15 Spectacular Bathroom Splashback Tile Ideas
Choosing tiles is one of the best parts of revamping or reinstalling a bathroom but with so much choice, it can be hard to know where to start. We’re here to bring you the lowdown on the best tiles for a splashback and help you discover style inspiration from some of the most beautiful bathrooms.
A splashback is the wall area behind the sink or bath and it’s usually tiled to protect the walls from water splashes. Tiles provide a practical waterproof surface, they’re also easy to clean and dry and form a key part of the overall bathroom design.
Image credit: @londonbasincompany
Recommended Tile: Brick White
Bathroom splashback tile ideas
Whether you’re looking for tiles for a compact area or to create a feature wall behind a bath, we’ve brought together some of the best tiles for making an impact.
Add a stylish twist with KitKat tiles
Add a sleek, modern look to a bathroom splashback with matchstick mosaic tiles. With their simple, Japanese-inspired aesthetic, these slimline tiles are perfect for adding subtle interest to minimal-style interiors.
Image credit: @kastconcretebasins
Recommended Tile: Perseo Stick Noce
Fit modern metro tiles
Metro tiles are one of the most popular and versatile tiles. Often laid in the traditional brick pattern, these tiles can be given a modern twist and fitted in an attractive modern stack design, perfect for minimal and contemporary style bathroom designs.
Image credit: @bartlett.farmhouse
Recommended Tile: Emilia Blanco
Choose vertical stack subway tiles
Rectangular subway or metro tiles are one of the best choices for all styles of bathroom. They’re available in a vast range of colours and finishes and can be laid in myriad ways. We love the simplicity of the vertical stack layout, it’s also a great way to help visually lengthen smaller bathrooms.
Image credit: @nationaltilesau
Recommended Tile: Coral Brick Moss
Pick retro penny tiles
These timeless miniature mosaic tiles are perfect for adding texture and character to bathroom walls. There’s a wide range of colours to choose from and you can add interest by choosing a contrasting grout colour to emphasise the mosaics.
Image credit: @thenorthbeachhouse
Add texture with zellige tiles
One of the top tile trends this year, uneven zellige tiles are best suited to walls and are perfect for adding depth and interest. Although deeply textured tiles aren’t quite as easy to clean as smooth ones, their unbeatable looks are well worth the extra effort.
Image credit: @kerrieann.jones
Recommended Tile: Arcalis White
Create interest with miniature mosaics
Loved by the ancient Romans, mosaics are one of the most timeless tiles. Virtually all tile styles are available in scaled-down versions, from stone and glass to hexagons and rectangles. Mosaics can have the most impact when used over small areas and they’ll work well alongside all other types of tile.
Image credit: @buildingthemushroom
Recommended Tile: Agleam
Think pink
Small splashback areas provide an ideal opportunity to get creative with colour. Pick your favourite colours and use them to create beautiful contrasts. You can accentuate strong colour choices with carefully chosen brassware, black and gold are the perfect partners for pink and navy blue.
Image credit: @meganaceinteriors
Recommended Tile: Rio Rosa
Be bold with black
If you want to make a statement in your bathroom, fitting black tiles is a powerful way to do so. Black is elegant, dramatic and sophisticated and can work in all shapes and sizes of bathrooms. For the smartest finish, match black tiles with black grout.
Image credit: @jlv_creative
Recommended Tile: Rio Nero
Try on-trend terrazzo
Terrazzo tiles have been around for years, but they’ve had a major resurgence, gracing bathrooms from everyday homes to high-end hotels.
With their multicoloured flecks and impressive impact, terrazzo tiles are ideal for brightening bathroom walls. The chip sizes in terrazzo tiles vary considerably so you can opt for maximalist or subtler patterns, depending on your preference.
Design tip: Pick out your favourite terrazzo chip colour and match the surrounding tiles to it for the ultimate bathroom coordination.
Recommended Tile: Monarch Terrazzo Pearl
Settle for stripes
If you’ve always wanted a striped wall in your home, the bathroom is an ideal location. Bold designs often have the most impact when used in small areas and striped patterns are easy to make with tiles.
You can create a traditional look by picking square tiles in Victorian-inspired shades or go for a more modern vibe with metro tiles in neutral or bright tones.
Image credit: @akindofhome
Add characterful Moroccan-style tiles
Influenced by the traditional hand-painted encaustic tiles, modern Moroccan-style tiles come in a wide range of designs and colours. You can add subtle interest to a sink splashback with delicate black and white patterns or liven it up with bolder designs and brighter colours. These attractive tiles are incredibly versatile and often a great budget-friendly option.
Recommended Tile: Damask Series Decor 7
Create waves with mermaid tiles
One of the prettiest tiles, mermaid or scallop tiles work particularly well on splashbacks and areas where you can leave the tile edges exposed, emphasising their unique shape. You can lay fish scale tiles with the pointy end up or down, whatever floats your boat!
Image credit: @designemporiumdublin
Recommended Tile: Mermaid Mist
Pretty it up with botanical tiles
Turn a splashback area into a feature within the bathroom. Look for unusual or patterned tiles, which can be offset with plainer tiles, to create custom designs. Patterned tiles can be as bold or as subtle as you like, pick from delicate florals, handpainted motifs, detailed murals or bold geometric designs and bring your bathroom splashbacks to life.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: Fern Floral Decor
Make it magical with iridescent glass
Add some sparkle to your splashback with gorgeous iridescent glass tiles. Infused with a metallic layer, these tiles will shimmer and shine with the light, creating an ever-changing colourful display that will continually delight.
Image credit: @originalstyleuk
Recommended Tile: Voyage Fossil
Go for geometric hexagonal tiles
Hexagonal tiles are a popular and versatile choice for bathroom splashbacks. On trend and perfect for all shapes and sizes of space, hexagonal tiles have the edge when it comes to creating unusual designs. You can leave the edges of hexagon tiles exposed to create an eye-catching and unusual display.
Image credit: @hrs_build
Recommended Tile: Ava Blanco
What type of tiles are best for a splashback?
Almost all tiles are suitable for a bathroom splashback, including real stone and terracotta tiles. If you’re using tiles made from a natural product, you’ll just need to ensure that the tiles are regularly sealed to keep them watertight and protect them from spills and stains.
All porcelain tiles can be used for a splashback and, unlike floor surfaces, you can opt for heavily textured tiles like splitface or zellige-style.
If you’re choosing tiles for a small area, like the space behind a sink, you may consider splurging on more expensive tiles; real stone, mosaics, glass and metal tiles are all beautiful options, guaranteed to make a splash in your bathroom.
Some of our favourite tiles for splashbacks include:
- Splitface tiles – With their uneven surface, splitface tiles aren’t suitable for floors but they can be transformative for walls and make the most striking splashbacks.
- Metro tiles – The most versatile tiles on the market, metro tiles suit all styles of bathroom and can be laid in an impressive selection of patterns.
- Mosaics – Small but mighty, mosaics can be more expensive than standard-sized tiles, they also work best over smaller areas.
- Glass tiles – Incredibly beautiful, glass tiles will add a magical sparkle to a splashback.
- Hexagonal tiles – Hexagonal tiles can be fitted with their edges exposed to create interesting patterns, perfect for splashback areas.
- Textured tiles – Take advantage of interesting textures and use them to highlight small areas of your bathroom.
From glass and stone to porcelain and metal, we stock a wide range of splashback kitchen tiles at Atlas Ceramics. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our helpful experts for advice.