1. Choose a Cool Blue

Stunning greyish blue tile surrounds this tub, creating a chic design with Timber Trails. The Signature Slate Blue gloss subway tile, installed in a brick-lay pattern, is accentuated with white grout. The result is a clean, composed space that keeps its cool, even in a warm bath.

From bright sky to deep navy, you’ll find a shade to suit your style in our wide selection of blue tile.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Our Best Blue Bathroom Tile Design Ideas

2. Match Your Modern Farmhouse Decor

Fashionably homey, modern farmhouse design celebrates elevated simplicity and a connection to rural roots. This bathroom, designed by I SPY DIY, embodies those ideals with a sleek surround featuring the Metro Bianco Gloss subway tile. The right-angled herringbone pattern adds dynamic movement to the space, enhanced by contrasting black grout. Blush-painted walls and a gossamer shower curtain infuse the space with a romantic sensibility, but the versatile tile design makes it easy to update by swapping out accessories.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Charming Modern Farmhouse Bathroom Tile Ideas

3. Surround Yourself With Luxury

Ultra-luxe slab design is often created using a single block of stone, which can be both expensive and difficult to install. Achieve this high-end aesthetic on a more modest budget with our new selection of porcelain panel tub kits. Each kit includes two 30″ x 64″ panels and two 32″ x 64″ panels that mimic the size and appearance of large pieces of real marble at a more accessible price point. The Calacatta White tub kit, shown here, replicates luxurious white marble with bold, realistic veining—delivering refined Mediterranean style for under $1,000 per kit.

4. Don’t Forget the Details

A bathtub surround offers a wide canvas–make the most of it with beautiful and intentional details, like the marble corner shelves and tiled picture frame featured in this elegant bathroom designed by LoPiccolo Contracting. The focal point is created by “framing” the Hampton Niles marble mosaic tile with a single layer of Hampton Carrara Somerset. This exquisite design detail highlights a favorite patterned or mosaic tile that might be overwhelming if used throughout the entire space. The Hampton Carrara corner shelves* provide stylish storage, eliminating the need for a bulky shower caddy.

*This tile is no longer available; achieve a similar look with Calacatta Evora corner shelf.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Stunning White Bathroom Tile Designs

5. Soak in Sophistication with Warm Neutral Tile

Here is another example of our new porcelain tile tub kits, available in four distinct marble looks: Calacatta White, Mastersone White, Statuario Nuovo and Max Rapolano (shown here). The creamy ivory tones infuse the space with warmth and contemporary style. The coordinating 12″ x 24″ Max Rapolano Ivory floor tile completes the look, creating a sense of quiet luxury and filling the space with rich serenity.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Quiet Luxury

6. Get it Straight (Stack)

Everything is stacked in this sleek bathroom’s favor. The Villa White Gloss tile is installed in a vertical straight stack, adding height to the walls and offering a chic, contemporary look. Slightly contrasting grey grout highlights the clean lines of this simple layout and provides a visual throughline to the Bronx tile in Acero and Gris arranged in a checkerboard pattern on the bathroom floor.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Timeless Subway Tile Bathroom Design Ideas

7. Tile the Tub Apron

Extending your tub surround to the tub apron creates a unified space that displays your style–even when the shower curtain is drawn. This lovely space, designed by Steph Cotherman Creative, features the Argile White Matte wall tile. The perfectly imperfect details of the handmade-look tile lend visual texture through purposeful variations in color and edge from piece to piece. The result is an understated grandeur that both soothes and invigorates the senses.

Shop our wide selection of handmade-look tile to achieve this artisanal aesthetic. 👉

8. Showcase Your Style With Patterned Tile

An expressive patterned tile infuses your space with personality in the form of durable and waterproof porcelain or ceramic. Here, the Nikki Chu Zulu Pumice tile (inspired by the celebrity designer’s popular wallpaper) brings bold, graphic design to this fashion-forward bathroom. Paired with the Nikki Chu Luxor Pumice subway tile on the far wall, the soft beige background and bold hand-drawn-look pattern add decoration while maintaining a neutral space.

If you love this eclectic, global style, shop our exclusive Nikki Chu designer collection. 👉

MORE TO EXPLORE | Ultra-Stylish Neutral Shower Tile Ideas

9. Create a Relaxing Atmosphere with Dark Tile

Cool and modern, dark grey or black tile exudes sleek sophistication–as evident in this sharply styled bathroom designed by Timber Trails. The Imperial Pewter Frame Gloss subway tile features a slightly reflective, glossy finish that catches the light and highlights its chic raised “frame” edge. The black tub surround contrasts beautifully with the white walls and white-with-black-polka-dot hex tile floor. This simple color scheme allows for styling versatility–a few well-placed colorful accessories would really stand out in this space.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Brilliant Black Shower Tile Ideas

10. Extend the Tile to the Ceiling

If your shower space is on the short side, you can create the illusion of height by extending your tub surround tile to the ceiling. This elegant shower, designed by Yellow Brick Home, takes the Firenze Carrara tile up the angled ceiling to draw the eye upward and create a continuous space within the tub and shower area. We love how the marble tile is also used as wainscoting in the main bathroom area.

