bump

you may get more suggestions if you post pictures of where you want to put the tile in relation to vanity.

Thanks for the suggestion to add a better pic. So I only want to add tile (subway?) to the tub surround, not all around on the walls as is tiled now.

Then what tile goes on the floor that will be OK with the vanity and subway tile? The existing floor tile is 12" ceramic square, beige. It all looks so dated from 1996!!

Actually, I think the floor is the #1 problem. You may be able to live with the bathtub tile if the floors were redone. Also, I would remove the 4" back piece from the vanity.

https://images.app.goo.gl/XmDY5X2SnH9QmvA69

https://images.app.goo.gl/XmDY5X2SnH9QmvA69

I'd just find a quiet grayish tile for the floor -- you could use large-format tiles for a more modern look. A little texture ok but no pattern really. Bring home samples to make sure it plays nicely with the counter.

I'm not sure that a shower surround is a great DIY project -- do you have experience with waterproofing? There's a lot of stuff that needs to be back there before you get to the tile. But of course white would work fine -- again, you might go for a larger size to minimize grout lines where crud can grow. if you get a floor tile you like, you could accent your shower in some way to match (a niche or a stripe), but not necessary since you'll probably use a shower curtain for some flair anyway.

msteezzy - love the floor tile - is there any way my small bathroom would allow for that orientation of the tiles,? I think it's stunning.

acm - so a lighter gray in the floor tile 12x24 in the above pic from msteezzy would be lovely. Do you think a tub surround could handle a tile that large, or should the scale be smaller?

As for the waterproofing, we have an expert that'll help with that part. I do have a shower curtain so doubt I would do an accent tile.

Went to a tile store today and asked one of the sales people for suggestions for bathroom floor tiles - came home with 12 x 24" polished porcelain samples and now feel like a complete fool. As much as I like the look of them, they're way too shiny/slippery and just aren't practical. Clearly took my enthusiasm with me (excited that husband wanted to look at tiles) and left my brains at home. Sigh, back to the store to return the samples....

Are you removing the current floor tile? If not, I recommend using a Coretec tile or Coretec wood-look plank on top. It's waterproof! Even if you do remove it ... I still recommend the Coretec.

I like the idea of a simple white subway. I would remove the tile outside of the tub area and "replace" it with paneling, like this....

So, you want to completely redo all of the tiling above the bathtub, but leave that same dated tile behind the toilet? why? It's only another few square feet. don't bring in a 3rd tile. (heck, just remove the tile from the wall, skim the dry wall, and paint it)

The floor tile is the main man out. it's a taupe color that really doesn't work w/anything in the room.

doing a white subway tile, (like a 3x12 size) will be fine for the tub (this is a 3x12 in a stacked layout)

and wall, but that floor tile is still going to stick out.

It's only about 18 sq feet or so? just take it up and replace it w/24x24 tiles

or a 12x24 tile.

It shouldn't be that much more to do on top of the tub surround. This porcelain mosaic would look nice on your floor.

who is tiling the tub surround for you? ask him how much more for the flooring. if you and your husband demo it yourself, you'll save a few hundred.

or, paint that 25 year old tile

We are removing all of the existing tile - from the tub surround, from the walls and the floor. Husband and I are doing all the demo. We have a friend who will adivse us on the waterproofing etc. but we are going to tile ourselves. I will look at your suggestions for the wall and floor tile - thank you so much, greatly appreciated and so much more helpful than the tile store!!

have you ever looked at Tilebar? I have a ton of their samples. they send you 5 samples for $5. (have another family member sign up and they can get another 5!)

look at the flooring options, and then their wall options. go to their gallery and look at other pictures to get ideas.

https://www.tilebar.com/lookbook-bathroom

come back here w/the choices if you want to see how they look together

if you plan on tiling yourself, I would suggest you check out JohnBridge tile forum. they are a wealth of infohttps://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1

large slate tiles would look nice. If you can figure out laying herringbone then that would be nice. But I think simple stacked subway tiles would be nice. Are you wrapping your tub surround in something too? It looks dated too

It's all dated. It all has to be removed. I'm kind of stuck with the vanity - It's not what I would choose today but I think maybe I can make it work if the rest of the tile is brought into 2020?!

I am replacing the tub surround. And the floors. They will be tiled. I am removing the tile from the walls - they will be replaced with drywall.

I do like subway tiles.

Dezign - I'll Google Coretec.

Beth - I'm in Canada so can't order from Tilebar. Love the idea now of 24 x 24 in the slate grey but that mosaic is absolutely gorgeous, too.

they don't deliver to Can? I thought they did.

well, look at some of the ideas and bring them to your local tile place

I did that porcelain mosaic in a shower for a client. it's gorgeous

these are 12x24 tile on the outside. 3x12 subway tile on the walls

Beth - no samples to Canada so will have to use the site for inspiration. That pic above is stunning.

Will do matte 12 x 24 tiles for the floor in a grey as in the above pic from Beth.

Question: Should I use matte subway tiles for the tub surround too?

Much improved from original pic. Now sit back and enjoy.

What a huge difference! Look great.

Very nice!!

looks great!