Bathroom mosaic tiles: design ideas for a luxury finish

Follow my carefully curated collection of design ideas featuring bathroom mosaic tiles

First appearing in Mesopotamia, mosaic tiles have been around for thousands of years. And there’s certainly no sign of a slowdown in their popularity! In fact, bathroom mosaic tiles are predicted to be a key design trend in 2023. So what exactly makes mosaics so special? They have long been the go-to choice for discerning homeowners for a whole host of reasons. First and foremost, mosaic tiles look amazing. But aesthetics aside, they are also versatile, practical durable, hygienic and low-maintenance. Mosaics work brilliantly with other materials, such as Italian porcelain tiles. And they can be used on a variety of surfaces, including walls and floors.

Top-to-toe mosaics create a luxurious look and feel. Priced at £174.60 per 0.5 sq m (318mm x 318mm x 2mm), our dark, dramatic Siminetti Anthracite 25mm Square tiles add instant indulgence to any bathroom, spa or shower. Their unique structure can accommodate complex curves, making them perfect for wet areas

What are mosaics?

A mosaic is simply a design or pattern made up of small pieces of coloured glass, ceramics or stone. Bathroom mosaic tiles are usually small pieces of tile (made from different materials such as glass, porcelain, natural stone and even metal) that are mounted onto a mesh backing. This effectively makes lots of small tiles into one large tile. The key advantage of this? It allows you to cover a larger surface area without having to individually place and position each tiny tile. These smaller tiles are also much easier to fit into awkward spaces, or around pipes and sanitaryware. The versatility of bathroom mosaic tiles means it’s easy to use them to create beautiful bespoke designs. And we offer a huge selection to choose from, in all sorts of colours, shapes, sizes and textures.

Priced at £23.95 per sheet (300m x 300mm x 8mm), our Original Style Serene Therapy Glass Mosaic tiles incorporate a beautiful pink/lilac iridescence and are a popular feature wall option

Bathroom mosaic wall tiles

Bathroom mosaic tiles really allow you to unleash your creativity. You can combine different colours or patterns, or incorporate different themes such as florals. You can stick to one single shade, mix and match, complement or contrast.

Blooming beautiful: our Ca’ Pietra Mono Hex Porcelain Daisy Pink Mosaic tiles are a clever way to add a pastel floral motif to your bathroom decor. They cost £11.53 per sheet (26cm x 30cm by 0.6cm) or £147.82 per sq m

Mosaic tiles are the ideal choice for bathroom walls, as (natural stone aside) they are non-porous and therefore highly resistant to mildew and mould. You could use mosaics for all four walls, or draw the eye with a single feature wall. This could take the form of a different colour, or showcase a completely different pattern/design. If you’re not sure where to start – and don’t want to go too bold – why not choose some bathroom mosaic tiles in a colour that’s already featured in your room?

Bathroom mosaic tiles don’t have to be small and square! The unusual shape of our Ca’ Pietra Atlantis Scallop Porcelain Thyme Mosaic tiles add instant wow factor to any interior wall. They are priced at £15.12 per sheet (29.3cm x 27.4cm x .6cm) or £189 per sq m)

Accents and borders

Sometimes, less is more. Using mosaics more sparingly can be just as impactful, but without overwhelming, especially if your bathroom is bijou. A mosaic tile border works well in any size bathroom, en-suite, cloakroom or wet room. It adds interest, and is a great way to break up plain tiles, and add a pop of colour to a neutral palette.

Perfect for creating contrasting bathroom accents such as splashbacks or zoning, our Original Style Venetia Glass Mosaic tiles are priced at just £17.50 per sheet (300mm x 300mm x 6mm)

Bathroom mosaic tiles can also be implemented as all sorts of accents. Use them to create a splashback, to frame a mirror, or to showcase any recessed shelving. Mosaic tiles are also a really effective way to zone a multifunctional bathroom. Consider zoning behind your toilet, or around your bath and/or basin, to create a clear visual separation between the different spaces. Bathroom mosaic tiles can also help to create more of a feature of your shower area.

Mosaics are great way to ‘zone’ different areas of your bathroom. See how our Siminetti Bianco 25mm Square tiles complement this luxury design scheme. Priced at cost £195 per 0.5 sq m (318mm x 318mm x 2mm), these elegant freshwater pearl mosaics are suitable for both interior and exterior use, including spas and swimming pools

Bathroom mosaic floor tiles

We are often asked if bathroom mosaic tiles are suitable for use on flooring. The answer is yes, as long as you choose tiles that are suitably slip-rated. In fact, as mosaics use more grout than other tiles, this tends to provide an extra layer of grip underfoot.

In material terms, for floor tiles, porcelain and marble are better than glass, although we always advise checking the individual manufacturer’s guidelines before purchasing. You’ll also need to check that the bathroom mosaic tiles you choose can withstand the weight of the people who will be walking on them.

Made from porcelain designed specifically for flooring, our Original Style White Large Honeycomb Floor Mosaic tiles can also be used on walls, for splashbacks, or simply to add a splash of colour and texture to your design scheme. They are priced at £7.96 per sheet (320mm x 275mm x 6mm)

The correct installation is important for all bathroom tiling, but for flooring, it’s especially important to ensure that all tiles are laid as flat as possible, with no trip hazards or toe-stubbing ‘lips’. In bathrooms, water drainage is another key consideration. Make sure that any excess water and even water splashes can drain away effectively.

How to clean mosaic tiles

Bathroom mosaic tiles are practical and durable, but they do need some TLC to keep them looking at their best. The best tile cleaner depends on which type of tile you choose, but always try to avoid using harsh chemicals. For example, if your mosaic tiles are glass, a 50:50 water to white vinegar solution is a natural, effective and eco-friendly option that will keep them looking clean and fresh.

Metallic accent colours can be truly transformative. We love how our Siminetti Antique Brass 25mm Square tiles add a touch of warmth to this on-trend grey bathroom palette. These mosaics are priced at £174.60 per 0.5 sq m (318mm x 318mm x 2mm)

The key thing to remember with mosaic tiles is that because they are smaller than regular size tiles, they have a lot more grout on show. This means you will need to clean your grout regularly, to help prevent build-up and damage. It’s also a good idea to apply grout protector yearly.

Need some advice on 2023 colour schemes? Learn & discover which shades complement beige bathroom tiles.