Manufacturers continue to introduce new tile as designers find new ways to elevate its use in the bath.

Tile has been a staple in bathrooms for decades, routinely serving as a highly functional, durable and waterproof covering, particularly in showers and on floors. While that role isn’t necessarily changing or diminishing, tile is trending toward grander purposes as designers use it to make a more elevated statement in today’s master bathrooms.

“Tile has always been a popular choice for bathrooms because of its waterproof nature and cleanability,” says Kristine Tyler, owner/designer, Tree Frog Design in Clinton, WA. “But it also offers an opportunity to add a sense of personal style. You can do fun things with paint, but you can use tile to really personalize a space in ways that you can’t with other materials.”

Trending uses

Tile is often considered standard in showers and on floors; Steinberg notes that her clients won’t even consider a remodel unless it has a tiled shower.

“Tiled showers are the number one thing clients ask for,” she says. “Absolutely, beyond a shadow of a doubt, regardless of budget, people want a tiled shower. They have accepted that a shower is part of their morning routine, and they really want it to be easy, beautiful and fun.”

Designers also routinely extend the tile beyond the shower and onto other walls, either completely covering them with a monochromatic palette or creating focal-point or accent walls with tile in a contrasting color or texture.

“Doing an accent wall or nook with a different tile pattern keeps the bathroom from looking too monotonous,” says Tyler. “It brings a spark of life to the room and makes it feel more like a spa.”

Popular patterns

One of the hottest trends in tile right now is designing with highly patterned encaustic cement tile. Several designers note increased attention being placed on the graphic tile, including Hernandez, who is currently working on three bathrooms that will feature the graphic tile, one of which that extends it from the top of the vanity to the top of the 12′-tall ceiling.