Choosing the right tile design is crucial when it comes to home renovations, as they’re often a permanent fixture that’s tough to change. Whether you’re updating your bathroom or adding a stylish splashback, you want to ensure you absolutely love your tiles.
From mixing different styles to incorporating intricate patterns, there are endless ways to bring personality and luxury to your space. If you're ready to make your tiled areas stand out, here are some fab tile inspo that will take your project to the next level!
Pencil tiles
Ok. Shameless plug here as this is one of my projects. This is also one of my most pinned pins on Pinterest, so that says a lot! Using pencil tiles for a border is one thing (and always finishes off a space beautifully), but adding a design element WITH the pencils tiles like the below really adds that elevated finish. Warning though - tilers can get decidedly grumpy when you ask them to do this!!
But if you work out the pattern (based on a simple grid), it can work AND keep the tiler happy. (Pro tip - many tilers will throw obstacles your way saying it can't be done for a range of BS reasons - because they don't want to do it - so hold your ground!!!)
See more of this project here
Penny rounds.....but different
If you think of penny round tiles (or small hexagonal tiles) as just rounded pixels, suddenly, you can see a whole host of possibilities around what you can do.
Apart from flowers and borders, I love the messages you can write using a couple of different colours. Pro tip - while penny rounds aren't expensive, the labour cost of working out how to lay them out can be significant. So, if you can work it out and guide the tiler on tiling day, it'll not only save you money, but it will ensure that you get the exact thing you want!
You can use them for patterns or words such as this one by Kasey Galik
Photo credit: Reverie Home co (with a great step by step tutorial!)
Or this one by Teri More
Stripes....but not as you know them
More often than not, tiles come in at least a couple of colour options. So, you can use these to create stripes or borders. Sometimes, you can get lucky and find fantastic tiles from factory outlets in interesting colours, so it can be done quite inexpensively.
Personally, I love this look and think it can result in such a lovely fresh look!
This one has always been one of my faves! So fresh and the Zellige looks gorgeous
Photo credit Popham Design
Or this one courtesy The Modern House
Wallpaper tiles
Pretty much as it sounds like, they have a pattern that is spread over a few tiles to get the final whole picture. Some are like murals and others have a pattern repeat like more traditional wallpaper.
They can be hard to track down, come in limited colour ways and only one size. Often the specialty tile stores that supply them don't hold stock, and the lead times for new stock to arrive from international destinations can be weeks (if not months), so many factors to take into account, but if you have the time and opportunity, these are a seriously gorgeous option.
And funnily enough, I just so happen to have used a Chinoiserie style wallpaper tile in my Balmain project a couple of years ago!
You can see more of this fun colourful project here
Custom printed tiles
As with a lot of things, you can even custom tiles! I'm yet to do it, but love love love the idea. I think with this, you need to go large scale, so think architectural such as something shot at a palace like Versailles or landscape such as a jungle or rural vista.
You need to think carefully about which wall you want to apply this to because THIS is THE feature of the room and will need a significant sized wall for maximum bang AND enough distance to stand back and appreciate it in full.
Keep other wall tiles and elements pared back and simpatico with the print so the room works well as a whole.
This one below is from Graphico
Or this one via a story in Domain
Sooo divine. I have some fab photos I took from Versailles that would look AMAZING in this type of setting!!
Interesting interplays!
Think about how the tiles might meet other elements in the space. Could they join in a playful and unexpected way for really fantastic visual impact.
This has been one of my faves for ages. I love everything about it - the colours, the tile shape and pattern, even the layout of the bathroom is en pointe. 11/10!!!
Credit : unknown. I'd love to attribute this properly if anyone can point me in the right direction.
Or this one plays with materials and in this case it's tile with timber flooring. I think the guy doing the installation of the timber would be pretty grumpy with this one (LOL) but am sure he'd factor in all the labour required into his quote!!!
Still, it's an interesting concept!
Image from the Contemporist
Grout can be cute (yes.....it can!)
Oh yes it can! Often overlooked, but actually quite important to get it right. Pro tip - always do a test patch before committing to the whole space!
Credit: Made.com
Credit: Design Milk
So there you have it. Some fantastic food for thought for what you could do with your tiles in your next bathroom renovation. The secret to all these great ideas is pulling it off in an elevated way. Some of them could be done reaaaalllly badly, so I would strongly urge you to have these drawn up and renders done to make sure your ideas will work.
If you're in Sydney, my team and I would LOVE to help you design a unique yet functional bathroom. You know how to reach out ;-)
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