what’s happening with bathrooms?? all grey and metro tiles

3 years ago

Having started a thread on needing help with my soft industrial style bathroom, I was originally thinking Victorian style patterned tiles and maybe some warm reclaimed brick slips or wood to warm the very small room up.

I couldn’t decide on how to do it or how the tiles should go and what goes with what so I’ve spent days trawling through this site and instagram and Pinterest just looking at small bathroom design. Yet every one is the same and it’s really putting me off!

It’s either white suit with all metro tiles and Victorian floor or concrete and metro tiles 🙈 (I hate metro tiles)

I do still like aspects of it - especially teamed with black fittings (can’t afford the brushed gold ones!) BUT it’s just everywhere and that’s all I can find in tiles 😱😱😱 or inspiration!

Someone please help me escape from the loop I’m in by posting some stylish and warm feeling small bathroom designs 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Featured Answer

Tani H-S
Original Author

3 years ago

You will all be very glad that I have finally finished the bathroom. 🤣🤣🤣

Got another coat of paint to do and add some accessories and maybe a shelf at some point but it feels so much bigger than the dark little space we had before it was created.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (99)

minnie101
3 years ago
I saw some old cracked tiles years ago which were “grouted“with gold and looked good but I don’t know if shiny new ones would be a bit bling?

i thought I might start the sealed plaster conversation again 😂
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
He he, cracked plaster and gold infills 😍

I saw some grey geometric ‘tile’ on google which has Matt gold grout and it looked lovely as a feature because the grey was matt and earthy.
Except ... it turned out to be vinyl 🙈 Doh!
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Morning all!

So I’ve now found on eBay (I know, I know) a brushed gold shower which also has a bath filler for under £100 LOL.

It’s a seller specialising in just taps and showers and mostly selling to a German market although still made in China of course like most products.
The thing is, I’ve seen the exact same shower and images on other listings for almost £300 from uk sellers.
So really, is there going to be much difference?? It’s externally fitted so worse case, I can replace it easily with another one for the same price or a black one if it fails 🤷🏼‍♀️
Worth the risk??
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Also ... I went into that posh showroom yesterday and omg, they had a display with this realistic concrete wall panel (except they were super thin and super large tiles!!) which was amazing. Too big for my bathroom due to having a bath and lots of wastage but they do smaller tiles as well.
I realised that I don’t like square tiles so much (not sure why??) and prefer oblong but most concrete ones come in square so 🙈

Italian of course. It looked much nicer up close rather than the image but if anyone sees anything like this that doesn’t cost £60sqm 😱 then let me know, ha ha
Nicola M
3 years ago
Ouuu I love those! Could you ask your tiler to contact them to see if they offer trade discount? Most places offer good discount for tiles.
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
I can certainly ask my plumber to ask him (not met him yet, ha ha)
They do a 40x80 I believe which might be nicer for my sized room.
- what did you think about the gold shower?? Worth a risk?
Nicola M
3 years ago
They should perfect! I totally had a mind blank but I helped my mom with her new bathroom earlier this year and the tiles she chose were the ones I was thinking for ours originally ! They are 40x80 but lighter concrete effect. Here’s a photo of the bathroom!

I think as long as the reviews are good, go for the tap! I’ve purchased from eBay (from UK sellers) and they’ve all turned out ok.
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Oo that’s a very trendy bathroom for a mum!! Ha ha (comparing it to what my parents would have of course 🤣)
Carolina
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
But Tani... it is grey ;-) https://www.porcelainsuperstore.co.uk/chicago-light-polished.html (more options there)
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
Porcelanosa Dover range look like concrete and come in different colours, Topo is a warm grey, I have it on my bathroom floor. On offer at the moment I think, worth checking.
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
@Carolina I know 🤣🤣
Ive kind of come to the realisation that for small rooms, I have a limited main tile colour palette so might have to jazz it up with accessories!
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
@colourhappy thanks! Will check them out to see what other sizes they do.

The posh showroom I went to had some other nice concrete tiles at £22sqm which was really cheap (in the discount trade section)
But, again they were all square.

