Finish your bathroom decorating scheme perfectly with bathroom tiles that not only add character but seal and protect the space from water. From seamless floor-to-ceiling combinations to statement splashbacks, take a look at these bathroom tile ideas that make a splash...

The bathroom is a room you can afford to be brave, so don't be afraid to mix colour and pattern to your heart's desire. On-trend patterned terrazzo tiles pop with retro fun when teamed with playful pastels and masked with black edging that frames the scheme.

Not only are glossy tiles great for keeping clean but when chosen in rich colours like this glorious peacock blue they fill your bathroom with personality. The light-reflecting surface helps to maximise space and so you can go to town with a maximalist bathroom style that looks luxurious. This striking bathroom ticks so many trend boxes, including stylish storage.

Can the trusty metro tile get any better? With colour, they can. Metro tiles have been popular for a long time as they are smart, clean and fresh. And now the classic subway tile has been given a modern makeover with a burst of colour too. This striking sunshine tone lifts the small bathroom and looks vivid set against a dark floor and white suite. Why not try a contrasting grout to bring out the structural brick layered effect?

Make the floor centre stage in your bathroom with a dramatic pattern that brings in the nostalgic beauty of Victorian baths. Don't worry if you think an intricate pattern is a hassle to lay as a lot of authentic-looking designs now come on mesh backs for easy tiling. Add subtle colour to a monochrome scheme with glossy teal wall tiles. 

For those who love strong colour and pattern, geometric designs on walls and floors are striking and create a retro twist. Choose complementary muted colours and minimalist bathroom furniture to balance the scheme or it could end up looking cluttered and chaotic rather than cool and contemporary.

Natural wood is a great decorative choice in any room but not so practical in humid and moist bathrooms. However, there are ways to bring in the texture without the water damage by faking the look. Wood-effect tiles create the same warmth and rustic vibe and are made from glazed porcelain so are easy to clean and are waterproof. 

Choose the same bathroom tiles for both walls and floors for a harmonious flow that maximises space. Large-format tiles will make sure the surfaces are uninterrupted with minimal joins and grout. A subtle pattern such as these soothing grey marble markings adds delicate depth and luxe character. 

Decorative bathroom tiles can work like wallpaper to create a statement or highlight a feature to great effect. This trailing blue Wisteria design looks like a waterfall splashing down into a luxurious silver pool-like bathtub. Navy blue walls create a dramatic and elegant finish in this stately house vintage-style bathroom scheme.

Match wall and floor tiles right and the rest of the bathroom will come together easily. Whether its bold colours and strong pattern or calming colours and subtle definition, the key is to maintain a balance. Here, a matt taupe floor blends seamlessly into large format marble patterned wall tiles. Embossed white feature tiles gently highlight the bath for a subtle yet professional look. 

Make your bathroom the talking point amongst guests and get that luxurious look with bathroom tiles that look like a watery lagoon. These large-format, polished tiles in blue take on the appearance of oceans waves that is soothing and oceanic. A built-in floating vanity and barely-there shower adds to the contemporary scene.

If you don't have the time or budget to re-tile a bathroom, why not upcycle and makeover existing tiles with a lick of specialised tile paint? This small yet sleek bathroom owned by The Painted Hive used to be beige and boring. But now fresh white wall tiles and a blue pattern statement floor makes the space look bright and beautifully refreshed. 

Pastels are so versatile in a bathroom, they work with edgy blacks and greys for a strong and contemporary look but also looks divine when teamed with pale wood and white fixtures for a refreshing Miami vibe that's hard to resist.

If you only have a small budget for bathroom tiles go for a 'less is more look'. By tiling only wet areas such as around the bath or sink you can spend a little more on quality rather than quantity. Trellis-style feature tiles look positively spa-like set as a backdrop to this modern freestanding bath.

Where else would fish scale style tiles work better than in the bathroom? Taking its inspiration from the sea the Art Deco-style shape and inky blue hues of this pattern bring timeless looks and modern chic perfectly together. 

All-white bathrooms will always be popular thanks to their clean, fresh and timeless looks. However, believe it or not, this is a scheme that can go wrong if not thought through. An all-white suite, walls and floors can look stark, unfinished and believe it or not dull! A touch of texture and pattern can remedy this to no end without going overboard. 

The shape of your tiles can change the appearance of your bathroom dramatically. For instance, laid vertically, rectangular tiles will draw the eye upwards to increase the sense of height so are great for bathrooms with low ceilings.

Grout is the finishing touch that can be just as important as tile choice. Standard white grout is being replaced with a rainbow of shades that can be used to create colourful and original looks. The contrasting charcoal grout in this white bathroom creates depth and highlights the intricate hexagon pattern of the mosaic tiles. Pair the effect with matt black fixtures for an ultra-cool and contemporary finish. ​

Patchwork pattern will never go out of style, especially in a monochrome colourway. Each tile has a different design, usually within a theme and when put randomly together looks the part as a feature wall to add interest to small spaces.

Use bathroom tiles to break up space and create contrast. Go for patterned tiles for the shower area and use cool concrete effect wall tiles elsewhere to maximise the sense of space. Finish the luxe look with rose gold fixtures that can be replaced later more easily than tiles. 

Learn the power of pink decorating. From soft blush to deep rose-pink hues, pink can create sweet vibes when teamed with white or perhaps you might prefer it as a trendsetting staple when laid in a geometric pattern and offset with contemporary black fixtures. Whichever bathroom tile design you choose pink is certainly a shade to watch. 

Create a dark and dramatic bathroom with layered shades of black and grey. A large bathroom can work a wetroom look well with floor-to-ceiling tiles. Mix up the look with various textures and tones that hone in on areas. A contemporary black Crittall-style shower screen will create a welcome room divide and a white minimalist style vanity will inject that that all-important balance.

Statement tiles look super chic in small doses. This lily pad tile is 'Insta famous' right now and we can see why. Cascading from the wall onto the floor, the artisan-style pattern in soft pink hues gives this petite bathroom wow-factor when teamed with a lush and green retro leaf print wallpaper.

Adding a new vanity splashback is an easy way to transform a tired bathroom in a weekend. Add an effect such as this on-trend, honeycomb pattern that has been achieved by applying hexagon tiles to the wall uncut at the edges. 

Read more: 45 mistakes to avoid when designing a bathroom