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Shabby Chic Style Bathroom Tile Ideas – 11 ways to get the elegant, worn look

With its slightly worn, effortlessly elegant and easy-on-the-eye style, the shabby chic look is a firm favourite in the world of interior design trends.

A mix of vintage and more modern designs, shabby chic furniture is often distressed in order to make it look old and worn.  Shabby chic interiors have a timeless and romantic feel and combine subtle colours and natural materials to achieve a casual, lived-in look.

Keep reading to discover how you can use a range of tiles to help you achieve a gorgeous shabby-chic style bathroom.

Shabby chic interiors have an enduring and delightful feel and combine delicate colours and natural materials to achieve this classic lived-in finish.

Image credit: @beyond.the.dutchdoor

Recommended Tile: DD Biscuit 

How do I make my bathroom look shabby chic?

The shabby chic style is warm and welcoming. Think soft, neutral colours, plenty of texture, subtle patterns and plenty of accessories.  A few well-chosen vintage pieces of furniture will help you to get the shabby chic look in your bathroom and you can easily upcycle items that you find. An old, preloved cupboard can make a perfect vanity unit and you can pick up some amazing bargains from online marketplaces.

Tiles can also help you to achieve the shabby chic look. Consider using natural materials like limestone and slate, pick pretty patterned tiles for a softer, more romantic look and think about interesting textures when choosing your tiles.

Shabby chic bathroom tile ideas

From vintage style to natural stone, fabulous florals and interesting textures, we’ve curated our favourite shabby-chic bathroom tile designs to inspire you:

Metro tiles

One of the most versatile tiles on the market, the metro tile looks good in all styles of bathrooms from traditional to modern and everything in between.

Metro tiles are stylish and timeless and they form a perfect backdrop for feature furniture, quirky sanitaryware and vintage-style bathroom fittings. You can create different looks by changing the layout of the tiles and they’ll go with all other sizes and styles of tiles too.

Plain, ceramic metro tiles are an excellent choice if you’re on a budget, or you can opt for more expensive tumbled stone or marble metro tiles. Either way, they are going to look incredible on your bathroom walls and/or floors.

Metro tiles are sophisticated and classic. You can create numerous looks by changing their layout and they’re so versatile they’ll go with all other sizes and styles of tiles too. What’s not to love?

Image credit: @vintageshabbychicideas

Recommended Tile: Dorset Smooth White 

Marble tiles

Another incredibly versatile tile, marble can be used in all styles of bathrooms and it’s perfect in a shabby-chic room where vintage and distressed materials contrast beautifully with the sleek elegance of marble.

Marble is extremely durable and, as long as it’s sealed, fine for use in a bathroom. You can also opt for marble-effect porcelain tiles which are completely water-tight and virtually maintenance-free.

Marble-effect porcelain tiles are always stunning and highly effective in your shabby-chic bathroom. Extremely low maintenance they will provide the glamourous contrast associated with vintage shabby chic.

Image credit: @loredanasari

Recommended Tile: Elgin Gloss White Marble 

Slate floor tiles

If you love the rustic look, then it’s hard to beat the beauty of a natural slate floor. Slate is exceptionally durable and can contain huge variations in colour. If you prefer a less busy-looking floor, you can opt for a grey or black slate which is more uniform in appearance.

Slate is a good choice if you want a floor that will last for decades and, it’ll go beautifully with other types of tile, so you can have fun choosing completely different wall tiles.

If you’re looking for a permanent solution, look no further then stunning slate. Long lasting, durable and enchanting, its’ a great choice if you want a floor that will go beautifully with other types of tile. A plain slate floor can be beautifully combined with creative wall tiles or visa versa.

Image credit: @ariennealdecoa

Recommended Tile: Welsh Porcelain Slate 

Chequerboard floor tiles

One of the most classic floor tile designs, this iconic pattern was loved by the ancient Egyptians and 1950s Americans alike. It’s an eye-catching and timeless style that suits bathrooms of all shapes and sizes.

You don’t have to stick to the traditional black and white colour scheme, you can create a softer look with different coloured tiles; white and beige or ivory and sage green are subtler options that will look just as incredible.

Nothing says shabby chic like the classic chequerboard black and white tiles, ageless and divine they encapsulate shabby chic perfectly.

Image credit: @simplyfrenchmarket

Recommended Tile: Damask Black and White 

Star tiles

Vintage-style star tiles are one of the hottest tile trends at the moment. They’re a perfect way to introduce pattern without it feeling over the top and they work surprisingly well in more neutral design schemes.

Use them for the floors, add detail to a shower enclosure or fit a celestial splashback, however you use these tiles, they won’t disappoint.

These super star tiles with their worn look are ideal for your shabby chic bathroom, available in various colours they add the stamp of shabby chic to your bathroom design.

