The Popular Tile Choice In 2025 That You Might End Up Regretting Sooner Than You Think

Your bathroom tile installation is supposed to last for years — maybe even decades — so it's important to choose a look that you can live with long-term. One popular tile choice in 2025 has some design experts shaking their heads "no." If you're considering 12-by-24 tiles for your bathroom, you might want to think again. According to designers, these basic builder tiles are a quick way to date your house, and there are better choices for a timeless bathroom renovation.

Large 12-by-24 builder tiles first became popular as a contemporary upgrade from the small square tiles of the '90s and early 2000s. Since then, they've shown up in home interiors and businesses everywhere you can imagine, remaining widespread for over two decades and counting. While some people claim that large-format tiles can make small bathrooms look bigger, others say that these tiles are starting to feel predictable and dated rather than fresh and modern. 

When retiling your bathroom, installation is just as important as the tile itself. For DIYers, large-format tiles present real challenges, as their size makes them difficult to install and more vulnerable to cracking and impact damage. And when tiles are installed in an offset, brick-like layout instead of straight set, you may end up with small pieces and uneven tiles that make your space feel messy and even more cramped. These common mistakes not only undermine the look you were going for, but they can also leave you regretting your tile choice.

Choosing the right tile is especially important for bathrooms because tile is a dominant design element that will define the room's look for years to come, or at least until you renovate. While design experts say that you should choose tiles that you love, they also note that timeless styles are the best way to avoid regrets. Since there are so many different types of large-format tiles available, it can be harder to find a good selection of smaller, more enduring style options.

Another problem with large-format tiles is that however you orient their rectangular shape will create directionality, which can make a bathroom feel oddly proportioned. Instead of using 12-by-24 tiles, experts recommend considering timeless bathroom tile colors installed in unique patterns, like herringbone and mosaic motifs. Hex tiles, subway tiles, and mid-size square tiles are other choices that will stand the test of time better than 12-by-24s. Their smaller size makes it easier to create balanced layouts in any room, even for DIYers.

The bottom line is that 12-by-24 tiles have had a good run since they first came out on the market, but unfortunately, they've been overused and are no longer fresh. If you're searching for trending floor tiles that bring timeless elegance to your bathroom, you're better off selecting a more classic type of tile.