One serious consideration when choosing a bathroom tile is its livability. Ella, a mother to children and pets, picked a striking hexagon pattern in her bathroom and shared, “We have solid black hexagons, and we are not as tidy as many of you here. Three kids, two cats, and a dog. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
The Truth Behind Black Bathroom Tiles: Homeowner Experiences and Expert Tips
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Published: October 7, 2023
Updated: November 13, 2023
Are you imagining a dreamy and modern bathroom renovation? Pinterest and Instagram feeds are overwhelmingly displaying bold and vivacious black bathroom tile, and if you’re like us, you’ve fallen in love with the bold and vivacious look. Lucky for you, we have gathered the nitty gritty details from experienced homeowners, stylists, and DIY’ers who have worked intimately with this modern update.
Clearly, there are important elements to be aware of with the installation of such a polarizing choice, including what happens in the day-to-day living experiences within your home. These may include how well a tile cleans or how clearly it displays unavoidable dirt and grime in a high-traffic and high-moisture area.
Where there are problems, there are usually solutions, but we want to make sure you have all of the facts from our dedicated contributors before making such an important decision for your sacred interiors.
02 of Veiny Black Tile
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Black tile can stir up many contradictory opinions. Einas, an avid decorator, assures anyone interested in a black tile, “If it has a veining texture, go for it.” In a grand primary suite bath like this, a veiny black tile adds great texture and sophistication to a large bath, especially in a matte finish.
03 of Square Veiny Tiles
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Another example of a veiny black tile, but this time with a glossy finish, this bathroom floor looks great in a bright white bathroom with shiny nickel hardware. This modern bath has a subtle glamor elevated by a unique light fixture and contemporary finishes. The design is similar to the veiny tile shown above, but the large format square tiles are a more classic option than the more modern, popular rectangles.
04 of Troublesome Black Grout
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An anonymous reader shared their two cents regarding the installation of black tiles. As grout is an equally important piece in tile design, they shared, “I don’t mind the black tile itself, but the black grout is horrible. A huge pain to clean.” Unless you are lucky enough to hire a cleaning crew, it may be wise to steer clear of black grout and select white or cream instead.
05 of Herringbone Black Tile in Bathroom
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Black herringbone tile usually comes with a resounding “yes” from interior enthusiasts, especially when paired with a bold, black and white floral wallpaper accent wall. Both versatile and modern, don’t be afraid to include a mid-century vanity made of medium-brown wood. It’s unique, fun, and adds a warm accent to an otherwise contrasting design.
06 of Tiling an Accent Wall
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Interior designer Sadie explains, “For clients who love black tile, I urge them to put it on a vertical backsplash or shower wall.” The jagged design of this octagonal tile is incredibly individualistic, and the geometric pattern that extends from the tile grouping is equally as unique in this contemporary primary bath. The bathtub shape mimics the patterns present in the tile, an intentional design decision.
07 of Hard Water Spots
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We’ve seen copious examples of black tile on the bathroom floor, but what about in the shower basin? In Robbie’s professional opinion, “Nope! Don’t do it. Hard water spots constantly.” If you possess a water softener in your home, this may solve your problem, but if not, be wary of laying black tile anywhere susceptible to a heavy amount of moisture.
08 of Love and Hate
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Like the previous sentiment, Luca exclaims how much he LOVES the look but HATES the cleaning after installing black hexagon tiles in one of their bathrooms. This picture may not depict a hexagon shape in particular, but it displays a room with a great deal of light that showcases dust, hair, and fuzz surrounding a tub on a sunny day. One professional tip is to lay a rug over areas susceptible to water to keep hard water spots off the floor.
09 of Black and White Floral Hexagons
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Consider including a few white tiles in a floral design in your shower basin for a bit of retro flair. This look is achieved with the help of hexagon-shaped penny tiles in black and white spread evenly throughout the floor. An essential white subway in a vertically stacked pattern provides a modern, contrasting design that blends with this whimsical look, while contemporary brass fixtures will never lead you astray.
10 of Working With Shadows
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A bathroom under the stairs is an ideal location for black tile because of the limited natural light. Shadowy rooms hide imperfections in flooring and paint, so if you’d like to elevate your tiny little spaces, consider this specific modern design. Gold hardware can especially make a space like this pop, adding to the moody vibe.
11 of Very Happy
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Sarah, a homeowner, wants everyone to know how much she loves her home reno that included black tile in her powder bath. She enthusiastically explains that she is “very happy with our black tile” and encourages anyone to take the leap and do it! Between its versatility and contemporary attributes, it can make any drab powder bath shine.
12 of Groutable Peel-and-Stick Tiles
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Not fully committed to the permanence of legitimate black tile? You can opt for a peel-and-stick option that is easily removable. This method looks realistic because it does have real grout lines, unlike other temporary tiles that lay next to each other without a divide. Whether or not you love the look should depend on how dependable, cleanable, and removable a tile choice like this can be, as tile is a committed and involved project that can have lasting implications for years to come.
If you’ve been dying to give black tile in your bathroom a try, we hope we’ve given you plenty of ideas to help you make up your mind. While pros and cons abound, we’re confident that the only person who knows best if it will be worth it is you!
