Bathroom Surfaces: Ceramic Tile Pros and Cons

Article By: John Whipple

Often praised for its durability and variety, ceramic tile is a popular choice for bathroom finishes. If you're drawn to color and texture, this material can deliver on both fronts. But the sheer variety of ceramic tiles is endless, which can make finding just the right tile very difficult. 

Because ceramic tends to cost less than porcelain and is much lighter, it's often used for wall and ceiling installations. However, there are some major cons to this material, too: It's not as strong as porcelain, so it doesn't make the best walking surface. It can be very cold underfoot in the winter, and heavy tile can be difficult to install. 

Curious if ceramic tile will work in your bathroom? Here's what you should know before making the purchase. 

Eclectic Bathroom by Seattle Architects & Designers live-work-play 

The basics: Ceramic tiles are wide ranging; all are generally made from red or white clay that's been fired in a kiln and glazed or finished. If you're a tile nerd like me, ceramic tile technically includes porcelain tile too, but for this ideabook we'll exclude that category. 

Cost: Ceramic tile is often priced below $2 per square foot. Higher-end tiles can easily run $20 to $40 and more per square foot. The average tends to be around $7 to $9 per square foot. 

Traditional Bathroom by Lindenhurst Kitchen & Bath Designers Brandstrom Interiors 

Pros: Ceramic tile can be incredibly affordable, and there's a ton of variety in styles, colors, finishes and textures. It's also easy to customize it for details like chair rails, soap dishes and special edging and nosing, as in this bathroom.

Traditional Bathroom Tile by San Diego Tile, Stone & Countertops B•D•G Design Group

Cons: Ceramic tile is not as strong as its cousin, porcelain tile, but what it lacks in strength, it makes up for in price.

Traditional Bathroom Tile by Portland Tile, Stone & Countertops ANN SACKS 

Special considerations: Since ceramic tiles often have texture, you may want to consider this to add dimension to your bathroom. The eased edge on this tile adds a little extra something to a bathroom wall, but can make it difficult to figure out how to cut end tile. Consider using a tile edge profile, like a Schluter strip, to make the transition less awkward. 

Modern Bathroom Tile by Ramsey Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Porcelanosa USA 

However, today's ceramic tile offers much more than an eased edge. This wavy tile from Porcelanosa is just one example of the texture and detail available today. 

This type of tile can make for a great accent in a bathroom, but I'd avoid using too much texture in a shower , since it can make for difficult cleaning. Try using it for a feature wall or feature corner instead. 

Eclectic Kitchen Tile by Portland Tile, Stone & Countertops ANN SACKS 

Maintenance: Make sure you choose a ceramic tile with a durable finish. How can you tell? Buy a sample, take it home and clean it to death. 

I recommend cleaning ceramic tile with a white nylon scrub brush and a little soap. You shouldn't need much more than that. Ceramic is very durable, but it's best to stick to mild household detergents and to spot test before using anything new. 

Installation: Installing ceramic tile is pretty straightforward; it could even be a DIY project if you have some experience working with tile. Many of today's ceramic tile actually has directional arrows on the back side; make sure you keep them lined up the same way so you get the correct look. 

How to Light Your Bathroom Right

Article By: Tiffany Carboni

The bathroom is one of the only rooms in a multibodied household where we’re expected and encouraged to lock ourselves inside. With that kind of permission, it makes sense to use this private space as a luxurious sanctuary. Make the most of your haven by giving it the proper lighting.

I spoke with two lighting experts about how best to transform a bathroom into a relaxing, functional refuge with light. Here's their advice. 

Contemporary Powder Room by San Francisco Lighting Randall Whitehead Lighting Solutions

The four types of light needed for the best bathroom atmosphere are task, accent, decorative and sparkle. 

Task Lighting

This is the light by which you can best see yourself. “Proper task lighting at the mirror is important,” says lighting designer Randall Whitehead.

