Adding accent tiles to a single bathroom wall can instantly transform the space, creating visual interest and a beautiful focal point. With so many tile options to choose from, designing a stunning accent wall has never been easier. The right tile can make a bold statement or add subtle texture, while complementing the overall style of the bathroom.
Choosing Tiles for a Bathroom Accent Wall
When selecting tiles for a bathroom accent wall, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
Material
Tile comes in a vast array of materials like ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal, and natural stone. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are very popular choices as they offer lots of variety while being water-resistant and durable. Natural stone like marble, travertine, and slate give an elegant, spa-like feel. Glass and metal tiles add brilliant pops of color and shine.
Size
Tile sizes range from small mosaics of 1-inch square tiles to extra large format tiles of 12 inches or more. Large tiles can help create a sleek, contemporary look while small mosaic tiles lend visual depth and interest. Standard sizes like 4-inch by 4-inch or 6-inch by 6-inch subway tiles are versatile and timeless options.
Color and Pattern
The color and pattern possibilities are endless, allowing you to add subtle interest or make a major design statement. Use bold, bright colors for contemporary style or soft neutral earth tones for a calm spa vibe. Mix coordinating patterns for lots of texture and visual appeal.
Finish and Texture
Tile finishes like glossy, matte, metallic, crackled, or textured will also affect the overall look and feel. Glossy and metallic add sparkle while textured finishes like embossed, hammered, or flamed impart dimension and interest.
Once you settle on the tile characteristics for your goals and style, selecting the perfect option for your focal wall will be easy.
Design Ideas for Bathroom Accent Tile Walls
Approaching the design of your bathroom accent wall tiles with a plan will help pull the space together. Consider these popular options:
Full Wall Accent
Covering one entire wall with accent tile makes a bold style statement. Go for dramatic impact with metallic or patterned tile or try something more subtle with neutral natural stone. Including decorative listello, borders, or insets adds extra interest.
Partial Wall Accent
Not looking to cover the entire wall? Partial accents are a great way to test the waters with on-trend tile without overpowering the space. Vertical columns of rectangular tile or a rectangular framed panel offer a clean, structured look.
Focal Point Medallion
A round or square focal point medallion creates instant eye-catching appeal. Use it to highlight the functionality of the space by framing mirrors, shelving built into the tile or shower and tub niches.
Accent Strips and Borders
Use tile strips and borders to define specific areas like wall edges, the tub surround, or shower enclosure. Horizontal bands of accent tile work well behind bathroom sinks and vanities. Vertical strips paired with other wall tile add movement and texture.
Mosaic Accent Tile
Tiny mosaic tiles offer big design impact, adding artistic flair and visual depth. Use mosaic tile to create a full feature wall or in borders, strips, bands, and medallions. Offset their busy pattern with large simple tiles in complementary hues.
With limitless possibilities, exploring designs and planning tile layouts is an exciting part of creating your bathroom’s accent wall. Use design elements like color, shape, pattern, and texture in creative ways and you’ll have a stunning focal point sure to wow.
Best Types of Tile for a Bathroom Accent Wall
Since the bathroom accent wall will probably end up getting wet from time to time, the tile material needs to be water resistant. Here are some of the best tile varieties to consider for your project:
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is one of the most popular choices for bathroom walls. Made from refined clay, it’s dense, durable, and water-resistant. It comes in a vast range of sizes, colors, finishes, and patterns to work with any design aesthetic. Matte finishes help control glare in the bathroom.
Glass Tile
Glass tile can be used to create a gorgeous shimmering accent wall. Modern acrylic-based glass tile is waterproof and easy to maintain. Use large format tiles or small mosaic sheets to create dazzling designs. Metallic glass tile and tile with iridescent finishes reflect light beautifully.
Ceramic Tile
Traditional ceramic tile updated with modern shapes, bold colors and textures works well for accent walls. Use relief tiles and 3D tiles for added visual appeal. Glazed ceramic tile resists moisture and cleans up easily. Available in a vast array of solid hues, patterns, and shapes.
