Whether you’re looking to turn a dated bathroom into a fun, contemporary space or prefer a timeless design, we’ve got plenty of bathroom tile ideas to inspire you.

Bathroom tiles should be waterproof and durable enough to withstand general wear and tear, but they don’t have to be boring! Choose from unique shapes, sizes and colours to suit your bathroom design.

Wondering whether bathroom tiles should be matt or gloss? This comes down to personal preference. Gloss tiles help bounce light around the room – ideal if you want to make a small bathroom appear larger – while matt tiles have a non-reflective finish.

Whether you’re planning a complete bathroom renovation or adding a tiled feature wall to enhance the existing design, discover our top 15 bath and shower tile ideas below.

Neutral colours like white, cream and beige are some of the best options for bathrooms, as they’re timeless and versatile. White tiles can help brighten up dark or small bathrooms, making them appear larger. To prevent the room from looking too clinical, opt for grout in a contrasting shade or add vibrant accessories for a pop of colour. 

If you can’t decide on one tile colour, why not create a feature wall with contrasting tiles? For a seamless design, choose tiles of the same shape in different colours for your walls and floor. Alternatively, go bold and clash patterns or colours for a fun, modern look. Colours that work particularly well together include red and yellow or green and blue.

In small bathrooms, glossy tiles help reflect light around the space, making it feel bigger and brighter. Mirrored tiles or sparkling quartz tiles offer extra shine. Glossy tiles are easy to clean, making them ideal for family bathrooms where stains may build up quickly.

Mosaic tiles for showers create a striking focal point in this area of the bathroom. They come in a huge range of colours, making it easy to find something to suit your space. You can purchase mosaic tiles in sheets rather than individual pieces to save time on installation.

Make a bold statement with a geometric shower tile design. Geometric tiles can add plenty of visual appeal to your bathroom. Some of the most popular geometric tile shapes include triangles, squares, diamonds and hexagons. Choose tiles in bright colours to create a bold shower feature wall.

Large tiles work particularly well in small bathrooms as they have fewer grout lines, making the space look bigger. This also makes them easier to maintain and less likely to chip. Use the same tiles for the walls and floor to create a seamless look and make the room feel more spacious.

Grout is typically painted white, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to this colour. Most coloured grout won’t discolour as quickly as white, making it ideal for bathrooms. Choose a shade that complements the rest of your bathroom and adds interest to tiled areas. 

Explore our guide to cleaning grout to keep your bathroom sparkling.

Match the tiles on your bath panel to the wall behind it for a coherent look. When tiling your bath panel, you’ll need a sturdy and waterproof specialist tile backing board..

If you’re keen to add brightly coloured or patterned tiles to your bathroom but want to make the design more subtle, consider half-wall tiling. A half-tiled wall is an easy way to elevate your bathroom’s design and is cheaper than tiling the entire wall. Tile the lower half of your walls, then paint the upper half in a neutral shade that complements the tiles.

Use tiles to mark different zones within your bathroom. Choose different colours or shapes for each area to make a bold statement, or combine painted and tiled walls throughout the space.

Tiles are ideal for wet zones as they are often more waterproof than paint. Tile the wall behind wet zones like the sink, toilet or shower to transform these areas into eye-catching features while protecting them from water damage. 

Use tiles in your preferred colour, shape and size to create a feature wall. A feature wall is a great way to incorporate a bold design that would look overwhelming if applied to all four walls. This is an ideal tile design for a shower where you want to make the space stand out.

If tiles aren’t your thing, opt for bathroom wall panels instead. Wall panels are a budget-friendly alternative to tiles and come in various designs, including bright white, tiled effect or faux marble, stone and wood. 

Once you’ve found your favourite tiling idea, follow our step-by-step guide to tiling your bathroom, and visit our blog for more design inspiration.