He recommends using a pair of sconces mounted at eye level on either side of the mirror to provide shadowless illumination. This creates the best scenario for makeup application, shaving, tooth care and so on.

Contemporary Bathroom by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Jennifer Gustafson Interior Design 

Tip: Avoid adding a light above the mirror. That includes recessed lighting in the ceiling. “That would throw a strong light onto your forehead and cast deep shadows below your eyes, nose and chin,” Whitehead says. “Not only is this light ineffective for shaving or applying makeup, it can visually age you by 10 years. People should look their best when they look at their reflection.”

Proper lighting in the bathroom will make you feel better about yourself and promote confidence throughout your day.

Contemporary Bathroom by Seattle Architects & Designers Hughes Studio Architects 

Wattage for task lighting. “In the master or guest bathrooms, use fixtures that provide 75 to 100 watts' worth of illumination," Whitehead recommends. “You can get these wattage equivalents in a 24- to 26-watt compact fluorescent or 20- to 25-watt LED.” 

Traditional Bathroom 

Tip: Putting task lighting on a dimmer will allow your eyes to adjust first thing in the morning; it will also help you wind down at night.

Traditional Powder Room by Mukwonago Design-Build Firms Urban Herriges & Sons Inc. 

Task lighting wattage in the powder room. Task lights in powder rooms can have much less wattage (think 45-watt range), as this is not a space where anyone will be performing the morning ritual. Lower wattage provides a softer, relaxing ambience for guests. 

Find a color temperature that makes the room feel inviting and illuminates guests in the most attractive way.

Contemporary Bathroom by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Juli Baier Interior Design

Accent Lighting

If you enjoy art in your bathroom, accent lighting will show it off best. Recessed directional lights provide focused illumination for each piece of art — or, in this case, for an alcove dedicated to a sculptural bouquet of flowers. 

Contemporary Bathroom by Chicago Architects & Designers Besch Design, Ltd.

Decorative Lighting

This adds visual sparkle. Whitehead advises using a single pendant in a square-shaped bathroom for just the right touch.

Mediterranean Bathroom by Houston Photographers Jerry B Smith Photography 

In a grand rectangular bathroom, he recommends using two to three fixtures installed along the ceiling plane for adequate illumination. 

Traditional Bathroom by Bloomfield Hills Kitchen & Bath Designers Xstyles Bath + More 

Candles also offer wonderful sparkle and set a distinctly relaxing, romantic tone. Just make sure you keep them well away from any flammable objects, such as towels and hair, and never leave them unattended.

Modern Bathroom by Other Metro Architects & Designers Eduardo Hernandez Ch. Architect / CHK Arquitectura 

Beach Style Bathroom by Grand Rapids Interior Designers & Decorators Francesca Owings Interior Design 

Ambient Light

This acts as fill light. “In bathrooms with taller ceilings, a cove or cantilever details, ambient lighting fixtures can be installed along the perimeter of the space," Whitehead says. "Architectural details such as these can hide the fixture and create indirect lighting.” 

A pendant fixture with a translucent shade can be a source of both decorative and ambient light.

Before Photos 

Putting It All Together

Interior designer Katie Anderson transformed the dark bathroom shown here in many ways, but one of the most significant — and most universally useful — was bringing in light.

“Before, there weren't enough light sources or appropriate fixtures to layer light," Anderson says. "Moreover, there wasn’t any natural light."

Her mission: devise a lighting plan that would illuminate the shower, tub and sink areas evenly. Here's what she did. 

Contemporary Powder Room by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Katie Anderson Design Consultants - CCIDC #6679 

AFTER: Sconces on large mirrors at the sink vanities now offer functional task lighting. Recessed cans on dimmers provide ambient light for whatever mood is desired. Dimmers are especially useful in the tub area, where relaxation and romance are priorities. Wall sconces offer additional ambient and decorative light. 

