When renovating an apartment, minimal attention is paid to the design of the bathroom, because it is a small room where not much time is spent. At the same time, by choosing the right finishing materials, their shape, texture and color, you can create not just a hygienic and comfortable room, but also an attractive, stylish and modern interior. Ceramic tiles are a finishing material that for many years has remained the most popular, practical and economical solution for the bathroom. A wide range of products allows the apartment owner to choose the best option, taking into account the dimensions of the room, fashion trends and his own taste preferences.
Toilet tile design
In different houses and apartments, the bathroom has different sizes and layouts. It can be adjacent to the bathroom or separate. Not so long ago, when renovating a toilet, people did not think about the possibility of design solutions in the interior. The main task was to provide it with functionality. In the modern world, this position has changed. Increasingly, they began to resort to the help of professionals who develop beautiful and relevant projects for premises even with a very small square footage. Here are photos of options for finishing a toilet with tiles.
You can tile all the walls of the toilet
Or you can use combinations of tiles with painting, wallpaper or panels
Preparatory stage
In the toilet, as in any other room, careful preparation is required before finishing work. It's worth starting from the floor. Since there are risers in this room, you definitely need to think about waterproofing. Regarding the walls, I would like to say that all old paint and whitewash must be removed. To carry out this process you will need a small hatchet, water and a spatula. After removing the coating, you need to carefully remove dust and dirt and prime the surface.
To carry out further work you will need some tools. This is a container for mixing the mortar, a building level, a lath, a tape measure, a tile cutter, cords, a spatula, a drill with a mixer attachment, crosses for even laying of tiles, and a clean rag. This list is not exhaustive and can always be supplemented with something else or changed, it all depends on the scope of work and the desired result.
The main criteria that play a role in the design of a bathroom
- Room area and ceiling height.
- Layout. The bathroom can be square, rectangular, or possibly L-shaped.
- General style of the apartment. It is desirable that the toilet does not stand out too much from the general style of the living space, but rather fits harmoniously into it. In an apartment with a classic renovation, designed in light colors, a bathroom decorated in flashy bright shades of modernity would not be appropriate.
- Presence of a window. If for small apartments this phenomenon is not frequent, then for private houses it is more likely the norm. The window makes the bathroom much lighter, which is important when choosing the color of the tiles.
- Functionality. Before renovation, you should decide in advance on the functional elements: shelves, bedside tables, hooks, towel racks, hand racks (for adjacent bathrooms), etc. Their number and location also plays a role in the design of the room.
Organic interior of a compact toilet with snow-white fixtures and black decorative tiles
With an integrated approach, and taking into account the above criteria, tiles for the bathroom will be selected in the shortest possible time and without any problems. It will fit perfectly into the interior of the toilet and will delight all household members.
Style for bathroom renovation
The design of the toilet should be harmoniously combined with the design of the entire apartment. If you have a separate bathroom, you should choose the same style for the bathroom and toilet.
USEFUL INFORMATION: Do-it-yourself lining of toilet pipes with plasterboard
Toilet design ideas:
- Scandinavian style. This direction involves the use of white for the walls, a large amount of lighting (natural is best), and elements of wood trim. Using this direction in a small room will visually expand it.
- Palace style. Baroque and Rococo involve the use of gilded details, rich decoration, elaborate lamps and many decorative elements.
- High tech. This style is characterized by the use of the most modern materials, minimalism in decoration, and the predominance of black and white colors.
- Japanese. This style involves minimalism in all details, the use of simple forms. The walls can be decorated with tiles with the image of sakura.
There are many design options for bathrooms and toilet rooms. You can stick to certain trends or combine several styles. Your imagination should not be limited by anything, including materials.
Features, advantages and disadvantages of toilet tiles
Perhaps tiles are the most common finishing material used in bathroom renovations. Tile options for toilet design can be seen in the photo. Its popularity is not accidental. It has a number of advantages, which we will look at below.
- Tiles come in a huge variety of sizes, textures and colors.
- The level of moisture resistance is high. This indicator is important when using it in the bathroom, since all kinds of water procedures are carried out in it regularly.
- Tiles come in different types. Each of them has its own advantages. We will look in more detail below in the article.
