15 Stunning Herringbone Tile Bathroom Ideas You’ll Love

Alright, let’s talk bathrooms. Specifically, let’s talk about taking your bathroom from “meh” to “whoa!” without, you know, taking out a second mortgage. If you’re scrolling through Pinterest and feeling that familiar mix of inspiration and sheer overwhelm, I’ve been there.

You want something that looks incredible, stands the test of time, and doesn’t make your plumber laugh maniacally at the quote.

Well, my friend, I’m about to let you in on a little secret weapon: the herringbone tile. This isn’t your grandma’s boring subway tile (no offense to grandma).

This is a pattern with rhythm, with style, with a personality that can be either subtly sophisticated or downright dramatic.

I’ve tackled a few bathroom renos in my time, and I can tell you, herringbone is one of those designs that never, ever gets old. It’s the little black dress of tile patterns—always appropriate and always chic.

So, grab your virtual hard hat and let’s dive into 15 stunning ways to use herringbone tile in your bathroom. I’m not just going to show you pretty pictures; I’m going to give you the real talk on how to make these ideas work for you. Ready? Let’s go.

15 Stunning Herringbone Tile Bathroom Ideas

1. Create a Bold Feature Wall

Let’s start with the big gun: the feature wall. This is the fastest way to inject a massive dose of character without re-tiling your entire life. Instead of a standard straight-set tile behind your vanity or your tub, you lay those bad boys in a crisp, dynamic herringbone pattern.

Why does this work so well? Our eyes are naturally drawn to pattern and movement. A herringbone feature wall instantly becomes the focal point of the room. Everything else can be relatively simple—a plain vanity, a modest mirror—and your bathroom will still feel designed and intentional. I used this trick in my own guest bath, and honestly, people compliment it more than the way more expensive kitchen reno. Go figure.

Pro-Tip: For a truly show-stopping feature wall, consider your grout color carefully. A high-contrast grout (like black on white tile) will hyper-define the pattern and make it pop. A matching grout color creates a more subtle, textured effect that’s equally gorgeous.

2. Use Different Tile Sizes for a Dynamic Look

Think herringbone is only for those classic, subway-sized rectangles? Think again. One of the easiest ways to modernize this ancient pattern is by playing with scale.

Large Format Tiles: Using a larger tile, say a 6×12 or even an 8×16, in a herringbone pattern creates a more dramatic, graphic feel. The pattern feels bolder and the sightlines are longer, which can actually help a small bathroom feel more expansive. It’s a bit less “busy” than the traditional small tile version, which is perfect if you love the pattern but are wary of visual clutter.
Mini Herringbone: On the flip side, using a tiny, mosaic-sized herringbone tile (often sold on sheets) creates an incredibly intricate, almost fabric-like texture. It’s delicate and luxurious, perfect for a powder room or a shower niche where you want a ton of detail in a small space.

The scale of your tile completely changes the vibe. It’s like the difference between shouting your design statement and whispering it. Both are effective, you just have to choose your volume.

3. Go for Colorful Herringbone Tiles

Okay, raise your hand if you immediately picture white or gray tile when you think of herringbone. It’s a classic for a reason, but can we please talk about color? We’re living in a golden age of incredible tile colors—deep emerald greens, moody navies, terracotta, mustard yellow, you name it.

Using a colored tile for your herringbone pattern is a power move. It combines the timeless interest of the pattern with a bold, modern color choice. A navy blue herringbone shower surround feels both classic and contemporary. A forest green herringbone floor is earthy and incredibly chic. Don’t be afraid to break out of the neutral safety zone!

My advice? If you’re nervous, start in a smaller space like a powder room. It’s a low-commitment way to try out a daring color. You get all the impact without the fear of it being “too much” every single morning at 6 AM.

Also Read:15 Unique Zellige Tile Bathroom Ideas for a Moroccan Touch

4. Add a Herringbone Tile Floor for a Classic Touch

This is where herringbone truly shines—literally and figuratively. While we often see it on walls, a herringbone tile floor is the epitome of classic, European-inspired elegance. It harks back to intricate parquet wood flooring but with the incredible durability and water resistance of tile.

Why choose it for your bathroom floor?

It directs the eye. The V-shaped pattern naturally leads the gaze through the room, making even a narrow bathroom feel longer and more directed.
It hides dirt. No, really! The busy pattern is fantastic at camouflaging dust, lint, and the occasional errant hair (we’ve all been there) between cleanings. A lifesaver for anyone with pets or a low tolerance for constant sweeping.
It’s timeless. Unlike some trendy floor choices, a herringbone floor has been stylish for centuries. It’s an investment in design that you won’t regret in five years.

Just make sure you choose a tile with a bit of texture for the floor, especially in a full bath. A high-gloss tile on a wet floor is a slip-and-slide waiting to happen. Safety first, style a very close second. 🙂

5. Create a Herringbone Tile Border

Maybe you’re not ready to commit to a full wall or floor. I get it! A herringbone border is the perfect introduction—a little “sprinkle” of pattern that adds a custom, finished look without overwhelming the space.

