Kitchen and Bath Tile to Fit Your Style
A mix of pattern and scale play into this clean, bright owner's bathroom.
Design by: Andrea Maaseide; Photo credit: Cora Homes.
(Adapted from our September 2025 Design Sparks: Notes from Casa Millie Newsletter)
Tile has been used in homes for thousands of years, from ancient Egypt and the Romans to modern times. Today, they are a must-have design element, often found in kitchens and especially in bathrooms.
Tile is about both function (everyone wants “easy to clean” tile) and look. They come in an incredible variety of materials, colors and forms, and the options can seem endless. To simplify it for you, I’m sharing the four designer “go-to” tile categories, my approach to selecting tile, and a few tiles that have recently caught my eye.
Let’s dive into the four tile categories that are the most ubiquitous.
Ceramic tile surrounds this bright kitchen and farmhouse sink.
Design by: Andrea Maaseide; Photo credit: Robert Radifera; Styling: Charlotte Safavi for Stylish Productions
The Go-To Tile Categories
There’s a world of tile out there and I’m just scratching the surface here. The four that I'm noting as “go to” are some of the most favored and trusted types for kitchens and bathrooms.
Ceramic and porcelain are the most widely used types of tile for homes. Each clay base (from terra cotta to porcelain) has different attributes and virtues.
Porcelain, for example, is denser and more durable than standard ceramic tile, which makes it great for high-traffic areas and outdoor use. Ceramic is also very good, and a more affordable option. It’s often used for walls, backsplashes, and lighter-traffic floors.
A mosaic floor with touches of Rosso Levanto and Calacatta Viola marble add the owner’s favorite reds and an elevated feel to this primary bath.
Design by: Andrea Maaseide; Photo credit: East and Lane
Natural stone, with options such as marble, travertine, granite, quartzite, limestone and slate, is often seen as a symbol of luxury and durability.
A maison clé cement tile in the “Roman Palazzo” mosaic style.
Photo credit: clé
Cement is available in a number of colors and finishes, and you can even etch the surface or stamp it with a texture. I wouldn't recommend this material for high-traffic areas.
Recycled octagon-shaped matte-finish glass in “cloud” coloring adds an extra dimension to this kitchen backsplash.
Photo credit: Maison
Glass (technically a ceramic!) is usually reserved for decorative purposes, such as backsplashes or walls, and can be used to mold a very modern, clean or artistic look given its variety of colors and finishes.
Glazed ceramic tile with variations in hues and tones.
Design by: Andrea Maaseide; Photo credit: Cora Homes
My Approach to Tile in Every Home Design
Vibe
When searching for the perfect tile, I always start by thinking about how the client wants the space to feel. Every tile gives you a different vibe. If you want more of an old-world or more traditional feel, for example, I focus on handmade pieces, with their imperfect lines and wavy edges, or even natural stone.
If you want more of a crisp, classic look I might look for more of a subway tile with clean lines.
Same material (Carrara marble), different sizes throughout to fit the function.
Design by: Andrea Maaseide; Photo credit: Jenn Verrier Photography
Function
Next I consider function. At Casa Millie we carefully evaluate materials to make sure they can do well in the designed environment in terms of material and sizing.
For example, tiles can be polished or honed, and typically in the bathroom, which sees plenty of water and humidity, we only use polished on vertical surfaces since it’s slippery. For underfoot areas, we opt for honed (non-slip) material, or smaller tiles (e.g. mosaics) for the floors.
For the kitchen, when designing for specific situations like home chefs we work to ensure the kitchen’s materials will stand up to higher use and lots of splatters.
A fun “basketweave” pattern was used for the wall of this large shower and bench, and contrasts perfectly with the custom hexagon tile pattern blanketing the floor.
Design by: Andrea Maaseide; Photo credit: Cora Homes
Color and Pattern
Some clients are more comfortable with colors and patterns than others. I have worked with clients who prefer to keep their kitchens or bathrooms light, neutral, and classic. For my more adventurous clients who love color and pattern, tile offers the perfect opportunity to play with both.
I like to balance these colorful, pattern-filled moments, often applied on one surface (e.g. floor, or shower wall) with subtle elements of color and pattern in the rest of the space. This way, that “wow” application can really shine.
Maison's “Holland" pennyround tile in ”Cloud, Oslo, and Rain" colors.
Photo credit: Maison
Penny tiles are a good example here. These penny-sized tiles are versatile and available in an extensive range of materials, colors and shapes at various prices. You can pop individual “pennies” out to make a pattern of your choice - polka dots, clovers, even a word or phrase.
Whether installed in a playful pattern, or just to create a beautiful texture, I will always love a good penny tile. I think they are forever an interior design classic.
2 by 20 inch “Carolina Sky Blue” ceramic tile puts a spotlight on the shower and its height.
Design by: Andrea Maaseide; Photo credit: Cora Homes
Scale
Some sizes have been the go-to for most designers, like 3 x 6 inch subway tile, but I also like to go a bit outside the boundaries when my clients are up for it. I love a good 2 x 8 or 3 x 12 inch subway tile, for example. It just takes a subtle shift in size to create a more unique space.
Remember that scale alone can also impact the style of a space. While smaller scale tiles might be perfect in a transitional or traditional space, it’s the larger scale tiles (think 24x24, or 24x36 inch and larger) that will result in a more modern feel. Take a look at Porcelanosa’s tiles, for example.
These sunflower-yellow, individually formed, fired and chiseled 4 x 4 inch square tiles add a cozy feel to this countryside kitchen.
Photo Credit: Zia Tile
Casa Millie Curations
Square format tiles (4x4, 5x5, etc.), especially those that appear more handmade, are still having a moment and I’m a huge fan! I also have my eye on what I’ll call “historical tiles” (think mosaics or old world-style handmade tiles).
Here are a few of my latest favorites, known affectionately as “Casa Millie Curations” which I share from time to time in newsletters and blogs!
A geometric Victorian tile pattern adds charm and warmth to this simple white bathroom.
Photo credit: Original Style
Victorian tiles
Home design has seen a shift lately back to more traditional aesthetics, with people being drawn back to (and romanticizing!) earlier eras. Recently I met with a representative of the U.K.-based company Original Style. Original Style has been in business for over 50 years and are “established leaders” in the creation of Victorian tiles and I’m smitten.
They not only provide their handmade tiles to clients in the U.K. (and beyond), many of whom are working to restore historic Victorian homes to their original glory, but also have branched out to create more modern designs.
Delicate, artisan-crafted hand screened decorative terra cotta (a type of ceramic tile) that recalls “vintage batik and ikat prints”.
Photo credit: Outer clé
Outer clé Collection
This is also a newer vendor for me, and I’m excited to begin using more from their vast collection. I’ll be using this terra cotta tile pictured above for a kitchen backsplash at a home in Middleburg, Virginia's beautiful horse country.
Gingham-style tile from Maison adds a delicate, tranquil feel to this bathroom.
Photo credit: Maison
Gingham Tiles
These gingham-style tiles are made from recycled glass. They’ll never fade, and this style “weaves together the most diaphanous of elements - Cloud and Snow”. Other snappy, classic versions (in bright blues and greens for example) are also available and add another fun and unusual interest point to any room.
Remember, tile is one of the easiest ways to add a bespoke, personal touch to any space.
If you find you need a hand, don't hesitate to reach out to us! We would love to help!
Until next time!
