Getting creative with your tiling can transform a compact bathroom into a luxurious sanctuary, but careful consideration is required in terms of size, colour and laying pattern.
A clever and well-considered design will utilise your small bathroom in a way which maximises functionality while creating the illusion of extra room. While tiles are obviously an essential part of bathroom materials, they can also be a wonderful helper in forming a personality and will make a statement in a small space.
To give you all the inspiration you need to get started, we've curated a list of our 12 favourite tiling ideas for small bathrooms below, along with tips and tricks from bathroom experts to guide you along the way.
1. Create a tiled feature wall in your small bathroom
If your small bathroom is full of awkward nooks and alcoves, creating a feature wall is a sure-fire way to add some drama and make the space feel like every inch is being used.
To create a focal point in an otherwise odd-shaped space is ingenious. In this example, pink metro tiles have been laid in a herringbone pattern for practical protection against splashes from the sink.
"A bold feature wall should feel intentional, so as to not overwhelm. Keeping the surrounding walls and décor lighter and tonally aligned allows the feature wall to sing without dominating the space,” says Carly Allison, Head of Brand and Product at Fired Earth.
Carly Allison is the head of Brand and Product at Fired Earth, leading the creative direction and product strategy for the iconic interiors brand. With a passion for timeless design and craftsmanship, she champions innovation while honouring tradition, curating collections that bring beauty, authenticity and character into homes across the UK and beyond.
2. Lay bathroom tiles in a unique patterm
When there's limited space for a full bathroom, savvy shower room ideas can be a huge help. If you want to make a big impact in a small room, consider a unique tile pattern to create visual interest – and even help the space appear bigger than it really is.
Here, long-format slim tiles have been laid from white to black to transition into the shower area, making the room feel larger and as if the space has been used to its full potential.
“Patterned tiles work particularly well across two areas of a bathroom and offer a versatile way to introduce colour, texture and personality," says Carly Allison.
3. Match wall and floor tiles to increase the feeling of space
If your small bathroom is narrow or squat, laying the same floor and wall tiles can create the feeling of a more spacious room – and it can can also work well in showers or along bath panels.
Here, wood-effect herringbone floor tiles zig zag their way up to the ceiling to provide the illusion of wider, taller walls. The dark wood creates a warm, enveloping feel that’s perfect for this place of relaxation.
“In a small space like a bathroom, matching tiles on both the floor and the walls elevates the space and creates a focal point in a smaller room. This will create a seamless flow and also make smaller bathrooms feel more expansive," says Carly Allison.
4. Use tiling to make a small bathroom feel bigger
If you want to create the illusion of height in a small space, you could extend your bathroom floor tiles halfway up the wall. In the photo above, Calypso Bathrooms has used large-format tiles to make the shower room feel bigger, taking this visual hack to the next level.
Mixing and matching gives you more flexibility in bathroom design, as you’ll be able to combine a decorative wall tile with durable, slip-resistant floor tiles. My former landlord made the mistake of using glossy black tiles on both surfaces, which was an absolute nightmare to clean and would have been better suited to just the walls.
“Deep-coloured tiles, when paired with clever lighting, can make walls and floors appear richer and more spacious. In addition, a glazed finish helps to connect surfaces and blur harsh boundaries. These qualities make them perfect for small spaces, where they add warmth, elegance, and enhance depth without overwhelming the space," adds Carly Allison.
4. Add your personal stamp through creative tiling
While it might sound contradictory, compact spaces are often the best places to let your creative juices flow, so don’t hold back when choosing small bathroom tiling ideas.
"Bathroom tiling is one of the easiest ways to inject personality into a space, because it covers such a large visual area. Patterned floors, coloured wall tiles, or even a simple layout choice like herringbone can completely change the feel of a room," says Abbas Youssefi, Managing Director of Porcelain Superstore.
"For anyone feeling cautious, a good way to avoid tiling mistakes is to keep most of the bathroom neutral and add character in one place such as a feature wall in the shower, a statement floor or a splash of colour behind the basin."
Abbas Youssefi is the Managing Director of Porcelain Superstore, which offers a range of stylish floor and wall tiles.
5. Create a luxury feel with dark bathroom tiling
Just because a space is small doesn’t mean it can’t feel high-end and luxurious. One of the best ways to achieve a luxurious, hotel-worthy look is by using dark bathroom tiles, as shown in the example above by Walls and Floors.
Abbas Youssefi says, "Dark tiles can work beautifully in small bathrooms if they’re balanced properly. The key is contrast and lighting. Pair darker walls or floors with lighter sanitaryware, brass or chrome fittings, and good mirrors to bounce light around the room."
"Gloss or lightly reflective tiles help prevent the space from feeling closed in, while keeping grout lines minimal creates a cleaner, more continuous look. Another trick is to use dark tiles in just one area and keep the rest of the room lighter. That way you get drama without overwhelming the space."
Dark tiles we're loving right now
Get a luxurious look for less with these dramatic graphite-effect tiles, suitable for both walls and floors.
