Choosing trendy bathroom tiles: design options

First of all, the bathroom requires convenience, comfort, warmth - after all, where it is cold and uncomfortable, taking water procedures will not bring any pleasure. An abundance of decor details is useless, it is better to focus on creating the maximum functionality of this room. First, you need to choose the right tile - a finishing material that does not lose its properties in high humidity conditions.

There can be no trifles in the repair of any room - all the details are interconnected. The bathroom is no exception, because it is there that people carry out the most delicate procedures, caring for their bodies. In addition, this room has a specific microclimate. Therefore, finishing materials for it must meet a number of requirements.

Since there is almost always high humidity, and during the reception of water procedures - and a rather high temperature. Those who like to take a contrast shower put an additional load on the finishing materials, arranging temperature drops. Therefore, bathroom tiles should have the following properties:

• not to be slippery either dry or wet, otherwise it can provoke a person to fall and get injured;
• be resistant to the effects of chemical compounds - this will allow you to clean it from contamination without the risk of damage;
• do not absorb water so that moisture does not penetrate into the material, otherwise the tile will come off and lose its original attractive appearance;
• must have the correct geometric shape and resistance to surface bends, so that you can easily lay it on the walls, floor and, if necessary, on the ceiling;
• be resistant to mechanical stress and temperature extremes;
• do not fade when exposed to the rays of the sun;
• to be durable - other material simply will not withstand the loads in the bathroom.

There are also disadvantages to this type of finish.

• High price, even from domestic manufacturers. Particularly non-budget items are made of natural materials - stone, glass, marble, as well as hexagonal tiles-hexagon and elite mosaics.
• Installing tiles is also expensive and not easy. In most cases, in order to put a designer product, you need the help of specialists.
• The presence of seams, especially noticeable with poor-quality layout. Only a canvas of "honeycomb" tiles can look quite solid with a minimum number of seams. The smaller the modules, the more seams will be visible.

When purchasing tiles, you need to pay attention to anti-slip markings and chemical resistance. The most stable of them are designated by the letters AA and A, the less stable ones are B, C, D. Numerical values ​​are also present, they must be higher than 9.

It is quite easy to distinguish quality tiles. There are several signs.

• Appearance... Looking at it, a number of conclusions can be drawn. If the color is not uniform, it means that there is a re-grading, that is, the elements are taken from different batches of goods. If there are chips on the surface, then the coating is not good enough. Perfect appearance is the condition under which the tiles are considered to be of high quality.
• Correct geometric shape. The corners must be right, that is, 90 degrees plus minus one degree. If this condition is not met, then there will be problems during installation, and there will be no even seams. It is very easy to check the legibility - place the printed package upside down on a flat surface.
• Clear plane. Minor deformations in this parameter are not too important, but during the installation process it will not be possible to create a perfectly flat plane.

When making a choice in favor of this or that type of tile, it is imperative to focus on the manufacturer. The more reputation it has in the market, the better the quality of its products.

It should also be noted that the more fashionable the purchased product has, the less budgetary it is. Stylish and high-quality bathroom tiles, and even from a manufacturer with a high business reputation, are always expensive.

Despite the widest range of floor and wall tiles available on the market, all of it can be conditionally divided into 4 main types.

• Monocottura (glazed) - it is made from clay. For manufacturing, the firing method is used. It is resistant to mechanical stress, it has a low degree of moisture absorption, therefore it is often recommended for use in the bathroom. This group of tiles includes tiles, as well as the increasingly popular rectangular tiles "hog" (another name for "metro").

• Clinker - This is a very robust version, manufactured by the extrusion method. Unglazed clinker tiles, although their surface has the properties of smoothness and evenness, is not glossy and does not slip. The color range of this species is very scarce - for the most part it is natural tones. The clinker is very resistant to temperature extremes and absorbs little moisture. It is ideal for outdoor use, but in an apartment, including a bathroom, it can be prohibitively expensive to use. In addition, such tiles do not go well with other finishing materials.

