ocean-inspired colours into our homes.

Seaside style is all about incorporating natural elements and bringing the colours and textures of the sea and the sand inside.

Bathrooms lend themselves perfectly to a nautical theme and there are many ways to introduce vibrant coastal design into your home.

Bathrooms are always a popular area to decorate when wanting to bring a touch of the seaside into your home. Chose neutrals and ocean inspired colours to create a laidback, light and fresh effect in your home.

Image credit: @steetley_beach_house

Recommended Tile: Devonport 

What kind of tiles can I use for a beach-themed bathroom?

One of the best ways to bring a nautical or beach house feel to a bathroom is by using cleverly chosen tiles. There is a wide range of tile textures, materials and colours to choose from to help you channel the ocean vibe.

Textured, ripple tiles are perfect for creating movement and interest, you can opt for sea-themed colours like blue and aqua, or have fun with nautical stripes.

Wood and natural materials are key features in boat and beachside homes, you can get the look with practical and extremely realistic wood-effect tiles, opt for quirky pebble mosaic tiles or choose soft, sand-coloured stone tiles. You can also introduce beautiful glass and mother-of-pearl tiles for a more luxurious look.

Beach house bathroom tile ideas

Whether you have an actual beachfront bathroom or want to bring the spirit of the ocean into your inland home, down your anchors and check out our fin-tastic, seaside-inspired bathroom ideas:

Nautical stripes

You’ll have your bathroom looking shipshape in no time with fun blue and white striped tiles.  This bathroom has used penny mosaic tiles on the floor, wall and bath panel. Penny tiles are an excellent choice for floors as they have practical non-slip qualities. If you love stripes but prefer a subtler look, you can tile stripes on one wall only, or, if you want an even bolder look, alternate rows of blue and white metro tiles.

These fabulous and fun blue and white striped tiles create the perfect nautical effect in your bathroom. Metro tiles are ideal and can be used to create a bold stripy look.

Image credit: @smallbathroomdesign

Recommended Tile: Metro

Textured tiles and wallpaper

Another great way to nail the nautical look is to combine textured tiles and seaside-themed wallpaper.  Textured tiles add interest and character to a room and are perfect for creating a rustic feel.

Textured tiles are always a winner when it comes to creating the nautical feel in any bathroom. The rustic effect offered by the texture is natural and effective.

Image credit: @mrshiggins2014

Recommended Tiles: Vinaros

Deep blue tiles

Channel the depths of the ocean with dramatic, deep navy blue wall tiles.

Although dark tiles can make a small space feel even more so, combining dark blue tiles with crisp white walls, floors and accessories will help to stop it from feeling overbearing.

Channel the depths of the ocean with dramatic, deep navy blue wall tiles. Create a striking and stunning contrast with crisp white walls and floors.

Image credit: @ra_interiores

Recommended Tiles: San Vincenzo

Mermaid tile details

One of the most beautiful tile trends, mermaid or scallop tiles are perfect for getting the nautical look in your bathroom.

Mermaid mosaic tiles are available in a range of colours and finishes and can completely transform the look of a bathroom. We love this subtle use of scallop tiles in a stylish wall indent.

A beautiful tile trend, mermaid or scallop tiles are perfect for getting the nautical look in your bathroom. Available in a range of colours they are stunning in a wall indent, feature wall or complete wall.

Image credit: @coastaldreamhome

Recommended Tile: Mermaid 

Wood-effect floor tiles

If you imagine a beach house, white walls and plenty of wood probably come to mind. Wooden floors might not be the most practical option in a wet room, but luckily there is a vast range of realistic wood-effect porcelain tiles to choose from. These tiles can be used on the floor and walls and many are textured, making it hard to tell them apart from real wood.

Wood is an amazing addition to any bathroom and offers a beach house effect. There is an extensive range of realistic wood-effect porcelain tiles available for use on the floor and walls and many are textured offering a remarkably realistic result.

Image credit: @melly.ouz

Recommended Tiles: Naturae Wood Effect 

Feature penny tile splashback

Add interest to a white bathroom with a beautiful feature sea-blue splashback. Mosaic tiles really pack a punch and are one of the most effective ways to transform a room. If you’re on a budget, or just want to add a hint of the seaside, you can stick to tiling a splashback or shower enclosure with mosaic tiles.

