Audrey Scheck, founder and CEO of Austin-based Audrey Scheck Design, suggests that rectangular, brick-shaped tile in a solid color is popular for adding visual interest to shower walls. Biophilic Design, characterized by organic shapes and colors found in nature, offers 15 bathroom tile ideas that will transform your space. These ideas include classic subway tiles, bold terrazzo, and more.
When choosing tile for your bathroom, planning is essential. From layout tricks to grouting techniques, elevate your design and create a space that reflects your style and meets your needs. The Tile Shop offers inspiration and bathroom tile design ideas, including layout tricks, tile shapes and sizes, and bathroom design tips.
When choosing tile, it is important to measure up carefully, plan your layout, be careful around doors and windows, get the drain right, and guard the area. Use two different colors of tile to create borders in your bathroom, which is particularly popular for wall tile. To give a tiny bathroom an upscale appearance, choose light hues like white, cream, or beige.
For a dramatic contrast, consider using traditional white subway tiles with dark grout. These bathroom tile ideas offer the perfect solution for covering floors, walls, and shower stalls, making them a versatile and stylish addition to any space.
📹 ✅ TOP 10 Ideas for SMALL BATHROOMS | Interior Design Ideas and Home Decor | Tips and Trends
Are you planning your small bathroom? Does your small bathroom layout need renovation or do you want to freshen it up with …
Which tile layout is best?
The Square-Set or Grid Tile Pattern is the most common and easiest of square tile patterns, offering a traditional look with straight lines of tiles. This pattern is suitable for rooms where the tiles don’t distract from other design features. However, this classic tile pattern can look boring or sterile when used with plain, neutral tiles. To make this layout eye-catching, you can use contrasting grout to highlight the pattern or alternate tile colors to create a further layer of pattern.
Other popular and classic tile patterns include the Diagonal Pattern, Running Bond/Brick Tile Pattern, Herringbone Pattern, Chevron Pattern, Basket Weave Tile Pattern, Windmill Pattern or Pinwheel (Hopscotch) Pattern, and more.
To ensure the success of your next tiling project, it is essential to choose the right color and style, as well as consider how to lay your tiles. There are numerous layout options for tiles, and each pattern offers something truly different. By understanding different types of floor and wall tile patterns, you can transform your room from simple to stunning and enhance the look and feel of any space.
Which color is best for bathroom tiles?
The choice of bathroom tiles depends on personal preference and the room’s natural light levels. Natural colours provide a calmer look, while bold colours create a dramatic effect. Light-coloured tiles create the illusion of a larger room, while darker ones shrink the space and add a cosier feel. If the bathroom receives ample natural light, darker tiles are recommended. Light-coloured tiles, like grey, cream, and off-white, create an airy atmosphere.
However, the lighter the color, the more likely dirt, dust, and stains will appear. White tiles are the quintessential choice for many bathrooms worldwide, offering lightness and versatility. Ceramics White Tiles, available in matte and polished finishes, are ideal for high-impact walls in residential and commercial bathrooms.
What floor tile is best for a bathroom?
Porcelain tiles are a popular choice for bathroom flooring due to their affordability, water resistance, and variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. Additionally, vinyl is the easiest flooring to install in a bathroom.
How to plan tiles in a bathroom?
This guide provides a comprehensive guide on wall tiling, covering various steps such as choosing a tiling pattern, calculating tile quantities, preparing the wall for tiling, making a gauge rod, planning square tiles in a linear pattern, planning around obstructions, and planning part-tiled walls or splashbacks. It emphasizes the importance of planning to ensure the best finish, avoid small gaps at the edges, and ensure the tiles are fixed straight and level. The guide is designed for a linear design, focusing on choosing a tiling pattern and calculating tile quantities. It also covers the preparation of the wall for tiling and creating a gauge rod.
Should floor and wall tile match?
Modern homes are increasingly using the same tiles on walls and floors to create the illusion of more space. However, this doesn’t mean they must be an exact match. In wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens, different floor tiles are needed for added safety. Non-slip floor tiles offer the same durability and style as regular tiles but with more grip due to the subtle texture of the surface. Collections like the Cliveden range offer different sizes to complement floor and wall tiles.
