How Can I Bring Texture into my Bathroom?
Soften the surfaces of your washspace by incorporating a balanced mix of tactile materials
Bathroom looking a bit stark and functional? With a few clever design tricks, you can soften the feel of the space. Choose tactile materials, such as cork and concrete, contrast smooth and rough surfaces, or play around with tile patterns to create a finish that’s textured and pleasant to touch.
Tile for texture
Wall tiles are a great way to play with pattern and texture in a bathroom. Contrast smooth finishes with tactile surfaces to add interest, just as the designers have done here in the shower enclosure.
The rectangles on the vanity unit contrast with the area surrounding the shower, which has been lined with thin tiles in a herringbone pattern. The ridged surface adds some tactile character to the space.
Wall tiles are a great way to play with pattern and texture in a bathroom. Contrast smooth finishes with tactile surfaces to add interest, just as the designers have done here in the shower enclosure.
The rectangles on the vanity unit contrast with the area surrounding the shower, which has been lined with thin tiles in a herringbone pattern. The ridged surface adds some tactile character to the space.
Keep it raw
Use raw materials to add some industrial texture to your bathroom. Here, a half wall of microcement and a solid cast concrete basin have a smooth, undulating feel that contrasts with the painted brick above.
Sealed concrete and microcement are a good choice for bathrooms, as they’re both durable and waterproof.
Use raw materials to add some industrial texture to your bathroom. Here, a half wall of microcement and a solid cast concrete basin have a smooth, undulating feel that contrasts with the painted brick above.
Sealed concrete and microcement are a good choice for bathrooms, as they’re both durable and waterproof.
Put some cork in it
Don’t fancy hard tiles on your bathroom floor? Try gentle cork instead. The cell structure and waxy substance inside this natural material make it water-resistant, so it’s ideal for a bathroom.
However, it’s important to ensure your cork flooring is installed correctly and that it’s been protected with two to four coats of a water-based polyurethane sealant.
You should also make sure large spillages are cleaned up immediately, so the liquid doesn’t permeate the surface and destroy the cell structure below.
Discover bathroom designers in your area
Don’t fancy hard tiles on your bathroom floor? Try gentle cork instead. The cell structure and waxy substance inside this natural material make it water-resistant, so it’s ideal for a bathroom.
However, it’s important to ensure your cork flooring is installed correctly and that it’s been protected with two to four coats of a water-based polyurethane sealant.
You should also make sure large spillages are cleaned up immediately, so the liquid doesn’t permeate the surface and destroy the cell structure below.
Discover bathroom designers in your area
Go big and small
Use dimensions to give your space some contrasting texture. Here, a floor of large, dark grey tiles provides a smooth finish, while the walls around the shower are covered with a textured mosaic of tiny hexagons.
The colour difference of the two surfaces amplifies the contrast, and the painted walls add yet another smooth finish against the tactile shower enclosure.
Use dimensions to give your space some contrasting texture. Here, a floor of large, dark grey tiles provides a smooth finish, while the walls around the shower are covered with a textured mosaic of tiny hexagons.
The colour difference of the two surfaces amplifies the contrast, and the painted walls add yet another smooth finish against the tactile shower enclosure.
Accessorise with pots…
The simplest way to add texture to your bathroom is with accessories. Even the smallest of objects can have a big effect on the look and feel of the space.
Take these plant pots, for example – the weathered terracotta adds an instant natural feel, and the rough surface contrasts with the smooth finish of the bath and tiles.
The simplest way to add texture to your bathroom is with accessories. Even the smallest of objects can have a big effect on the look and feel of the space.
Take these plant pots, for example – the weathered terracotta adds an instant natural feel, and the rough surface contrasts with the smooth finish of the bath and tiles.
…or wood
This wooden ladder provides a layer of touchable texture, as well as some handy storage. The distressed finish contrasts beautifully with the smooth white walls and sanitaryware.
The dark wood floor and bathroom mirror add more natural finishes to the space, but a wooden ladder like this would work just as well with a tiled floor.
Find a range of bathroom accessories in the Houzz Shop
This wooden ladder provides a layer of touchable texture, as well as some handy storage. The distressed finish contrasts beautifully with the smooth white walls and sanitaryware.
The dark wood floor and bathroom mirror add more natural finishes to the space, but a wooden ladder like this would work just as well with a tiled floor.
Find a range of bathroom accessories in the Houzz Shop
Mix up monochrome
The colour scheme in this stylish bathroom is dramatically dark, with charcoal walls and a black-panelled bath.
The monochrome palette gives a uniform look to the space, but the designer has cleverly added interest with tactile surfaces. The white wall tiles have a mottled finish that softens the look of the room, and the wooden panels on the bath provide a gentle contrast to the sanitaryware.
Tell us…
How have you added tactile surfaces to your bathroom? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
The colour scheme in this stylish bathroom is dramatically dark, with charcoal walls and a black-panelled bath.
The monochrome palette gives a uniform look to the space, but the designer has cleverly added interest with tactile surfaces. The white wall tiles have a mottled finish that softens the look of the room, and the wooden panels on the bath provide a gentle contrast to the sanitaryware.
Tell us…
How have you added tactile surfaces to your bathroom? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
Add some texture to a tiled bathroom with a natural rug. Here, the large expanse of patterned tiles has been broken up with a jute design.
The floor covering helps to make this space feel more like a living room than a bathroom – somewhere to linger rather than just wash and go.
If you choose a rug in a natural textile like this one, be aware that these materials aren’t waterproof. So for extra protection when you get out of the bath, make sure you have a mat to layer up on top.
Find a selection of floor rugs in the Houzz Shop