Bathroom Tile Ideas and History of Bathroom Design

Even though society keeps progressing forward, certain things never change. One of them is the importance of a small but essential room: the bathroom. A poll published by The Independent in 2019 found that UK adults spend an average of 416 days of their life in the bathroom. Men and women spend, respectively, 23 and 29 minutes per day there—showering, moisturizing, shaving, and, let’s be honest, scrolling or reading.

That statistic underscores a simple truth: even though it may be one of the smallest rooms in the house, the bathroom remains one of the most personal and frequently used. As an interior designer, I’ve found that how someone approaches their bathroom design says a lot about how they live and what they value in their day-to-day life.

From Ornate to Minimal: A Short History of Bathroom Design

White has long been the go-to color for bathroom interiors, especially over the last 50 years. In fact, more than 90% of sinks, tubs, and toilets are still made of porcelain, naturally white due to the firing process. But this wasn’t always the standard. In the 19th century, toilets were often white but beautifully embellished with painted floral motifs and decorative borders. The all-white bathroom really took hold in the early 20th century, when white came to symbolize cleanliness, purity, and hygiene—values that felt especially reassuring in the wake of industrial-era public health concerns.

Then came the explosion of color. Between the 1920s and 1970s, bathrooms became laboratories for bold expression. Mint green, canary yellow, rose pink, and even turquoise dominated mid-century interiors. I’ve walked into many pre-war apartments and mid-century homes ready for renovation, and often, those vivid tiles are still intact. You can easily spot the 1950s pink-and-gray bathrooms or the 1960s teal-and-white schemes that defined entire eras of taste.

One of my own early Brooklyn homes had a gorgeous Art Deco bathroom in gold, terracotta, and black…a combination so rich and warm I sometimes wish I had it back. There’s something romantic about preserving those original design intentions; when the craftsmanship is good, they still feel both period-specific and surprisingly timeless.

The Modern Bathroom: Calm, Natural, and Textured

Today’s bathrooms have returned to a sense of calm and simplicity, but not at the expense of warmth or personality. In my recent projects, I’ve leaned toward neutral architectural surfaces such as porcelain, Carrara, or Calacatta marble, or even darker brown and black stones that add quiet drama. These natural materials are long-lasting, and they set the stage for what I think of as adjustable design: layering color and personality in ways that can evolve over time.

That’s where paint, cabinetry finishes, and accessories come in. Rather than committing to a bold permanent surface, I’ll introduce deep moss greens, russet reds, or cerulean blues through wall paint, towels, or a lacquered vanity. These touches can shift with the seasons or your mood, without requiring a full gut renovation.

Bathroom Tile Ideas and Design

If there’s one design element that quietly defines a bathroom, it’s tile. It’s often the first thing you notice when you walk in and one of the hardest choices to make. As a New York Interior Designer, I’ve found that the most successful bathroom renovations start with the tile palette, since it sets the tone for everything else. For modern clients, I often recommend combining large-format porcelain or marble slabs with smaller accent tiles to introduce subtle rhythm and scale.

In older homes, I like honoring the architecture by working with mosaic flooring or classic subway tiles, updating the layout or grout color to make it feel current. Textured tiles are also having a moment right now; ribbed, chiseled, or wavy surfaces that catch the light and make even a neutral scheme feel layered and tactile.

Tile is also where bathroom design becomes deeply personal. Over the years, I’ve seen a clear shift toward texture, scale, and subtle variation rather than just color. Here are a few tile directions that continue to inspire my work:

• Natural stone tiles: Honed or matte finishes in marble, limestone, or travertine lend organic character. I often mix large-format marble tiles on walls with smaller mosaics on the floor for balance.
• Hand-glazed ceramic tiles: These bring a crafted, irregular quality and are perfect for clients who want something tactile and less “factory-finished.” Soft celadon, sand, or sea-glass tones evoke the natural world.
• Zellige tiles: The Moroccan glazed tiles have become modern classics. Their reflective, uneven surfaces create a play of light that feels alive. I love using them in showers or as feature walls.
• Geometric and patterned tile: For those unafraid of statement design, bold geometric bathroom tile ideas such as those in muted tones (think black-and-white hex or terracotta chevrons) can ground a space without overwhelming it.
• Mixing materials: Pairing marble slabs with small glass or porcelain mosaics can create elegant contrast, especially in older brownstone or pre-war bathrooms where architectural detail already exists.

The best bathroom designs, I’ve found, respect both history and function. They balance enduring materials with modern ease. Tiles that age beautifully, hardware that’s tactile and durable, and lighting that flatters.

Balancing Design and Budget

While tile and finishes tend to capture the imagination, the practical side of any project is equally important, especially in a city like New York. Bathroom renovations can range widely in price depending on materials, labor, and plumbing layout. Classic marble may be timeless, but even porcelain options can look luxurious when chosen thoughtfully.

At Jarret Yoshida Inc., we help clients navigate these choices early in the process so design goals and budgets align from the start. For a detailed look at how bathroom renovations fit into overall design budgets, visit our guide to interior design costs in New York blog.”

Designing with Longevity in Mind

Bathrooms may be private, but they’re also among the most visible expressions of your home’s design philosophy. Trends will come and go (remember avocado green bathroom fixtures?) but classic materials, thoughtful proportions, and timeless color palettes always feel right.

When you design with longevity in mind, you’re not just creating a bathroom that looks beautiful today, you’re building one that still feels intentional ten or twenty years from now.

And given how much time we spend there (416 days and counting!) it deserves every bit of that attention…particularly attention to bathroom tile ideas!

Cheers, Jarret