13 Interior-Designer Tips to Pick the Perfect Luxury Bathroom Tile

Do you want your bathroom to look and feel like a luxury hotel? This article shares 13 tips from top interior designers to help you choose the best tiles. You will learn to pick luxury bathroom tiles that look beautiful, last a long time, and work well daily. From shiny marble bathroom tile designs to large-formatporcelain slabs, we will show you simple ideas, smart shopping tips, and how to avoid common mistakes. 

If you are looking for stylish and durable Bathroom Tiles for Floors and Walls, Mosaicenter has them.

Key Takeaways

• Choose tiles that are durable and water-safe. Look for a high PEI rating, low water-absorption rate, and slip resistance.
• Use large-format tiles, warm tones, and bold patterns to make your bathroom look stylish and spacious.
• Always order extra tile, seal with VOC-free products, and pick radiant-heat compatible options for comfort and easy upkeep.

Why Tile Choice Makes or Breaks a Luxury Bathroom

Tiles are the foundation of a bathroom’s identity. Choosing the right ones for your bathroom can make it look serene, bold, modern, or timeless. However, a wrong choice can age quickly, get stained, or not give that contemporary feel you are looking for. 

Designers think that luxury bathroom tile ideas should be both aesthetic and durable. This means that the tiles are not just supposed to look good but also have specific specs, like PEI rating (hardness), water-absorption rate, and coefficient of friction. So, if you spend time picking the right go-to tile for luxury bathrooms, it would mean that you’d have to worry about fewer maintenance issues while enjoying the aesthetically pleasing aura.

Want your bathroom to feel like a 5-star spa or a design magazine feature? Then start here.

Quick-Fire Tile Glossary

Before you start picking tiles, here is a defined term set. These terms will help you choose the best tile for your luxury bathroom.

PEI Rating:

This tells you how hard a tile is. For a luxury bathroom, you want tiles that last long and don’t scratch easily. A higher PEI rating means the tile can handle heavy use, which is perfect for floors and busy areas.

Water-Absorption Rate:

This shows how much water a tile can absorb. Bathrooms often get wet, so tiles with low water absorption keep floors and walls safe from damage and stains. They also help prevent mold and keep tiles looking new.

Coefficient of Friction:

This measures how slippery a tile might be, especially when wet. Slip-resistant floor tiles have a higher coefficient, so they keep you safe from falls in the bathroom. This is necessary for wet areas like showers and around tubs.

Rectified Edge:

Tiles with straight, smooth edges fit close together, making the grout lines very thin. This gives your bathroom a neat, modern look. Plus, smaller grout lines mean less cleaning and a cleaner overall feel.

Grout Color Matching:

Choose grout that either blends in with your tile or contrasts with it. Matching grout creates a smooth, seamless look. A different color grout can highlight patterns and shapes, changing the mood of your bathroom.

VOC-Free Sealant:

Sealants protect your tiles and grout from water and stains. VOC-free means they don’t release harmful chemicals into the air. This is better for your health and keeps the bathroom air fresh, and is especially important in tight spaces.

The 13 Tips

Here are 13 interior designer bathroom tile tips:

Pick Tiles That Last

When picking tiles for a luxury bathroom, always start with durability. Tiles need to be handled daily without cracking or chipping. The PEI rating tells you how tough a tile is. For floors, look for PEI 3 or above. For example, PEI 4 porcelain tiles usually cost around $8 to $14 per square foot but offer excellent strength.

Bathrooms get a lot of wear, so investing in tiles that last longer is better. This will save you money and keep your bathroom looking fresh for years.

Shop durable floor tiles at Mosaicenter.

Choose Slip-Resistant Options

Bathrooms are wet places, so you need to choose slip-resistant tiles. Safety matters greatly, so we always recommend slip-resistant floor tiles to our clients. Tiles with a good coefficient of friction prevent accidents by giving extra grip. It is smart to use such tiles, especially around showers and tubs.

