If you’re remodeling your Northeast Ohio bathroom or beginning to research style ideas, you’ve likely noticed that tile options are nearly endless. The variety of shapes, patterns, colors, and materials can be dizzying! Where is a good place to start when you begin your bathroom remodeling journey? Check-in with the top bathroom tile trends of 2023.
What Are the Top Tile Trends for Bathrooms in 2023?
1. Vertical Stacked Subway Tile
Homeowners and designers are flocking to the 2023 bathroom tile trend of vertically stacking subway tiles, especially tiles in longer dimensions. Vertical stacked 3x12 tile draws the eye upward, making your space appear taller, which is advantageous for this typically small room. Laying tile in this way is sleek and contemporary but blends well with other styles. Use a bold trending color, like emerald green tile, in the shower or the wall behind the vanity.
2. Large Format Natural Stone Tiles
Large format natural stone tiles–think 12x24 in size–have been used for years, and for good reason. They offer a smooth surface that acts as a calming background. It’s perfect for adding details elsewhere without competing for visual attention. Which natural stones are great for this trend? Marble is the most popular but also consider slate, travertine, onyx, and sunstone. Use large format tiles on the floor and the shower walls. Pair them with smaller tiles on the shower floor, like penny tiles.
3. Geometric Tiles
Hexagonal tile leads the pack when it comes to the geometric tile trend. Triangle, trapezoid, and diamond shapes are also popular and can work to create very dynamic patterns. Dramatic shapes add interest to the bathroom and are great on any surface. Hexagonal tile is trending in any material, with the most popular being ceramic and cement. These materials can be dyed and stamped with interesting patterns, like the popular starburst pattern. Choosing a stamped tile also offers a slip-resistant surface, which is great for the bathroom floor. Elongated hexagonal tile is an interesting spin on the vertically stacked tile trend.
4. Textured Tile
Typically, the bathroom is filled wall-to-wall with smooth and sleek surfaces. Mix your bathroom design up with a top 2023 design trend: texture. Wavy subway tile, large format grooved tile, and stone tile that’s naturally textured are fantastic options in the bathroom. Marble is a popular bathroom staple, but you could also choose travertine or slate for both visual and tactile texture.
5. Zellige Tile
A standout textured tile option is the Zellige tile. This Moroccan original is made of clay and offers just enough texture, with soft undulations for an organic surface. Zellige is also an interesting tile option for the slight color variations that are natural to the material. In the bathroom, apply Zellige on the shower walls or the accent wall behind the vanity. Sea green, soft sky blue, and cream white are fantastic color choices for this material.
6. Tile as Wainscoting
As trends move toward including more personality in your home, wainscotting is seeing a comeback. For a twist on a classic, choose a trending tile shape in place of the typical wood panel wainscotting. Coordinate your tile choice with the corresponding wallpaper in a botanical print.
What tile shape looks best as wainscoting? Vertically stacked subway tile will make the wall appear taller while hexagonal tile adds a bit of interest to an otherwise linear space. As for colors, white will never go out of style in the bathroom, but soft greens and blues are also a favorite among Cleveland area homeowners.
7. Penny Tile
Penny tile on the bathroom floor is one of those bathroom design trends that never really went away. However, with the resurgence of all things vintage, penny tiles have moved up the list of bathroom tile trends in 2023. The design of a white field with black accents is a bathroom mainstay and a sure classic. Not to mention, the close grout lines provide a great non-slip surface, which is perfect for this water-prone space.
To marry penny tile with other current design trends, play with color. Choose an allover color, a custom design including two or more colors, or use a contrasting color as a border. If you prefer larger tiles on the floor, use penny tiles on the shower walls or floor. The shower is also a great place to apply a pop of color while keeping the rest of the bathroom a bright neutral tone, like white or light gray.
8. Art Deco Tile Patterns and Shapes
Art Deco is back and better than ever. This opulent design trend is indulgent and can be used in detail or in an all-over aesthetic. The vertically stacked tile and geometric tile trends work perfectly to pull off the Art Deco style. Scallop-shaped tiles and extra-large format tiles are also popular Art Deco tile designs.
Emerald green, black, and gold are the go-to colors for this design trend. Choose large format hexagonal tile with a starburst pattern for your floors, an Art Deco wallpaper with gold details for your walls, and vertically stacked tile in the shower. Finish the space with gold plumbing fixtures and sconces. Or, go for large format onyx tile on the floor, classic white walls, and emerald green vertically stacked tile on the shower walls.
Look to Your Expert Cleveland Designer for More Ideas
Even with these top 2023 bathroom tile designs, you may still have questions about what tile will work best with your home’s style and your personal tastes. To help guide your style decisions, it’s important to work with a designer that will learn about your home’s style, your personal design goals, and the colors and patterns that feel authentic to you.
At Payne & Tompkins Design - Renovations, we use the proven design-build process to create a unique design and expertly craft your space to ensure your design feels authentic. Your design process will begin with a consultation and move to an in-home assessment to gather as much information as possible. We’ll ask plenty of questions to make sure your design represents your style and will give us valuable information so we can guide the process of choosing the best materials and tile designs for your project. Contact Payne & Tompkins to schedule a consultation today for your bathroom remodel in the Cleveland area; including Hinkley, Richfield, Rocky River, and more.
