Source List: 20 Tiles That Make a Statement
Learn about the tiles that make these popular rooms stand out
Annie Thornton
August 5, 2015
Houzz Editorial Staff
Kitchen backsplashes and bathroom floors are the well-tread territory of hardworking tile, but we’ve come to learn there’s more to tile than function. Tile can also inject color and texture and create cohesion.
The tiles in these 20 popular photos drive each room’s design, either accenting an otherwise simple space or complementing other bold choices. Click on the links accompanying the photos to find out where you can get the tiles.
The tiles in these 20 popular photos drive each room’s design, either accenting an otherwise simple space or complementing other bold choices. Click on the links accompanying the photos to find out where you can get the tiles.
1. Tin Tiles From American Tin Ceilings
Painted tin ceiling tiles make up an unforgettable and completely customized accent wall in this Houston bedroom. Contour Interior Design ordered the tiles online and had a paint contractor come in and paint each individual tile before hanging them on the wall.
Paint: Sherwin Williams; bedding, pillows, area rug, nightstand and table lamp: West Elm; Industrial Cage 3-light arc rust floor lamp: Lamps Plus
Painted tin ceiling tiles make up an unforgettable and completely customized accent wall in this Houston bedroom. Contour Interior Design ordered the tiles online and had a paint contractor come in and paint each individual tile before hanging them on the wall.
Paint: Sherwin Williams; bedding, pillows, area rug, nightstand and table lamp: West Elm; Industrial Cage 3-light arc rust floor lamp: Lamps Plus
2. Patchwork Encaustic Tiles From Encaustic Tiles, Ltd.
A patchwork mix of encaustic cement tiles creates quite the color story in this wet room. The bold prints and patterns meet clean simplicity in the otherwise all-white bathroom.
Bathtub: Aurea Slipper, Fired Earth
A patchwork mix of encaustic cement tiles creates quite the color story in this wet room. The bold prints and patterns meet clean simplicity in the otherwise all-white bathroom.
Bathtub: Aurea Slipper, Fired Earth
3. Paccha by Popham Design Field Tile, From Ann Sacks
Black and white encaustic tile flows from the kitchen in this Portland, Oregon, bungalow into a cozy, functional mudroom nook.
Light fixtures: Vintage
Black and white encaustic tile flows from the kitchen in this Portland, Oregon, bungalow into a cozy, functional mudroom nook.
Light fixtures: Vintage
4. Tozen 1-by-4-Inch Stack Glass Tile From Lunada Bay in Ahou Silk
This renovated basement kitchen has a mostly neutral color palette, but the glass backsplash tiles add unexpected color that ties it in with the items in the rest of the space, from the blue Dodgers street sign to the worn leather glove.
Cabinet paint: Silver Gray, Benjamin Moore; cabinet hardware: Restoration Hardware; countertop: Caesarstone in Concrete; microwave: Sharp
This renovated basement kitchen has a mostly neutral color palette, but the glass backsplash tiles add unexpected color that ties it in with the items in the rest of the space, from the blue Dodgers street sign to the worn leather glove.
Cabinet paint: Silver Gray, Benjamin Moore; cabinet hardware: Restoration Hardware; countertop: Caesarstone in Concrete; microwave: Sharp
5. Soft Green and Gloss Black Tile From B&W Tile Co.
This bold contemporary bathroom looks back to Art Deco design of the 1920s and ’30s. The black tiles create a crisp edge around the mint green tiles in this glamorous and refreshing design.
Sconce: Foundry; sink: Richmond Pedestal Lavatory, St. Thomas Creations; Metropole double-handle faucet: Newport Brass
This bold contemporary bathroom looks back to Art Deco design of the 1920s and ’30s. The black tiles create a crisp edge around the mint green tiles in this glamorous and refreshing design.
Sconce: Foundry; sink: Richmond Pedestal Lavatory, St. Thomas Creations; Metropole double-handle faucet: Newport Brass
6. Nottingham Tile Collection by Ann Sacks
Free of cabinets and shelves, the tile backsplash of this Charleston, South Carolina, kitchen runs all the way to the ceiling.
Free of cabinets and shelves, the tile backsplash of this Charleston, South Carolina, kitchen runs all the way to the ceiling.
7. Chelsea Art Glass Tile by Walker Zanger
The slightly irregular shapes of these handmade glass tiles add slight imperfection to an otherwise orderly bathroom. Backlighting and bamboo veneer cabinets contribute to the bathroom’s overall warmth.
Faucet: Axor Massaud, Hansgrohe; Eco UltraMax one-piece toilet: Toto; countertop: Caesarstone
The slightly irregular shapes of these handmade glass tiles add slight imperfection to an otherwise orderly bathroom. Backlighting and bamboo veneer cabinets contribute to the bathroom’s overall warmth.
Faucet: Axor Massaud, Hansgrohe; Eco UltraMax one-piece toilet: Toto; countertop: Caesarstone
8. Penny Tile Mosaic by Waterworks
This backsplash in a San Francisco kitchen brings the bold with a penny tile backsplash and matching graphite grout. Soapstone counters and black outlet covers add more darkness and depth on the bottom and pop against the crisp white dinnerware and cabinets up top. Walnut shelving bridges the two.