Slip-resistant tiles now come in many beautiful styles, so you don’t have to choose between safety and style.

Looking for designer bathroom tiles that are slip-resistant as well? Visit Mosaicenter today!

Use Big Tiles to Make Small Rooms Look Larger

For small bathrooms, large-format porcelain slabs are a good choice. As these are big tiles, you would have fewer grout lines, creating a smooth and open look. This would trick your mind and eyes and make the room feel bigger, more elegant, and spacious. Moreover, larger tiles are also easier to clean as there are fewer grout lines. 

For premium bathroom tile choices, head over to Mosaicenter!

Use Warm, Natural Colors

We always recommend warm, natural colors like cream, beige, or soft grey for a calm and relaxing bathroom. These shades create a spa-like bathroom tile atmosphere that feels cozy and timeless. Plus, these also go well with many decor styles.

According to Kevin Sears, a bathroom and interior design blogger at 34 St John: 

“Colours like beige, taupe, and terracotta make a space feel cosy and inviting. The best way to implement this scheme is to use deeper shades on areas (such as walls) to ground the space while adding accents through lighter shades.”

Neutral colors never go out of style and make the space look modern without being too bold.

Check our soft-tone high-end bathroom flooring at Mosaicenter.

Go Bold with Patterns

Patterns add life and personality to your bathroom. We at Mosaicenter often suggest trying the herringbone tile pattern or vertical subway tile to create visual interest. The patterns you choose don’t have to be loud; they can be subtle yet stylish.

You can even choose to mix patterns to create a design statement.

Looking for Hexagonal tiles to add some pattern to your boring walls? Visit Mosaicenter today.

Use Marble for a Luxe Look

Marble tiles like Calacatta Gold marble or Carrara marble are classic choices. They make any bathroom naturally elegant, classic, and timeless. They always look high-end and feel luxurious.

Marble tiles work well on floors, walls, and backsplashes. However, they need sealing to keep them looking great for a long time.

Check out our upscale shower wall tiles at Mosaicenter.

Add Texture with Zellige or Stone

Texture makes a bathroom feel more inviting. We recommend using zellige mosaic sheets or natural stone tiles on accent walls or in showers. These add depth and a handmade charm that smooth tiles don’t have.

Textured tiles play beautifully with light and shadow, giving your space personality.

Shop premium bathroom tile choices at Mosaicenter.

Match Grout Color Carefully

Grout color changes everything. We always tell clients that grout is like the frame of a painting. Matching grout to your tile color creates a seamless look, while contrasting grout highlights patterns.

According to John Merola;

“Grout does more than fill the spaces between tiles—it’s a defining design element that can change the room’s aesthetic. The grout color you choose influences how tiles are perceived and can either highlight the tile’s shape and pattern or allow it to blend subtly into the background.”

Use Hexagon Tiles for Style

Hexagon floor mosaic tiles have a classic shape but feel fresh and modern. They work well in any style, from vintage to sleek contemporary. They’re perfect for floors or feature walls and can be bold or subtle depending on the color.

“Their distinctive geometric shape allows for infinite patterns and combinations, making them versatile for any space. Hexagonal tiles also bring a touch of modernity and elegance that can completely transform a space,” says Lledó Barberá.

Make your space look versatile with hexagon tiles from Mosaicenter.

Use Low-VOC Sealants

Healthy indoor air quality is important, so we always recommend using VOC-free sealants when sealing grout or tiles. They protect your tiles and keep your bathroom air safe, especially if you have kids or pets.

According to Sustainable Interior District, low-VOC sealants reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, minimizing potential respiratory issues, headaches, and other health problems associated with poor air quality.

Choosing these sealants helps create a healthy home environment without toxic fumes.

Choose Radiant-Heat Friendly Tiles

Nothing beats stepping onto a warm floor in winter. But not all tiles work with radiant heating. If you prefer warm tiles during winters, check if tiles are radiant-heat compatible before purchasing.

