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Transform Your Bathroom with These Stunning Striped Tile Patterns

Thinking about striped tiles for your bathroom? We bet that idea might make you hesitate. Don’t worry - you’re not alone! 


Truth be told, many people share the same doubts, often viewing stripes as outdated or even tacky. But here’s the thing: striped tiles can actually be a fantastic choice when used correctly. 


Warning: this striped tile design may cause uncontrollable inspiration! Our Viva subway tiles in Peak Honey and Snow create a look that’s so good, you’ll want to recreate it in your space ASAP. 


The secret? It’s all about knowing how to pull them off. Many simply aren’t aware of the stylish ways to incorporate stripes into their space, and that’s where we come in. 


So before you dismiss the idea of using striped tiles, take a look first at the design inspirations and helpful tips we’ve rounded up for you below. You might be surprised at how modern and appealing this tile pattern can be. 


Ready to see stripes in a new light? 


Keep reading as we explore how to make this classic pattern work wonders in your bathroom. Trust us, you won’t want to miss these fresh takes on an old favorite! 


Why You Should Give Striped Tiles a Go for Your Bathroom

You want a bathroom that’s stylish and unique, but all the options start to look the same after a while. Decorative tiles? A little too busy. Subway tile? Been there, done that. 


So, what’s a design-savvy homeowner to do? This classic pattern is a design powerhouse that often gets overlooked, but it’s one of the easiest ways to create a bathroom that wows. 


Intrigued? Let’s explore why stripes deserve a second look and a prime spot in your bathroom. 


Forget basic! This bathroom is serving up serious style with a side of vintage charm. The combo of chevron striped tiles and classic beadboard wainscotting definitely gives off a vibe that’s both timeless and sophisticated. 


Simple Yet Stylish

One of the best things about lined tiles is how simple they are to incorporate. You don’t need complicated patterns or intricate designs to make a statement. Just a few well-placed stripes can completely change the look and feel of your bathroom, giving it loads of personality without much effort. 


Space-Enhancing Effect

Bathrooms are often the smallest rooms in the house, which is why it’s crucial to choose design elements that can help you make the most out of the little space you have. Striped tiles are fantastic for this! They can create an illusion of more space, making your bathroom feel more open. How? We’ll dig deeper into this topic later so keep reading!


Guess what’s not made of bamboo? This tile! The Bamboo Sticks Marble Mosaic Tile mimics the look of bamboo with its sleek stripes, bringing the serenity of nature indoors, minus the demanding upkeep of the real thing. 


Versatile Design Foundation

On the fence about using stripes as they’re pretty hard to work with? Actually, it’s quite the opposite. These tiles are surprisingly versatile! They provide a great base for building your overall bathroom design. Whether you prefer a minimalist look or something more bold, striped tiles can fit your style and complement other design elements wonderfully. 


A Touch of Nostalgia

We absolutely adore how this concept reminds us of cherished memories and simpler times. They conjure up images of vintage seaside resorts, charming old-fashioned diners, and maybe even your favorite childhood bathroom. This inherent nostalgia creates a space that feels instantly comforting and familiar, adding a touch of warmth from the good old days that everyone is craving these days. 


Sold on the idea of using this tile pattern but need some inspiration? Scroll down below for some amazing bathroom tile installation and tips on how to use them just right in your bathroom. 


Stripe It Right: 6 Ways to Use Striped Tile in Your Bathroom

As promised, here are some inspiring bathroom striped tile installations to get your creative juices flowing! 


Use vertical stripes to heighten, horizontal to widen

Remember when we mentioned how striped tiles can make your bathroom look bigger? Now, let’s break down how to use this clever trick to your advantage and make your bathroom feel more incredibly spacious.


When it comes to striped tiles, the direction in which they’re laid makes all the difference. 


Vertical stripes can make your bathroom feel taller, like how it does for those classic circus tents where they seem to stretch towards the sky. So if you have low ceilings, it’s best to install your tiles vertically to give the illusion of higher ceilings. 


But why does this work so well? First off, the uninterrupted lines created by the vertically placed tiles really catches the eye.  By running seamlessly from the floor to the shower wall, they draw the eye upward, tricking your brain into thinking the room is taller than it actually is. 


This approach also brings a sense of unity to the space. Using the same directional pattern from top to bottom creates visual continuity, making the room feel like one big, tall space instead of separate parts. 


But heads up - this design comes with considerations. If you’re not careful enough, all those stripes could make a small room feel a bit narrow or boxed in. There’s also a risk of visual overwhelm if not balanced properly. 


