Display a complete design of tiles around your alcove bathtub by tiling the front of the tub to match the walls. This becomes a seamless backsplash that can be paired with contrasting floor tiles or wall paint. The white hexagon tiles create a fun shape variation next to the larger rectangular floor tiles.
23 Simple Half-Wall Tile Bathroom Designs for Maximum Style
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Published: February 19, 2024
Updated: December 27, 2023
Expect less from paint colors and instead turn to half-wall tile ideas to enhance your bathroom design. While the perfect shade is important to your bathroom’s appearance, a half wall of tiles can act as a backsplash while offering a textured and elevated look.
Get funky with your designs and experiment with different tile sizes and colors to match your existing pieces. If you are working on a fresh renovation, you may fall in love with a tile style to base the accessories around. Consider marbled or textured styles if you are open to something with a vibrant personality. Half-walls don’t have to include all walls, and you can apply these tiles in selected areas, like around a bathtub, to add a little flair with less commitment. You can use tiles to make a stylish statement or pair them with patterned wallpaper and fun accessories for maximum impact.
Keep scrolling through our half-wall bathroom tile ideas in the gallery below to check out our best selection!
02 of Retro Salmon Bathroom Tiles
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A half wall of salmon pink tiles gives this bathroom a funky vibe, emphasized by a fun shower curtain. The exposed bulb vanity lighting adds a touch of old-school glamour to the mirror. Wooden accessories are the small details that provide a personalized charm in the space.
03 of Marbled Tiles With Ribbons of Gray
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Ultra-modern bathrooms are perfect places for marbled wall tiles featuring dark gray ribbons on a white background. These tile colors are versatile and welcome features in different styles. White shutters are centered with a large freestanding bathtub in a simple design.
04 of Embellished Features for a Luxurious Look
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Paying attention to the details is the best way to achieve an extraordinary design. From the marbled floor tiles to the embellished crown molding, this bathroom showcases captivating features that embody luxury. Include a dazzling light fixture over a bathtub to complete a glamorous design.
05 of Dark Blue Vanity Features Memorable Accessories
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06 of Ruffled Shower Curtain Emphasizes Farmhouse Decor
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Never overlook the power of a ruffled shower curtain to emphasize farmhouse-style bathroom decor. A dividing wall separates the shower area from an alcove bathtub filled with charming accessories. Complete your tub design with molding that reflects your desired aesthetic for a custom look.
07 of Wall Decor Filled With Intricacies
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In a perfect wall decor display, multiple elements come together to create a captivating look. Intricate wallpaper meets a beige upper wall that bonds over leveled mirrors and frames. Textured white tiles are applied to the lower portion of all walls to add a polished finish.
08 of Accessories for a Spa-like Bathroom Design
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Recharge in a relaxing bathroom designed with spa-like elements and extravagant accessories. Skip the pot lights and instead hang a fantastic chandelier over a freestanding bathtub. An eccentric light fixture and an exquisite faucet will add luxurious touches you’ll surely appreciate while enjoying an evening soak.
09 of Dark Gray Ceiling Contrasts Lighter Walls
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Walk on the wild side by painting your bathroom ceiling darker than the surrounding walls. A dark gray ceiling paired with light gray walls creates an interesting take on contrast, demonstrating a reversed technique from typical ceiling colors. The platformed bathtub competes for attention with a paneled skirt dressed with rectangular trim.
10 of Medicine Cabinet Over a Small Vanity
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Medicine cabinets are overlooked for their ability as functional decor, which is why you should consider adding one during your next bathroom renovation. Paint this cabinet a slightly different color than the walls to emphasize the piece, and pair it with matching shelves. A more compact vanity looks best when placed underneath a medicine cabinet since the cabinet itself is usually small.
11 of Built-in Shelves Between Square Tiles
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Prioritize space-saving techniques when designing a perfect bathroom to avoid clutter at all costs! Built-in shelving with lower cabinets provides a place to display decorative pieces while offering a small amount of closed storage. Square tiles meet the white trim of these shelves, creating a stylish break in half-wall tiling.
