Ideas for Tiling Small Bathrooms

Bathroom design can be tricky to navigate during a new build or renovation. Not only is it difficult to choose between tile styles — porcelain or ceramic — and colours, but it can be too easy to make already cosy rooms feel even more cramped. The best bathroom tile ideas for small bathrooms maximise light, create the feeling of more space, and deliver a lasting style.

So, who better to ask for inspiration, tips, and tricks than Melissa Lunardon, a Melbourne-based interior designer and stylist used to making strategic, aesthetic choices, specialising in residential and commercial spaces. With over a decade of experience working on projects featured in magazines, Melissa is no stranger to working on layouts of all shapes and sizes. 

Join our conversation and steal some of our design ideas to transform your bathroom into a tranquil space for self-care.

Image Source: Melissa Lunardon @melissa_lunardon

Large Format Tiles To Elevate Your Space 

When it comes to tiling ideas for small bathrooms, bigger can often be better. Large-format tiles are a smart choice for amplifying space and creating a more seamless look. As Melissa explains, “using large format floor tiles creates fewer grout lines,” resulting in a thinner, cleaner, and less visually busy layout. This is particularly effective for cosy bathrooms, where uninterrupted surfaces help the room appear larger and more streamlined.

Grout lines play a surprisingly big role in how spacious a bathroom feels. The more grout, the busier the design looks — so opting for oversized tiles can make a dramatic difference where walls are closer together. For homeowners exploring small bathroom tile designs, large-format tiles not only deliver the illusion of space but also minimise maintenance, as there are fewer joints to keep clean. More importantly, fewer grout lines have the chance of discolouring, which can alter the look of your room.

While mosaic tile and intricate patterns have their place, covering all walls with them can overwhelm a small layout. Instead, consider reserving mosaics as an accent or feature wall to balance a sense of texture and spaciousness without compromising on style.

Light Coloured Floor Tiles Give the Illusion of a Bigger Space

One of the most effective small bathroom tile ideas is to embrace lighter shades. Light-coloured tiles reflect natural and artificial light, helping to create the illusion of more space, whereas dark or contrasting tones tend to absorb light and make a compact bathroom feel even more constricting. 

Melissa highlights finding a light-coloured “tile with pattern and movement in natural textures works really well.” By choosing soft neutrals, whites, or pale greys with gentle veining or textural effects, you can instantly create an airier and more open atmosphere.

Functionality of Finishes 

When choosing tiles for small bathrooms, Melissa shared, “We love using a matt or lappato finish on the floor.” Matt tiles are especially popular in wet areas because they provide better traction, helping prevent slips while concealing dirt, smudges, and watermarks. This makes them a practical option for keeping your floors clean and ready to accept guests.

Gloss tiles, on the other hand, bring a different advantage. Their reflective surface creates a clever trick that helps bounce light around the room and instil a feeling of space. They’re also easier to wipe down, making them a convenient choice for areas prone to splashes and soap build-up. 

Floor To Wall For A Seamless Transition 

To create a real wow factor, Melissa finds “using the same tile on the floor as the walls looks fabulous”. We couldn’t agree more. The seamless wall-to-floor tiled bathroom is a growing trend in interior design, contributing to the ‘less is more’ minimalism aesthetic. It’s one of the most effective design tricks to make the space feel larger, calmer, and more cohesive by eliminating visual line breaks.

When using the same floor and wall tile, it’s important to choose a tile that elevates the overall design. Opting for finishes with texture, veining, or a natural stone appearance ensures the space has depth and interest without combining differing tile styles. For anyone exploring small bathroom tiling designs, floor-to-ceiling installations provide the sophistication to turn even the smallest bathroom into a spa-like retreat.

Image Source: Stewart Levy Carpentry @stewartlevy.carpentry

Don’t Be Afraid Of Colour! 

Keep it light, not vanilla. Even Melissa agreed, sharing that “white wall tiles are safe, but have a little fun with one of the walls. Wherever your eye draws to first — either the vanity wall or a shower wall”. A coloured accent tile wall perfectly creates a focal point without overpowering a small bathroom. To ensure your small bathroom tiling ideas feel cohesive, consider choosing accent colours that connect with other areas of the home, such as the kitchen, laundry tiles, or cabinetry finishes.

Make Considerable Design Choices Using Mosaics Or Patterned Tiles 

At Melissa Lunardon Interior Design, it is all about “injecting personality into (their) clients’ homes.” Playing with a design element is always a must, whether through patterns, colours, shapes, or sizes.

Melissa emphasises that playing with design doesn’t mean relying on bold moves or big changes; being selective with their application can make just as large an impact. If you don’t want to create a feature wall, instead, you “could simply limit it to a half-height feature tile (e.g., mosaic tiles, subway tiles, etc.) and then continue using a plain tile for the rest of the wall.”

Other suggestions include having a feature mosaic in your shower or bath nook, and a ceramic tile or porcelain half-feature wall behind the basin splashback or mirror. These are great ways to subtly create points of interest without going overboard.

Image Source: Carland Constructions @carlandconstructions

After A Few More Tips And Recommendations? 

To help those renovating their first project, Melissa has shared with us a few of her go-to tile choices (thanks, Melissa!). Her staple tile recommendations for small bathrooms are 600×600mm and 300×600mm floor and continuing wall tiles. These are a great standard size for small bathrooms and could be used interchangeably (i.e. 300×600 wall and 600×600 floor). 

In terms of style…“we love anything natural and warm looking like grey travertine, or pietra grey, marble-look porcelain tiles. Kitkats, penny rounds and subway shape tiles are a great go-to wall tile option for us!”

Image Source: Janie & Cam @renosbyjanieandcam

Thanks so much to Melissa Lunadron for the wonderful advice she shared with us today! Make sure to check out the Melissa Lunadron Interior Design website and Instagram to follow her projects and discover more inspiration.

Need More Support and Ideas for Tiling Your Small Bathrooms?

We know how hard it is to choose bathroom tiles. With endless choices and recommendations, we’re here to help reduce the stress. Whether it’s picking the perfect shade and finish, deciding between ceramic and porcelain tile options, or picking standout patterned floor and wall tile, our team of experts is at your service to assist you in finding the perfect fit!

Explore our complete collection of bathroom tiles online or visit your closest store in person to make a powder room feel like a spacious master ensuite. Sourced from leading suppliers in Italy, the UAE, Spain and Brazil, you can find a striking, enduring design you’ll enjoy for years to come.