Contemporary Bathroom by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Katie Anderson Design Consultants - CCIDC #6679 

Large mirrors, both at the vanity and over the tub, effectively reflect all of these layered light sources for the best effect. 

Modern Bathroom by San Francisco Design-Build Firms HOUSEworks Design/Build General Contractor 

Whitehead suggests putting the fan and lighting on separate switches. “I don't want the fan to go on automatically every time I go in to wash my hands,” he says. Putting each light source — or a logical combination of light sources — on different switches allows you to choose what you want lit when.

Tip: If you use recessed cans over the sink, make sure they are on a different switch than your task lighting, as Anderson did.

Master Bathroom Choices: One Sink or Two?

Article By: Tiffany Carboni

One sink or two? This is the classic debate for couples renovating a sizable master bathroom. There are pros and cons to both. So what's right for your bathroom? I spoke with architect Thayer Hopkins, who offered up what you need to consider about installing either a single or double sink during your master suite remodel. 

Contemporary Bathroom by Van Nuys Architects & Designers Brooktree Equities, Inc 

“Couples these days usually prefer the idea of two sinks for one simple reason,” says Hopkins. “They lead busy lives and need access to the bathroom at the same time."

On paper the double sink looks ideal. But let's walk through this two-sided argument. 

Traditional Bathroom by Burlingame Photographers Dennis Mayer, Photographer 

Some Benefits of 2 Sinks 

Personal space. With two sinks, theoretically no one will ever again spit toothpaste on your hand as you're trying to wash up. Also, your very own sink means you can keep your makeup, moisturizers or shaving kit out as necessary without having your partner knock anything over.

And by having your own designated sink, you don’t have to stare at your partner's toothpaste residue while you're brushing your own teeth. Even in the best of partnerships, there are some things that neither of you want to see of the other.

Two sinks can help make you and your partner feel like you're in a loving, adult relationship rather than siblings fighting over a single faucet. 

Traditional Bathroom by Tottenham Real Estate Agents Sarah Lunn, Your Real Estate Resource 

Some Disadvantages of 2 Sinks

“The convenience of two sinks has its tradeoffs to consider,” Hopkins notes.

Cost. It costs more to plumb two sinks than one. Add to that the additional cost of finishes and a larger vanity.

Space. A typical sink basin is about 17 to 19 inches wide. “If there isn’t a solid 6 feet or more available for two sinks, I will counsel clients to stick with just one sink basin,” says Hopkins.“These 6 feet or more will give the minimum 11- to 12-inch buffer needed between basins to keep a couple from banging elbows and crowding each other out.” 

Traditional Bathroom by Corona Del Mar Home Builders Aha Development Group, Inc. 

Even if you do have a good amount of space, two sinks will eat into counter space that could be used for tasks, displays etc. Two sinks will also double the amount of undercabinet space taken up by the double drain pipes. 

Contemporary Bathroom by Los Angeles General Contractors SoCal Contractor 

If you've got ample storage or counter space elsewhere in the bathroom, this space tradeoff may not pose any problems.

Contemporary Bathroom by San Francisco Architects & Designers Mark English Architects, AIA 

Two-sink styles you can both agree on. The prefabricated two-sink vanity is one of the easiest styles to choose and install in a bathroom because of its fixed dimensions. In other words, there's no guessing if elbow clearance might be an issue for you and your partner. You can see for yourself in the showroom or tape out the dimensions prior to ordering a vanity online to test the sink measurements.

Custom vanities offer even more benefits, as they can be tailored to your exact wishes. But you and your partner have to be willing to work with a designer or cabinetmaker to cull through the endless possibilities.

Rustic Bathroom by Columbus Photographers Julie Ranee Photography 

You can also use two freestanding pedestal sinks, either for aesthetics or to overcome any space limitations, as they can be put side by side or on separate walls. “Pedestal sinks have made a resurgence in the last 10 to 15 years," Hopkins says. "As a result, there’s more product available to suit different needs.” 

