The design world loves a redemption arc: In what feels like the blink of an eye, decor that once seemed old and outdated feels fresh and timely.
Looking for the next big comeback? It’s in your bathroom. After years of prioritizing clawfoot setups and jumbo Jacuzzis, tiled tubs are so back.
Boxy bathtubs, replete with a ceramic or porcelain exterior, first became popular in the early 20th century will small resurgences in the subsequent decades. But now, designers say this time-honored touch is exactly what homes need.
“People are embracing bathrooms that feel a little more old-school and less zen spa-like,” says Max Humphrey, a Portland, Oregon-based designer, who has recently penned two travel books about Yellowstone and the Great Smoky Mountains. “Tiling in the tub makes it feel built-in and intentional.”
Of course, reminiscing is only one of the perks. Tile tubs are simply “more fun than a boring side of a bathtub,” adds Humphrey.
Matching the tub’s tile to your shower backsplash can create an optical illusion, says Shannon Kadwell, a kitchen and bath director at Anthony Wilder Design/Build in Maryland. “It tricks the eye into perceiving a continuous, expanded floor plan,” she explains. “Making small or average-sized bathrooms feel significantly larger.”
Plus, tiled tubs are incredibly versatile. It works in children’s suites, pool bathrooms, immersive spaces and...well, everywhere, says Molly Purnell, one half of LAUN in Los Angeles.
There are plenty of tiles to choose from—subway, penny, or even a mosaic—but a classic, four-inch by four-inch slab offers a welcomed blast from the past, says Humphrey. “It has a retro quality without feeling like you’re trying too hard to make a bathroom look vintage,” he shares. “You can install it in a stacked pattern to keep it contemporary, or offset like you would a subway tile for a classic look.”
If you want to bring this old-school trend into your current space, it requires some careful planning. For starters, Purnell typically uses non-porous tiles on a drop-in or an undermount tub. “We tend to steer away from tubs with apron fronts since most tubs are now acrylic or resin,” she adds. “We don't love those materials as a featured element.”
Tile placement is also paramount. “Great tile detailing makes all the difference,” she says. “Try to map out the tiles before starting so you can make sure the design or the pattern lines up with the grout lines on the floor and the shower wall.” Speaking of grout, it’s really going to pop with square tiles, so choose wisely—and prepare for touchups every few years.
Grout might be on full display with this trend, but the tile is the main character. “You don’t need an elaborate pattern or five different materials competing with it,” says Humphrey. “A basic shape in a great color is enough.” Think about choosing the perfect tile like selecting a paint swatch, he suggests. It has to convey the right vibe. Want a smile-inducing wash closet? Opt for bubblegum pink or a soft blue tile. Craving something moodier? Dramatic hues like merlot or navy will deliver.
“I’ll usually repeat that color in some way in the room,” he says. “Either with an actual paint color on the wall, vanity, or by adding a pop of the color with an accessory.”
Tiled tubs are having a comeback, but do they have staying power? Clawfoot and Jacuzzi arrangements aren’t exactly going anywhere, but pros say tiled tubs will endure. “They’ve been around forever,” says Humphrey. “What feels fresh is the way people are using color and simpler tile shapes again.”
Modern with a twist? That’s a trend we’ll soak up.
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance journalist who has over a decade of experience in print and digital media. She covers interior design and lifestyle content for a breadth of publications, including Good Housekeeping, Country Living, House Beautiful, Veranda, and more. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