Now, what if you’re dealing with a narrow room? You’re in luck because there’s a stripe trick for that too! 


Horizontal placed tiles work much like vertical tiles, but instead of drawing the eye upward, they guide it from side to side. This effect is especially handy in narrow bathrooms. 


Horizontal lines encourage our eyes to travel across the walls, stretching our perception of the room’s width. Plus, they break up the monotony of a plain wall, adding a sense of movement and making the space feel less boxy. 


Want to maximize the widening effect? Go big! 


Larger horizontal stripes create a seamless look with fewer grout lines. But be sure to choose neutral colors as large, bold tiles might be too much. Or maybe consider using pinstripes or thinner stripes to keep things balanced if you prefer a bold color palette. 


Penny tile pairing used:  Navy Blue Buttons Porcelain Penny Round Tile and Glossy White Buttons Porcelain Penny Round Tile


Here’s another pro tip: try using two rows of penny mosaic tiles to create your horizontal stripes. This works wonders because the grout lines between the tiny tiles are less noticeable, creating a fine, almost invisible grid. This, combined with their rounded shape and close spacing, forms a look that reads as a unified surface rather than individual units. 


Essentially, with penny mosaic tiles,  the eye perceives a continuous flow rather than distinct breaks, making the tile installation appear as one cohesive whole. 


Create a focal point that pops

Got a bathroom that’s begging for a little excitement? Or maybe there’s a spot in there that you really want to show off? Striped tiles are a fantastic way to achieve both. 


First things first, pick a spot in your bathroom that you really want to shine. It could be the vanity area, the wall next to your tub, or maybe like what’s shown in the bathroom above, where the wall directly across from the walk-in closet entrance is decorated with the glimmering Mother of Pearl Diamonds Mosaic Tile. Those elegant mosaic tiles really make that wall pop, don’t they?


But if you’re feeling a bit more creative and don’t want to stick to just pre-arranged mosaics, you can also try pairing decorative tiles with plain white ones  to create truly eye-catching and sophisticated stripes? 


Need a tile recommendation? The Amira Regal Samarkand Blue and Gold Patterned Porcelain Tile is perfect! 


Or maybe you’re the type of person who’s looking for something that’s not too over the top.  If that’s the case, then you can always go with this simple approach: Pair classic white tiles with a bold color that complements your bathroom’s overall style. 


The key is to choose a color that pops but doesn’t feel completely out of place with the other elements in your bathroom. 


For example, if your bathroom has a lot of natural wood tones, you could incorporate stripes of deep forest green or rich navy blue tiles. In a more contemporary space, a vibrant turquoise or a sunny yellow might be the perfect accent. 


Who says stripes have to be one-note?

When we think of striped tiles, we often picture the same old pattern - the same color, the same width, the same style, repeated over and over. But who says that’s the only way to do it? 


There’s a whole world of fun to be had with this design. Instead of sticking to the same color, width, or style throughout, why not try to mix things up? It’s easier than you might think, and the results can be totally amazing. 


With a spectrum of show-stopping shades, our Viva Ceramic Subway Tile collection is ready to create the most vibrant stripes you’ve ever seen. Get ready for a color explosion! 


One simple trick is to use different colors or shades for your stripes. Black and white are classic, sure, but we’re talking about going full-on rainbow here! Try throwing in some blues, greens, or even a bold red. Your bathroom will surely thank you for the splash of color!


Speaking of color, have you seen our Viva Subway Tiles? This vibrant collection is perfect for creating a colorful installation. With 12 glossy shades in both flat and textured designs, you can mix and match to your heart’s content. Plus, unlike standard subway tiles, these are slightly thinner, making them an excellent choice for those who love crisp, clean stripes. 


This tile is like a party for your eyes! Multi-toned, textured, and variably sized, the Envy Green and Thassos Waterfall Marble Mosaic Tile brings the wow factor with its mesmerizing stripes.  Prepare to be obsessed.


For even more variety, you can also play around with the width of your stripes too! Mix skinny stripes with wider ones for a look that’s anything but boring. And don’t forget about textures and shapes - combining different types of tiles can give your bathroom a unique and personalized design. 


Now, if all this sounds like too much work, don’t worry! 


Check out the Tribeca Mixed Planks tile. This porcelain tile offers varying shades of stripes within an individual tile, taking the guesswork out of creating a dynamic pattern. 


What’s even better is that this tile mimics the look of wooden planks, adding rustic charm and character to your bathroom without the worry of moisture damage. Definitely a win-win if you ask us! 


