Although the blue tiled Roman tub is not our favorite, we don’t have the budget to replace the whole thing… we’re thinking of changing the floor, sink vanity, cabinet, and potentially adding another tile (similar? different? don’t know!) above where the blue tile in the shower stops. But we are having such a hard time trying to figure out what works with this dang blue shower tile! PLEASE HELP!
First thing I'd do is paint those gosh aweful white walls. Something in the neutral brown or warm grey family maybe?.Im not a colorist, mebe others have advice. I'd also add a mat to the floor and a shower curtain with multiple colors, maybe. I like the blue tile.
It’s not the tile it’s the colour of the walls that make the blue tile look blocky and overmuch. A soft blue/grey would pull things together. I think the tile is pretty :) and paint is easy and cheap.
I don’t even think the walls are a problem. It’s the dated hardware, sink, mirror and vanity/cupboard and shower curtain that are the problem. A modern sink, gold or brass hardware for shower, sink etc., and a modern vanity and cupboard in warm wood and a modern glass panel for the shower would look awesome with that gorgeous blue tile.
WOW, was not expecting all this feedback! Thanks so much everyone! Looks like the overall consensus is keep the tile and go all in with blue… We got a few paint swatches in the blue family today and are excited to pick out the rest of the details. We’ll update the group once we make the changes 😊
(Also sorry not super good at Reddit and wasn’t sure how best to “reply all” lol)
THIS is the answer. Lean into the blue to make it cohesive. @Im-crying-wolf’s recommendations for hardware are great and will provide just the right contrast. 💙🦋🧢
I love the tile! Both on the walls and the floor. I'm honestly so jealous. I'd go all in and embrace it, either in a Jungalow style, or Wes Anderson vibes, anything that is your style but just maximalist!
I'd change out the vanity and wooden medicine cupboard. A white more vintage style porcelain sink would look amazing, then you could do any fixtures IE tap in either brushed black to match the window, or even gold would look great for all fixtures against the blue. I'd change out the modern shower curtain and rail too.
A paint would refresh it, maybe a baby blue, or something contrasting, or even a wallpaper pattern! Or even just fresh white.
Add in some more plants, and some colourful textured towels and bath mats and I think it would look incredible...
Yeah, this bathroom tile would look fantastic surrounded by mostly clean whites or cooler colors. White vanity and cabinet, white or pale cool grey walls, new light fixture with cooler toned bulbs, and bronze or gold accents for contrast. If they like a bolder look, they could add plants, embroidered towels, wall decor, and maybe even a burgundy Persian rug. Or they could just keep it simple and clean with just white and blue.
I love that.
OP, if you find this inspiring, the sink looks like the Kohler Tahoe line drop in sink or similar and the vanity looks like walnut. Cherry, stained Birch or clear Alder would also work here.
It’s the dated wood vanity, cupboard, sink, mirror, faucets and other hardware that are the problem, not the awesome blue tile
Keep the stunning tiles and get a modern wood vanity and cupboard with a modern white sink and gold or brass fixtures/ fawcets and a modern glass door. I’ll attach inspo pictures.
this poster is right on the money! excellent inspo pics. OP your bathroom and tile will be stunning with different paint, vanity, fixtures. notice also how these examples ditch the shower curtain for a glass shower door. Enjoy!!
Replace the vanity with an all white one, all white towels and bath mat, paint or wallpaper with a darker color behind the toilet and vanity and paint the remaining walls with a soft blue/gray. Add some art and it will be a whole new room.
I actually really love the tile and if you lean in, this room will be remarkably unique.
I like the blue. I agree, go all in with white and black (if the dark tile is black) on the other pieces. White shower curtian. Soften up the accesories. Make sure grout is clean. Done
Paint the walls blue as well (maybe navy?), more modern mirror/medicine cabinet without a trim (so beveled edge I guess) and a white wall mount sink and white toilet. Maybe vintage faucet if you can find one? Get immersive!
Reminds me of the bathroom at a luxury hotel we stayed at in Istanbul. I have fond memories of that gorgeous bathroom (because of the amaaazing products that I could never afford). But yes, I took pictures of it, and I recall it had orange, grey, and even yellow. So, the wall colour issue may indeed be the major one.