• Cotto - made from red clay in the same way as clinker. Has a range of colors in the range of red and terracotta (yellow, pink, brown) tones. Has all the properties of clinker, but is used more often indoors for flooring.
• Porcelain stoneware... The most durable floor covering available. This type is frost-resistant, has a low degree of moisture absorption, is resistant to mechanical stress and is very durable. It is considered a versatile material for finishing any room in the house, including the bathroom.

With regard to decorative properties, the most diverse in this regard is considered the first type - monocotture. A slightly less wide range of design solutions for porcelain stoneware tiles.

If earlier tiles were cut only into squares of standard sizes, today the variety of sizes and shapes is striking. Currently, tile manufacturers think and release their products not in batches, but in collections, thus developing ready-made ideas for the interior in the bathroom and shower.

In this situation, the size is not so important, because most often, when choosing a tile for wall decoration, a person also purchases floor tiles from the same collection.This way you can achieve the perfect combination of elements with each other.

You need to understand that, if the bathroom is small, the use of large floor and wall tiles is difficult... For example, in a shower area of ​​4 m2, it will not be possible to put 600 x 600 mm elements on the floor. But too small modules will look bad. The standard size is 200 x 200 mm, but in each individual case, you need to choose those sizes, shapes and textures that the owner likes.

As for such a popular decoration now as mosaic, it can be of various shapes and sizes. For example, the trendy hexagon (or "honeycomb") tiles are hexagonal and can be used to create stunning designs. After all, it is available in different colors, can be used both on the wall and on the floor, and also has the following textures:

• concrete;
• asphalt;
• prints of cast-iron gutter hatches;

• increased interlacing of tissue fibers;
• brick;
• marble;
• tree and various others.

Using "honeycomb", you can make in the bathroom, even with a small amount of square meters. m in a truly designer, stylish and functional environment. This makes taking shower treatments a real pleasure.

On sale there are a huge number of different types of tiles for covering floors and walls, differing in color, type and texture. The most practical and functional is the decoration with light tiles. It is easy to care for, wash, it does not lose its original appearance for a long time, even from treatment with cleaning agents.

On tiles of dark shades, defects are visible very well, it is difficult to care for it. After all, every drop of water will be noticeable on it. But the black and white combined finish will, firstly, look spectacular due to contrasts, and secondly, it can divide the bathroom into zones, and not use black color where water gets most often.

If your plans do not have a periodic (once a year or two) renovation of the bathroom interior, then it is better not to focus on the hottest novelties, but to focus on classic solutions: light pastel and warm colors. This certainly does not mean that current trends should be ignored. It is important to choose such a decor option so that it is both fashionable, and at the same time does not bother the owner for several years.

The most fashionable combination today is considered to be a combination of two colors: either green with red, or orange and blue, or yellow and purple.

If the classic version is chosen, the tiles must be laid out, guided by the principle "dark bottom - light top". For example, blue tiles on the walls (and similarly colored ceilings) and indigo or ultramarine-colored floors. Or asphalt-colored floors and gray walls.

But this is not the only layout option.

• You can lay out the tiles staggered by means of basic or diagonal styling, alternating two colors. It does not have to be black and white, you can combine mint and green "moss" or saffron with pale yellow.
• Using linear calculation, use tiles of two or more shades with the same size. You can use both square and bricks.
• Interspersed accents... If you want to use bright shades, for example, sunny yellow or orange, they can be excessive in large quantities for the bathroom, especially if its area is not large enough. But as deliberately chaotically placed accents on the surface of a neutral shade, the interior will acquire its "zest".

• Mosaic surface. Modern technologies are such that they allow you to lay out real masterpieces - panels, paintings, ornaments, repeating motives. Mosaic tiles range in size from very small to huge. The largest of them are unlikely to be used in modern bathrooms, unless the latter are designed in a private house and have an impressive area. One of the advantages of a mosaic is that it can be seamless and self-adhesive, so it is easy to install it yourself and get a solid canvas without joints.
• Ornament - can be laid out as a border or as a pattern (from mandalas to repeating motifs). It can be contrasting or monochrome, kept in shades of the same color.
• Modern tile collections are produced not only in the form of color or pattern, but also in pictures - for example, blooming sakura or orchids, the night sky or the sea surface. This is an expensive option, but certainly very effective.

