House Beautiful January 12, 2025
Buyer
If 2024 was the year of color in home design, 2025 will be the year of bold choices. Designers and homeowners alike are embracing gutsy decor and finishes, whether that translates to punchy wallpaper in the bedroom, zesty yellow in the kitchen, or vibrant maximalism in the living room. When it comes to the bathroom, you may assume that practicality reigns supreme but finishes like tile hold a lot of potential when it comes to personalizing your standout space.
"In a bathroom, tile is often the main character," says designer Clara Jung of Banner Day Interiors. "Install what inspires you and makes you happy."
For 2025, that could mean any number of trending tile treatments, from fresh mixed-shape layouts and firey hues to oversized formats and unique locations. The result? A posh powder room—or robust relaxation zone—that feels personal, playful, and unique. Below, we tapped a slew of designers to get their take on the 11 bathroom tile trends that will be big in 2025 and beyond.
"People are moving away from neutral tones and instead gravitate toward vibrant colors," says Tatum Madden, lead designer at O’Hara Interiors. "We’re choosing bolder palettes that include jewel tones—especially deeper blues—or terra-cotta reds and darker yellows."
This sentiment is echoed by Susana Simonpietri, the creative director of Chango, who says, "Tones of wine and burgundy can make a small bathroom feel deeply immersive. We find that shades of red specifically cast the most flattering tone on your skin, so why not give yourself and your guests a little boost of confidence?"
"I’ve been known to say, 'I’ll tile just about anything,' and while bathrooms are often tiled, I love to use the material in unexpected and artistic ways," says designer Jessica Jubelirer of Jessica Jubelirer Design. "Oftentimes, bathrooms can lack the warmth that is typically introduced by soft materials. To create visual interest, tiles can be artfully applied as cornices, wainscoting, or trim. Tiled architectural detailing can withstand moisture better than wood and adds beautiful details through its color, shape, and materiality."
"I'm seeing a lot of large format tiles, which can be a particularly effective option for people who don't like grout lines or those who want a modern and seamless look," says Lucy Small of State and Season Design. "Large-format slab tiles are designed to cover large areas with minimal grout lines, creating a seamless and luxurious look," adds Michelle Murphy of DEMI RYAN. "Fewer grout lines mean less upkeep and easier cleaning, and the large, uninterrupted patterns can make small bathrooms appear more expansive."
"I am starting to notice a trend in mixing matte and gloss glazes for bathrooms," says designer Jennifer Hunter. "This is a really wonderful way to add texture and interest to the space—we like it best when it's installed as a random mix for a more subtle and organic feel. As a bonus, matte glazes are excellent for bathroom floors as they are more slip-resistant."
"If you're looking to increase the visual interest in your bathroom without overwhelming the space, try creating a pattern using tiles in the same glaze with different shapes," says Jung. "This is a great way to elevate any bathroom tile design, especially if your budget is tighter. If you're designing a more classic bathroom, this layout approach is a solid way to add that unexpected twist in an understated way."
"Another up-and-coming trend I'm loving is color blocking, especially on bathroom walls," says Hunter. "Designers will often use one color and format below the chair rail height and something different above. This adds depth and drama to the space and can mimic the idea of adding wallpaper, without the stress of an unvented bathroom."
“People want to love their design for years to come, which is why I think we're seeing several new approaches to timeless design," says Madden. For example, we’re starting to use more oversized penny tiles, which feels like a new take on a classic style. Similarly, a square tile is always a popular, clean look, but if you rotate the tile at a 45-degree angle, that becomes a diamond pattern. Sometimes, a simple design adjustment adds enough visual intrigue to elevate the space without compromising on long-lasting style.”
"Maximalism in homes has been on the rise in the past few years and we predict designers will be mixing and matching different patterned tiles and textures in the bathroom even more," says Hilary Gibbs and Georgie Smith, cofounders of tile brand LIVDEN. "We think that it will become increasingly popular to mix tile patterns in a way that is both cohesive and innovative. The days of boring beige bathrooms are over!"
"Zellige tiles are here to stay," says Alex Kaehler, principal designer at Alexandra Kaehler Design. "At this point, they're offered in nearly every color, so you have endless options for tailoring your pick to your bathroom's design scheme. When installed correctly, zellige offers beautiful texture and movement that you just can't get from something that's machine-made."
"Taking tile beyond the boundaries of the shower area is a trend that we're fans of and one that we'll be seeing more of in 2025," says Jung. "Bathrooms can feel sterile, and it's hard to impart additional design elements into a space since functionality often overrules. By extending tile beyond the shower or tub location and behind the vanity, for example, you can add character and more depth to the room."
"I see a lot of people wanting more warmth in their bathroom, especially in the coming year," says Kaehler. "People want their bathroom tile to evoke a coziness, instead of the stark spa-like feel we've seen for so long. Because of this, we're seeing natural materials like limestone being introduced more into bathrooms, bringing an earthy warmth that is hard to achieve with cool white and gray marble."
"Using a single tile on both walls and floors creates a dramatic, chic, and seamless look," explains designer Danielle Chiprut of Danielle Rose Design. "Similar to color-drenching with paint, this technique provides continuity, making even small spaces feel larger and more intentional while adding a modern edge. It's easy to think that visual interest can only come from variety, but that isn’t true—sometimes all you need is to do the same thing but at a bigger scale."
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
January 13, 2025
As harrowing and out-of-touch as show business can be, celebrities’ most-relatable sides are exposed in the bonds they share with their pets.
January 13, 2025
Ferguson Partners, the Chicago-based talent management and strategic advisory firm for the real estate sector, announced the results of its first Artificial Intelligen… Read more
January 13, 2025
The best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun inspire travelers to return to this lively beach destination year after year, and it’s not hard to see why.
January 13, 2025
Experts say rates will come down slightly in the year ahead – but some volatility is expected.
January 13, 2025
January 12, 2025
If 2024 was the year of color in home design, 2025 will be the year of bold choices.
We Guide Homeowners through the complicated process of selling their home using our 4 Phase Selling Process and 3 Prong Marketing Strategy that alleviates their stress and moves them effortlessly to their next destination. Schedule a 15 Minute Complimentary Strategy Session Today