10 Bathroom Tile Trends for a Refreshing Upgrade

White, tiled bathrooms will always be stylish and notable for their classic, clean look, but why not mix things up and give this oft-overlooked room some pizazz? Whether you’re into soft, neutral palettes or want something shocking and metallic, here are the top tile trends sure to give your bathroom a fresh, new look.

1. Natural Neutrals Keep Things Serene

Your bathroom is likely one of the first rooms you visit in the morning and before getting into bed at night, so making it a soothing space just makes sense. Gentle blues, greens, browns, and beiges evoke the feeling of being in nature and have a calming effect on both body and mind. Green is especially popular right now, but it’s all up to your personal preference.

2. Extra-Large Tiles Can Be Efficient

Oversized tiles are en vogue because they look chic and minimize maintenance, with less grout to clean. Coming in sizes as large as 5.25 feet by 10.5 feet, consider installing them on your walls, floor, countertops, or in the shower.

3. Extra, Extra-Large Slabs Are a Popular Trend

If you want to go even bigger, another popular trend is buying one very large slab to cover the entire bathroom floor. This style is great for those who hate cleaning—no grout lines! The overall look will be sleek and modern.

4. A Faux Wood Finish Makes Your Bathroom Look Rustic

Another way to bring nature inside is to buy stone tile with a faux wood finish, giving you the spa feel of wood without the risk of exposing it to a moisture-rich environment.

5. Textured Tiles Make for an Eye-Catching Look

Textured tile is not only eye-grabbing, it can create more resistance to potential slips in a room where they are very likely. Note that textured tile can be more difficult to clean, given the multitude of nooks and crannies where dirt can hide. However, if this is the style you’re after, it’ll be worth a little extra elbow grease.

6. Subway Tiles Are Classic (But This Trend Adds a Twist)

The classic subway tiles are available in standard tile sizes, but you can give them a modern upgrade with bright new colors such as green, blue, and yellow. The traditional white subway tiles never go out of fashion, but consider making them pop with grey grout, placing them vertically instead of horizontally, or even in a herringbone pattern.

7. Soft Patterns Are a Subtle Touch

Want to take one step towards bolder design but aren’t ready for something too eccentric? Consider buying patterned tiles in neutral, subdued tones like beige and grey. This strategy will allow your tiling to fit nearly any style but still give it a hint of intrigue. 

8. Matte Finishes Give Things a Down-to-Earth Feel

Another choice that lends an earthly feel to your bathroom, matte-finished tiles don’t show watermarks, fingerprints, and other smudges as easily as glossy tiles do. However, if you have a small bathroom, you may want to stick to shinier tiles, as they will reflect light and make the space look larger.

9. Metallic Tiles Make the Room Look Huge

If you have a smaller bathroom, consider bold metallic tile, which will illuminate the space and allow light to bounce around the room. It's an edgy, striking choice that can make your bathroom one of the most stunning rooms in your home.

10. Geometric Shapes Are Totally on Trend

Consider hiring a tile installer near you to place tiles that are hexagonally shaped. A mosaic of unusually shaped tiles will create a visually stunning space, even if the tiles you picked are classic white. Other shapes you might consider are scallop, picket, and triangle.