Bathtub Tile Ideas

Choosing Tile Color

Before you buy tile for your home improvement bathroom project, give thought to the color and the mood you want to create. It has been proven that color affects the human psyche. If you want to create a sense of refuge in your remodeled bath and a place to relax, you might want to install adjustable lighting and pick colors that calm. When choosing colors, a great place to start is a neutral base in warm earth tones. Accent tiles and bathroom accessories can be used to add bright splashes of color to accent your décor.

With so many choices, it's easy to get drawn to beautiful colors, textures, and shapes that are currently popular. But remember that one of the reasons people choose tile is that it that it lasts for years. With that in mind, remember that you will be looking at your tile choice for years to come. Don't tile yourself into a corner with color choice. Instead, select a scheme that can work in a variety of ways.

Bathtub Tile Ideas

Bathrooms were once a neglected part of the home when it came to decorating. But now with the gorgeous use of tile and bathroom accessories, you can add warmth and texture to create a haven where you can retreat and melt away the stresses of the day by soaking in a warm bath. Sunken tubs, roman tubs and even many garden tubs are surrounded by tile leading to and surrounding the bathtub.

These tiled ledges make a perfect spot to line up candles for a candlelight bubble bath, and also provide a handy spot to keep shampoo, bath oils and other toiletries within easy reach.

Here are a few bathtub tile ideas to create that relaxing atmosphere:

Resin Tile

Resin tile is a multi-purpose tile that can be used on floors, bathroom surfaces, and kitchen counters. These tiles add warm, natural textures that are protected behind a glossy, smooth surface. Each transparent tile creates a collage from natural materials like flowers, grasses, shells or stones and adds a unique charm that pulls together your tile design.

Stone or Ceramic Tile

When choosing your stone or ceramic tile to decorate around your bathtub or shower, remember that this area gets wet. Choose tile that is easy to clean and can withstand regular exposure to water. Another thing to consider is that mold and mildew often grow in these wet environments, and if you pick a tile with nooks and crannies they can become breeding grounds for both. With this in mind, select a tile that is impervious or as water-resistant as possible.

Decorative Tile

Decorative tiles installed around the tub adds a touch of elegance. The colors on hand-painted ceramic bathroom tiles are sealed with the melting of transparent glaze on the surface of the tile ,creating a durable finish and adding a special decorative touch to your bathroom.

Buy Enough Tile to Complete the Job

When planning to tile the area around your tub, you'll want to determine how much tile you'll need to complete the project. If you do run out, it can be hard to match the tile perfectly in the event that you have to go back to the store to get more. If you are unsure of how much tile is required for your project, ask a specialist at your local home improvement store as you gather your bathtub tile ideas.

Tile Layout Plans

As you plan the layout of your tile, you'll want full tiles to be the most visible, while tiles that have been cut should be less noticeable. The best way to plan this is to create a separate layout design for each wall.

Use a Tile Stick

To help you plan your tile layout and to actually see how tile will fit, make a tile stick. This consists of a straight length of wood with tile spacing marked on it. Lay your tile stick on the floor and then line up your tile, leaving appropriate spacing for grout.

As you lay out the tile, you'll see the pattern come to life. If your tiles are not square, you'll need another tile stick for horizontal layout, too. Planning ahead can save a lot of headaches. It not only lets you see how your design will really look, but it will flag possible problems you might otherwise be unaware of until you are in the middle of your project.

Other Considerations

As you layout your tiling plan, be sure not to forget to leave openings for:

• Soap dishes
• Corner shelves

Install these extras after your tile has dried. They can be affixed using tile adhesive or silicone caulk.

Shop Around for Ideas

Tile lasts for years and years, so it's important to make the right choice before installing. If you're looking for decorating ideas for tile in and around your tub, you can find ideas at Home Depot, Lowe's Home Improvement and other home improvements stores. Or shop for ideas from the privacy of your home at sites like A Bathroom Guide, which offers a number of ideas for tiled bathtubs and showers.