Today, several tile layouts are practiced. Let's consider the most popular ones.

• Direct (basic) - the simplest and most budgetary way of wall cladding. Rows are located - the simplest and most budgetary way of wall cladding. The rows are placed straight, and the seams are parallel to the lines of the room. For the basic layout, both square modules and rectangular (brick) modules are applicable.
• Diagonal layout (rhombuses)... This method is not suitable for self-installation, especially in the absence of relevant experience, in addition, it requires a large amount of material, since many modules are cut during installation. So, using the layout with rhombuses, you can use tiles of different sizes and colors, but only of one shape - square.

• "Whirling" - this method is similar to bricks, but each subsequent row along the seam is displaced relative to the previous one, most often by half the length of the tile. For this, rectangular modules are best suited, especially "hog". The peculiarities of this type of tile are the shape of the brick, as well as the surface of the glossy and convex texture.
• Modular display, which is considered one of the most difficult. Different sizes and shapes of tiles can be combined in it: hexagonal, rectangular, square. This can result in a chaotic pattern, seamless vertical ombre coating, and repeating motifs in one piece. Having decided to use this method, it is better to do the layout of the samples before gluing the modules, in order to have a clear idea of ​​what the final result will look like.
• Combined layout... As the name suggests, it uses two or more layout methods.

People's preferences differ even in color. Someone loves exceptionally bright colors, they give strength and energy. Others are annoyed by this, they like to take water treatments in a sterile white bathroom. Someone is in awe of dark tiles and lays it out in a shower from floor to ceiling.

As for the style in the interior, it is chosen based both on the preferences of the owner and on the appropriateness and convenience. The bathroom is no exception; it is designed in accordance with the character and lifestyle of the residents of the house.

When decorating this room, they most often choose styles such as classic, ethnic, modern, Provence, country, high-tech. Let's consider what distinctive features each of them possesses.

The most solid, old and solid of them all. Therefore, no plastic or LEDs should be used in it. The materials are as natural and expensive as possible. Chandeliers or wall-mounted crystal sconces act as sources of illumination; plumbing should be stone or porcelain, possibly with painting.

As for the bathroom tiles in this style, there is a misconception that white or milky tiles are the hallmark of the classics. But if you remember that the style is inherent in the use of expensive natural materials, it becomes clear that marble and granite are what distinguishes a classic bathroom. Natural stone tiles make such a room even more expensive, but at the same time spectacular and truly chic.

Despite the low budget of such a finish, it is very functional. A large number of furniture items - wardrobes, shelves, cabinets - increases the level of convenience and comfort when taking water procedures. You can place in them not only textiles, towels, but also cosmetics, turning the bathroom into a real beauty salon.

Today it is one of the most popular bathroom design styles. For it, modern products are used, which are mass-produced for sale. Accordingly, their cost is not as high as that of porcelain and earthenware counterparts, so it will not be so expensive to furnish a bathroom. Therefore, this particular style is optimal for finishing a small bathroom or shower in a limited budget.

Unlike other styles, the modern one allows the placement of plumbing - a toilet, bidet, shower, bath - in the corners of the room. The main principle of organizing space here is rationality. Therefore, all interior elements are selected and installed in accordance with this requirement.

Modern interiors are characterized by such modern techniques as dividing space into zones, built-in lighting - point and tape. In addition, it is characterized by a mixture of different colors, often contrasting, photo printing on the walls, as well as partitions in the interior (but not glass, inherent in high-tech).

In this style, two directions stand out: fusion and minimalism. They are very different.

Fusion is a combination of incongruous, mixing elements and details from different styles - ethnic, oriental, Provence. To apply this style, you need to have a very developed artistic taste, because otherwise, there is a high probability of placing a set of random objects in the same room. In this case, we are no longer talking about style, it's just bad taste.

