15 Fabulous fish scale and fan-shaped bathroom tile ideas
Mermaid, scallop, fish scale and fan-shaped, whatever you call them, these incredible mosaic tiles are taking the bathroom décor world by storm.
Although they may seem to be a recent tile trend, Moroccan fish scale tiles date back to the 8th Century. Inspired by the movement of the sea, the characteristic tiles that make up the overlapping circular design can be placed on the wall with the pointy end facing up or down.
Hailed as the ‘new subway’, scallop tiles aren’t as versatile as subway tiles in terms of layout, but with a vast range of colours available to choose from, you can create some truly stunning designs.
Recommended Tile: Mermaid Olive
How can I use fish scale tiles?
These bold and beautiful tiles will make an impact wherever they are placed. You can opt for a single colour, mix colours together, create an ombre effect or dot multicoloured tiles through a plain colour scheme to create a fish tail-like effect.
Mermaid tiles will look magnificent on a single bathroom wall, used as a splashback, placed on the floor or used more widely throughout the whole room. They’re also a popular option for kitchen and utility splashbacks.
One of the best things about using shaped tiles is that you have more creativity with the layout, especially when using them for splashbacks. You can cut the tile straight or leave the scalloped or pointed edge as it is, removing the need for tile edging strips.
Fabulous fish scale bathroom tile ideas
If you love the sea, using these tiles is a creative way to bring the swell of the waves into your bathroom.
Take a look at our ocean-inspired bathroom picks for some really creative ways to use fish scale tiles in your home.
Split wall fan tiles
Create a breath-taking contrast with a colour split. The half and half paint wall trend works just as well with wall tiles. We love the understated neutral patchwork tiles used in this bathroom, but you could opt for any colour combination.
Pick two plain colours or tile half the wall in multicoloured mermaid tiles. This wall has been expertly tiled with a neat, straight line dividing the different colours, but you can also join the tiles by just slotting the new colour on top of the other tiles, no cuts needed!
Scalloped tile wall panel
Make a statement with a panel of brightly coloured fish scale tiles in a shower cubicle. Mermaid tiles make a refreshing change from more commonly used subway tiles and they’re guaranteed to make a big splash in your bathroom.
Place the tiles point up or down, the choice is yours!
Amazing aqua fish scale tiles
The great thing about tiling with smaller, mosaic tiles is that you can create some incredible colour combinations.
Combine several shades of green and blue to create a shimmering, fish-scale effect wall. Blue and green are the perfect choice for a bathroom but shades of purple, pink and even grey will look equally striking. Keeping everything else white will make the wall pop even more. Think of your feature wall as a piece of art to admire and enjoy.
Recommended Tile: Mermaid Turchese
Minimalist white wave tiles
As beautiful as multicoloured mermaid tile walls are, there’s something refreshingly crisp about brilliant white. It’s also timeless so a good choice if you’re struggling to pick a colour you like.
Because the fish scale tile shape is so intricate, you can still achieve a breath-taking effect with all white tiles. If you want to add a little more visual interest, you can always dot a few randomly spaced coloured tiles on the wall.
Shimmering gold fan tiles
If you love all things opulent, a gilded fish scale tile wall will make a beautiful addition to your bathroom. Whether you choose to tile a splashback, the wall behind the bath or the entire room, going for gold will always create a luxurious feel.
Ombré-effect scalloped wall tiles
Create a bathroom fit for a mermaid with an ombre fish scale tiled wall. Pick out three or four colours and fit the tiles from the darkest to the lightest colour in whichever direction you prefer.
Feature tiled walls work especially well when adjoining walls are kept white.
Scalloped edge fan tiles
Using shaped wall tiles means that you can be even more creative. Do something completely different and finish laying the scalloped wall tiles before they reach the ceiling. It creates a gorgeous finish (and means fewer fiddly cuts) win-win!
This finish looks great whether you lay the tiles with the pointy edge facing up or down. You can also create the same effect with splashbacks, see the next idea for more inspiration.
Iridescent fish scale tile splashback
Sticking with the partially tiled wall idea, these glimmering iridescent tiles are about as mermaid as you can get. Made from glass, these tiles will shimmer and change colour depending on the light.
Clever combination tiles
If you’re struggling to decide between scalloped or subway tiles, why not use both? Equally stylish, these tiles will work perfectly well together. Be creative with different colours or keep the tiles the same colour for a more uniform look.
Keep the grout colour the same for the best effect.
Understated fish scale tiles
Mermaid tiles don’t have to be brightly coloured to be beautiful. You can create an equally stylish look with chic and neutral grey tiles.
Grey goes as well with monochrome as it does with brighter colours so you can keep walls and bathroom fittings white or inject some colour for extra interest.
Colour pop scalloped tiles
Inject some colour into your splashback by studding a mainly white wall with metallic or coloured fish scale tiles. it’s a great way to achieve a classy look in your bathroom and also a clever way to introduce colour or metallic elements if you want something a little subtler.
Blue fish scale feature tiles
What better way to bring the sea into your home than with a brilliant blue fish scale feature wall? The all-white walls and marble countertop adds a Mediterranean feel to this bathroom.
Fish scale floor tiles
We often reserve the most beautiful tiles for the walls but fish scale tiles are equally at home on the floor. Create a fabulous feature floor with multicoloured fan tiles. We love how these glorious green floor tiles have been carefully blended with the plainer floor and wall tiles, the reverse of what you usually see in the bathroom.
Monochrome mermaid tiles
These monochrome mermaid tiles and bright pink walls and ceiling are an inspired combination.
The scalloped tile edge works particularly well here as there’s such a contrast between the colours.
Creative fan-shaped tile layout
Laying fan tiles to look like fish scales is the obvious design but why not try something completely different like the design below? You could even combine different layouts in the same bathroom, opting for a standout splashback or shower enclosure.
Fan-shaped tile installation tips
- Mosaic fan tiles are amongst the most beautiful tiles and will look equally attractive whether you opt for one colour or an iridescent rainbow. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try combinations that you may not previously have considered.
- Mosaic tiles usually look best and make the most impact when used in part of a room, rather than floor to ceiling on every wall. Of course, how you use your tiles is entirely up to you, but we recommend focusing on a feature wall, splashback, bath panel or shower enclosure, or tiling part way up the wall if you’re keen to tile every wall.
- Shiny tiles will work well in a smaller room as the light will reflect from the surface.
- Lastly, have fun! Think of your tiles as an art installation, keep everything else plain and be as bold with colour as you dare.
If you’re inspired to add an aquatic feel to your bathroom with fish scale tiles, Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of plain and iridescent tiles to choose from. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.