Updating your space is easier than you think!

Shop our wide assortment of bathroom tile to find your perfect style, and explore our extended list of bathroom tile ideas for more inspiration. Need more assistance? Visit your local Tile Shop showroom, where you’ll find the tile, tools and expert advice you need to get started.

The post 10 Chic & Unique Tub Surround Tile Ideas appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Zellige Tile

What is Zellige tile? Crafted in Morocco, each of these tiles is shaped, painted, and glazed by hand using ancient techniques, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind look. These tiles come in a variety of colors and shapes, including the popular star and cross shapes, bringing old-world charm to contemporary design.

Square

4″ x 4″ glossy tile available in Alabaster, Azul (dark blue), Black, Dark Grey, Dirty Blue, Light Grey, Shamrock (green), Turquoise and White.

The slight variations in color and surface texture lend themselves to an array of beautiful designs, as evident in these three stunning spaces. In the top left, wide grout joints help create a more even appearance while still highlighting the tile’s perfect imperfections. With the Alabaster tile on the bottom left, you can see the difference in coloration from piece to piece. You can even pair two colors together for a chic checkerboard design, as demonstrated by the bathroom on the right.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tips to Nail Your Grout Color and Design

Top left: Featuring: Zellige White Gloss. Design by Fox Homes. Bottom Left: Featuring: Zellige Alabaster Gloss and Alison Victoria Precious Metals 24 Katat Pencil Trim. Right: Featuring: Zellige Azul Gloss and Zellige Light Grey Gloss.

Mosaic

2″ x 2″ glossy tile available in Alabaster Pearl, Azul (dark blue), Black, Dark Grey, Dirty Blue, Light Grey, Shamrock (green), Turquoise and White.

Mounted on a mesh sheet for easy installation, these mosaic tiles create a complex tableau and exquisite visual texture. Try pairing two or more colorways for a gorgeous design, like this unique checkerboard featuring blocks of Zellige mosaics in Turquoise and Light Grey.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Unique and Unexpected Checkerboard Tile Ideas

Subway

2″ x 6″ glossy tile available in Alabaster Pearl, Azul (dark blue), Black, Dark Grey, Dirty Blue, Light Grey, Shamrock (green), Turquoise and White.

These petite subway tiles lend themselves to a wealth of layouts, whether stacked–like the kitchen on the left–offset in a brick-lay pattern, or in an alternating basketweave design–like the middle bathroom.

Note the Zellige Dirty Blue gloss subway tile featured on the backsplash in the kitchen on the left. The undulating tones of blue, green and brown create a stunningly unique olive color that lends warmth and richness to the space.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Classic Subway Tile Layouts

Left: Featuring: Zellige Dirty Blue Subway. Middle: Featuring: Zellige Light Grey Subway. Right: Featuring: Zellige Shamrock Subway, Zellige White Subway, Zellige White Mosaic.

Chabone Star and Cross

Available in Charcoal Star Matte and Gloss, Charcoal Cross Matte and Gloss, White Star Matte and Gloss, and White Cross Matte and Gloss.

A classic Moroccan design, the Chabone Star and Cross tiles are designed to fit together to create a captivating pattern. Try mixing finishes to create subtle contrast, or pair black and white for a distinct, checkerboard design.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Unique Zellige Bathroom Tile Ideas

Left: Featuring: Zellige Charcoal Chabone Cross Gloss and Star Matte. Right: Featuring: Zellige Black Gloss, Zellige White Chabone Star Matte and Zellige White Chabone Cross Matte.

Handmade Look

Do you like the look of handmade tiles, but want a little more continuity? Get the unique character of handmade tiles with less variance in color and size (and a lower price point) with handmade-look tiles.

Nuovo Riad

The Nuovo Riad 4″ x 4″ square tiles–available in Bianco (white) and Creme (beige)–mimic the square Zellige tiles, with uneven edges and variation in color and surface texture, but the differences are not quite as pronounced as in the true handmade tiles. If you like your lines a little straighter and your color a little more uniform, you can’t go wrong with the Nuovo Riad tile.

These stunning spaces showcase how the variations in surface texture and coloration create beautiful spaces, either alone or paired together for a chic checkerboard pattern.

Top Right: Featuring: Nuovo Riad Bianco, Nuovo Riad Creme and Terrazzo Bianco Macro. Top middle: Featuring: Nuovo Riad Bianco. Design by Alison Victoria. Top right: Nuovo Riad Bianco. Bottom left: Featuring: Nuovo Riad Bianco. Design by Timber Trails. Photography by John and Maura Stoffer. Bottom left: Featuring: Nuovo Riad Bianco and Riad Grey (this tile is no longer available; achieve a similar look with Zellige Dark Grey Gloss). Design & Photography by Racheal Jackson of Banyan Bridges.

