10 Ceramic Tile Wainscoting Bathroom Ideas You'll Love
We’re coming to your screen with one of our favorite topics, bathroom design and, more specifically, bathroom wainscoting ideas! Of course, all of us here at ASR are obsessed with tiles. They provide versatility, color and, not to mention, are just downright gorgeous!
With all the versatility, narrowing down your choices can take a lot of work and a heck of a lot of decisions! If you've ever shopped for tiles, you know the overwhelming feeling we're talking about. So, your besties have put together the top 10 ceramic wainscoting bathroom tile ideas, so all you have to do is pick your fave!
What Is Wainscoting And Why Should You Use It In Your Bathroom?
Wainscoting is a style where tiles are used on just the bottom half of a bathroom wall. Let us tell you, this style of tying is a match made in heaven for a bathroom of any size!
Wainscoting is a decades-old technique that adds interest to bathroom walls. It’s also incredibly practical, keeping your bathroom walls from getting wet, and is super easy to clean.
Insider Tip! Create A Focal Point
Tiles are your key to creating a wow factor. They can transform your bathroom from dated and bland to fresh and new. Wainscoting makes a focal point that the eye is naturally drawn to!
Great For Wall Mounted Bath And Sink Faucets
Remember how we said wainscoting tile ideas are practical and pretty? They give much-needed backsplash protection for wall-mounted bath and sink faucets. We love a two-for-one!
Insider Tip! Bring On The Color!
Tiles come in so many different colors and styles. If you’re working with a bathroom that needs a little livening up, add a dusty pink or mint green tile, and you won’t believe the difference it can make.
Ok, enough about why we love tiles. Now we have to show you all the wainscoting bathroom ideas we know you’ll love.
1. Penny Rounds
Penny rounds, a.k.a; the cutest tile going around. These little ones are teeny circles, but oh wow, do they make an impact. You can use penny rounds to break up other tile patterns or use them as a feature in the shower niche. They blend perfectly and give the slightest hint of detail without overpowering the space.
These little guys are fantastic when combined with an organic bathroom style or pair well with other geometric shapes to bring in a certain softness.
2. Subway Tiles Stacked
A subway tile can be done in so many combinations, but we love it stacked. Not only do you get a lot out of your tile, but it draws the eye upward, making the room seem larger than it actually is. Stacked subway tiles are great for smaller spaces. And if you want to make even more of an impact, throw a few other colors in the mix to add an extra punch.
3. Soft and Elegant Trim Tile
Trim line tiles have been around for as long as we can remember and are a classic feature that will never be outdated. They provide a solid, defining line in the bathroom that acts as an anchor to the space. A trim is a great way to give extra detail to the bathroom without adding another piece of furniture.
For some tiles, leaving the edge exposed can look unfinished and somewhat unkempt, so adding a trim tile can really tie the whole look of the bathroom together.
4. Kit-Kat Tiles
We’ve seen the emergence of Kit-Kat tiles over the past five years, and we love what we’re seeing. Although these guys are only tiny, similar to penny rounds, they make a big impact on the space. Kit-Kat tiles will often come in one color. Yet each sheet of tile has different flecks of pigment, making it much more interesting to look at. When laid vertically, they can make the space feel taller and larger than it is.
5. Mix and Match
Let’s face it. You spend a large portion of your time in the bathroom getting ready. Well, at least we do. So what, it’s not our fault we love cranking the 80s tunes? So if we’re spending a heap of time in there, why not play around with color and different tones?
Mixing and matching your favorite tiles is a great way to create interest and have some fun in the bathroom.
Insider Tip!
If you're planning on mixing and matching but are still determining how the pattern will play out, once you've received all your tiles, lay them on the floor as they would go on the wall. Play around with what tiles you want, and if there are any imperfections, hide them behind appliances or places where you know they won't be so obvious.
6. Create a natural ledge
You can use the style of wainscoting and make a purposeful shelf. This is great for those bathrooms that could use an extra ledge for storage. We highly recommend leaning a print against the wall or picking up your favorite trailing plant for some greenery.
7. Create a Traditional look
Wainscoting is a more traditional style, so if that’s the style you're after, go for it! Textures like marble or classic black and white tiles can give you a timeless look. If you're only working within a small space, use lighter-colored tiles on the floor and walls to give the illusion of a bigger space!
8. Create a Modern look
If you’re not a fan of the traditional look, go with a modern-style bathroom. Seriously, the options for wainscoting are endless! You can use lighter tones and bring in your neutrals to create a sophisticated palette that gives you that sleek look. Opt for geometric styles and shapes when choosing your tiles and other fixtures to keep in theme with the modern aesthetic. We promise you'll have a bathroom looking like it's out of Architectural Digest in no time!
9. Fish scales
Ok, fish scale tiles are officially the grooviest tile going around. There we said it. We had to get it out. These tiles are just funky and give the interest that some bathrooms need. Laying them round side up leaves you with the most stunning scalloped edge. It brings a sense of organic and natural feeling. If you feel like swapping the tiles to sit pointy side up, get your tiler to install a decorative trim to soften the harshness of points yet keep it in the wainscoting style.
10. Feather Tiles
These trendy tiles ooze cool and add a relaxed, organic vibe to any bathroom they’re put in. Feather tiles are elongated like a fish scale's natural shape. They work to make a small bathroom bigger by bringing the eye upwards. It's also worth mentioning that feather tiles are perfect for mixing and matching colors. When you place your order for tiles, add the same style tile in a box, but in a different color. Of course, keep it within the same color family, but these tiles are ones you can have some fun with.
So, What Next?
Well, we don’t know about you, but we’re going Pinteresting! Seriously, all of this inspiration, it’s too much. We’re only kidding. We could talk about bathrooms, tiles and interior design all day if someone let us!
But for real, if you’re struggling with picking tiles for your next project or need some help on where to start with your living room, get in touch with us for a design therapy sesh. We promise it’s a bunch of fun and filled with all the design info you could ever need!
