10 Creative Color Drenching Tile Ideas

Vibrant or subdued, the moment’s hottest interior design trend is a commitment to a single hue. “Color drenching” takes one shade and extends it to places typically left neutral—like the ceiling, trim, cabinets and even the doors. Covering an entire room in monochrome can create a feeling of expansiveness, making this trend especially effective in small entryways or powder rooms. Read on for 10 ways to incorporate tile into your color-drenched space.

1. Match Your Tile to Your Walls, Trim and Ceiling

This cozy bathroom, designed by Yellow Brick Home, perfectly captures the color drenching trend. The ceiling, trim and door are all painted in a soft blush, and even the tile—Alison Victoria Brick x Brick Petal—matches the hue. Tiling a half wall instead of painting the entire space adds depth to the monochromatic room; the brick-like texture and subtle color variation of the tile bring visual interest. The result is a rich, inviting space that feels both comforting and expansive.

2. Add Interest by Mixing Finishes

To keep a color-drenched space from feeling monotonous, try mixing glossy and matte finishes, as shown in this serene bathroom features Coco Canvas tile in both looks. A double band of glossy tile—further distinguished by its vertical installation—adds a subtle shine to the elegant design. The handmade-look tile introduces delicate variations in tone and surface texture, creating visual complexity while maintaining the monochromatic palette.

3. Use the Same Tile for the Wall and Floor

Extending your floor tile up the wall drenches your space in more than just color—it adds visual interest and cohesion. The shape of the tile can create a sense of movement, as seen in this dynamic bathroom featuring Costa Emerald Mix mosaic tile. Small picket tiles are fixed to sheets of mesh backing in neat, diagonally offset columns, for a look that resembles vines climbing the wall and spreading across the floor. We love how the white grout accentuates the tiles’ leaf-like shape, but a darker grout could offer a subtler effect. If you love this nature-inspired look, discover more ways to bring the outdoors in with our guide to biophilic design.

4. Choose a Bold Hue

If you’re going to saturate your space in a single color, choose a hue you truly love. While it might be tempting to play it safe with neutrals, a bold, brilliant shade—like the Zellige Turquoise tile shown here—can make your space feel vibrant. This bright blue will boost your mood, and handmade Zellige tile features organic variation from piece to piece, adding richness and depth to your color-drenched space.

5. Tile the Ceiling

Extending your tile design to the ceiling not only completes the trend but also creates the illusion of height—especially in tight spaces like this narrow shower stall. The small squares of the Imperial Blush mosaic tile form a gridded pattern reminiscent of ’80s school showers, but the soft blush hue elevates the space. Explore our vast selection of square tile for more retro-inspired looks.

6. Add Definition with Trim and Grout

If you’re concerned that color drenching won’t give your eye a place to rest, trim and grout can provide subtle contrast that creates the definition you crave. In this example, the Color Market Lima Da Persia tile is paired with white grout and trim. While white isn’t a stark contrast to the yellow, it’s tonally distinct enough to highlight the tile and define each wall. Gray grout with black tile, or beige with pink, can also create a similar effect. For more ideas on how to use this essential—but often overlooked—design detail, check out our guide to nailing your grout.

7. Choose a Monochromatic Pattern

You don’t have to sacrifice pattern to embrace the monochromatic design trend. Many patterned tiles use a single hue in varying tones. This chic bathroom features Blu Window Hex tile, with a geometric pattern in light and dark blue that adds depth and visual interest. While we love how the white and silver fixtures pop against the blue tile, incorporating blue cabinetry or a matching medicine cabinet would take the look even further.

8. Break the Rules: Create Contrast

A touch of contrast can make your color-drenched space truly stand out. This nearly all-black room features Laura Ashley Louise Star Charcoal tile, with a small white star pattern that adds a playful touch and keeps the space from feeling too dark. We love how the white towel and flowers subtly echo the pattern. If you’re drawn to this chic color scheme, shop our wide selection of black-and-white tile.

9. Match Tones

Tile lets you maintain a single palette while still expressing yourself through shape and tone. This gorgeous shower pairs Alison Victoria Gem marble tile with Marradi Calacatta Emerald marble-look porcelain tile. The deep green marble is echoed in the expressive emerald veining of the porcelain tile, while the neat arched white grout lines provide an additional visual throughline. The result is a deeply evocative space that remains tonally consistent.

10. Pair With a Coordinating Mosaic Tile

Another way to add interest to a color-drenched space is to choose a field tile with a coordinating mosaic. This beautiful shower pairs the Laura Park Seaside Marble 12″ x 24″ wall tile with its matching herringbone mosaic. The rich, marble-look porcelain showcases expressive blue tones inspired by Laura Park’s original watercolors. The herringbone-patterned floor tile adds traction underfoot and extends onto the built-in shower bench, creating a subtle visual disruption in the monochrome palette. Explore our wide selection of mosaic tile to find the perfect complement to your main tile.

Ready to drench your space in color? The Tile Shop has the tile, tools and expert advice you need to get started on your next project. Explore tons of unique tile combinations in real spaces with our Tile Visualizer, or schedule a free design consultation with our tile experts to get a jumpstart on your next project.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hi! I'm Eimile, Marketing copywriter. What I love about working at The Tile Shop is getting to see all the new design trends. I especially love bright, bold colors and retro designs. When I'm not writing copy, I'm usually reading a novel or taking a walk around my Minneapolis neighborhood.

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