13 Tile Tips for a Better Bathroom

When choosing tile for your bathroom, planning is essential. From layout tricks to grouting techniques, elevate your bathroom design and create a space that reflects your style and meets your needs.

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Think Light Colors
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Think Light Colors

Light colored subway bathroom tile is an extremely popular home trend right now. Plus, white, off-white or light colors can make the room feel spacious. When it comes to grout colors, be sure the grout doesn't contrast too sharply with the tile (i.e., white tile with black grout).
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Feel Appeal Bathroom Tile
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Feel Appeal Bathroom Tile

Think about how the bathroom tile will feel. Will you have a shower bench? When using tile in a shower, a slab or larger piece of tile feels nicer to sit on than smaller tile. Add safety to your shower and learn how to install bathroom grab bars.
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Think Diagonal Bathroom Tile
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Think Diagonal Bathroom Tile

If you have a smaller bathroom, tile placed in a diagonal pattern can give the illusion of a larger room. Believe it or not, you may be able to tile your bathroom floor without tearing it up.
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Go Big
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Go Big

When going with large bathroom tile, you must maintain a minimum grout joint width of 3/16-inch. Also, be sure there is at least 90 percent mortar contact below the tiles as their large size makes them more prone to cracking. Though tile is really easy to clean, we'll show you how to clean tile floors the best way.
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Grout Lines
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Grout Lines

Thinking mosaic bathroom tile? You'll have more grout lines. One way to minimize the grid-like feeling mosaic tile can create is to use a grout tinted to resemble the tile's color. Try these grouting tips and techniques.

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More on Mosaic
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More on Mosaic

When choosing mosaic bathroom tile, find one that offers at least 95 percent contact from the tile to the backer board. This contact is needed to keep the tile from slipping on the wall and glue often isn't strong enough. Here are some tile installation tips from a tile expert.
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Rule of Three
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Rule of Three

If you're looking to create a unique tile pattern, stick to no more than three tiles that share the same color palate. Using more bathroom tile colors can become a distraction to the eye and also become more difficult to place. Be careful not to make your bathroom tile too gaudy.
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Think Upkeep
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Think Upkeep

If you're looking for a bathroom tile that doesn't require much maintenance, think porcelain or ceramic. Tiles made from natural stone require more upkeep since they are more porous. Regrout wall tile with these tips.
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Slip Factor
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Slip Factor

While glass bathroom tile is pretty and makes for a great wall or accent tile, it becomes extremely slippery when wet. Avoid glass tile on floors, especially in bathrooms with a shower or bathtub
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The Glass Debate
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The Glass Debate

If using glass bathroom tile in a shower, be aware that some clear glass shower tiles can show moisture trapped behind them. Instead, try smaller colored glass shower tiles. You can also use glass tile to decorate a frame.
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Go Universal
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Go Universal

Want a bathroom tile look that will look great for a long while? Here's a tip: Pick one larger neutral color tile for installation throughout. Not only will this be easier to maintain, but it will make the room look much bigger. Learn some modern tile installation tips.
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Pick a Single Accent Piece
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Pick a Single Accent Piece

Take a risk with a fun color or pattern, but don't go overboard. By choosing just one design or color of bathroom tile as an accent. And it will give your bathroom a timeless look. Too many bold colors and patterns will compete with each other. Accent pieces can also be used in kitchen backsplashes.
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Have a Sloped Ceiling?
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Have a Sloped Ceiling?

Use smaller bathroom tile when covering a sloped ceiling. Smaller bathroom tiles will make the slope appear less choppy.

Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham spent years working in newsrooms, for television and newspapers, and has won several awards for her writing. In 2015, she left her full-time job as a newspaper editor to focus on freelance writing and editing. She has been a Family Handyman contributor since 2017.
In 2019, Rachel lived through a major remodeling project on her home, and she uses that experience to inform her Family Handyman content. She's also an avid gardener (both native plants and vegetables), enjoys keeping up with decor trends and spends a lot of time traveling, cooking and hanging out with her family and their giant dog.