Oh, I meant to mention that there's no reason you must hire the same designer who was used before. . If you feel as though you would benefit from the help you should feel free to find someone who you can collaborate well with and hire her/him.

If I mix the accent tiles, then do I just do the niches out of the same wall tile?

Yes :) I think that is a look that is destined to last. Different accent tiles will be in and out of style more quickly than simple designs. The shower is an area where switching tile is a big ordeal due to waterproofing concerns so replacing a disliked accent is going to be a big deal. Maybe not a deal breaker for some, but why go through the angst of trying to get it right if someone is going to change it anyway? Jmo.

No accent tile and you may want to steer away from gray. It is a fast fading color trend. Check out Maria Killam's blog, Colour Me Happy, for ideas about color trends.

I think the only reason I added them was because it’s what I see in all of the new builds and model homes in our area, and the two tile places I went to suggested them. My 1989 home has cultured marble panels, really out of style but so much easier to clean with no grout. So I don’t quite understand the love of subway tiles and all the grout. Probably why I can’t decorate.

I don’t see a problem with using that pebble accent because with as many bathrooms as this house has I don’t think they should all be the same . Also , because they are neutral colors that include the color palette of all the other elements in the room , tying everything together .I certainly wouldn’t use them in every bathroom ,but IMHO they really compliment the character of your floor tile here (which conjures up natural stone ) and add something special to the basically solid backdrop of the floor and wall tile and of coarse the tub.

Since you're preparing to sell the home and these are children's baths, you might consider not using any wall tile, at least for two if not all three baths.

You could use one of the better quality white single tub/shower combo units in one or more baths and paint all the walls -- and let the new buyers choose the tile they want to add.

Keep any flooring tile you add very neutral -- perhaps large white tiles or pale gray -- something with which almost any wall tile the buyer like could be used.

Afterthought: If the prior designer doesn't still like their prior choice from less than a decade ago, consider a different pro.

Suezbell, unfortunately the one piece tub shower units would not sell in our area. This is a home that originally sold for $945,000 sixteen years ago. It went through a divorce, sat empty, and needed major updating. Everything was 1989 original, so inexpensive cabinets have been ripped out, new windows installed, and sunken family room floor has been raised to be level with all three rooms adjacent to the FR. Realtors have told us in this price range that buyers want to purchase already tastefully updated and finished. They’ve said get all shiny brass out and all almond tubs and toilets. Id love to now sell it saying, come pick out your own colors! But I can’t find a realtor who will list it as such.

suezbell, I think I misunderstood. You mean just paint the walls around the tub and let the next buyer choose. I love that idea! I wanted to let the next buyer choose their own light fixtures, carpet, and wall paint, but numerous realtors still said no. I would love to purchase an already built home and be able to choose finishing touches.

I do agree w. those who have expressed that it’s not a good idea to get too trendy( or repetitive all over the house ) . In small doses, however, something that looks nice is just that - nice , on- trend or not . I’m old enough to know that getting rid of a trend most often leads to the creation of a new trend that , after time, will then become passé. I guess the key is to just not overdo any one look. - MORE IMPORTANTLY - LAH, if you use a longer subway , ie. like the one I sent for your consideration , I would suggest installing the pebble accent in a horizontal line rather than vertical line ( if you decide to use it ). I think it “ flows “ more with the elongated sub. , rather than cutting it down the middle. Best of luck, just go w. your instincts and don’t undercut yourself.

Perhaps you could use all white fixtures and add one row of white tile above the tub. The buyers could then have the option to add bath rated wallpaper or add as much more to the wall tile and/or trim in any color as they choose.

I’m somewhat afraid to post bathroom #2. It has a shower and the only bathroom with a window. We are using a quality shower tray and upgrading to frameless pass buy shower doors on the rollers, but I would rather put tile on the floor than a shower tray. The contractor has talked my husband out of a tile showered floor. And we have been in some million + homes selling with shower pans. I’m not sure if I can win the battle on a tile showered floor. Anyway in this picture, the dark center is the floor tile with white cabinets. I was trying to decide on two different accent tiles again in a vertical stripe, and which wall tile would coordinate. I could just mix the accent tile though as suggested. I’m doing each bathroom differently, but what will be the same is the white cabinets and granite.

OP, those one piece units wouldn't sell here either even for lower end sales. Don't do those one piece units. Use tile for your tub surround. Just eliminate the accent tile.

PS: I do know that if I were in the market ( we are settled in ours, until we down- size ) to purchase a home in that price range, I would not expect to go in and have to add tile to a bathroom . ( Small changes yes .) I think future potential buyers will definitely appreciate and pay accordingly for the changes you have made . If someone wants to choose every material in the house , they usually go for a new build.