Experimentality, originality - this is what is characteristic of the fusion style. To create an interior in this style, it is useful to be able to look at things from a different non-trivial angle.

The space must be completely filled - walls, floor, ceiling. The use of contrasts is acceptable and justified. It is imperative that a few details are vintage or deliberately aged.

Minimalism, on the contrary, cuts off everything that is unnecessary, leaving only the most necessary. The decor of such a room is simple and minimal, like the furnishings, geometric lines, straight. Complex forms of plumbing are not used. The furnishings are quite austere, but due to this, not devoid of chic. No mess, all the furniture that can be built in is built-in.

It is in such a bathroom that pure white tiles are most often used. But milky, light gray, light blue tones are also acceptable. The use of more than two shades is unacceptable, more often one color is used. In addition, the minimalist interior is characterized by a lack of accents. Each thing is in its place, not standing out from the overall composition.

Ethnic style got its name from the word "ethnos", which means a community of people with characteristic features.Since there are a lot of ethnic groups, that is, nationalities, there are enough directions in this style: Japanese, African, Chinese, Oriental - this is only a small part of them, and each has distinctive features. Depending on which direction is used, choose a color scheme and furnishings.

The range of shades can be very different - from the life-affirming, full of energy oriental to the exuberant bright colors of Morocco. In order to create an authentic interior in the chosen direction of ethnic style, it is necessary at least superficially to immerse oneself in the culture of this nationality.

The Japanese-style interior is characterized by a combination of red, black and white, as well as dark calm earth tones. Typical details are screens, mats. Taste is needed to create from the bathroom not a shop selling oriental souvenirs, but a real "little Japan".

The tiles can be used as red, black, and white, and their combination. Chess layouts and any other variegated combination are unacceptable, only monochromatic canvases. It must be remembered that the Japanese interior is minimalistic, not characterized by an abundance of details. In addition, such a bathroom should be very functional.

As for the images of sakura and orchids, in a truly Japanese interior, they should be used with care to avoid clichés. In Japanese interiors, decor on the walls is acceptable by no more than 30%. In this case, any drawing should be behind the back of the recipient of the procedure.

When deciding to use the Japanese style in the interior of the bathroom, you need to remember about "shibumi" - "the complexity of simple things" and that one of the key moments of this culture is self-contemplation.

Choosing the Arabic style, you should remember its strict traditions.

It is allowed to use both curtains and canopies, if the size of the room allows.

As for the tiles, the most expedient is a mosaic; walls, columns and even furnishings - tables, cabinets, benches - are trimmed with it. The more intricate the images, the higher the final cost of the product.

An obligatory tradition is the use of carpets on all surfaces in the house. In the bathroom, of course, this will not work. You can place a small rug with a traditional pattern in front of the bathroom, or choose a mosaic with a similar pattern to lay out on the floor.

African design is a riot of colors, colors of animal skins (tiles with such motifs look interesting). Depending on which direction is chosen - savannah, Moroccan, "animal" - the decor is also chosen.

In the Indian interior, the predominant color is blue, since it is he who is the color of the supreme deity of this country. Blue, light blue, azure, ultramarine mosaic - this is what will decorate the bathroom without depriving it of functionality. It is permissible to use several "Indian" accessories, but there is no need to overload the room, especially if its area is small.

Country style is one of the so-called country styles. It is with this place that he is associated. But not with the usual, but with the village of the Midwest.

Natural materials: wood, deliberately roughly processed, brick, also with traces of mechanical stress - a characteristic feature of country. In addition, it is imperative to use natural textiles (cotton, flax, calico), wicker baskets and rugs. Materials should look more rough, of course, without leaving splinters and other mechanical damage on the skin.

The tile is used in one color, natural colors - blue, green, sand, brown.Textiles will act as bright accents, walls, ceiling and floor are better left natural. An interesting solution will be wood-like floor tiles.