Don't be afraid to shake things up

By now, we’ve hopefully convinced you that striped tiles are more than just monotonous straight lines. But we’re not done yet! 


This time, we’re taking the creativity even further by breaking the pattern and disrupting the flow of those stripes. 


Impress your guests (and yourself) with the Impression White & Wooden Beige Tile, the ideal choice for minimalist bathrooms that refuse to be boring. This tile strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and style, proving that subtlety can still pack a powerful punch. 


Instead of those predictable straight lines, try introducing some unexpected turns. Take a look at this bathroom vanity backsplash tile, for example. The horizontal beige stripes are cleverly interrupted by subtle perpendicular lines, creating a sense of visual intrigue and depth. 


But for those who really want to push the boundaries, try installing your striped tiles in a way that breaks up the straight lines completely. It’s a bit tricky but here’s an easier route: choose a mosaic tile that does the work for you!


The Villa Rapids Gray Marble & Glass Mosaic Tile features lines in a more unexpected and almost abstract way. Plus, it’s made from a combination of shimmering glass and natural stone, meaning, you get different textures and finishes all in one tile, adding even more character to your bathroom space. 


Balance stripes with solids

Balance is key in just about everything - our diets, our work life, and yes, even our interior design choices thrive on a sense of equilibrium. This rings especially true when integrating bold patterns like stripes into your bathroom. 


Make a splash with our Waves mosaic tile!  This tile brings the tranquility of flowing water to your shower, but don't forget to add some solid companions to keep things balanced. 


While we adore the energy and personality that striped tiles bring, it’s essential to counterbalance them with calming solid elements. 


This could mean pairing your lined walls with a floor of serene, solid-colored tiles. Or perhaps you opt for a colorful tile backsplash behind your vanity, balanced by calming neutral paint on the surrounding walls. Even incorporating natural materials like a warm wood vanity or a sleek concrete countertop can provide visual respite and create a sense of harmony. 


Tile pairing used: Viva Snow and Viva Black Ceramic Subway Tiles


Take inspiration from this black and white themed bathroom, where the shower walls showcase a striking vertical design. The potential for visual overload is expertly mitigated by the crisp white walls and grounding charcoal floor tiles. 


Nail the perfect balance with these extra tips:

  • Bold, wide stripes need more surrounding solid space to breathe. The same goes for intricately designed stripes. 
  • A plain white ceiling can anchor a room with linear walls or floors. 
  • Balance isn’t just about color. Quieter moments can also come in unpatterned surfaces and minimally adorned decor like plain wooden cabinetry or frameless mirrors. 

If in doubt, start small

Ever heard the saying “take it one step at a time”? It's solid advice for many things in life, including interior design. So, if you’re itching to give striped tiles a try but are not quite ready to commit to a full-blown bathroom makeover, remember this: you can always start small. 


Instead of covering your walls or floors with this pattern, why not try adding them in a smaller, more contained way? Maybe add a couple of rows of alternating colored tiles along your built-in tub surround. Or create a single horizontal strip of the same alternating tiles across your bathroom walls. These small touches can add interest without dominating the room. 


Another way to go is to experiment with your vanity area. Case in point is the bathroom pictured above, where our Waterfall Gray Silver Glass Mosaic Tile creates a subtle yet stylish backsplash. It’s a fantastic way to “test the waters” and see how you feel about stripes in your bathroom. 


Keep in mind that there’s no need to rush. Starting small is a low-risk way to try something new and exciting in your space. Who knows? You might find that you love the look and want to add more stripes in the future. Or, you might decide that a small touch is just right for your style. So go ahead, give it a try!


So, what are your thoughts?

Are striped tiles yay or nay? If you ask us, we’re definitely giving them a big thumbs up! But of course, like any design choice, it’s all about what works for you and your space. But if you’re on the fence about striped tiles, we say give them a chance. You might be surprised at how much you’ll love them! 


So, what do you think? Are you ready to give stripes tiles a go in your bathroom? 

Jon Adams

Jon Adams is an accomplished tile and stone professional with a 16-year tenure within the industry. His extensive expertise encompasses a diverse range of hard surfaces including tile, stone, hardwood, Luxury Vinyl, and various other materials. With a comprehensive understanding of setting materials, sealants, and installation techniques, Jon possesses an exceptional skill set for fulfilling any hard surface requirements.


His career spans the world, having worked with tile and flooring manufacturers in four countries. This global exposure has provided Jon with broad experience, giving him a unique vantage point to provide technical guidance and expertise tailored to meet all your hard surface needs. He has served as Tile Club’s Commercial Sales Manager since 2022.

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