The Cliveden concept rectangular tile is ideal for walls due to its three-dimensional design, while the plain square tile is more suitable for floors. The first impression of a room is crucial, so it’s important to choose the right colors.
What is the 3 4 5 rule for laying tile in a bathroom?
In order to achieve an optimal result when cutting and laying tile in a square corner, it is essential to measure the tile’s length, height, and diagonal. The length of one edge should be three inches, the height of the other four inches, and the diagonal between the two ends should be five inches.
How to match tiles wall and floor?
Pairing tiles can be a challenging task, but it can be worth the effort for a stunning result. Walls and Floors has created a guide on the best things to consider when pairing tiles, including considering the colour wheel, finding balance, concentrating patterned tiles in a small area, playing with shape, trying different layouts, tannincing textures, and focusing on the grout. The colour wheel is a visual representation of which colours work best together, consisting of 12 colors in three categories with different shades. By considering these factors, you can create a visually appealing and functional interior design scheme.
How to make bathroom tile look good?
To revive bathroom tiles without replacing them, deep clean them by using a mild soap and water solution. Paint them with a light coat of paint to give them a fresh look. Shine them with a light coat of paint to give them a shiny finish. Bathrooms are notorious for their high bacteria content, with the average bathroom containing 764 bacteria per square inch. To revive your tiles, follow these three steps: deep clean them, paint them, and shine them. By doing so, you can give your bathroom a new lease of life and make it look and feel more inviting.
How to coordinate bathroom tiles?
When mixing and matching bathroom tiles, it is essential to use busy patterns in moderation, choose different shapes, not colors, or go for one shape. Avoid using too many colors, mix patterned tiles with plain tiles, and don’t be afraid to add some color. Ceramic tiles are highly resistant to water infiltration and staining, making them ideal for moist, hot locations. To maintain a visually appealing space, use unique patterns for backsplashes or small areas, but not on every surface. Mix busy-patterned tiles with larger plain tiles to avoid overwhelming the space. This simple bathroom renovation can yield a high return on investment.
How to decide on bathroom tiles?
When choosing bathroom tiles, it is crucial to consider several factors. First, choose a style that suits your needs. Second, consider your tile size preferences. Third, choose no more than three different tiles. Fourth, consider your shower space. Fifth, consider maintenance. Unlike other tiles, bathroom tiles are subject to moisture and temperature changes. Despite the abundance of bathrradigm-light-greoom tiles available, choosing the right one can be a challenging task.
As the head of purchasing at Ross’s Discount Home Centre, I have learned what it takes to choose the perfect bathroom tile. By following these steps, you can make an informed decision about your bathroom tile needs and ensure a comfortable and functional space.
What is the 3 4 5 rule for laying tile?
In order to construct a triangle with a 90-degree angle, it is necessary to utilize a 5T and a 3-foot segment of tape. From the center, mark 4T on the tape and extend it 5 ft, ensuring a linear alignment.
📹 COMMON DESIGN MISTAKES | Bathroom Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Comment below and let me know if you have any questions when it comes to your own bathroom design. Thank you for watching!
Oh my goodness! Looking forward to the DIY bathroom project! Also appreciate the idea of putting vanity lights in front of mirror…Guest room has a full bath with zero natural light. You are awesome! 😁 I would also like to add that picking materials first is a great idea and wish I had known that sooner. So excited for granite countertops that they are installed in my kitchen and three baths. Perfect in two of the four spaces so now I have to ” design around” the other two. I wanted each space to have its own look but now I fear everything will have look the same or very similar.
I recently found your website and have been binge perusal your articles, they are SO informative and fun to watch! It is so clear how much effort goes into each of them! So thanks for sharing! We are in the process of remodeling our master bathroom. It is really turning out beautiful! The vanity came with a separate white marble rectangular straight cut backsplash (same material as the countertop). I can’t decide if we should use that backsplash or not. The wall behind the vanity is painted white. I feel like it might give it a little of an outdated look, but I might be wrong. What are your thoughts, backsplash or no? I’d love to hear what you think. Thanks!