- The service life is very long.
- Caring for tiles is easy. Cleaning products do not worsen its condition and are easy to clean.
- The drawing does not lose its color and does not fade over time. Neither clarity nor brightness changes.
- With the right choice of tiles, the toilet acquires an irresistible appearance.
Ceramic coating is reliable, durable and practically does not limit design imagination
There are also some disadvantages, but they are insignificant compared to the advantages.
- Laying tiles in the bathroom is not an easy task. It will not be easy for an ordinary person to cope on his own. To do this, you should turn to professionals. Such services are not cheap, but the results are worth it!
- The tiled surface has a huge number of joints. Over time, such places tend to darken, or even become covered with mold. To avoid such events, you should choose high quality grout for joints. It is less vulnerable and will help maintain the seams in proper quality.
Using tiles of different colors, the space of the toilet room can be divided into functional zones
Bricks or “hog”
Popular in Soviet times, simple white brick-shaped tiles are now enjoying huge popularity again. It's all about its versatility - such tiles look harmonious in any style: from classic to loft.
The most common color is, of course, white. There is no need to be afraid of this. In any case, the bathroom is one of those rooms that you will clean most often. To prevent the toilet from being associated with a hospital, add bright colors or patterns.
In general, with a “hog” it is very easy to create a mega-stylish bathroom with minimal investment. Simply lay the tiles to a height just below the middle of the wall, and paint higher up. Several posters, an original lamp and a mirror in an interesting frame - the bathroom, like something out of fashionable interior magazines, is ready.
And in general, it’s time to go beyond one color. “Boar” looks organic in other shades. For example, in asphalt gray or sea green. Do you want variety? You can play with the patterns of the floor tiles.
Types of tiles and their features
- Tile (ceramic tiles). The advantages include strength, resistance to chemicals and high humidity. It cleans well and has high dielectric properties. The downside is its fragility to mechanical damage. Tile in the toilet design photos are presented below.
Ceramic tiles are the most common option for finishing toilet walls and floors.
- Porcelain tiles. Strength and wear resistance are much higher than those of tiles. Chips and cracks are not a problem for such material. The load it can withstand is 500 kg per 1 sq. cm, and even higher. It is used for both wall and floor finishing. Disadvantages are heavy weight and slippery surface.
- Stone tiles. The material is eternal with high environmental qualities. It does not react to dampness and humidity. Mold and mildew are not scary for him. There is natural stone and artificial. The second is different in that it weighs less, is easier to install and is inexpensive.
- Glass tiles. Used as a decorative element when decorating the interior of a bathroom. Glass can be: – colored; – transparent; – translucent; – glossy; – matte; – textured; – smooth.
The effect of using glass tiles is impressive. Often a design is applied to it to create a unique style.
When decorating bathroom walls, glass mosaics are most often used, which allows you to create original interior compositions.
The service life of tiles is more than a dozen years. Thanks to this strength, you can safely install furniture and household appliances on it.
Minuses
Although ceramics is a durable material, it is also fragile. If you lay it on an uneven surface, then under uneven load it will simply break.
The tiles hold heat very poorly, so walking on them barefoot is not very pleasant. But this drawback can be easily eliminated if you install warm floors in the house. It will conduct heat well.
Tips for choosing tiles for a small toilet
Tiles for a small toilet should be chosen carefully, since the main task is to visually enlarge the room. First of all, we pay attention to the color. The main tone, of course, needs a light one, but to create a colorful interior, bright spots are allowed, which will become an accent in the interior.
A small toilet room needs to adjust the visual perception of space
There are design tricks for a rectangular bathroom. So, a short wall can be made bright and decorated with a wide stripe of a contrasting color. This will visually lengthen the short walls. Rectangular tiles can be laid in two ways - vertical and horizontal. The second method is ideal for a small toilet.
If the toilet has a low ceiling, it is better to buy rectangular tiles and lay them vertically
In order to expand the dimensions of the bathroom, there is a mosaic - this is the use of ceramic elements for decoration. Diagonal laying is good for flooring. Creating a border under the ceiling or at the baseboard level will make the space wider.
