Combination Bathroom Tile Ideas – 13 imaginative ways to mix and match tiles

With an ever-increasing collection of gorgeous tiles on the market, it can seem like an impossible task to narrow down your favourites and pick one for your bathroom walls.

But what if there was a solution? Well, combining different tile colours and designs may sound a bit crazy, but if done well, it can look truly spectacular.

If you’re tempted by the combination craze and are struggling to choose bathroom tiles, keep reading for some beautiful design ideas.

Can you mix tile patterns in a bathroom?

Absolutely! Combining different tiles is a great way to add character to a bathroom and highlight features like splashbacks, wall indents and shower enclosures.

Tile patterns can be mixed to great effect, think terrazzo and multi-hued subway tiles, or Moroccan tiles and marble – the only limit is your imagination.

As well as combining different patterns you can mix up the tile layout. Whether it’s laying the same tile in different ways, for example, a herringbone lay on one wall and a brick bond lay on another or creating strips in different designs, you can achieve amazing results by varying tile patterns.

Image credit: @harmony.sf

How do you pick bathroom tile combinations?

The best way to get an idea of tile combinations is to do plenty of research. Pinterest and Instagram are great places to start. Have a look through online tile catalogues too. Find a style that you like and grab some sample tiles to see how your ideas will look in situ.

It’ll help if you have a rough colour scheme in mind. If you’re set on a combination tile theme but aren’t sure where to start, pick two or three colours to make it easier. If you’re keen to use a patterned tile, decide where you’d like the statement tiles to go and choose the other tiles afterwards. You’ll easily be able to find plain tiles to match a favourite colour in a patterned tile.

The great thing about combining bathroom tiles is that there aren’t any rules!  Be as inventive as you like with colour, layout and pattern and create a bathroom that’s as unique as it is beautiful.

Marvellous mixed bathroom tile ideas

Whether you like to keep the same colour theme running throughout your bathroom, or like to mix it up with different colours, here’s our pick of the most stylish combi-tile bathroom ideas.

Two colour subway tiles

Simple and understated, subway tiles are one of the most popular choices for bathrooms. The sheer variety of colours and myriad layout options mean you can easily create wildly different designs.

This bathroom randomly merges the different coloured tiles using a vertical brick bond lay. You could easily introduce another contrasting colour, or a darker blue to create an ombre effect.

Image credit: @originalstyleuk

Eclectic mix

If conventional bathroom tiles aren’t really your thing, mixing different colours, shapes and patterns is the way forward.

These fabulous bathroom floor tiles and completely different wall tiles are a mismatch made in heaven. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different shapes, styles and designs to create a look that’s completely individual.

Multi-styled monochrome

Always in style, black and white is a winning combination. You can easily get away with mixing different shapes, sizes and even patterns of tiles.

The below bathroom uses four different tiles and the finished result is spectacular. Keeping the grout the same colour for all the tiles helps to unify the look.

Image credit: @our_self_build_ni

Different tile layouts

You’ve finally chosen your dream bathroom tiles but with so many different ways to lay them, how do you decide? If you’re struggling to choose one style, you can effectively combine two or even three.

The below shower enclosure features both brick bond and herringbone bond tiles. A hexagonal tile shower floor creates even more interest.

Image credit: @thelambsgatehouse

Colour pop

If you love colour, you don’t have to stick to just one, try combining a selection of your favourite pastel or rainbow shades to great effect. Mix up the shapes and sizes of the tiles to create even more interest.  Adding a white floor is a great way to break up the colour a little.

Tiling tip: Keep the grout colour the same throughout the room for the best results.

Marble and terracotta

Natural neutrals like stone and clay are a beautiful combination. Natural marble is a better choice for walls than floors as it chips and stains easily. You can also opt for marble-effect porcelain for durability.

This light, bright bathroom effortlessly combines two materials that you might not think of putting together.

Contrasting patterns

This beautiful bathroom elegantly combines basket-woven metro tiles, timeless marble and a black and white chevron tiled floor.

If you’re keen to create a similar look, it’s worth creating a mood board before you start to see which colours and patterns will work well together.

Image credit: @barlowandbarlow

Wood and marble

The eye-catching combination of wood and marble is rapidly growing in popularity.  The mixture of warm wood and cool marble is a clever way to delineate space, particularly in open-plan areas.

Although wood may not be the most practical option for a bathroom, you can opt for realistic wood-effect porcelain tiles. Combined with the smooth texture of marble, you can create a beautiful contrast.

Pattern and colour

If you’ve chosen colourful patterned tiles for your bathroom floor or walls, it’ll be easy to pair them with complementary plain coloured tiles. But you don’t just have to stick to one, choose a lighter colour for the main walls and a darker colour for the shower enclosure like the bathroom below.

Image credit: @@thebrightbloomshome

Shades of white

Add interest to an all-white bathroom by combining different tile materials and textures. Pair glossy marble with plain matt tiles and vary tile sizes and layouts for maximum visual impact

Image credit: @seabrightlane

Bold brights

Four different tile types have been cleverly combined in this striking bathroom. Bold colours and different shapes sit side by side to create a bright, inviting space.  The designer of this bathroom has made bold choices with very different colours but it works well together.

Clean white painted walls help to balance the strong colours and keep the room feeling spacious and airy.

Image credit: @inpolife

Mixed up metro

One of the most versatile tile shapes, metro tiles can be laid in an array of patterns and are available in many different colours. The bathroom below cleverly combines four different coloured neutral tiles and different layouts to create an unusually striking shower enclosure.

Moroccan medley

Take inspiration from the Mediterannean and combine boldly patterned Moroccan tiles with plain, jewel-toned wall tiles. Pick out a feature like a splashback or shower enclosure or cover the floor in patterned tiles.

Image credit: @charipishome

Combination tile styling tips

• If you’re combining a few different tile colours and textures, keep any painted walls white.
• Experiment with different tile sizes and shapes. Tiny penny floor tiles will contrast beautifully with larger wall tiles.
• Before you start, collect a few tile samples to see how they will look together. It might be helpful to sketch out a rough plan too.
• Tiling can make or break a bathroom, particularly when you’re combining colours and patterns, or joining two different tile types together. It’s well worth enlisting the help of a skilled tiler for the job.
• Lastly, have fun! Enjoy putting together colours and shapes that you might not have previously considered.
  Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of colourful plain and patterned bathroom and cloakroom tiles to choose from. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.