Inspired by Italian design, these gorgeous dark blue floor tiles remind me of a dreamy Milky Way.
These moss-green tiles are individually handcrafted in Morocco and are made from natural terracotta clay.
6. Go bold with your bathroom floor tiles
Where floorspace is limited, make every inch pop with eye-catching bathroom flooring. Here, hexagonal pink tiles create a fantastic optical illusion of more space, while the neutral wall tiles and pared-back design allow them to take centre stage.
"If your floor tile is doing the visual heavy lifting, it usually works best to let the walls play a supporting role. A simple wall tile in a complementary tone keeps the room feeling balanced," says Abbas Youssefi.
"For a more considered look, you can pull one colour from the floor pattern and repeat it on the walls, or use the same tile partway up the wall as a subtle wrap. Tile trims or a change in layout can also help define where floor becomes wall, keeping the transition intentional rather than abrupt."
7. Add textured tiling for a spa-inspired bathroom
Celebrating the textures and patina of real stone, this bathroom is a masterclass in recreating the relaxed and calm atmosphere of a spa.
"Texture can add depth and softness, which is exactly what you want for a spa-style bathroom. Think stone-effect tiles with gentle movement, softly rippled ceramic tiles, or fluted designs that catch the light," says Abbas Youssefi.
"Used on a feature wall or in the shower, textured tiles bring warmth and interest without needing bold colours. Pair them with natural materials like wood, neutral tones, and warm bathroom lighting, and you instantly get that calm, hotel-style atmosphere. The key is to layer subtle details rather than relying on one big statement."
8. Match your paint and bathroom tiles
Create a seamless transition between your tiles and walls by choosing the same colour for both. In the photo above, Grohe has used a soft powder pink-beige paint that complements the tiles and avoids harsh contrast around the shower enclosure.
"Matching your paint and tiles helps to ensure that you get one continuous block of colour, which makes the space feel calmer and more considered. It’s especially effective with half-height tiling or a tiled splash zone, because the tile becomes part of the wall rather than a separate feature," says Colin Lincoln-Evans, Head of Buying at Tile Mountain.
"Whilst it is rare to be able to find an exact colour match between the two because tiles have texture, glaze and light bounce that paint can’t replica. If you choose a close tonal match, you’ll be able to create a seamless look without it feeling flat."
My top tip: When buying bathroom tiles, take your tile of choice into B&Q and they can create a custom paint colour that looks identical.
Colin is a seasoned tile expert with over 25 years of experience in the industry. His extensive knowledge spans a wide range of tile materials, design trends, and installation techniques as he curates collections that meet both aesthetic and functional demands, sourcing tiles from around the world.
9. Create a tiled alcove feature wall
One way to elevate your bathroom design is by creating a tiled alcove feature wall to highlight your vanity, basin, and mirror while breaking up plain walls.
"Tiling a niche in the same tile and grout can help make the room feeling bigger and more spa-like as it avoids visual clutter which can be particularly important in small bathrooms," says Colin Lincoln-Evans.
"That said, a niche can be the perfect place to have a little fun without overpowering the room. A ‘jewellery box’ moment works best when created with a contrasting mosaic or a deeper tone of the same colour as the other tiles. If the niche is a feature, then the addition of a slimline waterproof LED can help elevate the design."
10. Tile your small bathroom in terrazzo
Whether you have a neutral or colourful bathroom, terrazzo is one of those tiles that works well with anything and can be given a playful twist or a polished look.
I was sold on this idea after seeing the photo above by Baked Tile Co. I love how the brown flecks complement the warm mushroom paint, creating a serene-feeling space that wouldn’t be out of place in a spa.
"Terrazzo can add interest to a bathroom without appearing overbearing," says Colin Lincoln-Evans. "For small spaces, go for a terrazzo with a lighter base and finer chips if you want a softer, airier feel. If you want more drama, keep the terrazzo on the floor and balance it with simpler wall tiles, so the room still feels open."
These contemporary porcelain tiles feature blue and white specks that create a terrazzo look.
12. Use tiles for skirting in your small bathroom
If I hadn’t just renovated my bathroom, I’d be jumping on this skirting board idea instantly. As you can see from the photo above, it works really well with a statement chequerboard design, adding a quirky touch to your walls and something you wouldn’t expect.
It can also help elongate the appearance of your floor, making it look like it stretches further back than it really does – perfect for those working with a narrow bathroom and wanting to trick the eye.
"Practically, tiled skirting is great for bathrooms. It won’t swell, warp or scuff and it protects the wall from mops, splashes and everyday knocks. It’s also easier to keep clean, especially behind toilets and around basins where moisture is unavoidable," adds Colin Lincoln-Evans.
As illustrated in the ideas above, tiling has the power to completely transform a small bathroom – turning it from dark and dingy to bright and beautiful.
For more inspiration, browse through our favourite bathroom window ideas, or take a look at these beautiful downstairs bathroom ideas.