"I think the only reason I added them was because it’s what I see in all of the new builds and model homes in our area, and the two tile places I went to suggested them"

You really have to evaluate the information that you're taking on board and determine *why* you are seeing/hearing this info.

Models homes are specially designed to make you want to spend more money on your build, to get all the little extras like what you saw in the model. If you were building your own home you would get some say in what accent was being used. Tile stores simply want to sell you more-- and more expensive--tile. They have absolutely no interest in whether or not you sell your home, or if the buyer is pleased with what's on offer.

I haven't changed my position on what I think is the best course of action but *if* you go with an accent the one on the right is much better. The left pencil mosaic is already trending out of style and also it's a bit too dark.

I would skip wall and accent tiles for the mere reason that they are an added expense. You are working for a profit. Keep it simple and cost efficient. In my area multimillion new or remodeled for sale houses are all without tiled main walls. So keep it simple, neutral and by so doing keep costs down.

lindsey, Your points are well taken, especially tile stores wanting to sell more and pricier. I should probably clarify that I’m not actually going in to model homes, but new builder spec homes for sale, not exactly model homes I suppose. And as I posted the picture, I liked the lighter as well. The glass one on the left is a “new” tile to come into the store. The tile stores are showing me the brand new huge floor and wall tiles 36 x 36 and bigger, saying the trend is going away from smaller tiles. How does one keep up with ever changing trends?!

roarah, In your area what are on the bathtub and shower walls?

OP, are you asking about tile surrounding the tub? Or are you considering wall tile elsewhere in the bath. I thought you were asking about tile and accent tile around the tub in the first bath question.

roarah mentioned tiled main walls. What is standard in your neighborhood - are the main walls tiled?

Denita, I’m talking about tile on all three walls right above the bathtub and inside the shower area. Two have bathtubs and one is a shower only.

Yes, so that is the tub surround and not the main walls - good :) That is what should be tiled. Naturally a shower needs tile. I have to say, at your price point the shower floor should be tiled too. At least in my area the buyers would expect tile. But make sure the installer knows what he is doing. We have seen some terrible tile jobs here on houzz by "professional installers".

They are either tiled in most midrange to upper price range baths or large porcelain slabs in the most expensive.

I love the idea of large porcelain slabs. I swear Columbus, Ohio is way behind. Our tile shops said they are just now getting in large porcelain slabs. It makes so much sense, less grout! I told my husband when we get around to the house we live in, I’ll just replace my cultured marble panels with real marble panels.

Keep it simple, simple, simple!!! These are children's bathroom, not a master. I would do them in black/white, white subway on walls, black/white on floor. It's basic and will go with whatever color towels the new buyers want to use. No "accent" tiles, no fancy trim. Keep is SIMPLE!

Anglophilia, I would like to keep it simple. But I chose my three different floor tiles based off the colors from my granite counter tops. I don’t think black and white would work. But I agree simple!

You are gutting three baths in a 7500 sq foot house. Why are you even KEEPING the granite, and WHERE is the designer you need to get right this very minute? My GAWD. I am certain there is more than one designer in your area.

JAN MOYER, We are not keeping the granite, we are replacing cultured marble countertops that have seashell shaped sinks with Fantastic White granite with rectangular shaped sinks. I was using a Tile designer, who has an art degree, with a wonderful eye to color, however if I posted here all three of her choices, you as a designer might say that’s perfect, but my friends who looked, said the shower field tiles are way too dark and the niche tiles are way too out there. A very well respected realtor and builder’s designer was in this home before we purchased it. Just three years ago she chose a dark brown granite over the top of dark hickory cabinets, with a dark tumbled travertine tile backsplash for the kitchen. It was not the owners choice, she followed what the designer said to do. Last fall the same realtor, who referred the designer, walked in and said the granite and backsplash have to go. I told her, that HER referred designer chose those colors just 3 years ago. I’m hoping a very good professional paint job of white on the cabinets will suffice to sell. The rather new appliances are stainless and all cabinet and door pulls are brushed nickel. I would rather have a designer helping me, and last night I asked on Houzz for referrals. So far the #1 name coming up is the designer who chose the all dark granite and tile for the kitchen. I’m leery, because we went in to another home for sale, $1.3 million, and the designer’s choice of granite in the kitchens and baths, and paint colors were awful, and the installation even worse, per three of our opinions who were looking. I know you can’t please all potential buyers. I’m just not sure how to choose the right designer. Suggestions welcome.

You seem to have a good eye for color and I don’t think you need a designer if all you want her to do is choose colors.

Bath 1 - I like the white subway with your other choices because I fear the grays would not offer enough contrast.

Bath 2 - No to the long skinny tiles on mesh. They are dated. Everything else is nice.