Natural Stone Tile
For a touch of nature in the bathroom, natural stone tiles like marble, travertine, and slate bring elegance and texture. Their natural patterning has organic appeal. Honed or tumbled finishes help stone tile work well in wet areas. Keep the shower enclosed to contain excess water exposure.
Metal Tile
Metal tiles can create a brilliant accent wall, adding eye-catching shine. Materials like stainless steel, copper, and aluminum come in large and small formats. Use textured metal tiles for visual depth. Ensure metal tile has a durable finish to prevent oxidation and staining.
Layout Ideas and Design Tips for Installing Bathroom Accent Tile
Once you’ve selected the perfect tile, it’s time to map out the installation. Smart planning and design will help your accent wall come together beautifully.
Make a Scale Layout
Map out the wall dimensions to scale on grid paper. Sketch tile placement and play with layout options before installing. This allows you to visualize spacing, alignment, and proportions accurately.
Balance With Other Wall Finishes
If the rest of the bathroom walls use a different tile or paint, make sure the accent wall tile plays nice. Complementary colors and similar texture are pleasing to the eye. If the accent tile is bold, keep other finishes neutral.
Limit Accent Area
Decide how much of the wall will be covered in accent tile. Tailor the area to the size and style of the bathroom. For example, in a powder room, go bold with floor to ceiling tile. In a large full bath, define a space above the tub with a horizontal accent band.
Align With Plumbing Fixtures
Look at the location of fixtures mounted on the wall like medicine cabinets, mirrors, shelving, faucets, and shower heads. Make sure the tile layout complements their placement instead of competing with it. This gives the finished look a designer touch.
Set Proper Tile Spacing
Consistent spacing between the accent tiles is key to getting clean uniform lines. Use tile spacers during installation and align layout lines marked with a laser level. For natural stone tile, adjust spacing slightly to accommodate the stone’s unique sizes.
Incorporate Design Elements
Think about ways to enhance the accent wall with other tile design elements. Contrasting inserts, borders, bullnose caps, chair rail, shelving, niches, and mosaics can bump up the visual appeal.
With some thoughtful planning during the design phase, installing your accent tile focal point will be a breeze. Careful prep work always pays off in the end with gorgeous professional looking results.
How to Install Accent Tile on a Bathroom Wall
Installing accent tile on a bathroom wall adds instant style, but the process requires careful planning and patience. Follow these tips to get it done right:
Gather Materials
Make sure you have all the necessary materials before starting – tiles, thinset mortar, grout, backerboard, tile spacers, notched trowel, grout float, sponges, tape measure, and cutting tools. Use a polymer modified thinset and grout formulated for wet areas.
Prepare the Wall
The wall surface must be smooth, plumb, dry, and structurally sound. Install cement backerboard secured with screws if the underlying wall is plaster or drywall. This provides a water-resistant underlayment for tile.
Layout Tile Pattern
Following your layout plan, use a laser level or chalk lines to mark the installation area. Dry fit tiles to test the pattern and make adjustments as needed before applying thinset.
Apply Thinset Mortar
Use a notched trowel to apply a layer of thinset mortar within the layout area. Apply enough for 2-4 tiles at a time to prevent thinset from drying before tile is set.
Set Tiles
Set the tiles against the guidelines one at a time. Use spacers between tiles for uniform grout lines. Gently press and slide the tiles into position in the thinset. Check level and alignment as you go and adjust.
Finish Grouting
Let the thinset fully cure per manufacturer’s instructions before grouting. Mix grout and apply using a rubber grout float. Wipe diagonally across tiles to fill joints. Use a damp sponge to clean excess grout haze once dry.
Seal and Caulk
After grouting, apply a penetrating sealer formulated for the tile material to protect from stains and moisture. Lastly, use a flexible siliconized caulk to seal tile edges and gaps.