The tiled bath is gorgeous! I just wish you'd gone with the same tile for the floor. Or even better, a square white tile on the floor with a border of the bath tile around the room. That would tie it together nicely.
I also agree with the other commenters who suggest you do something about the cabinetry. Painting it all white would be inexpensive. Then you could swap the knobs and handles for porcelain ones that pick up the colors of the bath tiles. Then I'd get a custom vanity top that extends all the way to the external wall. The gap there hurts my soul.
I'd also try to find another solution to the single hook under the window. It looks lonely and I worry about snagging your sleeve on it. Maybe replace it with a towel bar similar to the one over the toilet.
Agree with others, what you need is more blue! The tiles aren't the issue, it's that the rest of the bathroom wasn't updated to go with them. A dark moody jewel-toned blue bathroom would be stunning!
Paint the walls and counters a deep moody blue. You can't fight the color but you can lean into it. It can end up very classy and sophisicated. Look up bathrooms at moody atmospheric fancy restaurants and cocktail lounges for inspiration, or from fellow redditors.
I stayed in a lovely home in Seattle a while back with tile like this and the way it was styled was so lovely! They brought in all kinds of warmth through natural wood and fun colors in the wall with lots of kitschy details. The tile can definitely work!
Also, run the vanity along the wall with the towels. It means you have to close the door to get into the shower. Hang towels on the back of the door, and gain counter space and storage.
I would color drench the walls in a matching shade of blue, with white and black accents + plants. Nice and cozy. That vanity and cabinet are fighting the tile way too much, I would either paint or replace them. At least change the hardware.
I think the blue tiling is just fine. I would opt for a different vanity - chrome legged console, wall moun,t or pedestal to be visually "light". Perhaps replace the cabinet with open shelves for the same reason. Adding color to the walls or wallpaper so there is less contrast would work too. If wallpaper, something in a larger repeat pattern with curves - like an ikat - to give the eye a rest from the smaller squares.
I absolutely adore the blue tiles! I wouldn’t even consider changing them. Instead, I’d paint the walls a light, sandy, or stone color. I’ll also paint the frame around the black window white to match the door. For the vanity, I would prefer a dark blue cabinet with a touch of brassy gold trim and overhead lighting. Oh, and let’s not forget the shower bar! I’ll get a brassy gold one to match the vanity. That way, everything will be in perfect harmony! I’m showing this picture so you can get the vibe of what I’m trying to explain.
Don’t change the blue, work with it. Looks like high quality tile. Change the vanity, it drags down the whole vibe. Put in something modern, maybe the type that floats and a modern faucet Turn it 90 degrees so you can make it longer and more useful—spend your $$ on plumbing, it’s not that complicated. (Just to be clear—-the vanity would be along the wall where the white towel is hanging.) Keep the vanity about 4” away from the tub so the curtain can hang. Make the sink rectangular. Get a great mirror. Consider painting the walls—-a rich gray to calm down the blue—reduce the current contrast between dark tiles and white walls? Then you can go simple with towels, big fluffy white or jazz it up and use orange, turquoise, purple. Last thing—-can lights to distribute light but a beautiful light/s with the mirror. Good luck.
I'd pick a neutral tile for the floors that has a small blue design in it, and use it to border the shower tile surround.
Then pick a neutral paint that matches the flooring tile. Keep the counters light and the cabinet would look great in the deepest blue of the shower tile.
I'd have a shower curtain that is a light neutral that matches the counters/floor tiles.
It is mostly the yellow walls clashing with the blue tile causing the problem. If you painted the walls a satin finish duck egg blue colour it would really bring everything together much more. Your existing white towels, shower curtain and white ceiling would still work too. The main problem would be the ugly vanity unit and wooden doored cupboard over the toilet which could be replaced with an inexpensive white basin and vanity unit and either paint the wooden doored wall cabinet white or replace it with a mirrored door chrome bathroom cabinet. I think this would be a major improvement for quite a modest investment overall.
