Goodbye Traditional Subway Tile Showers: The Art Deco-Inspired Design That Looks Beautiful

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

There are lots of different tile styles to choose from when planning a bathroom renovation and for a long time, the classic subway tile has reigned as one of the best. It's smooth rectangular shape with a glossy finish is a style that doesn't seem to go out of fashion, as it suits a lot of different interior tastes. However, homeowners are now looking for more interesting alternatives that you don't see in every home, and art deco-inspired tiles are proving to be at the top of many wish lists, especially if you're looking for a way to incorporate art deco into your home.

Art deco-inspired tiles are characterized by a few key features that were popular in the 1920s and '30s, including bold geometric shapes, a rich color palette, gold detailing, and more specifically, fan and arch motifs. There's no doubt that such tiles would make a tired bathroom look more luxe, but you don't have to break the bank to add them to yours. Get your thrifting cap on and start looking for art deco tiles in local reclamation yards. Or, a cheaper alternative is to use tile stickers, like these blue hexagon-shaped ones from Amazon, which cost $59.99 per pack, and can cover up to 10 square feet.

If you're conjuring up images of interiors from films like "The Great Gatsby," you're not wrong. This sense of luxury and grandeur is exactly what art deco shower tiles will offer to your bathroom design. There are a few key colors to choose from if you're really going to embrace this style, and they all fall under the category of jewel-toned – an element you'll find in the best color palette for an art deco home.

Navy blue is a popular option, as it doesn't feel like too much of a deviation from more neutral colors, and can easily be paired with black or white. Another option that feels ultra luxe would be emerald green; choosing a dark green shower tile, for example, would be ticking all of the style boxes. Or, if you're feeling really brave, a shower built with ruby red-colored tiles would make a sumptuous statement.

Using a specific tile as a starting point to build the rest of your bathroom design from is a smart approach, but what style of shower suits art deco-inspired tiles? Because of their vintage feel, choose a shower that has a heritage design and feels somewhat traditional. A large overhead brass shower with classic ceramic valves would work beautifully with art deco tiles. Or, a copper shower would be a metallic match for the jewel tones listed above.