Sometimes Tile Can Be Downright Entertaining
See the creative ways designers use tile to put a playful stamp on bathrooms
Becky Harris
January 20, 2020
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
While I respect the whole “calm and relaxing retreat” thing when it comes to a master bath, a kid’s bathroom, guest bath, pool bath or powder room is an opportunity to get playful. Let your tile entertain you and your guests by bringing smiles to faces and turning this space into a hostess with the mostest. What follows are some of the most fun and creative uses of tile spotted around Houzz.
Send a Message
This Atlanta bathroom has a tile bathmat that provides a daily affirmation. Who doesn’t love being told they look good, especially when they are buck naked?
Find a bathroom designer near you
This Atlanta bathroom has a tile bathmat that provides a daily affirmation. Who doesn’t love being told they look good, especially when they are buck naked?
Find a bathroom designer near you
Some may consider being told to “wash behind your ears” a motherly nag, but when typed out on large-print tile it becomes a tongue-in-cheek graphic pattern.
This Montreal, Quebec, bathroom is more highbrow. The translation from the French in this line from L’élégance du hérisson by Muriel Barbery is “Art is emotion without desire.”
And this imperfect heart over the bathtub provides a sweet focal point. I put it under the category of sending a message because today a heart emoji can substitute for an entire sentence.
Browse bathtubs on Houzz
Browse bathtubs on Houzz
Go Big With a Tile Mural
Rubber ducky, you’re the one! This oversize tile mosaic absolutely makes this Madrid bathroom.
The Funniest Bathrooms on Houzz
Rubber ducky, you’re the one! This oversize tile mosaic absolutely makes this Madrid bathroom.
The Funniest Bathrooms on Houzz
This looping pattern on the floor is smile-inducing. It grounds the room in oversize ribbon-like scribbles, a cool contrast to the neatly typed quotes on the wall.
Skateboard Style
The art from retired skateboard decks provided the inspiration for these colorful graphic accent tiles. There are 12 tiles in the collection.
The art from retired skateboard decks provided the inspiration for these colorful graphic accent tiles. There are 12 tiles in the collection.
Hidden Message
Yes, even if you like minimalist design there’s a playful tile move for you. This one is subtle and clever — blue glass tiles mark where the loo’s water pipe is located behind the wall.
More on Houzz
11 Ways to Have More Fun at Home
Find a bathroom remodeler
Shop for bathroom tile
Yes, even if you like minimalist design there’s a playful tile move for you. This one is subtle and clever — blue glass tiles mark where the loo’s water pipe is located behind the wall.
More on Houzz
11 Ways to Have More Fun at Home
Find a bathroom remodeler
Shop for bathroom tile
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Love, love, love this article, Becky!!
This all looks so fun! How long would this roughly take to plan and place the tiles?
I think we"ll try the duck and the heart So fun and cool!