Colourful Bathroom Tiles: Choosing Your Shade

If you’ve scrolled through bathroom inspiration lately, you’ll know that colour is back. From rich blue bathroom tiles to playful pink tiles, patterned or solid, Australian homeowners are reclaiming personality in their spaces.

At VICtiles, we love helping renovators explore the world of colourful bathroom tiles in a way that feels fresh and functional. 

Here’s our guide to choosing the right shade, finish and placement for your next bathroom update.

Why Retro Bathrooms Were So Colourful

If you’ve ever walked into an older Australian home and found a pink bathroom straight out of your grandparents’ era, there’s a reason. 

Mid-century design embraced colour as a symbol of optimism and progress. Soft pastels like pink, mint and butter yellow were associated with domestic comfort and modernity, and mass production made these colourful tiles widely accessible.

Pink bathrooms in particular became iconic thanks to American designer Mamie Eisenhower, whose love of the shade influenced many. 

Fast forward to today, and that nostalgia has returned. We’ve also seen Pantone’s Colour of the Year repeatedly highlight expressive hues over the past decade; from radiant blues and bold pinks to soft greens, reaffirming what the mid-century era already knew: colour is powerful.

Natural vs Artificial Light: Why It Matters

Natural Light

If your bathroom receives abundant sunlight, you can safely experiment with stronger shades like red bathroom tiles or vibrant blue tiles. Sunlight softens intensity and reveals subtle tonal variations, particularly in matte finishes. Natural light also brings out warmth in yellow tiles, making them glow rather than overpower the room.

Artificial Light

Bathrooms with minimal natural light, common in inner-city apartments, require more intentional planning. Cool LED lighting tends to amplify blue and green tones, while warm lighting enriches red and yellow bathroom shades.

Small Bathrooms: Soft and Pale or Jewel-Toned?

Many renovators assume small bathrooms must always be white which is not true. It's all about selecting colours strategically.

Soft and Pale Tones

Blush pink bathroom tiles, gentle sky blue bathroom tiles or powdery yellow tiles can brighten a compact space without overwhelming it. 

Pale shades blur edges visually, creating an airy feel (especially when paired with glossy finishes). These work well in: ensuite bathrooms, apartment bathrooms and narrow bathrooms.

Jewel Tones

Deep sapphire-like blue tiles or ruby-inspired red tiles also have a place in small spaces, but use them with intention. Jewel tones create drama and sophistication, making a small bathroom feel luxurious rather than cramped when balanced with neutral fixtures and thoughtful lighting. 

For instance, If you choose bold colours on the walls, balance things out by keeping floors or cabinetry subdued. Use jewel tones for: feature walls, shower niches, wet room-style shower zones and tiled bathtub surrounds.

Gloss vs Matte Tiles: How They Affect Colour

Tile finish can alter your colour more than you think. When choosing between gloss and matte, consider lighting conditions, desired ambience and placement.

Gloss Tiles

• Reflect more light.

• Brings an instant energetic feel to the room.

• Look brighter and more vibrant.

• Enhance the richness of colourful tiles.

• Easier to clean, especially in wet areas.

Matte Tiles

• Absorb light, creating softness.

• Feel more earthy and contemporary.

• Brings a deeper and more muted feel, ideal for creating a spa-like mood. 

• Reduce glare in bright bathrooms.

• Offer better slip resistance for floors.

Colour on the Floor vs Colour on the Walls

Colourful Walls, Neutral Floors

This is the most common modern approach. Colourful bathroom tiles on the walls, like shades of blue, yellow or red bathroom tiles, add personality while neutral floors keep the room grounded.

Colourful Floors, Neutral Walls

Perfect for patterned mosaics or terrazzo look tiles. Coloured floors draw the eye downward and can make a room feel stable and anchored. 

Both Walls and Floors in Colour

If you’re going for a fully immersive feel, choose colours within the same family or that vary only by shade. For example, a tonal yellow bathroom using multiple yellows can feel tranquil rather than overwhelming.

Balancing Colourful Tiles with Neutrals

Colour works best when balanced. Here’s how to avoid colour overload while still embracing personality:

Neutral Fixtures

White or brushed metal fixtures pair effortlessly with bold colourful tiles. Matte black can also be stunning against blue or red tiles. This offers visual interest which enhances the overall appeal. 

Neutral Benchtops

Consider choosing stone-look benchtops in beige, white, or soft grey to soften bold colours and create visual balance. A neutral benchtop (or horizontal surface) can break up an intense colour palette, providing visual relief and helping the room feel more spacious.

Neutral Complementary Colours 

Your colours of choice should complement rather than compete. If you choose pink bathroom tiles, for instance, try warm whites or sandy neutrals rather than cool greys. Clashing colours can make the room feel cluttered and heavy; taking away from the calm and relaxed vibe that is often associated (and expected) with bathrooms. 

Texture Matters

If your tiles make the statement, let your decor add warmth through texture such as incorporating timber accents, woven baskets, or linen towels. The goal is to consider all the elements of the room to bring a harmonious feel to the space.

Quick Application Tips: A Summary 

Floor Tiles

Matte floor tiles offer better slip resistance in bathrooms and pair well with patterned or terrazzo designs. Their softer, non-reflective finish helps ground a colour-rich room and balance bolder wall or décor choices. The most common tile options are porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone.

Wall Tiles

Glossy wall tiles reflect light, making them ideal for brightening small or dim bathrooms. Their polished surface works beautifully on feature walls and can be used in shower areas. On the other hand, matte tiles are more slip resistant and easier to clean. 

Bath Surrounds

Large format tiles are excellent for bath surrounds because they minimise grout lines and create a sleek, easy-to-clean finish. For a soothing atmosphere, opt for muted hues like pastel pinks or soft blues instead of loud colours.

Wet Room Style Bathrooms

Using the same tile on both the floor and walls creates a seamless, open feel which is ideal for wet rooms. Bold or contrasting colours can be used strategically to define the shower area or highlight architectural features, adding both structure and visual appeal.

Shower Niches

You can use your shower niche as a mini feature wall, showcasing jewel-toned tiles, colourful mosaics, or other decorative contrasts to create a stylish focal point. It's all based on what you like. 

Ready to Choose Your Shade?

No matter what your colour preferences are; whether you’re drawn to the serenity of blue tiles, the energy of yellow tiles, or the retro charm of pink tiles, VICtiles has a huge range of colourful bathroom tiles ready to help you bring your vision to life; even if you don't know where to start. 

Visit VICtiles today or chat with our team to find the perfect tiles for any area of your home. We’ve got you covered, in every shade.