This backsplash in a San Francisco kitchen brings the bold with a penny tile backsplash and matching graphite grout. Soapstone counters and black outlet covers add more darkness and depth on the bottom and pop against the crisp white dinnerware and cabinets up top. Walnut shelving bridges the two.
9. Parramore Brocade Mosaic Tile by Waterworks
An intricate mosaic pattern creates a memorable space, but the neutral colors don’t overwhelm the otherwise pared-down bathroom. Using the same tile in the shower and the bathroom made the space feel larger.
An intricate mosaic pattern creates a memorable space, but the neutral colors don’t overwhelm the otherwise pared-down bathroom. Using the same tile in the shower and the bathroom made the space feel larger.
10. Cuban Heritage Cement Tile by Avent Tile
In what is an otherwise understated kitchen, another patterned cement tile backsplash brings flavor and color inspiration. A painted blue island echoes the darker hues in the tile, while the lighter gray cabinets around the perimeter complement the more prominent pattern.
Exeter wall sconces: Hudson Valley; cabinets: Ultracraft in Stone with Nickel Glaze; hood: Faber; wall paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore
In what is an otherwise understated kitchen, another patterned cement tile backsplash brings flavor and color inspiration. A painted blue island echoes the darker hues in the tile, while the lighter gray cabinets around the perimeter complement the more prominent pattern.
Exeter wall sconces: Hudson Valley; cabinets: Ultracraft in Stone with Nickel Glaze; hood: Faber; wall paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore
11. Clodagh Shield Primitive Concrete Field Tile by Ann Sacks
This intimate powder room once served as an entry closet. These square field tiles create an interesting pattern on their own, but the starburst pattern created in the grout between them is just as memorable.
Sink: Memoirs, Kohler
This intimate powder room once served as an entry closet. These square field tiles create an interesting pattern on their own, but the starburst pattern created in the grout between them is just as memorable.
Sink: Memoirs, Kohler
12. Lucente Stone Blends Mosaic Circle Blends Tile by Emser Tile
A blend of different white tiles in an all-white bathroom creates subtle moments of brightness and interest. The more detailed, and costly, tile is reserved for an accent stripe but is complemented by an overall contemporary field.
Background tile: Specular Acamar, Emser Tile; floor tile: Emser Tile; shower head: Brizo
A blend of different white tiles in an all-white bathroom creates subtle moments of brightness and interest. The more detailed, and costly, tile is reserved for an accent stripe but is complemented by an overall contemporary field.
Background tile: Specular Acamar, Emser Tile; floor tile: Emser Tile; shower head: Brizo
13. Tangier C Tile by Mosaic House
Blue mosaic tiles envelop this sunny bathtub nook. A blue built-in bathtub and sky-blue ceiling round out the room.
Bathtub: Luxor, Aston Matthews; fixtures: Tara Classic, Dornbracht
Blue mosaic tiles envelop this sunny bathtub nook. A blue built-in bathtub and sky-blue ceiling round out the room.
Bathtub: Luxor, Aston Matthews; fixtures: Tara Classic, Dornbracht
14. Décor Classic Noir C Tile by Kerion
Instead of the color blast that encaustic tile typically brings to a space, the designer of this white bathroom went bold with a black and white floral pattern on the floor. Pulling the same tile into the shower from the rest of the bathroom made the bathroom feel larger.
Instead of the color blast that encaustic tile typically brings to a space, the designer of this white bathroom went bold with a black and white floral pattern on the floor. Pulling the same tile into the shower from the rest of the bathroom made the bathroom feel larger.
15. Oval Dimensional Tile by Heath Ceramics
The subtle tonal shifts among the neutrals in this bathroom may not initially make the strongest statement, but where this bathroom dares to be different is through its dimensional tile. Raised tiles from Heath Ceramics intermingle with flat rectangular tiles from the same company.
Field tile: Heath Ceramics, pedestal sink: Memoirs, Kohler
The subtle tonal shifts among the neutrals in this bathroom may not initially make the strongest statement, but where this bathroom dares to be different is through its dimensional tile. Raised tiles from Heath Ceramics intermingle with flat rectangular tiles from the same company.
Field tile: Heath Ceramics, pedestal sink: Memoirs, Kohler
16. La Espanola Tile From the Tapiz Collection by Alkusari Stone
This master bathroom in Austin, Texas, doesn’t shy away from drama. A dramatic walk-in shower and soaking tub are met with an equally bold material palette of charcoal subway tile and patterned encaustic floor tile.
This master bathroom in Austin, Texas, doesn’t shy away from drama. A dramatic walk-in shower and soaking tub are met with an equally bold material palette of charcoal subway tile and patterned encaustic floor tile.
17. Celestial Starry Blue Polished Mosaic Tile by Artistic Tile
Though we’re talking about statement tile, this whimsical backsplash has met its match in the Azul Macauba granite countertop. The unexpected blue countertop and stone mosaic backsplash bring surprising flourishes to an otherwise traditional white kitchen.
