Ideas We Love: 26 Small Bathrooms with Arty, Tiled Character
Whether porcelain, ceramic or encaustic, patterned tiles make for great features in even the most cramped bathrooms
Chiquit Brammall
19 October 2018
Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.
A little goes a long way – when it comes to patterned tiles. From colourful Peranakan (or Majolica, in other parts of the world) to monochromatic cement tiles, homeowners are asking for extra visual interest in their bathrooms. Here are some designs we think work fabulously in smaller bathrooms.
1.
Location: Singapore
Designer: E & A Interiors
Why we love it: Scallop-shaped tiles create a pink and cream pattern on the floor of this sweet-hued bathroom, and distract the eye from the confines of the narrow space.
Location: Singapore
Designer: E & A Interiors
Why we love it: Scallop-shaped tiles create a pink and cream pattern on the floor of this sweet-hued bathroom, and distract the eye from the confines of the narrow space.
2.
Location: London, UK
Why we love it: There’s designer cred from the hand-painted ceramic tiles by Fornasetti, but the thoughtfully restrained use of it – alternating printed tile with plain ones in a checkerboard pattern, and only on one wall – is more impactful.
Location: London, UK
Why we love it: There’s designer cred from the hand-painted ceramic tiles by Fornasetti, but the thoughtfully restrained use of it – alternating printed tile with plain ones in a checkerboard pattern, and only on one wall – is more impactful.
3.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Takeji Design
Why we love it: Almost faded, in graduated shades of blue, the tiles match the pattern on the basin charmingly.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Takeji Design
Why we love it: Almost faded, in graduated shades of blue, the tiles match the pattern on the basin charmingly.
4.
Location: Sydney, Australia
Why we love it: A tiled feature wall in the shower area adds a splash of sunshine to small bathroom.
Location: Sydney, Australia
Why we love it: A tiled feature wall in the shower area adds a splash of sunshine to small bathroom.
5.
Location: London, UK
Why we love it: The Victorian-print blue tiles draw the eye towards the functional storage niches in this small bathroom.
Location: London, UK
Why we love it: The Victorian-print blue tiles draw the eye towards the functional storage niches in this small bathroom.
6.
Location: California, USA
Why we love it: Cladding the wall halfway up from the floor, with a matching border pattern, this print creates a Mediterranean bath feel in this small bathroom.
Location: California, USA
Why we love it: Cladding the wall halfway up from the floor, with a matching border pattern, this print creates a Mediterranean bath feel in this small bathroom.
7.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Black N White Haus
Why we love it: A clever visual trick to make the floor area appear larger is to extend the patterned floor tiles to the same level as the bay window.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Black N White Haus
Why we love it: A clever visual trick to make the floor area appear larger is to extend the patterned floor tiles to the same level as the bay window.
8.
Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: You’d think that flanking the patterned tiles with plain ones to create a frame effect would make this space feel even narrower than it is, but this was done very cleverly – and adds a luxe look as well.
Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: You’d think that flanking the patterned tiles with plain ones to create a frame effect would make this space feel even narrower than it is, but this was done very cleverly – and adds a luxe look as well.
9.
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Why we love it: Black tiles border the patterned tiles, creating a luxurious area rug effect on this bathroom’s floor.
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Why we love it: Black tiles border the patterned tiles, creating a luxurious area rug effect on this bathroom’s floor.
10.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Aiden T
Why we love it: The large-format print on the tiles might have overwhelmed this small bathroom, but the designer thoughtfully balanced it out with clean lines and calming colours.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Aiden T
Why we love it: The large-format print on the tiles might have overwhelmed this small bathroom, but the designer thoughtfully balanced it out with clean lines and calming colours.
11.
Location: Florida, USA
Why we love it: Large-format patterned tile is used in one line – as border tiles were used in the 80s – to create a visual break on the wall. But here, the effect is magnified; it almost looks like art.
Location: Florida, USA
Why we love it: Large-format patterned tile is used in one line – as border tiles were used in the 80s – to create a visual break on the wall. But here, the effect is magnified; it almost looks like art.
12.
Location: London, UK
Why we love it: A patchwork patterns and colours extend from the floor up in one smaller band on the wall, highlighting the small-and-sculptural free-standing bathtub.
Location: London, UK
Why we love it: A patchwork patterns and colours extend from the floor up in one smaller band on the wall, highlighting the small-and-sculptural free-standing bathtub.
13.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Nic & Wes Builders Pte Ltd
Why we love it: Monochromatic, patterned tiles double as a frame for the mirror and a statement-making backsplash.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Nic & Wes Builders Pte Ltd
Why we love it: Monochromatic, patterned tiles double as a frame for the mirror and a statement-making backsplash.
14.