How does it work? Imagine a field of simple, straight-lay subway tiles on your shower wall. Now, imagine a single, horizontal band of those same tiles laid in a herringbone pattern, cutting across the wall at eye level or acting as a cap for a wainscot.

Suddenly, your basic tile job looks incredibly custom and thoughtful. It’s like adding a statement belt to a simple dress; it just pulls everything together.

You can also use a contrasting color for the border to make it stand out even more. This is a fantastic trick for renters or DIY newbies looking for a high-impact, low-risk project.

6. Combine Herringbone with Other Patterns

Wait, you can mix patterns? Absolutely, you can! In fact, it’s how you create a truly dynamic and personal space. The key is to vary the scale and to anchor the patterns with a cohesive color palette.

Herringbone plays surprisingly well with others. Try pairing it with:

Large Format Tiles: Use herringbone in the shower and a large, simple format tile on the other walls. The contrast in pattern scale is modern and cool.
Hexagons or Penny Rounds: A herringbone floor with a hexagon-tiled shower base? Yes, please. The geometric shapes play off each other in a really interesting way without clashing.
Zellige or Moroccan-inspired Tiles: The organic, variation-filled look of these tiles contrasts beautifully with the precise, mathematical perfection of herringbone.

The rule of thumb? Keep your color story simple. Let the patterns be the stars, but have them all speak the same color language to avoid a chaotic mess.

Also Read: 15 Stunning Penny Tile Bathroom Floor Ideas to Try

7. Create a Spa-Like Ambience with Herringbone Tiles

We all want that calm, serene, “I-paid-$200-for-this-treatment” spa feeling in our bathrooms. Herringbone can absolutely help you get there. The secret is in the material and color choice.

Forget bold colors for this one. Think soft, neutral, natural tones.

Stacked Stone Herringbone: Tiles made of thin, natural stone veneer laid in a herringbone pattern add incredible texture and an organic, earthy feel. It’s rustic yet refined.
Neutral Cement Tiles: Cement tiles in soft beiges, greiges, or pale grays with a herringbone pattern add texture without loud color. The matte finish absorbs light softly, contributing to the serene vibe.
Light Wood-Look Tiles: We’ll get to this more later, but a light, bleached-wood herringbone tile on the floor or walls feels airy, clean, and incredibly relaxing.

The goal is to use the pattern to add depth and interest, while the color palette keeps everything feeling peaceful and calm. Add some plush towels and a bamboo stool, and you’re halfway to spa heaven.

8. Herringbone Tiles in the Shower Area

The shower is a zone of pure potential. It’s a contained space where you can really have some fun. Tiling the entire shower interior, from floor to ceiling, in a herringbone pattern creates a immersive, cocoon-like effect. It’s bold, it’s beautiful, and it makes your daily rinse feel a little more special.

There are a few ways to approach this:

Full Encasement: Every wall is herringbone. This is a major commitment and a bit of a tile-layer’s nightmare (all those corners and cuts!), but the payoff is utterly breathtaking.
Accent Wall: Just the back wall of the shower gets the herringbone treatment, framed by simpler tiles on the side walls. This is a slightly more affordable and still very effective approach.
Shower Niche: The most subtle approach? Use herringbone tile inside your shower niche. It’s a tiny detail that shows an incredible amount of forethought and design savvy. It’s the jewelry of the shower.

FYI, tiling a shower is a job where you really want a pro, or to be a very confident DIYer. Waterproofing is no joke, people.

9. Go for a Vintage Vibe with Herringbone Tiles

Herringbone is far from a new trend. Its history goes back to ancient Roman roadways! Leveraging that history is a perfect way to create a bathroom with vintage charm and character.

How do you nail the vintage look?

Choose Traditional Materials: Look for encaustic cement tiles, which have a slightly faded, old-world charm. Or, opt for classic white subway tiles with a black grout for that authentic, early-20th-century feel.
Pair with Period Fixtures: A herringbone floor paired with a clawfoot tub, a pedestal sink, and some unlacquered brass fixtures is a match made in vintage heaven. The pattern feels right at home.
Use it on a Floor with Age: Some tile manufacturers make porcelain tiles that are designed to look like worn, historic stone or wood. Using these in a herringbone pattern instantly makes a new bathroom feel like it’s always been there, full of stories.

This approach is all about creating a sense of history and warmth. It’s cozy, inviting, and far from the sterile, all-white bathrooms of the past decade.

Also Read: 15 Classic Black and White Tile Bathroom Ideas

10. Mix Matte and Glossy Finishes

Here’s a more advanced move for you: playing with finish, not just color or pattern. Imagine a wall of white herringbone tile, but with a twist: the tiles are a mix of matte and glossy finishes.

The pattern is consistent, but the light plays off it in different ways, creating a subtle, shimmering effect that is just… chef’s kiss.

