Hello and happy Thursday! It’s been sort of silent on the One Room Challenge front these last few weeks because I’ve been waiting on product. When materials get delayed, so does the work! Today I’m sharing a quick Bathroom update and some of my Tips for Selecting Coordinating Bathroom Tiles.
If you’re just catching up on my One Room Challenge Bathroom, you can check out all the posts here!
I’m a 4 time guest participant in the One Room Challenge hosted by Calling it Home and I’m so excited to finally share some progress in this space today.
If you’ve every taken on a bathroom project, then you know just how many decisions have to be made for every square inch! It can be very tricky picking out tile that will all work together in the same [in our case, small] space.
Not only am I working on Simon’s Bathroom for the ORC, but I’m also working on 3 other bathrooms for a client of mine simultaneously. And ohhhh, the process of tile selection!
I’ll be sharing more on those other bathrooms, but let’s chat about the tile in the Small Boy’s Bathroom we’re updating right here!
You can see the design board and project check list here. And the vanity lighting options we selected from here!
The progress made in the bathroom so far is tile. We have tile up! I am so in love with how the tiles look together, so I thought I would share a few tips on how I go through the tile selection process. Especially if you have to coordinate 3+ materials all in the same room.
TIPS FOR SELECTING COORDINATING BATHROOM TILES
The thing you need to remember with tile selection is it creates the foundation for the space. Aside from wall paint selection, the base of a bathroom is tile. It’s important to select tiles you love, can live with for years to come and would be aesthetically pleasing to future home buyers. Unless of course, you’re in your forever home. Then you can go as wild and crazy with your tile selections as you want!
The rest of the items in the space are not as permanent. Hardware, lighting, art, accessories, etc. are easy to switch out and not as large of an expense as tile can be.
Here are a few baseline tips to get you started with your tile selection process…
1 // START WITH YOUR FAVORITE OR EXISTING TILE & USE IT AS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE OTHER DECISIONS
If you’ve been searching high and low for tile and you finally find one you love, then work your way around the room with that one as the starting point. Or if you have existing tile in place, then build off of the one that’s staying. For example, if you’re leaving your floor tile, but want to update the shower, then use the floor tile as a guide for size, shape and colors to coordinate / complement.
I knew I wanted a dark floor tile and a hexagon tile for the niche, so I went with something simple, classic and LIGHT for the shower walls.
2 // STICK WITH THE SAME COLOR FAMILY OR COLORS THAT COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER
I selected a white tile with grey veining for the shower walls [see it here], so for the shower niche, I went with a black hexagon tile to contrast inside the shower walls. The white tile has grey veining and the black tile has white veining so it works.
For the Bathroom floor tile, I went with this dark gray tile that coordinates with both shower tiles.
3 // PAY ATTENTION TO SIZE, SCALE & SHAPE & TRY THE OPPOSITE
A shower niche is the perfect spot to try something unexpected like a hexagon or round penny tile. The tile size is smaller and the shape is different than the main walls. And if you go with a contrasting color, the niche will really pop!
*BONUS TIP // MAKE SURE THE TILE YOU SELECT IS GRADED FOR THE LOCATION YOU WANT IT TO GO IN
If you fall in love with a particular tile for the floor, be sure you can actually put it on the floor. Some tiles are graded for shower walls and not shower floors. While some are not suitable for bathrooms at all because of the amount of moisture.
These are a few quick and simple tips to give you a starting point when you’re selecting tile!
However, sometimes there is a method and sometimes you just go with what you love! The best part about updating a bathroom or building one from scratch is that you get to make the call. The decision is yours and you should select tiles that you love now and will for years to come!
Ok, now for a few progress shots and an updated to-do list:
The tile will be grouted and the niche will be tiled this afternoon. I’m giddy about it already 😉
This is all progress that has been made in the last 5 days! Moving right along!
BATHROOM PROJECT TO DO LIST:
- replace floor & shower tile – IN PROGRESS
- swap out the vanity – ORDERED
- paint the walls – SELECTING PAINT COLOR
- new mirror – HAVE, BUT NEED TO INSTALL
- remove wall cabinet [leave medicine cabinet] – IN PROGRESS
- replace the vanity light fixture – NEW ONE HAS ARRIVED!
- update shower fixtures [tub is staying] – IN PROGRESS
- decorate and accessorize – IN PROGRESS
- new art
- replace the fixtures: tp holder, towel bar, etc. – IN PROGRESS
- Miscellaneous projects: ___swap out vanity hardware
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I can’t wait to get this space pulled together [and quick!] to be able to share with you in the big reveal in less than 2 weeks!
See my past ORC spaces here:
You can also see other bathrooms we’ve refreshed in these posts here, plus be sure to check out my entire Mood Board Gallery to browse past projects to see if there is any inspiration for your home!