With the right prep and patience, installing an accent tile focal wall is totally DIY friendly. Just take it slow and let materials fully dry between steps. Soon you’ll be enjoying a stunning new bathroom feature wall.
Choosing Grout Color for Bathroom Accent Tiles
Selecting the right grout color is an important design decision when installing bathroom tile. Matching or contrasting the grout color with your accent tile impacts the overall look. Follow this guide when choosing grout color for accent tiles:
Matching Grout Color
Matching the grout color to your tile minimizes the visibility of the grout lines. This gives a seamless unified look that showcases the tile pattern, texture, and colors. It works well with bold or ornate tile that would compete visually with contrasting grout.
Contrasting Grout Color
Contrasting grout makes the individual tiles stand out more and enhances the tile pattern. Light grout against darker tile creates definition. Dark grout highlights light tile. Contrast must be balanced to avoid looking too busy.
Complimentary Grout Color
Choose a grout hue that complements the tile color but offers some contrast. For example, use a light tan grout with neutral stone tile or charcoal grout with cool blue glass tile. This allows both the tile and grout to contribute to the overall look.
Grout Color Consistency
Whatever color you choose, be sure to maintain consistency across the installation. Switching between contrasting and matching grout colors looks haphazard. Stick with one coordinated color scheme.
Application Area
Consider the location of the accent tile when selecting grout color. Contrast grout works well on shower walls but can look too busy behind sinks. Matching grout is great for backsplashes but risks looking monotone on floors.
Light vs. Dark Tile
Both light and dark tiles can work well with matching or contrasting grout, but each combination gives off a different vibe. For example, a dark grout highlights light tile in a crisp, contemporary way. Light grout with dark tile looks more subtle and refined.
Take your time testing grout color samples against the accent tiles and look at them in the installation space. Choosing the right grout color truly enhances the tile aesthetic.
Bathroom Accent Wall Tile Ideas
Bathroom accent walls can transform the space through creative use of tile shape, color, texture, and pattern. Here are some eye-catching accent wall tile ideas to inspire your next bathroom project:
Geometric Pattern Accent Wall
Make a contemporary style statement with bold geometric tile patterns. Try combining triangles, diamonds, octagons, hexagons, and rectangles in contrasting colors. Shift their orientation for distinct linear movement and interest.
Moroccan Fish Scale Tile Accent Wall
For an exotic global vibe, install shimmery fish scale tiles in an ornate Moroccan pattern. Metallic blue and green glass or ceramic tiles arranged in undulating rows create lavish allure and sparkle.
Modern Grey and White Chevron Accent Wall
Chevron patterns remain a top trend. Use glossy grey and white zig-zag striped porcelain tile in varying sizes to cover a vanity wall for contemporary sophistication.
Rustic Slate Stacked Stone Accent Wall
Bring organic texture to the bath with dimensional slate stone tiles. Mix tile sizes and stack them vertically with small grout lines to achieve a natural weathered stacked stone wall. Keep other finishes simple to let it shine.
Luxe Gold Foil Tile Accent Wall
Dazzle guests with an accent wall covered in brilliant gold and silver crackled glass foil tiles. Use large format tiles and minimal grout lines for maximum eye-catching shimmer. Install designer wall sconces to play off the flash.
Minimalist White Brick Pattern Accent Wall
White brick-shaped ceramic tile paired with bright white grout creates a clean modern look, like a sleek white-washed brick building. Use varying brick sizes for interest. Add bold black framed mirrors or shelving to make it pop.
Color Block Tile Layout Accent Wall
Make a bold color statement with a patchwork of colored glass, ceramic, or porcelain tile shapes and sizes. Use a grid layout with contrasting grout lines to enhance the color-blocking effect.
The design options are endless. Look for tile shapes, colors and materials that complement your bathroom’s overall aesthetic. Then let your creative juices flow to design the focal point accent wall of your dreams.