Loved your article!! Struggling with a windowless basement bathroom. Just don’t know how to finish it – inclined towards tile but want something that will brighten it. I was thinking keep it a little raw and show some concrete, but also love the expensive flashy acrylic panels I found. I just don’t want to spend a ton of money but want it to look good. Also, prefer a timeless look so that it doesn’t look dated in 5 years! I welcome any and all ideas. I think I will make a inspiration board, that was great advice bc there are so many options out there!
Thanks for all the great tips Julie. I am doing a bathroom remodel and considering a shower room with quartz slabs on the outside of the shower with a shower door between 2 slabs. I am trying to minimize the amount of glass as it is so hard to keep spot-free. What kind of material do you think would look good for the vanity backsplash? Should I use the same quartz slabs or go with a tile? Accent or contrast? And I think a neutral flooring….would love to hear your ideas! Kate
Lot’s of good tips in this article, thought I HATE including both matte finish mosaics with iridescent mosaics, I think that looks amatuerish. But that just emphasizes the fact that design is a personal preference for every person, doesn’t it?! Also, when remodeling a bathroom, I would ALWAYS wire in a 110v outlet next to the supply line for the toilet in case someone want’s to add a bidet/washlet toilet seat at some later point. Talk about luxury, a heated toilet seat with heated water for the bidet is an upscale experience!
Master Bathroom re-do of 25-yr. old tract home; probably will live in house for another 2-5 years; but want to keep in mind resale. 2150SF, 2-story, 4-bdrm., 2-3/4 bath === family home. Currently, bathroom is two sinks, small stall shower, & adjacent built in acrylic tub. We want to enlarge the shower to a walk-in design. Do we go “shower only” & get rid of tub altogether?(resale) or do we keep room for a small freestanding soaking tub??? Decision to make: Tub or no Tub
Niche specs should be tall enough such that your taller bottles will be able to stand up inside them! Measure them and specify accordingly. BUT: When I figured 12 inches high by nine wide would be adequate for my shower and specified that to the tile contractor he—-you got it—installed the niche 9 high and 12 wide. You can’t over spec or over-explain or over-draw a pic of what you want. Contractor goons WILL screw it up.
Hi! I am fully renovating my home bathroom and ripping everything out. I just stumbled across your YouTube website and I was wondering if you had any tips for beginners because I have never done this before. My dad will be helping me install everything so I don’t thin we’ll have any professional help. I was also wondering if you could help me with pros and cons on shower/tub inserts or getting a tub and tilting the top part. Also I want to to sliding glass doors instead of a curtain. Hope you can help. Thanks so much 🙂
Could I paint the ceiling and walls the same? it’s a small bathroom so the shower/sink/toilet make up half the space. Room appears very stark white with just primer on the walls so think a darker colour, e.g. green. Kitchen has mint green (very light) and is adjacent to the bathroom. Would I keep the bathroom ceiling lighter than the walls? (Should the kitchen ceiling remain white too?)
Twin vanity sinks imo are a no no. Firstly they take up too much bench space. Secondly I can’t think of anything worse than simultaneously brushing your teeth, spitting etc with someone else – can’t they wait 5 minutes? And thirdly – there’s just another sink to clean (and rest assured it will be the women doing it!)
Hi, I enjoyed your article very much. I have a question regarding baseboards. My bathroom has crown molding all around. I’m having an accent wall behind a free standing bathtub that has a windown in the middle, the floors are wood looking porcelain my contractor wants to install the same ‘wood’ tile for the floor boards – I hate it – I think using the same material as the crown molding is a better solution – also, where the accent wall tiles meets the floor tiles – can that be left without a baseboard? Thank you very much for doing these articles!
