Black and white tones are almost always synonymous with elegance, sophistication and an overall sleek look. Use black and white subway tiles to create designs for a modern bathroom, whether you incorporate specific shapes or install random patterns. Subway tiles come in basic rectangles as well as squares and octagons.
Octagons
Create octagon shapes with black and white subway tiles. Make large white octagons with backgrounds or large black octagons with white backgrounds. Do this on opposing-facing walls with other walls featuring solid white or black tiles only. Create numerous small octagons all over one or more walls in symmetrical patterns or more random designs. Opt to create octagons in the corners only or as wall perimeters. Because this shape will require some creative tiling, use octagon shapes if you're going for more of a mosaic look, or use tiles already shaped like octagons.
Row/Horizontal Designs
Create a row of white tiles followed by a row of black tiles until the entire wall is filled with stripes. Start with the opposite-color tile when you begin the next wall to create more texture and diversity, or follow the same striping pattern from the first wall for a more uniform appearance. Extend row patterns to the bathtub or shower area; follow either the same pattern as the walls or begin with the opposite-color tile. Opt to further extend the row pattern onto the bathroom vanity if the fixture will accommodate the treatment.
Square Patterns
Create designs on bathroom walls by using black tiles to make squares across the middle of the walls in horizontal patterns with white tile backgrounds or vice versa. Make the patterns as small or large as desired, or alternate between small and large squares. Install tiles for squares in vertical or diagonal patterns as well. For a more complex look, layer squares. For example, create white squares on a black tile wall, and place a black tile in the center of every other square. The squares may also frame plain, lightweight mirrors attached to the wall with all-purpose adhesive.
Additional Ideas
Install black and white tiles at random to create an original, if nonsymmetrical, black-and-white tile bathroom, or make patterns by placing two white tiles in a row followed by three black tiles, one white tile for every three black tiles and so on. Create "X" shapes with either tile and the other as the background, or go a step further and make stars or triangles. Smaller versions of black and white tiles can form mosaic patterns on mirror frames as well. Try creating stars and triangles when tiling the bathroom floor.
Tags: black tiles, white tiles, black tile, black white, black white tiles