Splendor

The Splendor takes subway tile up a notch with perfectly imperfect character. This tile comes in three on-trend neutral colorways: Blanco, Creme and Grigio to suit your style. For an added twist on a classic subway, try the elongated-hex-shaped picket tile (Blanco, Creme and Grigio).

Install these tiles alone of mix shapes and colors for a unique design, as demonstrated in these gorgeous spaces.

Left: Featuring: Splendor Blanco. Design by Clark + Aldine. Photography by Josh Stoddart. Right: Featuring: Splendor Grigio.

Left: Featuring: Splendor Blanco Picket and Splendor Blanco. Right: Featuring: Splendor Blanco and Hampton Carrara Shower Curb. Design & Photography by Coco & Jack.

Marrakesh

The undulating surface texture and color of Marrakesh tiles add a wonderful sense of movement to your walls. Available in White, Blue and Green, the color variation in the tiles makes for beautiful backsplashes and walls, and can even be paired together to create a contemporary checkerboard pattern, as featured in the I SPY DIY-designed bathroom on the right.

Top left: Featuring: Marrakesh Green. Bottom left: Featuring: Marrakesh Off White. Right: Featuring: Marrakesh Blue, Marrakesh Off White, Cross Snow White, Cross Black and Black Marquina Somerset. Design and photography by I Spy DIY.

Look

The Look elongated 2″ x 10″ subway tile comes in bold colors with an artisanal appearance that creates stunning visual texture. We love how the vibrant colorways pair with patterned tiles, such as the Oliva with Laura Ashley Wexbord Fresh Green in the top right space, and the Avio with Jeffrey Alan Marks Big Sur Sea Spray in the shower below.

Explore this lovely tile in all five on-trend colorways: Avio, Oliva, Bianco, Lino and Blu.

Left: Featuring: Nuovo Riad Bianco and Look Avio. Design and Photography byI SPY DIY. Top right: Featuring: Look Oliva, Laura Ashley Wexbord Fresh Green, DURAL Chrome, Arctic White Bullnose, Arctic White and Arctic White Hex. Bottom right: Featuring: Look Avio, Jeffrey Alan Marks Big Sur Sea Spray and DURAL Chrome.

Track Stack

Featuring slight shade variations, the Track Stack mosaic tile (available in White Two Tone and Navy Blue) creates an artisanal flair through elegant symmetry. With less variation in texture and edge, the handmade look is expressed with subtle shifts in color.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Japandi

Left: Featuring: Track Stack White Two Tone. Design by Nikki Chu. Right: Featuring: Track Stack Navy Blue. Design and photography by @semihandmade.

Coco

Featuring striking color variation and a gently undulating surface, Coco tile is one of our most popular styles for a reason. Its versatile 2″ x 6″ format allows for a range of layouts and custom designs. Available in matte and glossy finishes and three on-trend colorways, this tile is perfect for mixing and matching to create dynamic designs.

Shop this exquisite tile in all three colorways and finishes: Canvas Matte and Glossy, White Matte and Glossy, and Amber Grey Glossy.

Left: Featuring: Coco White Glossy, Morris & Co. Pure Net Cloud Grey, Firenze Carrara Somerset, Firenze Carrara Honed and DURAL Plus Gold 24K. Top right: Featuring: Coco Canvas Glossy, Coco White Matte, Arabian Pisa Oro Matte, Kasbah Star Bone and Kasbah Cross Terracotta. Bottom right: Featuring: Coco White Matte.

Tribeca

Named for the trendy New York neighborhood with deep roots in the artistic community, Tribeca tile features captivating color variation and soothing undulating surface texture. Notice how the glossy finish captures the light to add brightness and show off the subtle surface variations, infusing these spaces with rich visual appeal.

Explore Tribeca in four gorgeous colorways: Oatmeal, Gypsum White, Basalt and Seaglass Mint.

Top left: Featuring: Tribeca Balsat, Tribeca Gypsum White, Firenze Carrara Somerset, Firenze Carrara, Bianco Carrara Curb, Firenze Carrara Bullnose and Jeffrey Alan Marks Summerland Toro. Bottom left: Tribeca Oatmeal. Right: Tribeca Gypsum White and Shanxi Black Flamed. Design and photography by Renovation Husbands.

Discover Endless Inspiration!

You can find even more inspiration on Instagram and our Customer Room Gallery where our tiles are used in a variety of real spaces! Or, if you’re looking for some guidance on an upcoming project, set up a free design consultation to get advice from our tile experts.

The post 9 Elegantly Crafted Handmade & Handmade-Look Tiles appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.