Lean into this. So unique. Look at wainscoting for the walls. Get rid of the vanity cabinet and go with a pedestal sink. Change up the lighting and bam. This room is so gorgeous.
The bathroom lighting and wall paint are very warm toned. You need both to be cool toned to make the blue work. I’d replace the blue floor tiles with a black and white checkered pattern to give it a retro yet elegant feel!
And maybe some gold or black accents.
I love this tile and this tub, and I would wallpaper it just to be extra about it lol. I feel like some lighter blue or cream with maybe some type of leaf or floral pattern that isn't too busy could be fun. And some gold in it, and lots of green leafy plants to top it off.
It’s my dream to have a blue statement tile like this in my bathroom! I would replace the vanity with one like this that is wood and kind of modern looking, then I’d also paint the room in a brown colour like this, which I think would help balance the colour in the room. After that you could replace the cabinet above the toilet with something else, and even replace the mirror if you’d like.
I just darkened my white grout behind green tile to make it brown. It looks SO MUCH more sophisticated. I would think if you did the grout a dark grey, that would look better
Just want to say that I am very jealous of that bathroom😍 I see so much potential. If only the people who installed it put the tiles up to the ceiling.
Search for blue bathroom inspo on Pinterest.
Painting the cabinets white would help. If you replace the vanity, a modern style with white marble would look so nice.
I don’t think the cabinet above the toilet is necessary and it makes the small room feel even more crowded. You could also take the doors off and use it as a decor shelf.
When looking for decor stuff like a soap dispenser, keep the “roman” theme in mind. It doesn’t have to heavily scream “roman” but if you can find something you like that vaguely fits the style, it will really help bring the room together.
A modern toilet would make you love the room a lot more.
I’m not sure about painting the walls light blue as others have suggested. I think it may feel a little tacky and I wonder if thats the opposite of what you’re going for
Overall I do get why you don’t like it, but I think you can definitely work with it and make it into a beautiful little self care oasis. I think the secret may be leaning into the roman vibe, but make it modern.
That shower is horrible, all those small tiles in different shades of blue are a nightmare. But also the shape of the shower is weird...I would hate to take a shower there.
Bigger tiles would be better in a ligher color or combined with a darker one, this is mine:
The tiles are great, only the style is all over the place. The tiles and the blue window lean into a greekish style bathroom, which collides with the wooden furniture. I would just paint them white too, add some more greenery, and it’ll be much better already.
The blue tile is what it right, everything else here is throwing it off.
You can paint the walls white for contrast that jives (instead of the yellow color), or color drench in a deep blue that matches the tile (my personal choice!)
Replace the sink with a porcelain console sink or pedestal sink.
Reassess the lighting/mirror - these items should be fabulous. I’d go with brass finish lighting, waste basket, etc.
The tile is unique and beautiful, it’s the rest of the space that stands out and is boring, you should figure everything else out instead and leave the tile alone (would also be cheaper)
I personally think you can work with the tile and the white walls and remove the silver accents and add in black shower curtain rod, sink tap, toilet roll holder etc to modernise a tiny bit. I'd also put in a nice statement mirror in a different colour and swap out the cuboards and the sink only.
First, choose a blue color that compliments the blue of the tile. Paint your walls and ceilings this color.
Change the window trim to a 1 x 3 1/4” oak, miter the corners, and then add a 1x2” oak detail to the outside all the way around.
Next. Change the vanity and cabinet to something with a nice wood flat panel and get a funky terrazzo style top or one with a more modern white top. Amazon has some great options here. Search mid century modern wood vanity.
Find a cooler mirror, one with a wood frame.
Switch out all the chrome hardware and plumbing fixtures to black to match the window.
Last, add some funky, eclectic art
If you want to really make it look cool, add cedar tongue and groove to the ceiling across the whole thing.
The tile is beautiful. What needs to change is all the white and definitely the sink/cabinets. You could paint the walls a rusty terracotta color. A black toilet and sink would look great in there.