If you don’t need the counter space or storage space in a vanity, two pedestals will create an airy feel that may sway your choice. 

Modern Bathroom by Tucson Architects & Designers Patricia B. Warren, AIA Warren Architecture, LLC 

You can also use a single basin with two separate faucets. 

This sort of double sink performs duties for two people while acting like one sink underneath with its single drain, which leads us to …

Transitional Bathroom by Phoenix General Contractors Meritage Homes 

The Benefits of the Single Sink

Leaves room for other amenities. “I might push for a couple to install only one sink if there’s a possibility of using that extra space for a separate shower and tub instead,” says Hopkins.

Cost and cleaning. One sink, with one hardware set, is cheaper than two, and one sink is easier to clean than two.

More storage. You can have more storage underneath if there's only one drainpipe. If you’re the kind of person who loves to pull out every bit of makeup, you’re going to get frustrated if you don't have enough room for it because of that extra sink. 

Transitional Bathroom by San Francisco Architects & Designers Thayer Hopkins Architects 

More counter space. You can get a lot more usable counter space if there’s only one basin. More countertop space equals more display opportunities and more room for your everyday toiletries.

Tricky Basement Bathroom? Cool Design Opportunity!

Article By: Mark Clement

Small spaces, outbuildings and basement bathrooms can be some of the toughest projects on the bathroom remodeling spectrum. With so much happening in so little space, you've got to plan a lot in advance. Not only do you have to route plumbing and ventilation, but you have to think about the space you're building in. Is it a hundred-year-old home with a stone foundation that might be a design wow? Or is it a modern building with a poured-concrete structure? You also have to think about what's happening on both sides of the door, which affects, well, everything. 

Modern Basement by Lincolnwood Architects & Designers Gina Bon, Airoom Architects & Builders LLC 

Be bold. The typical strategy for a bathroom in a basement is to hide it, but sometimes there's just no way to pull that design move off that isn't boring. The reason: Basement bathrooms need to compete for space with the furnace, water softener, hot-water heater, stairs etc. And sometimes after I lay out the bar, bedroom and whatever else makes the space awesome, there's no place awesome left for the bathroom. 

In that case it's often best to run hard in the other design direction and celebrate it in plain sight, make the bathroom part of the plan and a piece of the experience. Celebrating "unwanted" things is one of my favorite design tricks. 

Traditional Basement by Chesterfield Home Builders Fischer & Frichtel 

Always vent. One of the most important parts of a bathroom in a basement is a sufficiently powerful ceiling fan to evacuate the moisture — not letting it go into the ceiling or utility room, but outside. Like, where the sky is. Steam is just a little cloud while you're showering. But after you've left, the water falls back to the baseboards and turns back into water. Then it becomes that gross stuff you don't want to clean.

A vent fan is the way to get the moisture out of the house. I repeat, out of the house. Don't get me started on how many times I've seen bathrooms vented into the attic or another hidden space. Your attic may be hot or cold, but it's still technically inside. Get that moisture outside with the rest of the clouds!

Modern Media Room by Other Metro Architects & Designers Paul Welschmeyer ARCHITECTS & energy consultants

Traditional Bathroom by New York Architects & Designers DiGuiseppe Architect 

Expose the structure. A basement bathroom offers abundant opportunities to use the existing raw structure of the home. Rubble foundations, for example, are essentially structures. Why cover their powerful looks with drywall?

And consider the plumbing, too. While drain lines and electrical services aren't all that cool to look at, copper supply lines (water lines) can be gorgeous. If you've got an open structure, it's sometimes easiest — and awesome-est — to make the most of what you've got. 

Exposing pipes can be a cool way to make a basement space feel industrial or like a man cave. It's also way easier than building soffits and bulkheads to hide everything. If you're a building geek like me, it's best to design a space where you can see the working parts.