Provence is another provincial style. But if country is an American ranch, Provence is a French village of the mid-19th century. Accordingly, this is a more romantic decor: small and medium-sized textiles with floral motifs, fresh flowers and no plastic. Colors - lavender, shades of lilac and lilac combined with milky and dusty pink. Forged accessories are possible.

The floor, as a rule, is plank (or tiled "wood-like", but of a very natural look), the ceiling is plastered and whitewashed. Tiles on the walls are used in small quantities - as a border with a dull floral pattern.

Hi-tech is a style that combines all the most modern achievements of technology and electronics. The goal of hi-tech is maximum functionality. It is in such a bathroom that you can find a shower with light and music, a self-drying floor, high-tech "smart" toilets, a bathroom with a hydromassage function and other latest cutting-edge trends in modern plumbing.

As for materials, mirror, chrome, glass - these are the components of high-tech. Forms are characterized by either clear geometric, or "space", non-standard.

The main advantage of hi-tech is high comfort, also due to the visual effects created in the room. The tile should be glossy, possibly mirrored.

A loft-style bathroom should have at least a couple of urban details in the interior - brickwork, interweaving of pipes and communication lines, unmasked ceiling beams. Deliberately rough: cement, brick, as well as artificially aged materials - the "trick" of this style. The same requirements apply to tiles - supposedly vintage, as well as imitation of building materials, perhaps for areas not in contact with water, even the sidewalk will look just fine. In addition, tiles made of glass or mirrors can be used fragmentarily.

The color range of the loft style is quite extensive, but not bright: gray scale, achromatic spectrum - from black to white, dark brown, steel and silver, aged and worn red and blue, small blotches - beige and olive.

Separately, it should be said about the Mediterranean style - this is relaxation, comfort, bliss and quality. The use of the highest quality materials makes this type of decoration one of the most expensive. Natural stone - marble, expensive types of wood - pine or bog oak, and a lot of tiles.

The floor should always be stone - or its high-quality imitation. You can use porcelain stoneware tiles or ceramics, as well as ceramic parquet, most often beige, but it is possible to use light gray, dark brown, terracotta.

The walls are tiled from floor to ceiling. It imitates either stone or marble. Arches of various configurations are very popular - on windows, in niches, as well as backlit columns and niches.

The ceiling can be decorated with spotlights, but it should not look overly modern. The use of chandeliers is justified, but they must be forged.

When choosing a tile for a bathroom, most often we look not only at the external characteristics, but also at its manufacturer. Which company is better, which produces the highest quality products, each owner decides for himself, because the choice is not easy - the assortment is truly huge.

For some, the uniqueness and exclusivity of products is important, and they are ready to pay more for it.For others, the priority is the "price-quality" ratio, and they are looking for budget analogues of fashionable design solutions. In this section, the conversation will focus on the most popular manufacturers of ceramic design tiles among Russian consumers.

Kerama Marazzi is a domestic firm with the largest market share in the low and medium price segment. The assortment includes more than 2 thousand names of tiles. The collections tell the stories of different countries and continents: there is English, French, Scandinavian. This is the only company in our country that produces porcelain stoneware using dry press technology. This gives an imitation of natural material. In addition, the company has an application (so far only on Android), where you can look at the options you like in a 3D panorama.

Among the shortcomings of the company's products, one can note the imperfect combination of tiles for walls and floors, and the need to select the desired combination from other manufacturers. In addition, since the company is focused on the production of relatively inexpensive products, it does not produce truly elite products. Nevertheless Kerama is rightfully considered one of the best firms producing budget products.

Fap Ceramiche - and this Italian company specializes in the production of expensive, luxury tiles. The average price of her products is 3500-3800 rubles. / m2. Mainly focused on bathrooms, there are about 30 collections in the catalog. All production of the company is concentrated in one factory, which guarantees consistent quality. The manufacturer emphasizes its interest in the environmental friendliness of products and their exclusivity. One of the main activities is the imitation of natural materials such as wood, marble, stone and others.

Most often it is used in apartments (and, accordingly, bathrooms) of a new layout. This type of layout is characterized by large areas, including for a bathroom.