How do you work in square tiles with a small room?? Just rely on the tiler to have a good cutter to split them into two pieces?? Lol.
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
I would use square tiles and grout them with the same coloured grout. If it's a perfect match then the floor just blends. I would rather have the perfect colour and texture and get square than compromise and get rectangular if that makes sense.
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes of course. I can get 75x75 as well but just not sure how to finish areas off where I might need say 100mm of tile? 🙈
The wall is 1800 wide which fits 3x 600’s in give or take (it’s actually bit wider than 1800) although the bath is only 1600 and not centred.

The 75 tile is a different one but would work better on the end of the bath but it would leave me with 350mm space in the centre of the wall so how on earth do you decide what will look right 🤣
kjas11
3 years ago
Hi Tani, not sure if I am allowed to ask (so sorry if I’m not!) but can you share details of posh tile shop in Preston please? I live near there, the building work on our extension is about to start and I’m looking for inspiration 😊
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi, oh yes it’s called Roccia which is near the estate with The Range on. Not in the town centre
kjas11
3 years ago
Thanks Tani. I know exactly where you mean.
minnie101
3 years ago
Hi Tani, just looking at a house tour and thought of you. Given you may be moving thought something classical like this would work and tie into the existing panelling albeit a different style. I also saw this painted ribbed panelling which I love!
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Funnily enough, I did consider panelling on the bottom in that colour as the ceilings are so high!

I’ve already bought a brushed gold shower and will get the same in a tap as well as black fittings so it’s a mix (think a gold radiator would be too much 😂)

That ribbed effect is really nice as well. Wonder what they used.

Don’t you think it would make it quite heavy for a tiny bathroom? I was only going to tile the bath/shower area and just above the sink to save on cost
minnie101
3 years ago
I think that room is identical in size to yours, it’s just the mirror making it look big?

The panelling would be good to break up the ceiling height, maybe just have a little less contrast with the wall colour?

I thought you were building a shelf for the sink or have I made that up?!

i think there are various places that sell the ribbed panelling, the non-acoustic is cheaper

https://www.thewoodveneerhub.co.uk/products/acupanel-contemporary-walnut-acoustic-wood-wall-panels?variant=35993316819100&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Z7tj_nq7AIVBrp3Ch1jGQIvEAQYAyABEgIq_PD_BwE
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Oo no - I think we are just going to try and make a sink unit but not a shelf - unless we can make one with a drawer in it, I’m not sure.

Just the metal ones are so expensive so looking at hacks at using say a metal side table and wall mounting it instead as so much cheaper for the same look 😂
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi! Well finally our roof light went in! Whoop.
Weirdly - the room feels a lot bigger now 🤔

So far - I have bought a gold shower, wc and that is it.

I Still can't decide about the tiles.
Part of me is struggling because I'm wondering if the main wall as you walk in should be more of a feature over the bath wall?? It's the first thing you see.

Also, if I go for say a patterned marbled tile either dark (like my upstairs bathroom) then how do you match plain tiles with them when there aren't matching tiles and it's online 😢😢😢 what do you put on the floor as don't want light tiles ie can you put a darker version of the same tile or will that look odd?

It's driving me insane now.

Some I like are only 600 but this will look stupid on the bath walls because the bath will be 700 wide.
I've found some 1200 tall ones but again, how do you deal with either end of the bath when it's 700.??
Help, 😭
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Oo we are also going to lower the ceiling slightly as it's lath and plaster and will crack if we don't repair it.
It's a shame the rooflight couldn't have gone closer to the other wall where the light is needed more but there was a huge beam in the way 😞
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Forgot to post my pics of the room.
Electrician coming soon to put spot lights in the top although not sure where they can go yey
pmasmith3
3 years ago
600 tile with very narrow grout lines.
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Ah you have added a small piece on the corner. I think it might look odd with mine if I am tiling all the way up the wall as it's a shower over bath as well. Also the other end will be all tile otherwise it will look odd I think having just one end done.
pmasmith3
3 years ago
We have the same tiles in the shower room - floor to ceiling - the cut tile looks fine with the extra thin grout line. The wall tiles have matching grout. The floor tiles are 60x60 and are a darker grey but with the same light grout as the wall tiles.
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Actually after my rant, I looked back through the pics and realised I really do love this bathroom. I know mine will have a bath instead but it's a similar size and same rooflight and I'm going for gold and black accessories.