Countertop: Azul Macauba granite; paint: Decorators White, Benjamin Moore; faucet: Traditional Triflow, Rohl
Though we’re talking about statement tile, this whimsical backsplash has met its match in the Azul Macauba granite countertop. The unexpected blue countertop and stone mosaic backsplash bring surprising flourishes to an otherwise traditional white kitchen.
Countertop: Azul Macauba granite; paint: Decorators White, Benjamin Moore; faucet: Traditional Triflow, Rohl
18. Mariposa Cement Tile by Mosaic House
Geometric blue and white cement floor tile makes a statement in this compact bathroom, but the wall tiles don’t just recede into the background. The slight but noticeable color and height variations reflect the careful, handmade process that went into each field tile.
Wall tile: Bejmat, Mosaic House; toilet: Aquia, Toto
Geometric blue and white cement floor tile makes a statement in this compact bathroom, but the wall tiles don’t just recede into the background. The slight but noticeable color and height variations reflect the careful, handmade process that went into each field tile.
Wall tile: Bejmat, Mosaic House; toilet: Aquia, Toto
19. Chrysalis Marrakech Mosaic Tile by Ann Sacks
This Morocco-inspired tiled wall is a picturesque backdrop for the free-standing tub in front. Subtle blue tints on the floor and walls acknowledge the bold blue wall while maintaining a serene, almost aquatic, scene.
Floor tile: Blue Celeste Rectangle Field Tile, Ann Sacks
This Morocco-inspired tiled wall is a picturesque backdrop for the free-standing tub in front. Subtle blue tints on the floor and walls acknowledge the bold blue wall while maintaining a serene, almost aquatic, scene.
Floor tile: Blue Celeste Rectangle Field Tile, Ann Sacks
20. Fleur De Lis Saltillo Tile by Clay Imports
White kitchens come in many forms, as this eclectic kitchen in Austin, Texas, proves. The white glaze on the backsplash tile allows a hint of red clay to peek through, with dark grout adding even more of a twist.
Addison single-handle pull-down faucet: Delta
Show us: How have you used bold tile in your home? Post a photo in the Comments.
More
See 20 wallpapers that make the room
Discover more ways to use tile
White kitchens come in many forms, as this eclectic kitchen in Austin, Texas, proves. The white glaze on the backsplash tile allows a hint of red clay to peek through, with dark grout adding even more of a twist.
Addison single-handle pull-down faucet: Delta
Show us: How have you used bold tile in your home? Post a photo in the Comments.
More
See 20 wallpapers that make the room
Discover more ways to use tile
Our company has been providing the most prestigious residential and commercial Interior Design for customers... Read More
Related Products
Our goal is to create high-quality housing in emerging neighborhoods while empowering the communities that we... Read More
Related Stories
Events
What’s New in Tile for 2024
By Julie Sheer
See 5 trends in new tile collections that debuted at The International Surface Event trade show in Las Vegas
Full Story
Before and Afters
Before and After: 5 Kitchens With Light Neutral Backsplashes
These kitchens illustrate how pattern and texture can make a white or other light neutral backsplash a knockout
Full Story
Events
What’s New in Tile for 2023
By Julie Sheer
Five trends in new tile collections were spotted at the recent International Surface Event 2023 trade show in Las Vegas
Full Story
Events
The Changing Face of Tile at Italy’s Cersaie 2022 Trade Fair
We saw muted tones, tactile surfaces, smaller formats and innovation at the international ceramics and bathroom show
Full Story
Bathroom Design
9 Tips for Mixing and Matching Tile Styles
By Laura Wheat
Get acquainted with the basics of combining shapes, colors and finishes for a symphony of tiles
Full Story
Events
6 Top Tile Trends to Inspire You in 2022
By Julie Sheer
See the latest tile colors, shapes and patterns that stood out at the recent International Surface Event trade show
Full Story
Design Details
5 Great Places to Use Handmade Tile
Get pro tips on choosing and placing handmade tile for the biggest visual impact
Full Story
Materials
3 Tile Trends Emerging in 2021
By Julie Sheer
See the latest tile colors, shapes and patterns that stood out at the virtual International Surface Event trade show
Full Story
Bathroom Design
Floor Tile Options for a Stylish Bathroom
By Cheryl F
From the countless choices of bathroom tile available, we focus on some of the best looks for the floor
Full Story
Bathroom Design
New This Week: 4 Visual Tricks With Bathroom Tile
See how pros use tile color, size and placement to make rooms appear larger or smaller
Full Story
LOVE the 1930's tile. So glad someone didn't change it and kept it all these years---almost 100 years! Advice to remodelers....design what you totally LOVE and expect to keep it 100 years!
Love tiles in any space. All these tile examples are so beautiful and work so well. I really love how the patchwork encaustic tiles gives some life and color to the bathroom. And the tin tiles on the way is such a great idea! Great article!
This is a fun article. But don't forget about handmade accent tile.