Horizontal laying of rectangular tiles will make the space visually wider
Floor tiles for a small toilet should be large, on the contrary. The color may be darker than for the walls, but not stand out. It is important that they combine into a single whole.
If the walls are glossy, the floor should be matte, and vice versa
Laying methods
The spatial perception of the bathroom will largely depend on the size and configuration of the laid ceramic tiles. For tiling a toilet, it is advisable to choose tiles of small and medium dimensions - they make it easier to bypass obstacles and decorate small areas.
Large tiles will be appropriate only in large rooms where frequent trimming is not required.
You can lay tiles in different ways:
- herringbone - oblong-shaped tiles are laid at right angles to each other, imitating a parquet board;
- classic - gluing tiles parallel to the walls;
- chess – a variant of classic installation using tiles of two contrasting shades;
- diagonal - laying square tiles from one corner of the site to another in a diagonal direction;
- staggered - the tiles are glued not joint to joint, but offset by half of the element of the bottom row (imitation of brickwork);
- labyrinth - a wicker version with the creation of large squares from long tiles, in the center of which a tile of a contrasting color of small dimensions is placed.
An original floor covering can be achieved by laying it using the carpet method. During the work, large-sized plain tiles form the main part of the so-called carpet, and smaller colored tiles create a kind of edging for it. This cladding method is one of the most difficult, and only experienced tilers can do it.
If you plan to make a non-trivial design for tiling a toilet with your own hands, you should first make a drawing of the future masonry. You can draw a diagram on paper, but it is better in a color computer version. This will allow you to get an idea of the future decor, outline trimming areas, take into account the location of communications and other nuances of the room.
Choosing the shape and size of tiles for the toilet
Cladding tiles come in many standard sizes. If you take this into account in advance when planning repairs, then you will not have to trim it in the end, which means that the appearance and integrity of the design idea will be preserved.
Wall tiles come in a variety of sizes. It starts from 10 by 10 cm, then 20 by 10, 15 by 15, 20 by 20 and up to 30 by 60 cm.
In a small bathroom it is advisable to use large tiles; small ones may look uncomfortable here.
It is customary to use square or rectangular tiles for the floor, but there are also non-standard shapes, such as triangles, octagons, etc. They can be used as decorative inserts.
In a large room, tiles of any size look good - from fragments and mosaics to large-format products
Square tiles have standard side sizes: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 33 and 60 cm. As for rectangular tiles: 20 by 10, 20 by 5, 30 by 15, 30 by 20 and 40 by 30 cm.
During the tile production process, clay has the ability to contract or expand. So the actual size of the tile may not coincide with that declared by the manufacturer. The error is acceptable within 5-7 mm, and this should be taken into account.
Quality of plumbing equipment
There is no doubt that the quality and comfort of a bathroom are determined to a greater extent by its technical equipment. The latest trends in this area have been the reduction in size and ease of use of such equipment.
Color and design solutions
The color of the tile plays an important role in creating a cozy interior in the toilet. The main rule is that the smaller the room, the colder the shades. Warm colors make the room visually smaller.
The interior of a small toilet room should be dominated by light shades
For small rooms, the ideal tile color can be: cream or white, soft blue or silver, light pink, lilac, emerald.
White tiles make a small bathroom lighter and more spacious, which is why they are most common
Dark shades work well for the floor, but they should not be too bright. The ideal option is brown or gray.
If you lay rectangular tiles along a short wall on the floor of a narrow toilet, you can achieve a visual expansion of the room
Tips for choosing the color of floor tiles:
- Light floors have the ability to visually expand spaces. Used for tight spaces.
- The main property of dark tiles is to warm. The disadvantage is that dust and dirt are very noticeable on it.
- Rich and bright shades attract attention, but in low light they can be tiring.
- For the classic version, natural ceramic colors are suitable, which always remain relevant.
- An interesting option is one with a pronounced pattern (national motifs, wood, etc.).
To prevent the interior from being boring and monotonous, you can combine several colors
Shade combinations
Before you start repairing and especially buying ceramic tiles, you need to determine the future design. What shades would you like to see in your bathroom? If this is a small room in a Khrushchev-era building, then light colors should be a priority. They will help brighten the toilet and make it visually larger. The contrast on the wall with a dark bottom and a light top looks good.