This is a seriously luxe detail. It requires more planning and a very careful tile installer, but the effect is custom and incredibly sophisticated.

You’re not hitting people over the head with a bold design choice; you’re letting them discover a beautiful detail the longer they look.

You can achieve a similar effect by using a high-gloss grout with a matte tile, or vice-versa. It’s a subtle way to add another layer of depth to your design.

11. Herringbone Pattern on the Ceiling

Okay, hear me out. I know it sounds a little crazy. The ceiling? But why not? It’s the fifth wall, and it’s almost always ignored. Tiling a ceiling is a bold, statement-making move that says you have absolutely no fear when it comes to design.

A herringbone pattern on the ceiling, especially in a smaller powder room or a shower area, creates an unforgettable experience. It draws the eye up, making the room feel taller, and it delivers a surprise element that guests will absolutely not see coming. It’s a conversation starter for sure.

Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. Is it expensive and a bit difficult to install? You bet. But if you’re looking for a way to create a truly one-of-a-kind space, this is it. This is the design equivalent of wearing a fabulous hat—it’s confident, it’s bold, and it’s incredibly stylish.

12. Mix Herringbone with Marble for Luxe Appeal

If you want to inject a dose of instant, undeniable luxury, marry the herringbone pattern with marble. There’s just something about the veining and drama of marble combined with the precise, geometric pattern that is pure magic.

You don’t have to break the bank with solid marble slabs, either. Marble-look porcelain tiles are incredibly realistic these days and offer much better durability, stain resistance, and a lower price tag. Win-win-win.

How to use this power couple:

Marble Herringbone Floor: The ultimate in bathroom luxury.
Marble Herringbone Shower Wall: Creates a wet room feel that’s straight out of a five-star hotel.
Marble Herringbone Accents: Use it just for a border, a niche, or a single vanity backsplash to add a touch of opulence without the opulent price tag.

The combination is timeless, elegant, and seriously chic. It’s a pairing that will never go out of style.

13. Opt for Wood-Look Herringbone Tiles

Love the warm, cozy feel of wood but know it’s a terrible idea for a bathroom floor? Enter wood-look porcelain tile. And when you take that incredibly realistic wood-look tile and lay it in a herringbone pattern? You get the best of all worlds: the warmth and aesthetic of wood, the durability and water-resistance of tile, and the classic elegance of a herringbone pattern.

This is one of my favorite solutions for a bathroom reno. It instantly makes the space feel warmer and more inviting than stone or ceramic tile. The technology behind these tiles is insane—they have texture, grain, and color variation that is almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

Why this is a brilliant idea:

Warmth: It counteracts the cold feel that bathrooms can sometimes have.
Durability: You can literally splash, spill, and steam without a single worry.
Style: It bridges the gap between rustic farmhouse and modern elegance perfectly.

14. Incorporate Gold or Brass Accents

Let’s talk hardware. The finishes you choose can make or break your herringbone tile look. And IMO, nothing, and I mean nothing, complements herringbone tile quite like warm metallic accents. We’re talking gold, brass, or champagne bronze.

The warm tones of the metal play beautifully off both cool grays/whites and warm beiges/woods. A white herringbone tile wall with black grout and gleaming brass faucets and shower fixtures is a classic combo for a reason. It’s sharp, it’s sophisticated, and it has just the right amount of glam.

Think beyond the faucet, too:

Brass mirror frames
Gold light fixtures
Bronze cabinet pulls
These elements frame your beautiful tile work and tie the whole room together. It’s the finishing touch that elevates everything.

15. Herringbone Tiles Behind the Mirror for a Subtle Touch

Finally, let’s talk about the most subtle, understated approach. Maybe you live in a rental. Maybe you’re just pattern-shy. But you still want a little something. The solution? A small, intentional hit of herringbone tile in a spot you only see sometimes.

Tiling the wall behind your mirror is a genius move. When the mirror is hanging, the tile is mostly hidden, offering just a peek of pattern around the edges. But every morning when you reach for your toothbrush or take the mirror down to clean, you get a delightful little surprise.

It’s a secret design detail just for you. It satisfies that craving for something special without making any major visual commitments. It’s playful, personal, and a perfect way to test the waters.

Conclusion:

Phew, that was a lot! From bold ceilings to secret behind-the-mirror details, I hope this list proved that herringbone tile is one of the most versatile, stylish, and downright cool choices you can make for your bathroom.

It’s a pattern with a rich history that feels completely fresh depending on how you use it. Whether you go for full-blown drama or a subtle hint of texture, you’re choosing a design that has stood the test of time for a reason. It just works.

The best part? You can’t really go wrong. So, take a deep breath, pick your favorite idea, and start planning that bathroom of your dreams. You’ve got this. And when it’s all done, send me a picture. I’d love to see what you create

15 Stunning Herringbone Tile Bathroom Ideas You’ll Love