“Porcelain and ceramic tile are the best choice for radiant floor heating. These tiles are thin and conduct heat extremely well. This reduces the energy (and time) needed to warm up a room…. Stone tile can withstand temperature changes and radiant heating without expanding or contracting. Stone tile will retain the heat even longer than other types of tile.” - Downright Tile and Renovation.

Always Order Extra Tile

One of the most straightforward but important tips is ordering 15–20 percent extra tile. Why? Because mistakes can happen during installations, tiles can break, or you may want to fix something later. 

“Running out of tile halfway through is a nightmare,” many homeowners say. Extra tile means you can easily replace or repair without hunting for the exact match.

Focus on Wall Details

Walls can make or break your bathroom’s style. Many interior designers love using upscale shower wall tile to create a statement. Bold patterns or soft matte finishes add personality and depth.

“A feature wall allows you to up the value and aesthetic appeal of one of the home’s smallest rooms, without the expense of renovating your entire bathroom with a pricey marble tile,” says Maggie Gillette from Better Homes and Gardens.

Make your space look even better with luxurious bathroom tiles from Mosaicenter.

Tile Material Comparison

Are you confused between ceramic vs porcelain bathroom tile? Here is a short comparison that might help you decide:

• Ceramic tiles are affordable, easy to cut, and come in many styles. They are an excellent option for walls and light-use areas. But because they’re softer and more porous, they may chip over time or absorb more water.
• Porcelain tiles, on the other hand, are denser, stronger, and more durable. They are also more water-resistant, which makes them a perfect choice for bathroom floors and shower walls. Even though they are harder to cut, they last longer.

Looking for bathroom tiles that are stylish and durable? Mosaicenter offers Floor Tilesmade with the best materials.

Installation & Maintenance Hacks 

How to Install Bathroom Tiles?

Good tile installation is just as important as picking the right tile. A bad installation can ruin the look and reduce the life of your tiles. Follow these steps to get it right:

Clean the floor well.

Make sure the surface is dry, flat, and free of dust. This helps the adhesive stick better.

Use a strong adhesive.

Choose an adhesive compatible with your tile type (ceramic, porcelain, or marble). Read the label to confirm compatibility.

Use tile spacers for even lines.

These small tools help keep the spacing between tiles equal. This makes grouting easier and gives a neat finish.

Grout after 24 hours.

Let the tiles set before applying grout. Rushing this step can cause tiles to shift or grout to crack.

How to Maintain Bathroom Tiles?

Cleaning tiles isn’t hard if you regularly use the right products. Here's what to keep in mind:

Use a soft mop or cloth.

Avoid anything rough that might scratch the tile.

Use pH-neutral cleaners.

These are safe for most tile finishes and grout. Stay away from bleach or acid-based cleaners.

Don’t scrub marble or stone.

Natural materials can scratch easily. Use gentle products.

Reseal grout once a year.

Sealing removes moisture and prevents stains, especially in wet areas like the shower.

FAQ

Q: What is the best tile for a luxury bathroom?

A: For a luxurious bathroom, porcelain or marble tiles are a good choice as they look high-end and last long.

Q: Can I mix tile patterns?

A: Yes, you can mix tile patterns. Mixing tile patterns, especially on a shower wall, can create accents that elevate the look.

Q: Can I use natural stone tiles in my bathroom?

A: Natural stone tiles can be used in your bathroom but need sealing. Use a VOC-free sealant when sealing.

Q: How much tile should I order?

A: When ordering tiles, always order 15–20 percent extra tile, because mistakes can happen during installations, tiles can break, or you may want to fix something later.

Final Thoughts + Consultation CTA

There are 13 real interior designer bathroom tile tips to help you build the bathroom of your dreams. Whether you want calm and cozy or bold and luxe, tile makes it possible.

Mosaicenter has everything you need—luxury bathroom tile ideas and large-format porcelain slabs. Need help choosing the right tiles for the space? Reach out to Mosaicenter. We will help you build the bathroom of your dreams, step by step.