Traditional Basement by Denver General Contractors Krause Construction Denver Colorado 

Boost privacy. Many builder-grade houses contain hollow-core doors. These doors have a real-looking wood grain but are made up only of ¼-inch-thick parts, and are essentially cardboard and air inside. 

While hollow-core doors can be fine for certain rooms, I try to use solid-core doors for the bathroom to keep the bathroom experience as much of a one-person affair as possible. Solid-core doors deaden the sounds created in the bathroom. So if you're having a book club meeting or poker night down there, a solid door and insulated wall framing that both deaden sound are nice for everybody.

Modern Bathroom by Fort Washington General Contractors HomeTech Renovations, Inc. 

Build up. Small-space remodels can often be harder than big-space overhauls. So much has to happen in such a tiny space, it's like dancing on the head of a pin. 

So when I go into a small space, I'm always thinking about how I can use it smartly, use it vertically and make everything look like it's supposed to be there.

Modern Exterior by Seattle Architects & Designers Jim Burton Architects 

Be one with nature. Basements aren't always underground. When designing or building a bath, think about the approach from the outside, as well as the windows, egress and view, from inside and outside the john.

A Crash Course in Bathroom Faucet Finishes

Article By: Michelle Gann

Choosing a bathroom faucet finish often stumps people. What's the difference between brushed and polished nickel? What are the benefits of satin brass versus satin bronze? Fear not. Here's a crash course in faucet finishes that will elevate your knowledge in less time than it takes you to brush your teeth. 

Eclectic Powder Room by Brooklyn Interior Designers & Decorators indigo & ochre design 

Keep in mind that most faucets have a lifetime warranty when it comes to finishes, so if you have an old favorite faucet that's looking drab, try calling the manufacturer to see what the warranty policy is.

If you're new to selecting finishes, it's a good idea to get all the other fixtures and accessories in a matching color. Some finishes are a standard color, such as chrome and most brushed-nickel finishes, but not all finishes from different companies look the same. 

To ensure you are getting the exact same finish, buy all the fixtures and accessories from the same company. When shopping for additional fixtures, take a sample with you to match.

Polished Brass

An all-time favorite. A polished brass faucet helps give the bathroom shown here a vintage look. 

Advantages: Easy to clean and easy to find. A durable finish. Easy to match with accessories and other fixtures.

Disadvantages: More expensive than other finishes, such as chrome and brushed nickel.

Styles it works with: Polished brass is actually coming back in style, so it looks great in modern, traditional and eclectic settings.  

Contemporary Bathroom 

Satin Brass

A nice twist on polished brass, the brushed-gold look has a lot of class. It's bold without being too showy. Don't be surprised if you see a lot more of this color in bathroom remodeling. 

Advantages: Offers a nice accent color without the polished look. Durable. Being a matte finish, it won't show fingerprints and water spots.

Disadvantages: It's hard to find and more expensive. It's also difficult to match accessories and other fixtures to satin brass.

Styles it works with: Piggybacking off the success of polished brass, this satin counterpart is going to be increasingly popular. Great settings for it are traditional, modern and contemporary.

Traditional Bathroom by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Shane D. Inman 

Oil-Rubbed Bronze

A great aesthetic alternative to standard chrome and brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze gives the bathroom a more traditional look and feel. 

Working on a budget? if you don't want to purchase all the matching accessories and you have other brass items in your bathroom, such as an old light switch plate or cabinet knobs, you can always use a brass darkening solution to make all the hardware match.

Advantages: Durable, easy to clean and easy to find. It's also easy to match oil-rubbed bronze with accessories and other fixtures. It won't show water spots or fingerprints.

Disadvantages: More expensive than other finishes, such as chrome and brushed nickel.

Styles it works with: Oil-rubbed bronze goes hand in hand with traditional and Tuscan or Mediterranean settings.

Eclectic Bathroom by San Francisco Architects & Designers Andre Rothblatt Architecture 

Copper

Copper is unmistakable and bold. It gives the bathroom a rich feeling, especially when mixed with a subtler material, such as marble on a countertop. 