Can you post a pic of the offending kitchen? Because a good paint job is $$$$.

BATH 1: While not a white subway fan, I think it works best in your situation and you have interest and texture with your floor and countertops. I'd not use the pebble tile in the shower niche, or as an accent, as it is a pain to install ($) and to keep clean (water pools in between those). It isn't needed and agree with others that it is hard to replace down the road. Perhaps you can frame out your niche with the floor tile, or at least as the base for the niche to tie into the countertops, that is if the edges can be polished for a smooth finish (can't see what type of material that floor tile is).

BATH 2: I prefer the lighter subway on top. Neutral and allows for more decorating choices. Definite no to the glass tiles on the left as it is a very dated look. I think I'd skip the accent tile in that bath too. Agree with the clean and simple approach. Adding accents won't increase the value or appeal.

Quality, neutral materials installed very well by a qualified installer will have the biggest impact. I'ver remodeled and sold several $mil+ homes. Quality is key. I can spot a tile job by the B or C team in a heartbeat and it only makes me wonder how well the prep work under the tile was done as THAT is where the problems develop down the way. This is especially true if it is obvious that you just redid these bathrooms to sell the home. Too often, short cut's are taken to save money when done for sale. And savvy buyers know this. So keep it simple and classy with good execution. If you have an installer with a great reputation this can be referenced when you sell. Buyers want to make sure it will last and installer qualification can be an assurance. You've got some great base materials. No need to over-do.

What has been ordered? To what are you irrevocably committed?

White on white on white is really not a bad idea. And your decisions will be made quickly and easily. The decision making process does expend so much energy. You could use different shaped tiles if you want to change it up just a bit, for example Moroccan in one bath, herringbone in another, hexagon in the third.

As a family with kids I would enjoy having a clean white space that each child could choose wall paint, towels, toothbrush holder, soap dispenser for without having to wonder if it "goes." I would like that there would be no instances of "its not fair, hers is nicer" or "why can't I have that pretty tile."

Or if I was using the rooms as guest suites, it is simpler and less taxing to choose one type of towel, soap dispenser, and toothbrush holder that can go into any bathroom after it has been removed for cleaning. Especially if there is hired help to manage. It's easy to create a beautiful, relaxing guest bath with a white room and it's also easy to update decor as styles change too.

lindsey, The cabinets are installed and the Fantastic White granite will be installed Tuesday. The three floor tiles, I’ve only shown two, have been paid for and are onsite. I had a large white picket chosen for bathroom one, and a large 8 x 10 white bathtub tile chosen for bathroom 3 which I have not shown, no accents with any of those. My contractor showed up and said of all the bathrooms he has done, nothing was as boring and builder look as I chose. He took my floor tiles saying he could do better and has not been back in over 3 weeks. And as I said before, a tile only designer with an art degree put together very coordinated tiles and accents, that probably had a more wow factor, but the field tiles for the shower and tub walls were very dark. I couldn’t have lived with it, but I’m not a fan of gray and not some of the more popular gray cabinets I see in bathrooms and kitchens. If only I could just finish the floors and list it with a pick your own light fixtures and wall tiles. I have the vanity light fixtures, but not kitchen, foyer, dining room, and office. They are all large and shiny brass. I just need to pull the trigger and get this done. Price quoted for painting the kitchen was $4000-$4500, doing 4 coats. It is a must. I’ll find a picture if I can.

7500SQFT at $150sqft why do people build these low cost oversized homes rather then build say a quality $3500sq ft house? Sell it as is or look for a Co that specializes in pre sale renovations. Some will even do as a contract on sale price.

Delta sells drop in surrounds that have a band that gets tiled with actual tiles. I always laugh at how people would rather have low end tile vs a quality surround that eliminates all the problems in a shower such as grout lines. Some of the newer quality drop ins are very nice and would be an upgrade from a low quality tile job.

You have to understand people are going to see the quick repairs buyers are more educated these days. I would sell as is or as I stated above I would team up with a pre sale contracting co.

you can use your floor tile on the walls if you like,, (you aren't using the same mosaic in all 3 baths are you?)

you could use white subway, (use a 3x12 or 4x12 size) and do a niche like this w/the mosaics,,,,or get a different mosaic.

get porcelain hex mosaic and use it like so w/the gray subways.

Play around w/the designs. Doing a strip of accent mosaic if blah and dated. mix it up a bit and do something different.

instead of that mosaic you have, get a nice glass one w/some color in it (doing 3 gray bathrooms is depressing) . your floor tile w/go with pale aquas or greens.

another option...your floor tile on the floor, up the main back wall,,,white subway elsewhere

Beth H, I was hoping you popped in! I have that exact same hex mosaic, but my contractor took it. The only reason I was going with a vertical stripe, encompassing the niche was two reasons, I read horizontal is out and vertical is in. Plus the contractor said it was less expensive to put niches in between the studs, instead of rebuilding the area. In the bathtub areas, I was going to do longer niches, ones you can reach when sitting in the tub or washing your young children, and going on up higher for older children or adults can reach while standing in the shower. I like both of those you showed. Thank you.