When choosing shades, you need to focus on the similarity of the color scheme, which allows you to create winning combinations. For example, beige and brown, marsh and light green, blue and dark blue look great in the interior.
Those who like contrasts will enjoy the timeless classics of black and white. However, this combination should be used with caution in small toilets.
Nuances of choosing materials
When choosing tiles for bathroom walls, it is important to take a closer look at the quality. Tile is the best option. It is strong and resistant to moisture. If the tile is not intended for use in conditions of high humidity, then it is better to discard it.
To decorate a toilet in the popular Scandinavian style, you usually choose light boar tiles, which go well with wooden furniture
When choosing flooring, we pay attention to strength and durability. Stone tiles have proven themselves to be one of the best options for toilet floors. It can withstand heavy loads and will last a long time.
As a rule, tiles are not used for ceilings. For such purposes, special ceiling tiles have been created. It has a number of advantages for use specifically for ceilings. The materials from which it is made are, first of all, lightweight.
The rack system is a practical and modern solution for finishing the ceiling in the toilet
Practical use
Tiled floors and walls need to be maintained to prevent mold from forming in joints and corners. For tiled walls, it is advisable to choose liquid detergents that do not contain abrasive particles. A small amount of product is enough to clean the surface of dirt and stains.
If it so happens that fungus appears on the toilet floor or walls, then it can be treated with special solutions.
What type of tile to choose based on appearance and characteristics
Criteria that will help you choose tiles for the toilet:
- The size of the bathroom is height, length and width.
- Stylistics.
- Location of plumbing. The choice of tile size and method of laying it depend on this.
- Additional accessories.
Tiles for walls and floors differ significantly in their characteristics. Flooring products are thicker and more durable, wall tiles are thinner and smoother
In order for the tile to last a long time, and its appearance to remain unchanged, you should consider the following points when purchasing:
- Plane. The complexity of installing tiles depends on this indicator. To check, you should take two tiles and place them face to face. If the tile is of high quality, then the gap will not exceed 1.5 mm.
- Diagonal. You should measure the diagonal of several tiles at once. It is important that they are the same, with minimal error.
- Glaze. Inspect the surface of the tile, preferably against the light. There should be no small cracks on it that resemble a cobweb.
Each person creates the interior the way he wants. Even after using all the recommendations given in the article, it is important that the choice of tiles pleases you. Your preferences are a very important criterion. Experiment, create your own unique designs. You will succeed!
Noble marble
Noble marble, as well as its more affordable imitation, is a strong trend that has been at the top for several seasons. And we want to assure you: it will not go out of fashion for a very long time! Because it seems to be the stuff that everyone likes.
Previously, only single compositions made of marble were considered stylish. Now the drawing can be chaotic. This greatly facilitates the work of craftsmen and reduces the cost of purchasing tiles. But you shouldn’t split the drawing too much either - choose large samples.
But regarding gloss and matte, the options may be different. Just keep in mind that glossy tiles are more difficult to maintain. Especially if it's on the floor. Luckily, marble can be combined with other fashion trends, such as wood, stone or concrete tiles.
The color of the marble itself does not have to be restrained. Why not turn to the theme of space? A dark background with complex patterns will make your bathroom non-standard. At the same time, it will give you a feeling of peace and relaxation.
Tiles in the toilet - photo examples
Hanging sanitary fixtures
Among the plumbing equipment, not the last place is occupied by hanging ones, including bidets and toilets. This technology is of particular relevance for small-sized toilets.
Due to the suspension, space under the equipment is saved, cleaning is made easier, and the level of hygiene of the room increases.
In the technology of hanging plumbing fixtures, a significant number of models are used, having different sizes and connection methods, using drain tanks of different designs. The most cost-effective, space-saving option is a tank mounted into the wall.
The use of touch control for automated lighting and drainage control is fully consistent with modern smart home trends.
It should be noted that if technically possible, experts strongly recommend equipping the toilet with a washbasin.
Photos and video materials posted on the Internet can provide great assistance in choosing the decor and equipment of a toilet in 2020.
Having reviewed the new 2020 models, it becomes obvious that all plumbing fixtures have become even more compact and easy to use.