Image credit: @fansofshabbychic

Recommended Tile: Regal Negro

Mix and match tiles

One of the great things about the shabby-chic style is that you can blend different materials to great effect.  Experiment with tiles in different styles to get an eclectic look in your bathroom.

Wood-effect porcelain and stone tiles will sit perfectly next to plain ceramic, mosaics and glass tiles, creating a feast for the eyes. Combining different tile textures works well in smaller bathrooms where you might not have room for many vintage fixtures and furnishings.

Amalgamate different materials, textures and colours to create your shabby chic finish, get creative with the vast array of tiles available and personalise your bathroom space.

Image credit: @ifwisheswerehouses

Recommended Tile: Naturae Wood Effect Snow

Natural stone tiles

Stone tiles are one of the most beautiful choices for bathroom tiles. You can choose from timeless travertine, elegant marble or natural slate and opt for different finishes for a completely different look.

Tumbled stone tiles have a worn, more rustic appearance so will work particularly well in a shabby chic style bathroom.

Stone is simply suave, elegant and enduring. Get inventive with the different types of stone available, tumbled stone is particularly rustic and can be used to get the utmost shabby chic effect.

Image credit: @kcc21integra

Recommended Tile: Elements Titanium

Patterned tiles

Add interest to a shabby-chic style bathroom with patterned tiles. There is such a huge choice of patterns, colours and styles that it can be hard to know where to start so we suggest ordering some samples to help you choose.

You don’t have to use patterned tiles over large areas, just a few feature tiles laid across a splashback or feature wall can have a big impact.

Patterned tiles are sure to add allure to your shabby chic bathroom, the choices are boundless. Whether you want to add a splash of inspiration with a feature wall, border or splashback or go all out with a full wall or floor, they can be easily combined with plainer options to create an impact.

Image credit: @mulberrytreehomes

Recommended Tile: Ava Azul Decor

Black and white floor tiles

Black and white floor tiles are hugely popular. They’re neutral enough to go with all colour schemes, look great alongside natural materials like wood and stone, and there’s a wide range of patterns to choose from.

Patterned floor tiles are ideal for adding interest to small bathrooms and, if you’re worried that you might go off them, stick to more classic designs.

The options with black and white tiles are limitless from chequerboard and patterns to plain, these tiles are sure to add the contrast and wow factor to your shabby chic bathroom.

Image credit: @mdcabinets

Recommended Tile: Damask Series Decor 1

Wood effect tiles

Wood is an essential part of the shabby chic look, whether it’s used in furniture, floorboards or accessories. Wooden floors aren’t the most practical choice in a room that’s prone to getting wet so we recommend the use of wood-effect porcelain tiles instead.

Advanced printing techniques mean that the colour and patterns of real wood are replicated perfectly onto durable, waterproof porcelain tiles. The tiles are textured too, so they’re a great option if you’re looking to add a more rustic look to your bathroom. You can also find wood-effect tiles in a distressed finish, perfect for adding the finishing touch to a shabby chic bathroom.

Wood effect tiles are an intrinsic part of shabby chic, they are so versatile and effective and also now available in so many shades and textures, the options are endless. From walls and floors to ceilings you can’t go wrong with wood effect porcelain.

Image credit: @unguilleentremafaldas

Recommended Tile: Woodlands Natural 

Floral tiles

And finally, if you’re a romantic at heart and want to create a dreamy and serene shabby chic bathroom, consider adding some floral tiles into the mix.

There’s an impressive range to choose from and Original Style has introduced a range of hand-painted, English-garden-inspired tiles, allowing you to enjoy the brilliant blooms all year round from the comfort of your bathtub.

Use florals to create your fairy-tale shabby chic bathroom. There’s a splendid range to choose from, allowing your bathroom to blossom throughout the year.

Image credit: @originalstyleuk

Recommended Tile: Canyon Mosaic

How to get the shabby chic style with tiles

  • Keep it neutral

You don’t have to stick to white and grey, but a shabby-chic interior isn’t the place for bright, bold colours. You can add interest with different textures (think natural materials or tiles with a relief design) and add subtler colours with delicately patterned tiles.

  • Add natural materials

Shabby chic style makes the most of interesting textures and materials. You can introduce this to your bathroom with stone tiles or go for realistic-looking stone and wood-effect porcelain tiles instead.

  • Use pattern carefully

If you love patterns, you can opt for gorgeous floor tiles in neutral colours, we love black and white vintage-style star tiles and monochrome, traditional-style designs. You can also opt for beautiful floral tile designs for a more romantic-looking bathroom.

Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of plain stone and porcelain and patterned wall and floor tiles to help you nail the shabby chic look in your bathroom. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.