Before and After: Black and White Tile Ideas For Every Bathroom

This article appeared in the Spring 2022 issue of This Old House Magazine.

A Farmhouse Refresh

When starting with a blank slate, it helps to have a strong aesthetic endgame in mind, as Maison de Pax blogger Rachel Paxton did for the attic bath in her family’s 1984 ranch outside Austin, TX. “I knew I wanted a mix of black and white, with wood for the rustic charm that just feels right in this little farmhouse,” says Rachel.

Carving out space for the necessities—a sink and a toilet—as well as some luxuries—a claw-foot tub and a large shower—was a challenge with a ceiling that slopes to a low of 5½ feet. Using white subway tile on the walls and white penny rounds underfoot keeps the windowless space light and bright. Frameless-glass shower panels preserve the open feeling, with the tub nestled in a cozy alcove. “I couldn’t be more pleased,” Rachel says of the result. “It feels classic and modern, retro and rustic, all at the same time.”

What they did

Finishing a huge attic space included building this 88-square-foot shared bath. Following the pitch of the roof, walls were framed to tap the usable ceiling height, which ranges from 51/2 to 8 feet high.

1. Built a 21/2-by-4-foot shower from stock frameless glass panels along the back wall, with the toilet alongside it.
2. Nestled the 69-inch-long tub in a spot where the sloped ceiling is lowest; all-new plumbing meant using a less pricey wall-mount tub filler was no big deal.
3. Installed a single-sink cabinet and mirror along the tallest wall.
4. Put a second cabinet just inside.

<strong>The shower showcases the oversize 5-by-7-inch subway tiles that line its walls, as well as the bath alcove’s; setting the tile in a herringbone pattern with gray grout amps up its visual interest</strong>.  | Rachel Paxton

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Modern Medley

From a design perspective, using wood in an otherwise all black-and-white color scheme can create some warmth—so say the pros at Chicago’s Chi Renovation & Design, who created the sleek update on these pages.

Reimagining a 15-year-old builder-grade bath to suit the homeowner’s needs, the design team used rift-sawn white oak cabinetry to complement two sizes of hex-shaped black tile on the floors and to-the-ceiling swaths of elongated white subway tile on the walls. Matte-black fixtures and hardware add a subtle industrial feel, while globe-style sconces soften all the linear shapes. The result: a timeless update that will feel right for years to come.

What they did

Before the renovation, the bath had a double vanity with a tub on one side and a cramped corner shower on the other. Scrapping the tub—which the homeowner had no use for—opened up new possibilities in the 60-square-foot space.

1. Removed the tub and installed a spacious 3-by-6-foot shower with a sleek fixed-glass panel to contain splashes.
2. Installed a floating 60-inch double vanity opposite the door, replacing one large mirror with two separate ones and adding a double-light sconce above each.
3. Replaced a cramped corner shower with a custom linen closet that’s 2 feet wide and 8 feet high, freeing up plenty of elbow room around the toilet.

<strong>The floating double vanity is the focal point upon entering the room, set off by walls of elongated 3-by-12-inch subway tile. Deep drawers maximize storage. The white-quartz deck contrasts with the angular matte-black faucets, pulls, and industrial-style hinged mirrors, as well as the double-globe sconces</strong>. | Pawel Dmytrow

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Airy and Bright

Few new homeowners love everything about the house they move into, even if it’s their dream home. For Erin Wheeler, the primary bath, awash in a late-1980s sea of brown granite, was the big disappointment. The Sunny Circle Studio blogger envisioned a classic-yet-modern makeover that would suit her traditional-style home in Raleigh, NC.

While the reno kept all the fixture locations the same, removing a built-in tub and a pair of ceiling soffits really helped open up the 201-square-foot space. Rather than cover all the walls in gleaming white tile, Erin clad the sink wall with white shiplap to add some not-so-hard, clean-lined texture. “I love how everything feels bright and clean, but also warm and organic, thanks to the brass fixtures and hardware,” Erin says. “It’s a very nice place to be on a daily basis.”

What they did

Clearing out ceiling soffits and a step-up tub platform opened up the roughly 200-square-foot bath. White tile created a clean, bright background for touches of black and brass, which add contrast.

1. Scrapped a curved soffit with can lights above separate sinks in favor of a 6-foot-long double vanity against a wall of shiplap and sconces.
2. Removed the built-in tub and installed a simple, freestanding soaker, moving plumbing lines to allow for a floor-mount tub filler centered under the window.
3. Kept the toilet closet, replacing just the floor tile and fixture, and adding a fresh coat of paint.
4. Retiled the approximately 3-by-5-foot existing double shower, adding niches on the opposite walls; swapped in new fixtures and a frameless-glass door. Kept the clothes closet alongside it as well as the small linen closet that sits opposite it.

<strong>The freestanding tub beneath the wood-framed picture window makes the whole bath look and feel more spacious. The striking floor-mount tub filler works well with the 30-inch-deep soaker’s simple lines. Its brushed nickel finish adds to the interesting mix of metals</strong>. | Erin Wheeler

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