Functionally, there are many things to take into account. When choosing tiles, make sure the tile you pick is suitable for the area you plan to use it – waterproof enough for the bath or shower, and textured and tough enough for the floor.

Here are some pictures of tile use in bathrooms to help you come up with your own bathroom tile design ideas.

Large wall tiles broken up with narrow contrast stripes behind a white vessel sink

The large pale mottled/marbled effect tiles have a quiet, soothing effect, while the contrast stripes are made up of multiple small stone tiles in different colors, and break up the expanse to a more human scale.

Pale blue/grey/silver mosaic tiles behind a white vessel sink

The subtle damask-type pattern in these pale blue-grey tiles sweeps over all the bathroom walls. It gives the walls lots of interest while not being obtrusive, and makes a great background for the natural wood, metal and stone finishes.

Shades of black, grey, white and silver mosaic tiles

This is quite a busy mosaic tile pattern. It might make a good shower or bathtub surround for a morning-use bathroom when you want to be woken up! Alternatively, panels of this pattern surrounded by white would pop out and make a statement without being overwhelming.

Large pale diagonal tiles with narrow striped accent

These are the same pale marbled tiles in the first picture above, with the same small rectangular stone accent tiles, but here the large tiles are set on the diagonal. The swoopy towel ring makes a nice contrast with the straight lines of the tiles.

Of course, you don’t have to copy all the ideas from one bathroom picture – you can mix and match compatible ideas to come up with your own unique bathroom decor style. The textured metal in the first picture, for example, gives a very sparkly look which could be paired with blue granite counters and deep colored walls instead of the natural wood and pale walls shown. The more of your own imagination you can include in your bathroom designs, the better!

Modern bathroom with lots of sparkly textured stainless steel and natural wood.

Antique-style natural wood vanity with white solid-surfacing top, integral sink and gold-finish faucet

Traditional-style bathroom with wallpaper, beige fixtures, bathtub in alcove, light wood double vanity.

Wall-to-wall double bathroom vanity with white vessel sinks, tiled walls and granite counter

A romantic bathroom scene with candles, roses and wine carefully placed on the rim of the set-in tub.

Updated bathroom using old and new materials: natural stone window seat, elaborate but subtly-colored tile mosaic walls, and white vessel sink.

Glass tiles with wide grout lines in many shades of blue

Old but still attractive bathroom in shades of green with white pedestal sink

Romantic-style bathroom vanity with ornate wood mirror, boudoir lamp, granite counter and waterfall faucet

Modern toilet alcove, completely tiled, with built in hand-held shower plus a telephone

Inset tub with columns, swagged curtains, candle-holders; all ready for your romantic evening

Modern toilet alcove with hidden tank, completely tiled walls and floor, stainless steel accessories

Fancy white and gold bathtub faucet, dark blue marble walls, white tub

Grey and green marble and tile, plus natural wood finishes; unusual toilet shape.

Given the basics of a bathroom which is structurally and plumbing-wise functional and safe, there are many bathroom decor ideas which can help your cheer up even a small space and improve the start and end of your day.

Bathroom decor idea - pale yellow and white

First and foremost, color makes the biggest difference. There are many books and magazines to tell you which colors give a certain mood, or are trendy this year, but the most important point is – which color or colors make YOU feel good?

I like yellow, and my newly-painted (but not quite completely remodeled) bathroom is a pale sandy yellow which feels fresh, warm and cheerful without being overpowering in the small space. Plenty of white in the form of fixtures and cabinets help make it feel more spacious and open, and colorful towels add pizazz and can change the mood instantly if I feel the desire.

Try taking your own favorite color and playing with variations of it, from dark to light, jewel to pastel, cooler or warmer hues, subdued or bright. Combine different shades of the same color in one room to give a monochromatic color scheme which can be lively, using definite contrasts, or soothing, with colors that blend together.

Style can also make a big difference in bathroom decor. While your basic fixtures and their locations stay the same, you can completely change the style using paint and accessories. The big advantage of doing this in the bathroom is that the room itself is usually fairly small and there are no or few furniture pieces to buy, so you can do it easily, quickly and inexpensively.

A few examples…

• Arts and Crafts bathroom decor idea – use period colors like greens and olives on the walls, oak and ceramic accessories, and perhaps an art nouveau style border at the ceiling. Arts and Crafts bathrooms often featured amazing tilework – colorful and extensive – so this would be a rather more expensive style to pull off if you wanted to go the whole hog.
• Country bathroom decor ideas – pastel or muted colors, jolly fabric on the window and anywhere else possible, wood or ceramic accessories, cute decorative items
• Tuscan bathroom – roughened plaster finish on the walls (go easy on this, it can be hard to clean!), natural stone surfaces, wood furnishings, wrought iron accessories. Colors include golden yellow, terrcotta, brick, ochre, and greens.
• Japanese bathroom: natural wood and stone finishes, shoji screens, plants, trickling waterfall, metal and wood accessories.

Your bathroom is an important room, even if it’s small. Suitable bathroom decor ideas can help make you feel better at the start and end of the day, and are worth looking for and applying to your bathroom.