As Coco Chanel once remarked, “Black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony”
We’re inclined to agree. Done well, is there anything more chic than black and white? They’re the hottest colour combination since, er, black and white, and they can turn the dullest of rooms into a stylish and sophisticated space.
But before we get distracted about whether black really is a colour or not, let’s take a look at some fantastic ways to give your bathroom a modern monochrome makeover.
Simple Squares
If tiles had the equivalent of the Little Black Dress it would be this – the Little White Square. And like a good LBD, these beauties are incredibly versatile – their utilitarian beauty means they can be dressed up almost anywhere, from designer hotels to downstairs cloakrooms, and as the images show, they’ll work with any type of floor.
Our Elements White Square is a great choice if you’re looking to emulate the style. Lay the tiles brickbond and use a dark grey grout to make a feature out the joint.
Checkmate
Other patterns might try and have their say, but when it comes to timeless style the classy checkerboard wins by a country mile. First popularised by the Romans, it’s still in vogue today and makes a perfect backdrop for traditional bathrooms.
Get the look using our plain Dorset tiles – lay them on the diagonal for maximum effect and complete your room with a clawfoot bathtub and some well-placed vintage artefacts. Or for a vintage twist, why not look at Heritage Chess?
Mono Marble
Think black and white are all about stark simplicity? Think again! As the image above shows, pick the right tiles and you’ll have a glamorous hotel-style bathroom in no time.
Traditionally, that would have meant breaking open the piggy bank and handing over a small fortune for opulent Nero Marquina and Calacatta marble. But these days, porcelain replicas are ridiculously good; the floor tile in the image is our Italian-made Bistrot Black – we bet you thought it was natural stone!
Feature Walls
Don’t get us wrong, we love an in-your-face feature wall as much as the next person. But if you want to banish the bling don’t worry; creating a room with impact is just as easy with black and white.
For dramatic effect, keep the floors light and go dark on the walls. If you’re using smaller tiles, a contrasting grout colour will really emphasise the shape of the tiles and make them stand out – just look at how each individual Drops Black tile becomes a highlight in the first image.
Although feature walls are often found behind freestanding tubs, there’s no reason why you can’t make a focal point elsewhere. Patterned tiles are a brilliant way to bring drama into the space – just make sure to tone down the rest of your room so its not too overwhelming.
Stylish Subways
Does anything beat a plain white metro tile? We’re not sure – they’re proof, if proof were needed, that less can really be more. Combine with any type of black flooring and you’ll have a bathroom ready to stand the test of time.
Subway tiles are still so popular that we’ve really introduced our new Linea collection, in a contemporary 10 x 30 cm format. Be sure to take a look at our blog post on laying metro tiles if you’re looking to add a little twist.
Patterned Prints
We don’t know why exactly, but put black and white together and they pack a punch, especially when it comes to patterns. The Victorians took the art of monochrome motifs to a new level and created decorative tiles that still feel fresh today – floral and fun, simple and stylish.
Our Grosvenor Black and Abbey Decor tiles make a perfect choice if you’re looking to create a bathroom with a monochrome scheme. They’ll work with both modern and traditional suites, and their intricate pattern means you can keep the rest of the decor plain, simple and, of course, white.
Contemporary Bathrooms
Contemporary bathrooms are all about relaxation, so if you’re looking to create your own haven then black and white is the way to go. The best way to achieve the designer look is to keep things simple, so opt for large format floor tiles, open wetrooms and discreet storage. Polished porcelain makes a great choice as the not only does the sleek surface look good, it’s also incredibly easy to care for.
The whole idea is to create something sophisticated not sterile; calming not cluttered. So pick and choose accessories carefully. Moisture-loving houseplants are a natural fit and provide a splash of green; and a rustic stool found on your travels will make a great stand for potions and lotions.
Hexagons
Some things just look better in black and white. Old films and family photos spring to mind. And looking at the images above, so do bathrooms decked out in monochrome hexagons.
Although they’ve been around for aeons, six-sided tiles are having a moment and when they look this chic, it’s easy to see why. The honeycomb effect adds detail to what would otherwise be an unremarkable wall, and mixing different black, grey and white hexagons at random turns any space into a bespoke work of art.
For more inspiration, be sure to check out our fab Black and White tiles ranges.
Image credits: Pippa Jameson, Pinterest