20 Bathroom Floor Tile Ideas That Go Beyond the Basics

Custom Vintage Mosaic

This historic home in New York, designed by JAM, leaned into its roots by incorporating tiles sourced from Heritage Ceramics and Subway Mosaics. Along with classic subway tile on the walls, the floor incorporates mosaic tiles inspired by those of Victorian buildings.

"We felt it was important to have a period-appropriate tile that made sense within the context of the house, so we went with this unglazed porcelain that was used during the time the house was built in 1907," says Megan Prime, co-founder and Principal of JAM. "We custom-designed the mosaic pattern to add a bit of character."

Black and White Checkerboard

Large black and white tiles are placed in a checkerboard pattern in this lush bathroom designed by Cortney Bishop. The contrasting floor offers a perfect pop of personality while complementing the rich green tiles in the shower and the earthy, wooden tones used throughout.

Pink and Black Clay Tiles

Pink is specific, but you can make it work by making sure it's not too pink. The key is to incorporate some contrast and keep your details elevated. The bathroom tile is a great place to do exactly that. Here, a soft charcoal-black clay tile featuring a retro, pale pink starburst makes a fun but elegant statement.

Bath-Framing Pattern

In this modern bathroom designed by Maestri Studio, bathroom tile is creatively used to create an abstract frame around the large soaking tub. To create cohesion throughout the space, the same tile is used in the shower.

Geometric Herringbone

Here, a geometric pattern on both the floor and walls using herringbone marble tile intersects with an organic, painterly pattern in the wallpaper. This combination creates a sophisticated contrast that still harmonizes in the small powder room.

"The straightforward geometry of the round mirror, hexagonal light fixture, and slab-front vanity are left clean and simple to let the marble and wall covering shine all the more," says interior designer Claire Paquin, founder of Clean Design.

Chic, Marble-Inspired Porcelain

Interior designer Kristin Marino of KozyKasa says her team's goal was to create a high-end spa experience in this bathroom remodel. "We opted for a honed porcelain tile that mimics the look of marble on the floors and carried it onto the shower walls," she says. "For contrast, we added a stained wood vanity to create warmth."

Playful Beige Clay Tiles

A dose of vintage-modern appeal was infused into this bathroom project by Bishop. The clay tiles, featuring soft lines and neutral tones, are clearly the star of the show. The beautiful light fixture and painted ceiling tie the design together, while contrast is added through vertical wall paneling and patterned wallpaper.

Contrasting Calacatta Tile

Designed by Bria Hammel Interiors, this bathroom remodel stuck to soft, neutral tones throughout with a soft pop of color via a pale blue vanity. The Calacatta tile in a unique pattern makes a statement while offering some subtle visual texture.

Intricate Spanish Tiles

In this bathroom design by Brad Ramsey Interiors, a handsome wooden vanity with sleek black countertops, a mirror hung by rope, and exquisite Spanish tiles create a visually exciting bathroom with depth and dimension.

Thassos Marble Vine-Like Tiles

If you're drawn to light color palettes, this intriguing use of neutral-toned bathroom tiles might appeal to you. "Clean white Thassos marble with inlays of mother of pearl connotes a pattern of vines climbing and extending. By continuing the tile pattern up the accent wall behind the long vanity, we have expanded the visual space, making this bathroom seem larger than it is," says Paquin.

She adds that the organic nature of this tile also helps soften some of the sharp edges often found in bathrooms.

Cheeky "No Diving" Tile

Feeling a bit playful? Add a surprise to your bathroom by adding in some text. In this pool-inspired design, the phrase "no diving" makes perfect sense. "The tile is artistic tile, and the phrase is a cheeky reminder to the guests that they cannot dive in the pool just outside the bath," says interior designer Denise Davies, founder of D2 Interieurs.

Aztec-Inspired Black and White

High-contrasting tile makes for an exciting bathroom design. The key is to use it strategically. Here, statement tile is laid on the floor and shower walls while the rest of the space remains neutral. The glass shower not only helps show off the design but also creates the illusion of a larger space.

Luxury Marble Duo

Refined luxury is exuded in this beautiful bathroom renovation by interior designer Alexandra Kaehler, which relies on two types of marble. "In this classic white and marble bathroom, using a more geometric pattern on the floor added interest without being loud," Kaehler says. "The space feels very spa-like without being bland."

Black Marble Tile With Matching Tub

Black tile with subtle veining creates instant drama in this bathroom designed by KozyKasa. To tie the space together, the same marble was used around the tub, and black hardware was incorporated throughout. A nice pop of color is added via the vanity, lending some visual contrast and warmth.

Black Herringbone With White Grout

Bathrooms serve as the perfect place to experiment with dramatic colors like black. In this project by Triple Heart Design, black chevron tiles set the stage for a gorgeous claw foot tub and inky black walls. A trio of matching light fixtures and a handsome wood vanity infuse warmth into the space.

Creatively Layed Tile

You can get creative when installing bathroom tile by incorporating multiple tile types and in your laying technique. All-white tiles were selected in this sophisticated design by Melinda Kelson O'Connor Architecture & Interiors, but the way they are strategically placed adds some drama.

Glossy Black and White Tile

The intricate bathroom floor tiles in this elegant space by Studio 11 Design serve as a striking focal point while lending an experience of pure luxury. A black freestanding tub anchors the room, while a steam shower with gray tones lends softness without veering too far from the simple color palette.

Contemporary Herringbone Marble

"In this guest bathroom, we knew we wanted to go with marble because it is so timeless," says interior designer Liz Williams. "We chose the classic herringbone pattern to add interest and to highlight the marble's beautiful veining. The pattern and scale help make smaller spaces seem larger."

Retro-Inspired Sage Green Clay Tile

Black, white, or gray are often go-to colors when it comes to bathroom tiles, but consider this your chance to make a colorful statement. This sage green clay tile, featuring a mid-century modern look, lends a sense of playfulness to the petite bathroom designed by Bishop.

Gingham-Inspired Jewel Glass Tiles

A palette of soft blues and grays was embraced in this bathroom, designed by Bria Hammel Interiors. The tiles are a jewel glass featuring pearl, white, and opal. Crisp white walls and tub, a powder blue vanity, and a striped shower curtain lend fresh, bright appeal.