The Decor Hack That Could Help You Love Your Gaudy Bathroom Tile

Adding tiles to a bathroom doesn't always turn out as expected. What may look good as a few sample pieces can quickly feel gaudy or overwhelming. Obviously, the best way to fix bathroom tile you don't like is to replace it or cover it up. Because of budget constraints or other issues, that isn't always practical. In these situations, the next best solution is to embrace the tile, which is easier said than done. 

Thankfully, with the right bathroom decor, you can turn a space that feels gaudy into something purposeful and even charming. It comes down to making the rest of your bathroom work with your tile. This material is a core part of your room and demands a lot of attention, which is why not choosing your tile first is often the mistake that's making your bold bathroom design feel off-balance. Now that you've put in your tile, though, it's time to figure out how to make it work by changing up other elements. 

Look around your bathroom. Are there remnants of your original decor or pieces that seem to clash with the rest of your bathroom? Consider making a few swaps to better match what you have, and not the one you wanted. Kaitlyn Loos, owner of Kaitlyn Loos Design, agreed when she spoke with The Spruce. "Updating curtains, rugs, shower curtains, and bath mats can also make the space feel more harmonious with your style." 

Though it may feel daunting to adjust your decor to match the tile you don't enjoy, it can make a world of difference. Instead of feeling like your bathroom is contrasting with your decor, it feels more harmonious and peaceful, even if there is a lot going on. For example, if you have tile with multiple colors like orange, teal, and white, embrace all of them by finding towels, jars, and shower curtains in similar shades. It makes the design feel more purposeful and won't clash as much with the rest of your bathroom. To mute the chaos a little, focus on solid decor, and avoid adding patterns that further contribute to the hectic nature of the room. 

For those with solid tiles, another option is to color-drench your bathroom. Match the shade as closely as possible, and use rugs, towels, curtains, and other decorative pieces to further highlight it. This design supports your tile choice by making it feel like a moodier, more purposeful style. Also, consider your bathroom fixtures. Try to determine if they are clashing with your tile and, if possible, change them up to better match. If you find a metal that works well, you can also carry it into the rest of your room, choosing small tables, toilet paper holders, and soap dispensers with the same finishes.

If your tile is just too much, you can also look at getting some decor to mute it a little. For example, if it is on your floor, you can use a plain-colored rug to hide some of the bold pattern or texture. That way, the tile you have will still be there, but it can feel more like an accent or a highlight instead of the main focus of your bathroom.

If you've tried making some changes and it's not helping as much as you want, another one of the rules to follow when designing your bathroom is adjusting the lighting. Brightness and warmth can dramatically change how your tile appears, so if you don't like how it looks with the lighting you currently have, try switching it up.

Additionally, unless you tiled your entire bathroom, you probably have spaces that are a different material. While you may not be able to change the tile, you can look at further supporting it by adding paint or wallpaper. For example, if you have the tiles in most of the room, you can help break it up by considering tile alternatives when renovating your bathroom shower, instead of trying to match it. Sometimes, it's not necessarily the tile that looks bad, but how it works alongside the other colors in your space.