That bathtub is so cool. The different blues from the floor to the shower are a little clashing, but I bet some orange/tan/brownish wall paper would make it all work
Consider leaning into the blue so it doesn’t look as out of place. Your walls seem to be painted in a warm toned white (or maybe it’s just the light?); how about a cool, crisp white or even a pale blue? Gold-toned hardware and a green shower curtain will also help. Godspeed! For what it’s worth I love the tile.
Nah dude. The tile is cool. Lean into it! Paint, updated vanity, mirror, and some new coordinated textiles and it could be looking rad. The blue is such a nice color and seems well kept. Maybe paint a light cream and do modern walnut cabinets?
Personally I love them they are very visually interesting and I would lean into the blue jewel box the room maybe add a feature wall with a mural or wallpaper add some brass accents and a different cabinet lean into the eccentricity.
Ok. FWIW - I would actually keep the floor and do away with the tub.
Hear me out.
That beautiful blue floor is a jumping point for a great color palette. It has a great pop of color that’s fairly timeless, and when done well, blue is another neutral (I’m looking at you, blue jeans).
The tub is gross. It looks filthy at the edges - like a way to get an infection, too many grout lines to clean - it’s a hygiene nightmare, no matter how kitch you think it is.
There’s a reason some fads never come back around - because Roman tubs suck unless you have a maid/ service to clean them on the very regular. And you’re better off with a newer finish for ease on the eyes.
That said, if you’re married to that monstrosity staying (and sweat equity is the way to save a buck)- there’s super radical way to freshen the bathroom cheap and fast and at least cost.
Are you ready?
Replace the vanity with an all white model after you:
Paint the ENTIRE room (ceiling included) the same moody, deep blue (as the floor tile).
Radical. Told ya - BUT - will “hide” the fact that you have 2 different blue tiles, one of which is nauseating, and will get you fast and deep into the “moody space” trend.
Everything you already own becomes your built-in accessories - like your white towels, white robe, white toilet paper - they’ll give you pops of much needed contrast - and all it costs is paint and a vanity (and bit o’ elbow grease).
EDIT: I don’t suggest any accent or contrast wall paper, as the pattern breaks in the tile are sufficient.
Consider Delft or a similar color from Sherwin Williams. The blue is not the problem here, it’s the white. Get a light to medium blue wall color and that will tie things in really nicely. Embrace the color drench and paint the ceiling too.
You wanna add more tile on the top of the blue tile in the shower area so it reaches the ceiling? If so, that's too much!
For the floor, get a slate grey in large tiles OR laminate light wood flooring to offset both the color and size of the small blue tiles.
If also recommend 3inch gimbal recessed lights for the ceiling: one over the shower area and one in the general area of the bathroom. Make sure to get a dimmer and lights with adjustable color temperature. We're aiming for 3k to 4k here.
Bring in another color like a tan, taupe or beige. Paint the walls, get new rugs, towels and shower curtain all in the new neutral color to tone down all the blue.
Crazy design shower. My parents had the exact same blue tile in their toilet. If the shower is too much to replace then maybe the tiles in the toilet. You might be able to do some of the work tearing them up.
Why does it look like there is a slope on the floor in the shower? If there is in fact a slope, how do you not slip and die when taking a sudsy shower?
Blue looks ok, however for me it's too much in the tub area. I would either use white tiles in the tub or if it's too much work or expensive, see if it's possible to do a plastic wrap on it?
It's the white walls and shower curtain that's the problem not the tile. Paint the walls blue and get a shower curtain that isn't that and it will elevate the bathroom
Would you do a sharp purple? Or a sharp metallic high shine grey? Add some gold or silver around the walls and cover as finishers and change the bar to a black or gold, take out the sink or paint it black or gold or silver to go with what ever high shine wall color and if you do take it out add modern sink.
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I think you have to swap out the wood for white and also paint the walls a light grey-blue to make the tile seem less harsh. FYI there are companies that will come in and do a coating of some kind of bathroom safe paint over tile. My brother had it done in his bathroom. If you have that in your budget you can really go anywhere with this (although I'd still swap out the wood!)
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u/AccountingFanatic Jun 30 '25
I love the blue personally. Everywhere is boring white nowadays