Your contractor sounds awful. Your designer sounds awful, too. Also your realtor. Scrap them all. How much is it costing to redo these bathrooms?

Beth H., Is the top black and white one yours? I love it! I have the others in a folder already. I never knew niches could be made wider, but tall is important to fit tall shampoo or body wash bottles. Whoever buys this home will be my neighbor, just two doors down. I’m not cutting corners or putting in inexpensive products. In the beginning my husband wanted to move in because the home is on a beautiful pie shaped lot looking across and down two fairways. It’s just too big for me as an empty nester. But I am remodeling it in the quality I would want.

yes it's mine. When I was deciding on the location for the niche (s), i couldn't have it on the back wall because of the design, and ditto the far left..

So, I had to figure out the spot for it on the plumbing wall,,,and the little pony wall (which wasn't a big deal because that we built on the spot)

Once I got the plumbing in, it was difficult to find a good spot,,,I was having the hand held fixture on the left, so that was out,,,the only other spot was where it's at. you can see the the stud placement. so what your guy can do is play around w/the cross studs and move them higher or lower, depending on where they're at.

normally they should be like this...then you decide where you want it. for instance, if you wanted one to span the back wall, he would have to block out the studs to give you that rectangle. It can be done.

Beth, your bath is stunning !

I agree, Beth, your shower is amazing! I love the end wall! And to have a shower without glass is really nice! I don’t normally like dark cabinets, but yours are stunning. Are they black?

Accent tiles are the wallpaper borders of today. The difference is that you can remove old wallpaper borders.

And as for "Remodeling 3 children or guest baths for home sale", I'd remodel the guest baths and take the children with you. That's how it's done where I live.

niccidhg/lah112,,,,thanks. if you click on my name and go to bathroom redo, you can see the entire thing.

I didn't think I could go w/o the glass, but it's actually very nice. the shower is so big that water doesn't spray out and it doesn't get drafty. and no glass to clean!

lah,,yes,,it's black oak from RH

(I've since put in a make up area w/the same countertop, and a mirror where that teak bench is. I've removed it) . looks like this except I've hung the mirror

or, click on the more info link below,,,it might take you to the entire thing

Beth H. As pretty as your bath is, I also love your black kitty cat! I had a black cat for 12 years until he died, and could not get anymore because of my children's allergies to cats. I have a large skylight over my whirlpool tub in my own home and love it. I could do a big shower if I took that whirlpool out, but I happen to be one of those rare persons who uses their whirlpool all the time. In the home I'm remodeling, could I just do an accent in the niche and eliminate a stripe? The new build homes around my area all seem to have accent borders either vertical or horizontal. I agree with Tatts above about borders being like wall paper borders, only problematic to change. I just not have been in one new build home, not model home, but hew builds for sale that have not had accent tiles in every single bathroom. I don't have them in my own home, so I didn't really know. Your accents are so tastefully done, but also in your master.

Beth H. I love the plants. and I bet they LOVE their surroundings!

I like the idea of going darker on the subway, it'll give off a nice contrast.

https://designerdrains.com/tips/8-simple-bathroom-design-tips/

Tackykat,,they grow insanely fast in there!

lah1123- ah yes,,nosy Coal. he's the latest addition. quite the personality. too bad about allergies,,,I don't know what I'd do without them!

yes, you could eliminate the stripe if you want. but it's your home and you're the one looking at it daily. so do what you like. find a mosaic that you absolutely love and won't tire of looking, and use that for the niche or a vertical piece like the pictures. Up to you. there is no wrong way to do it.

Beth H. This is a home 2 doors down from my home that we acquired from some relatives in a divorce situation. It sat for 2 years empty, was collecting dust, getting run down, and needing much maintenance. We have had to put quite a bit of money into areas that will never be appreciated. We are NOT moving in to it. My husband would like to, but I do not need 7 bathrooms and that much square footage to clean at my empty nester, almost retirement for my husband age. It is a gorgeous home though with beautiful wrap around golf course views. And a first floor master would be nice, but still too big!

Designer Drains, that darker tile is exactly what a tile decorator told me to do, go darker. I was afraid, I guess, that it might be too dark for resale. There are no windows in 2 of the bathrooms.

lah,,ah, ok,,that's right. you did post that it was down the street. in that case, do whatever is cost effective for you and what you think will sell the house for top price. I don't think the border will matter one way or the other.