So if anyone can help me with working out how to do the tiles around the bath and floor that would be great.

I'm thinking plain charcoal on the bath and wall and perhaps the hegagon tiles where the sink will be ie going up floor to ceiling as a feature.

Just not sure about the floor and if I should put tiles halfway on sink wall as well?
Will try and get some more pics later
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Strip idea going up the wall with floating sink (no shelf I think)
Perhaps hexagon or the large herringbone I love
Carolina
3 years ago
Love the tiling behind toilet and sink :-)
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks @carolina It was very last minute I decided not to go with a straight edge and I really like it.

The grey tiles weren't the ones I wanted ie I had gone to order 600x1200 ones but was told it could be 4+ weeks to import and didn't have time to wait so ended up with standard size. Shame as the larger ones were so beautiful but they were cheaper so 🤷🏻
minnie101
3 years ago
😂

It looks great Tani, good decision on wall tiles, it feels spacious and the roof light works really well. Unrecognisable!
LTS
3 years ago
Looks great! I have a wall of tile samples in my utility...it’s so hard to choose without swing a few laid out...hoping the shops open at some point before I have to choose, lol.
Nicola M
3 years ago
Hi Tani!

I'm so happy for you, must feel like such a relief to have it all done. I think it looks great, so bright! Loving the tile choices.
kjas11
3 years ago
Looks great Tani. I made my first purchase from your posh tile shop at the weekend. So does the completion of your bathroom mean your reno is all finished now?
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
@kjas11 oh the one in Preston? Isn't the showroom amazing!

It's almost finished ie just painting the last bits now inside and there is a load of painting outside to do but the major things are all done now, yay!
kjas11
3 years ago
@Tani H-S - yes it is amazing and a bit overwhelming. Staff were great though. Turns out my builder has known them since they started out. Glad your work is coming to an end. I seem to be a bit overwhelmed by everything at the moment. I can’t get over how many decisions I have to make 😳
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
@kjas yes it's horrendous re all the decision making you have to do. It gets totally overwhelming and I found myself asking people to help make very basic decisions as I just couldn't face it anymore. 😔
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
You should be proud of yourself Tani you've done a huge renovation and pulled it off. Bathroom looks great. The question is, would you do it again? ( ;
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
@colourhappy - not for a very long time! LOL.
We want to now sell up and go and live off grid somewhere with no work that needs doing to give me a break 🤣
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
Good idea. We are thinking of moving North next year and already perusing houses. I have come to the conclusion that in places where there is a property boom, it's not necessarily a good idea to renovate too much. I just think it costs too much to get work done. Tweaking fine but full on renovation, not sure.
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Ah where up north?
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Ah where up north?
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
I grew up in Whitby so love the area but probably York city.
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
York is lovely 😍
We went to whitby a few years ago to the bram stoker festival. Lovely town but was windy and soooooo cold 🥶. Would like to go back again in nicer weather 😂
nyansa
3 years ago
Hi Tani,

Your renovation looks lovely. Can I ask for the eBay shop where you bought your brushed gold shower and sink taps? Are you happy with them?

Thanks,

Nyansa
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi, the shower was this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brushed-Gold-Bathroom-Shower-Set-Mixer-Tap-8-Square-Head-Top-Spray-Hand-Shower-/383739772939?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

Not used it yet although the plumber said switching between then is a bit hard as the head drips a bit so?
Also the bath filler is very high up but we have a fixed screen to the side and it sits right over the bath waste so doesn't cause an issue as far as we can tell.

Tap is lovely https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383794535361
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
This is it with the tap on. It's not a thermostatic shower though which I didn't realise when I bought it. Doesn't splash from that height so 👌
Tani H-S
Original Author
3 years ago
Please don't spam my post @Natalia