12 of Classic Bathroom With Vintage Accessories
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The black tub skirt gives this bathroom a classic look, with a white bathtub adding contrast visible from any angle. Gray slab tiles cover half the wall and the floor, while a tasseled mat lays before the tub. A vintage side table is painted silver and placed in one corner, adding a vintage accent that elevates the design of this space.
13 of Large Tiles Impact a Neutral Color Palette
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Neutral tones are the heart of this bathroom, where white paint shares the walls with beige stone tiles. Allow larger tiles to impact the color palette so you can focus on accessorizing. If you find stone tiles a little harsh, incorporate an organically shaped mirror or curved furniture to soften the look.
14 of Glass-paneled Shower Enhances an Open Design
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The openness of this bathroom is emphasized by a glass-paneled shower built directly upon the marbled flooring. Vertical gray wall tiles are applied around the whole shower while covering the bottom portion of the remaining walls. This is the perfect design to turn a bathtub backsplash into a feature that defines all walls.
15 of Saving Space With an Elegant Pedestal Sink
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Monochrome wall decor makes a statement in this bathroom, allowing the white walls to showcase their personality. The contrast of tile sizes differentiates the floor tiles from the wall tiles, even though the colors are similar. To save space, this designer has included a simple and elegant pedestal sink instead of a wider vanity.
16 of Intricate Wallpaper and White Wall Tiles
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Awaken a bathroom design with intricate wallpaper applied to the top half of the walls. A splash of color is welcome in these spaces and can brighten you up during those early mornings. Tone down bold wallpaper patterns with wainscoting or simple white tiles around the lower walls.
17 of Fabulous Backsplash Ideas for a Bathtub
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You don’t need a freestanding bathtub to create a luxurious design when you have a fabulous backsplash. Let a perfectly aligned border of white tiles enhance your bathroom design and pair it with a complementary upper wall color, like the soft sage green seen here. Mix white tiles with a more colorful upper wall for a captivating look.
18 of Shade Variations for Decorative Neutrality
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Shake up pristine white walls by introducing them to a slightly darker or marbled lower wall design. The variation of shades will appear as a masterful pairing while remaining neutral enough to accommodate your desired accessories. Bursts of green from potted plants complete this incredible design.
19 of Modern Bathroom With Exaggerated Features
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This all-gray bathroom is committed to using exaggerated features to create a modern design. Mirrors with rounded sides are displayed over the sink and bathtub, hung horizontally and vertically for a varied design. A pedestal sink stands directly beside a spacious alcove bathtub. Mirrors can help make the space brighter and more open in a room without much natural light.
20 of Tropical Inspiration Infused in a Bathroom Design
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Tropical elements have found their way into this bathroom, hidden within the small details. Framed photos of palm trees are mounted on the wall inside rattan frames. The bathtub backsplash takes inspiration from the bamboo color, with light beige and brown tiles wrapped around the alcove bathtub.
21 of Subway Tiles Welcome a Wall-mounted Faucet
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Find your style within the small details, like showcasing a wall-mounted faucet instead of a countertop design. The subway tile backsplash allows the brushed nickel of the faucet to appear vividly. The vanity mirror extends to the corner of the wall, where the white frame meets matching wall paint.
22 of Dual Sink Designs With Flair
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Dual sinks are a blessing to a bathroom design and require a style so stunning it will complement both sides. A pair of eye-catching mirrors will dress up the area even if you create a soft or neutral design. Replace countertop accessories with decorative faucets for a more functional approach to embellishing the vanity.
23 of Spa-like Bathroom Exudes Relaxation
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Soak in a sanctuary of neutrals, where wood-look tiles mimic country decor. One side of the bathtub is slightly curved upward, committing to comfort and modern design. The spa-like environment is emphasized by a wooden bath caddy placed across the tub.