Bathroom Tile Ideas That Never Go Out of Style

Bathroom tile is a long-term commitment — you are unlikely to retile more than once in a decade, so choosing a design that holds up visually over time is important. Fortunately, there is a core group of tile styles that have proven their longevity across multiple decades of design trends.

Subway Tile: The Perennial Classic

Three-by-six inch white subway tile has been a bathroom staple since the early 1900s and shows no signs of becoming dated. Its appeal lies in its simplicity — it provides clean, bright coverage that pairs with any accent color and hardware finish. The variation comes in the grout color: white grout for a clean look, dark grout for definition and an industrial edge.

Hexagon Floor Tile

Small hexagon mosaic tiles on the bathroom floor have been popular since the Victorian era and continue to look fresh in contemporary bathrooms. Classic white hex is the most timeless choice, but black-and-white patterns and colored grout can create more dramatic effects while remaining fundamentally classic.

Large Format Marble-Look Tile

Natural marble is beautiful but expensive and high-maintenance. Porcelain tiles that convincingly replicate marble veining give you the look without the maintenance requirements. Modern production techniques have produced marble-look porcelain tiles that are genuinely difficult to distinguish from the real thing, especially in a bathroom setting.