Transitional Bathroom Tile Ideas

Featured Image: Cala Lenci 12×24 Porcelain Bathroom Floor Tile from Arizona Tile

Just when you thought you knew about every type of design, there is another style to consider. It doesn’t mention “modern”, “traditional”, “rustic”, or “contemporary”. Today, we’re talking about transitional design and the blending of design styles, specifically in the bathroom.

With each design, there are key components that make it unique. Transitional design is a mixture of modern and traditional, pulling from elements of each, adding versatility to your design approach. Transitional provides its own appeal while maintaining a timeless, yet contemporary scheme. As for your bathroom, this is a space to vitalize in the morning and unwind in the evening, and adding transitional tile can enhance these daily experiences.

A Look at the Contributors

To best understand a transitional style, we first need to review modern and contemporary design to express how they’ve merged and evolved to create a new aesthetic.

Image: Themar Bianco Lasa Polished 12×24 Porcelain Bathroom Floor Tile, Portofino Classico Quartz Bathroom Countertops from Arizona Tile

Modern Design

Modern style became popular in the early 1900s with its clean lines and expressions of simplicity. Throughout this time, ornate detail waned, and minimalistic features became predominant. Additionally, natural materials were incorporated, neutral color palettes were key, and a focus on natural light through large windows took hold. While neutral colors and simplicity were some of the main features, colorful accents and pops of color added a lively edge.

Traditional Design

Traditional design is a timeless aesthetic that blends layered patterns and textures with a curated mix of vintage, antique, and contemporary pieces. It draws inspiration from 18th and 19th century European styles, yet seamlessly incorporates modern elements to create a space that feels both polished and inviting. Collections and paintings are often displayed, contributing to a sense of refinement without appearing dated or stuffy. The overall effect is one of comfort and cohesion—rooted in history, yet not confined to any specific era.

Transitional Design

Now, pull some qualities from both design styles, and you have transitional. Transitional design focuses on clean lines with subtle ornamentation and the use of mixed angles (some edges rounded, while others are crisp) and fabrics. Color palettes remain neutral and typically encompass earthy hues. The general design elements used are not overly distracting, giving a sense of comfortable luxury. Natural light is sometimes emphasized with the addition of unadorned table lamps for comfort, but in general, any embellishments are sleek and modest.

Transitional Bathroom Tile

Transitional Bathroom tile isn’t focused on any one component within your bathroom. Whether it’s the tile on your floor, on your wall, or in your shower, there’s a transitional bathroom design for any surface in the room. When designing a bathroom, regardless of your style preference, there are several key factors to consider:

• Shower Flooring
• Shower Walls
• General Bathroom Flooring
• General Bathroom Walls
• Countertops

The products you choose can be the same, a mixture of similar products, or they can be entirely different, such as porcelain and quartz. All products have recommended uses, and while some offer more installation options than others, there are many transitional bathroom tile ideas to consider. Creating a timeless, sophisticated spa-like bathroom with a transitional design provides a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation through its sleek elegance.

Image: Tru Marmi Silver Polished 24×48 Large-Format Porcelain Bathroom Floor Tile

Let’s dive into some of our high-quality, well-loved products to help you envision your new transitional bathroom space. For the tile options, the following products are all made of porcelain, making them incredibly durable and low-maintenance.

Canyon

Mimicking the look of slate, the Canyon series offers a range of features, from its color options to versatility in tile size. In any of its four colors, the Canyon series can be used for bathroom walls and flooring, both in and outside of the shower area. This product features two finish options, one of which is an R11 Finish option – a wonderful product for your shower floor.

Borgo

With consistent attributes to the Canyon series, the Borgo series emulates French limestone through a variety of neutral tones that display soft veining, remaining true to the natural appearance of limestone.

Cosmic

From white to black, and with swirls of contrast throughout, the Cosmic series is perfect for bathroom walls and floor. It should be noted that the shower floor option is smaller, 2 x 2 mosaic tile, but presents as a natural stone.

Cala

The Cala series emphasizes sophistication through its natural marble appearance. However, as a porcelain product, the worry of maintaining natural marble is eliminated—you get all the beauty without the worry.

Marvel

Another product inspired by the prestigious marble stone is the Marvel series, exuding realism through its pure colors, natural-appearing veins, intense shades, and transparent clouding. To accentuate it even further, Marvel is available in a variety of unique shapes and sizes.

Tru Marmi & Themar

Although Tru Marmi and Themar are two separate porcelain tile series, they share similarities. Throughout each series, both products present characteristics from some of the most sought-after natural stones, including marble.

Tru Marmi presents soft neutral bases with accentuated veining throughout, creating beautiful contrast.

Themar also displays a soft, neutral base, remaining consistent with the color palettes often seen within the transitional style, except its veining is not as predominant, though it still creates beautiful depth.

Portofino Classico

Different from the products we have featured within the transitional style, Portofino Classico quartz slabs can pair seamlessly with a wide breadth of transitional bathroom tile. Emulating marble, its white background and subdued grey veining beautifully display organic appeal. While quartz slabs are often used as countertops—perfect for your transitional bathroom vanity—they can also be used on interior walls, shower walls, and for a built-in shower bench. Plus, like with porcelain, quartz removes the worry of maintenance because it is extremely durable and non-porous.

Image: Canyon Ivory 24×48 Large-Format Porcelain Bathroom Floor Tile, Marvel Fior Di Bosco Matte 24×48 Porcelain Bathroom Shower Wall Tile, & Borgo Luce 12×24 Porcelain Shower Accent Wall Tile from Arizona Tile

Design Styles

Whatever design style you prefer, our products can inspire you to create the bathroom of your dreams. For a deeper sense of how products will look in a room, explore our Just Imagine Tile and Slab Visualizer. Then, visit an Arizona Tile showroom or slab yard to see our products in person. If you have questions for us, please reach out!