11 Vibrant Spanish-style bathroom tile ideas
Famed for its fabulous food, eclectic markets, incredible architecture and favourable climate, Spain is unsurprisingly the number one holiday destination for sun-starved Brits.
Spanish style is vibrant and distinctive. Homes are typically inspired by colonial architecture and many feature white or beige stuccoed walls and red terracotta tiled roofs. Tiles are an important part of Spanish designs, both internally and externally. They are often laid around a window, found cladding the stairs and bold, bright tile designs feature heavily in kitchens and bathrooms.
Image credit: @nesrineinteriors
Recommended Tile: Madrid Curzo Light Patterned Tile
What is Spanish style and how can I get it in my home?
Spanish style is usually bold and lively, combining different colours, patterns and textures, but it can also be more neutral and earthy.
Decorative elements are key in creating an authentic Spanish feel in your bathroom. Think patterned tiles, which can be combined with colour, other patterns, or more neutral decor.
Spain shares a border with Morocco, and African culture has had a significant influence on Spanish architecture and design. Moorish style incorporates elaborate designs, colourful tiles and intricate carvings.
When it comes to colours, the Mediterranean palette of sea blue, white, green, red and yellow is key. You can also fuse bright colours with natural terracotta and stone.
Spanish-style bathroom tile ideas
If you’re keen to add a splash of Spain to your bathroom, we’ve selected some of the best bathroom tile ideas to get you started.
Choose bold, patterned tiles
Spanish style certainly isn’t shy. Bring your bathroom to life by adding a wall (or more) of vibrant, patterned tiles.
Spanish homes often contain plenty of wood, so accessorise with wooden fixtures and fittings.
Recommended Tiles: Damask Decor 08
Image credit: @anoukdesign
Try traditional terracotta tiles
Terracotta tiles are a key feature in Mediterranean interiors. Although they are a traditional choice, you can easily modernise them by adding chic, glossy wall tiles in a neutral colour.
Terracotta tiles are extremely durable but you’ll need to seal them or choose a glazed finish to keep them watertight and protect them from dirt.
Recommended Tile: Handmade Terracotta
Image credit: @strutt.studios
Fit chic coastal-inspired shower tiles
Although Spanish-style tiles can be bold and dramatic, you can keep it simple with elegant coastal-themed tiles. Heavily patterned tiles look incredible when used to highlight specific areas such as a shower cubicle or splash back. We love the subtle use of these tiles, the surrounding bright white wall tiles keep the space feeling light, bright and airy.
Image credit: @northcountytileandstone
Recommended Tile: Waxman Rustic Heritage
Add detailed border tiles
Decorative ceramic tiles are often used to frame larger areas of plainer tile in Spanish bathrooms. The great thing about using border tiles is that they can be as bold as you dare. You can stick to the same border tiles throughout the room, or mix it up with different tiles around the shower and sink areas.
Image credit: @margaretreifer
Recommended Tile: Lambeth
Opt for mosaic floor tiles
Mosaic floor tiles are often used on walls, but there’s no reason at all why you can’t use them on bathroom floors too. Mosaic tiles can have excellent anti-slip qualities and they’re guaranteed to look incredible.
Because of Spain’s proximity to Northern Africa, you’ll find African-inspired elements throughout Spanish homes. Get the look in your bathroom by using unusually shaped tiles and adding elaborately carved accessories.
Image credit: @annesymoninteriors
Recommended Tile: Waxman Atlanta White
Keep it traditional with Spanish-style wall tiles
Add an authentic Spanish vibe to your bathroom by using brightly coloured, patterned wall tiles. You can combine patterned tiles with plain tiles in contrasting colours. Tiles don’t have to match, you can mix different sizes and even layouts to create an eclectic Mediterranean look.
Image credit: @spanish_house_love
Recommended Tile: Damask
Fit a Spanish-style tiled sink
If wall-to-wall pattern is a bit much, but you’re keen to incorporate bold tiles into your bathroom, consider adding a feature sink and splashback. It’s a subtler way to introduce the Spanish theme into your home and it will go with virtually any colour scheme.
Image credit: @spanishstylehome
Recommended Tile: Ava
Go for vintage blue tiles
If one colour springs to mind when you think of the Mediterranean, it’s probably the azure blue of the seas and the sky. Not surprisingly, blue features heavily in Spanish-style bathrooms.
Get the look using blue tiles in different shades. You can add beautiful border tiles and patterned floor tiles too, less isn’t always more!
Choose cooling marble tiles
Marble is timeless, elegant and always in style. Rather than choosing large-format marble tiles, you can create a more authentic Spanish-styled bathroom by opting for delicate marble tiles in different shapes and designs. Have fun with patterns and layouts and create a luxurious, hotel-style bathroom haven.
Recommended Tile: Canaletto
Go for bold-coloured tiles
An effective way to bring the warmth and character of Spain into your bathroom is to choose brilliantly coloured tiles. We love this gorgeous hotel bathroom that beautifully combines three bold colours. Choosing bright colours is the perfect way to brighten up a home in a country with a less-than-perfect climate.
Image credit: @elcordovahotel
Recommended Tile: Emilia
Or keep it neutral with tiles in natural materials
Although bright colour is a key part of Spanish style, you don’t have to deck your bathroom out in rainbow shades. Go for a more laid-back look with tiles in natural stone like tumbled limestone and marble. Matt tiles are a practical choice in bathrooms as they won’t show watermarks and won’t need to be cleaned as frequently as high-gloss tiles.
Image credit: @jessiepreza
Recommended Tile: Rio Beige
Top tips for achieving the Spanish look with tiles
Spanish style is bold and vibrant, reflect this by choosing brightly coloured tiles and have fun combining different patterns and layouts.
- Fitting terracotta tiles is guaranteed to give your bathroom a Mediterranean feel, they don’t have to be square either, have a look at our range of terracotta tiles for more inspiration.
- If you prefer a subtler look, choose natural stone tiles or add a hint of colour in the form of a vividly coloured shower enclosure or sink splashback.
- Using decorative tiles is one of the best ways to introduce Spanish style to your home. There are many, many different types to choose from and you can choose to highlight specific areas of your bathroom, create eye-catching borders or go all out and tile the whole room in bold designs.
Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of terracotta, stone, porcelain and patterned tiles to help you achieve an authentic Spanish look in your bathroom. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.