Choosing Bathroom Accent Tiles by Color
Color has a huge impact on tile’s look and feel. Follow this guide on choosing bathroom accent tile colors to match your style:
White Tile Colors
Crisp clean white tile paired with white grout has a minimalist modern vibe. Use glossy tile up to the ceiling for a sleek look. Textured white tiles add subtle interest. Pair white tile with black accents for contrast.
Black Tile Colors
Deep, dark black tile makes a dramatic glamorous statement. Use it in smaller spaces or as an accent band. Add metallic details for shimmer. Black subway tile has an edgy bolder appeal.
Beige and Brown Tile Colors
Warm neutral earth tones like beige, tan, and brown have a soothing spa-like feel. They work in both traditional and contemporary bathrooms. Pair with polished metals for balance. Use varied tile sizes for organic look.
Blue Tile Colors
From pale sky blue to bold navy, blue tile colors range from refreshing to regal. Use light blues to evoke an airy coastal vibe. Deep blues or blue glass mosaic tile create a tranquil aquatic effect.
Green Tile Colors
Vivid green tiles make the bathroom feel vibrant and lush while pale green glass tile imparts a serene quality. Neutral green-grey colors work well in traditional, modern, and eclectic baths.
Metallic Tiles
Brilliant metallic tiles in polished copper, bronze, silver, and golden hues bring serious glam factor. Use them in moderation as an accent. Pair with simple clean white tile for balance.
Once you’ve narrowed down the tile color family that fits your bathroom design intent, select a complementary grout to enhance the overall aesthetic.
Accent Tile Ideas for Small Bathrooms
Just because it’s a small space doesn’t mean you have to forego a focal tile feature wall. Follow these tips to add stylish accent tile to tiny bathrooms:
Stick With One Accent Wall
A single accent wall prevents the room from feeling too busy. Choose the wall that packs the biggest visual impact, like behind the sink or tub.
Limit Accent Area
Rather than floor to ceiling tile, try a strip, band, or framed accent area. For example, use a thin horizontal band of patterned tile 4 feet up from the tub rim.
Avoid Overwhelming Patterns
Fussy ornate or super busy patterns compete for attention. Opt for solid tiles, simple lines, or organic texture for a clean look. Add pops of mosaic tile in doses.
Consider Open Showers
With no shower enclosure, colorful accent tile can extend from the tub wall seamlessly across the rest of the room for unity.
Use Glossy Tile or Glass
Reflective gloss and glass tile maximizes light visually expanding the small space. Just be sure to install sufficient lighting.
Contrast Grout Lines
Thin grout lines between tile shapes can help ground the pattern. Use light grout on dark tile or dark grout on pale tile for definition.
Include Mirrors or Shelving
Accent areas around mirrors and shelving integrated with the tile design adds function without clutter. Just be sure to properly waterproof behind them.
Even the smallest powder rooms can highlight stylish tile. The key is carefully tailoring the design to fit the space without overwhelming it.
Accent Tile Ideas for Large Bathrooms
With so much wall space to work with, large bathrooms offer loads of creative opportunities to install breathtaking accent tile focal features. Consider these ideas:
Full Wall Accents
Take advantage of the expansive wall areas by covering entire walls in eye-catching ceramic, porcelain, glass or natural stone tile from floor to ceiling.
Geometric Patterns
Bold and graphic geometric patterns like chevrons, multi-sided shapes, brick layouts, and combinations of vertical and horizontal stripes make a dramatic modern statement in a big bathroom.
Contrasting Bands
Use horizontal accent bands of contrasting colors or patterns to define separate spaces in an open floorplan large bathroom. For example, frame the tub and toilet zone each in different complementary tile bands.
Mosaic Tile Medallions
A colorful mosaic tile medallion adds artistic flair as the crowning centerpiece of your sprawling accent wall. Surround it with more uniform field tile to offset the ornate design.
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