In addition, cottages and private country houses are often finished with Fap Ceramiche tiles, not only in showers, but also, if available, in saunas and swimming pools.

The disadvantages of tiles are the high price and the deviations in the size of the modules that occur (despite the considerable cost).

Keramin is a Belarusian company, one of the oldest on the market. Produces products at the level of average prices.

Despite the fact that the company's products are different, ceramic tiles are the most popular in our country. The equipment on which it is manufactured is Italian. All tiles are glazed.

There are about 80 collections in the assortment. The choice is large both in color and size. The collections are designed in such a way that it is possible to combine products from different series in one interior. Basically, the shades are universal, and the patterns are classic. Consumers note the great combination of products.

The tile is durable, resistant to mechanical damage, however, discrepancies in size and imperfect geometry periodically occur. However, the consumer often votes with the ruble precisely for the products of this company, since the combination of "price - quality" suits the majority.

Golden Tile is a Ukrainian company operating on the basis of the Kharkov Tile Plant. They carry out production on their own base of raw materials with the involvement of Italian designers. Digital printing is widely used. There are about 60 collections in the assortment, the tiles are available in six sizes. There are practically no differences in color within the same batch, however, there are still deviations from geometry.

Untile ("Shakhtinskaya tile"). One of the most budgetary Russian tile brands. The designers are Italians and Spaniards, the raw materials are Russian, but glazes and dyes are not. The size range is quite large, the quality, according to experts, is average.

Uralkeramika is another domestic ceramic tile manufacturer located in Yekaterinburg. It is the oldest in Russia, since it began to manufacture products back in the Soviet Union in Sverdlovsk in 1962. The company produces not only ceramic tiles, but also sanitary ceramics, pipes and various communications. The firm does not produce porcelain stoneware, but the range includes frost-resistant products that can withstand up to -500 C.

The company's products are one of the most budgetary on the market, the average price is 300-350 rubles. / m2.

The work is carried out not only on our own raw materials through patented formulations. The collections of "Uralkeramika" contain more than 100 unique developments.

Users note the deviations of the modules in dimensions within the same batch, as well as the fragility of the tiles. Nevertheless, the brand's products have many admirers due to the successful combination of "price - quality".

This section contains ideas for a beautiful and functional design of bathrooms in different styles.

"Marble" canvas on the walls and floor expands the bathroom space. Spot lighting and a large mirror on the wall contribute to this.

The combined bathroom with bathtub and shower, decorated in shades of white and gray, looks spacious due to the large number of glass elements and light.

The bathroom in an urban style with dark gray large tiles and irregularly shaped windows does not look small and dark thanks to white sanitary ware.

The shower area of ​​the bathroom is finished in glossy dark gray tiles, and the glass door makes the room look larger than it actually is. This option with the correct layout of plumbing can be used even in the "Khrushchev".

Another option for a small bathroom, which nevertheless fits everything you need.

The mosaic white and gold wall is a striking (and only) accent of the bathroom with a balcony.

The unusual shaped black bathtub and black and white glazed mosaics, as well as round mirrors and boat-shaped sinks make the bathing area a paradise.

Unusual tiling gives an ordinary bathroom an original and unconventional look.

A mosaic border and large mirror add sophistication and spaciousness to a small bathroom.

Leafy tiles and baroque elements transform the small bathroom into a secret beauty room where the hostess can spend a lot of time indulging in the pleasure of self-care.

A contrasting Japanese-style bathroom looks unusual and impressive. The colors used here are red, black and white.

A loft-style bathroom with exposed beams and a coat rack is simple and sophisticated.

The Mediterranean style bathroom looks truly chic thanks to the use of expensive and valuable materials.

The loft-style bathroom with hog tiles and chrome bathtub with gold-painted interior looks very modern.

A modernist bathroom in ultramodern purple with a two-level ceiling and a podium-positioned baptismal font combines a number of trendy trends.

A classic-style bathroom with a marbled plunge pool is a chic and sophisticated solution.

You will learn more about how to choose bathroom tiles in the following video.