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Why we love it: This is another Victorian-print blue pattern with a faded effect that’s emphasised by the changing of pattern as the function of the flooring – shower versus vanity – shifts.
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Why we love it: This is another Victorian-print blue pattern with a faded effect that’s emphasised by the changing of pattern as the function of the flooring – shower versus vanity – shifts.
15.
Location: Moscow, Russia
Why we love it: A more contemporary take on Art Deco, the black and white patterned tiles create a stunning backdrop for the brass-framed mirror, and make the simple pedestal-style basin seem more luxurious-looking than it is.
Location: Moscow, Russia
Why we love it: A more contemporary take on Art Deco, the black and white patterned tiles create a stunning backdrop for the brass-framed mirror, and make the simple pedestal-style basin seem more luxurious-looking than it is.
16.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Aiden T
Why we love it: Geometric florals balance the severity of the black vanity cabinet and towel ladder against the white surfaces of the bathroom.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Aiden T
Why we love it: Geometric florals balance the severity of the black vanity cabinet and towel ladder against the white surfaces of the bathroom.
17.
Location: Paris, France
Why we love it: A patchwork of different patterns demarcate the shower area, and is echoed in the backsplash of his-and-her basins.
Location: Paris, France
Why we love it: A patchwork of different patterns demarcate the shower area, and is echoed in the backsplash of his-and-her basins.
18.
Location: Washington DC, USA
Why we love it: Because the bathroom’s floor area is limited, you also get a limited amount of what could be a dizzying pattern on the floor. It’s beautifully showcased in the storage niche in the shower.
Location: Washington DC, USA
Why we love it: Because the bathroom’s floor area is limited, you also get a limited amount of what could be a dizzying pattern on the floor. It’s beautifully showcased in the storage niche in the shower.
19.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Distinct Identity
Why we love it: Tiling the three adjacent walls in the same pattern make them appear as one surface, leading the eye to believe that the bathroom may be wider than it really is.
Location: Singapore
Designer: Distinct Identity
Why we love it: Tiling the three adjacent walls in the same pattern make them appear as one surface, leading the eye to believe that the bathroom may be wider than it really is.
20.
Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: A cubist pattern used as a feature wall in the bath/shower area echoes the geometry of the vanity cabinet and washbasin, and the shower storage niche reflected on the vanity mirror.
Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: A cubist pattern used as a feature wall in the bath/shower area echoes the geometry of the vanity cabinet and washbasin, and the shower storage niche reflected on the vanity mirror.
21.
Location: Mumbai, India
Why we love it: Patterned tile is used almost like wallpaper in this small bathroom, cladding two walls from floor to ceiling to surprisingly remarkable effect.
Location: Mumbai, India
Why we love it: Patterned tile is used almost like wallpaper in this small bathroom, cladding two walls from floor to ceiling to surprisingly remarkable effect.
22.
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Why we love it: The geometry of the tiles is reminiscent of Irish designer Orla Kiely’s prints (what better bathroom than an Irish one to show this off!).
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Why we love it: The geometry of the tiles is reminiscent of Irish designer Orla Kiely’s prints (what better bathroom than an Irish one to show this off!).
23.
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Why we love it: Graphic floor tiles (plus a faux zebra head!) add edginess to this sweet, girlish design.
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Why we love it: Graphic floor tiles (plus a faux zebra head!) add edginess to this sweet, girlish design.
24.
Location: Moscow, Russia
Why we love it: The band of patterned tile on the wall is repeated on the side of the bathtub for visual continuity.
Location: Moscow, Russia
Why we love it: The band of patterned tile on the wall is repeated on the side of the bathtub for visual continuity.
25.
Location: Valencia, Spain
Why we love it: Alternating with plain surfaces, the band of patterned tile appears as backsplash, storage niche and border in this otherwise plain bathroom.
Location: Valencia, Spain
Why we love it: Alternating with plain surfaces, the band of patterned tile appears as backsplash, storage niche and border in this otherwise plain bathroom.
26.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it: Patterned tiles on the floor draw attention away from the sloping, low ceiling of this small bathroom.
TELL US
Which patterned tile design appeals to you? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Why we love it: Patterned tiles on the floor draw attention away from the sloping, low ceiling of this small bathroom.
TELL US
Which patterned tile design appeals to you? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
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Thanks for featuring our work Chiqqit Brammall! If you look closely you will notice the feature tile in No. 5 London Bathroom uses the same tile as one of ours ( No. 14) - an Italian tile from 14 Ora Italiana. The London bathroom has used just 1 pattern of the tile, we have utilised the 4 different patterns which fit together to form a rug effect - different outcomes but both beautiful.
We also deals in handmade moroccan cement tiles and you have the option to customise design, size, colours of the tile.
Thanks
Aakaar Floorings
+91 9024200842