Ocean-coloured fish scale tiles

There can be few better ways to bring the ocean into your home than by tiling a wall in ocean-hued fish scale tiles.

This delicate tile shape originates from Morocco, and the design can be altered by placing the tile with the point facing up or down.  Because this tile shape is so popular, you can choose from a wide range of colours and finishes.

Ripple-textured tiles

Reminiscent of wind-blown beaches, ripple-textured tiles are ideal for adding a modern twist to the beach house theme. Combine them with bold wallpaper or paint colours, or keep the colour palette more neutral. However you decide to use these attractive tiles, they’re sure to add an effortlessly elegant look to your beachy bathroom.

Ripple textured tiles are modern and effective when you are designing a seaside effect bathroom. Reminiscent of the wind gently caressing the sand, the neutral tones complimented by blues and white are ideal for the nautical design.

Image credit: @nothingbeatshomecooking

Recommended Tile: Arcalis

Aqua tile splashback

A nautical theme isn’t just about blue and white. You can get a gorgeously subtle beach house look by combining bright aqua shades with neutral colours.

A splashback is a perfect place to experiment with colour and you can add character to an otherwise neutral room with a few well-chosen accessories.

Use your splashback area to experiment with bright beach colours and add character to an otherwise neutral room, then add a few well-chosen accessories to create the desired seaside feel.

Image credit: @ed_remodel

Recommended Tile: Emilia Aqua 

Blue and white chequerboard floor

Achieve a vintage vibe with a classic, nautically themed, blue and white chequerboard floor. A design as old as time, chequerboard floors will look as good in 20 years as they do now.  You can vary the look by choosing plain porcelain tiles or incorporating natural stone for a softer look.

Combine a striking floor with panelled walls and a feature-tiled shower for the maximum beach house effect.

The timeless chequerboard floor offers a vintage nautical theme.

Image credit: @traditionallycoastal

Recommended Tile: Ambleside 

Hexagon floor tiles and stripy wall

Unusually shaped tiles are a great way to make a style statement in a bathroom. Hexagonal tiles look equally good on the floor or the walls, you can easily integrate them with other colours and they’re extremely versatile, looking as good in modern properties as they do in more traditional homes.

Match plain floor tiles with quirky, striped wallpaper for a magnificent maritime look.

Hexagonal tiles are unique and look great on the floor or the walls, a super statement tile which is versatile and powerful. Use dark colours to bring the ocean into your bathroom and combine and contrast with plain or striped decor to create this beautiful maritime result.

Image credit: @stephaniecrusso

Recommended Tile: Buckfastleigh 

Pearlescent wall tiles

If you want to make a real statement in your beach-themed bathroom, consider using glass mosaic tiles. A shimmering wall or splashback will bounce light around the room and, like the ocean, look different depending on the light. It’s a perfect way to add a luxurious touch to a seaside-inspired bathroom.

Glass mosaic tiles have an alluring impact in your beach-themed bathroom. The stylish shimmering effect bounces light around the room creating a magical and luxurious finish.

Image credit: @originalstyleuk

Recommended Tile: Stratford 

Beach coloured tiles

Add character to a beachy bathroom by using the colours of the sand and the sea.  Incorporating gold into the classic blue and white nautical palette is a wonderful way to add warmth to a room.

For a bright and buoyant feel illuminate your bathroom with the colours of the sand and sea! Add patterned tiles to tie both colours together in an inspiring display.

Recommended Tile: Damask

Image credit: @n__plus__n

Top tips for getting the nautical look with tiles

• Nautical style is bolder than the more subtle coastal style. Mix and match bold blues or greens with lighter tones for maximum impact.
• Textured tiles are a good choice for outdoors-inspired bathroom designs. Consider using ripple-effect tiles to remind you of the sand, create a more rustic look with textured wood-effect tiles or add interest with pebble mosaic tiles.
• Accessorise your tiles with beach-themed objects. Shells, driftwood, rope mirrors and found objects are all great for adding character.

Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of nautical-style wall and floor tiles to help you get the look in your bathroom. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.