Advantages: Copper has natural antibacterial properties. It's fairly easy to find and also has the ability to "heal" itself. Over a short period of time, a scratch in copper will become darker and eventually blend with the patina.

Disadvantages: A shiny copper finish might require a little more maintenance than brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and chrome, but if you let it age naturally, copper will develop a beautiful patina. It's harder to match accessories and other fixtures to copper, and it's not as durable as other finishes.

Styles it works with: Tuscan and farmhouse. And, of course, steampunk. 

Industrial Bathroom by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs 

Satin Bronze

Satin bronze has a nice, smooth finish that's in between copper and oil-rubbed bronze. Having a subtler color gives this finish more flexibility for different bathroom styles and settings.

Advantages: Durable and easy to clean and maintain, this is a great alternative to copper and a lighter option than oil-rubbed bronze. Water spots and fingerprints won't show.

Disadvantages: Hard to find and more expensive. It's hard to match accessories and other fixtures to satin bronze.

Styles it works with: Traditional, eclectic and Mediterranean. 

Eclectic Bathroom by Fairburn Kitchen & Bath Remodelers Change Your Bathroom, Inc. 

Polished Nickel

If you like a smooth, shiny finish but are tired of chrome, try polished nickel. It's darker than chrome, and with different levels of lighting, it can appear to change in color. 

Advantages: Easy to clean. A durable finish. A great alternative to brushed nickel.

Disadvantages: More expensive. It's hard to find matching accessories or fixtures for it.

Styles it works with:Like chrome, it looks great in a variety of settings: modern, contemporary, traditional and eclectic.

Modern Bathroom by Edison Kitchen and Bath Fixtures VIGO 

Brushed Nickel

The soft metallic look of brushed nickel has stood the test of time. 

Advantages: This is one of the most durable finishes; it has a tendency to keep its finish longer than oil-rubbed bronze and chrome. It doesn't show wear, fingerprints or water spots.It's easy to clean, easy to find and easy to match with accessories and other fixtures. It's relatively inexpensive. Brushed nickel tends to be pricier than chrome but does not cost as much as oil-rubbed bronze.

Disadvantages: Does not coordinate well with stainless steel; it blends in instead of being a statement piece.

Styles it works with: Almost every style.

Contemporary Bathroom by Saint Paul Interior Designers & Decorators Indicia Interior Design 

Chrome

Chrome is currently one of the most popular finishes because of its versatility. 

Advantages: It's generally the most inexpensive finish. It's a very easy finish to clean and maintain. It's durable, easy to find and easy to match with accessories and other fixtures. 

Disadvantages: Shows water spots and fingerprints. 

Styles it works with:Almost every style.

Contemporary Bathroom by La Canada Flintridge Window Treatments The Art of Room Design 

Matte Black

Black faucets are becoming increasingly more popular in the bathroom, because of their ability to match other items, such as vanities and accent pieces.If you want to make a classy statement, or you are just doing a small renovation that doesn't involve changing all aspects of your bathroom, matte black may be the perfect finish for you.

Advantages: Easy to clean. Does not show dirt, fingerprints or water spots. It's easy to coordinate a matte black faucet with bathroom accessories.

Disadvantages: It's hard to match other fixtures to it, hard to find and expensive compared with more popular finishes, such as chrome and brushed nickel. 

Styles it works with: Modern and eclectic.

Modern Bathroom by Phoenix Interior Designers & Decorators Red Egg Design Group 

White

Looking for a clean, brilliant finish? Go with a white faucet as a contrasting statement piece or something that blends beautifully in an all-white bathroom. The white finish comes from durable plastic or porcelain. 

Advantages: Easy to clean. Does not show water spots or fingerprints.

Disadvantages: Porcelain fixtures are more fragile than metal, which makes them more prone to chipping. Porcelain can be expensive, too.

Styles it works with: Farmhouse and modern.