Question ? Did I understand you to say, keep any new design on a bathroom shower wall the same material just in a different direction? I want to use some decorative marble but it too expensive to use in the whole shower. I was thinking I’d use marble subway tile for most of the wall but now I’m confused as to what to do since it’s a different tile. Yikes! Please help. Thanks
Julie, I had to LOL when you discussed feng shui principles not advising to decorate the bathroom. OF COURSE you have to decorate the bathroom! LOL…but I prefer lots of plants, preferably the edible kind. I currently have 3 San Marzano (best roma/plum tomato of Italy) and 2 vanilla bean orchid plants. And that is in a bathroom so tiny that when you lean over to wipe butt, you hit your head on the opposite wall! But I digress. The reason I laughed is because I have 1″ red dots over shower drain, toilet, and sink, per feng shui principles. How the hell can I put THAT into a ceiling design? No seriously, really…how? The only thing I have been able to think might work so far is to make it like a Hawaiian grotto, with some kind of flowers drawn on the ceiling…or maybe an abstract, but that doesn’t fit my Nature vibe.
My small bathroom is 7ft x 6.5ft (which includes the footprint of the bathtub) and has a low slanted ceiling. I have a one sink vanity. I need new lighting and a mirrored medicine cabinet over the vanity. I noticed your use of large mirrors and that you didn’t mention a mirrored medicine cabinet. I love your ideas but I need the storage. Any suggestions?
Hi Julie, I have a small master with this big garden tub encased in subway tile on one wall. I have a small separate shower. I want to take out the tub and put the shower there and turn the existing small shower into another closet. My question is: Am I making a mistake getting rid of a tub? I have a tube in the basement bedroom and that’s it.
Im doing a bathroom renovation. I asked 2 contractors for estimates on a 5 x 8 bathroom. I have a shower stall. I received 2 proposals – the 1st contractor recommends a full tile from ceiling to floor of the whole bathroom; and the 2nd contractor recommends full tile in the shower area but in the main area, he recommends just sheetrock for the walls. I am in a dilemma as to which one would look more updated. Their total cost estimate is almost the same.
Can you do a article of how to incorporate different colors and motifs or designs for each room in the house and make it cohesive. Or does it have to be cohesive? For instance I want blue kitchen and bedroom. But also want safari animal themes with green, tan and brown woods in living room and dining room.
I have a small bathroom that supposedly has an odd plumbing arrangement; I can’t find anything online that resembles my weird bathroom layout in my otherwise normal condo. Do you have suggestions on where I can go to get ideas for a specific layout? (Houzz hasn’t helped.) As always, thanks for your helpful articles!
We have a long rectangular master bathroom. The vanity on one side is 107″ long, split level w a mirror covering the entire wall. The other side of the bathroom is a oval, cultured marble tub w a step up. There is a box window behind it. The shower is to the left of the tub. We are thinking about painting the cabinets Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams. They are currently off white. We also want to remove the old small square tiles in the shower and put up glass walls. The walls are totally covered a wallpaper that is a light muted swirly gold pattern. Our problem is the sinks are against each wall, not centered. I’m hoping these small changes can help update our look.
Thank you so much for the article👍Recently I am renovating my bedroom and bathroom so I am very confused to what colour combination tiles to use in bedroom and bathroom… so after so much of considerations I came accross to use a GREY AND CREAM OR GREY AND BEIGE colour Matt finish tiles combination for the bathroom and OFF WHITE Glossy finish tiles for the bedroom.. will that look good I am still confused ?
We are right in the middle of a bathroom remodel. The bathroom is our master bath that was stuck in 1972 when the home was built. I celebrated Demo day. We actually went shopping with our designer for tile, flooring and cabinets, the only items purchased on line were the bath accessories, towel rack, cabinet handles and such. Can’t wait till it’s completed, maybe another two weeks.
Although I am not in the house yet I know one of the rooms I will want to update/remodel first will be the Master Bathroom. Whoever was the builder of the home I am purchasing made a very small master bathroom. The space just measures 4×9. The room has a closet shower, narrow towel storage, and toilet. The actual sink is in the hall across from the master closet. Due to the fixtures it appears to be the original in this 1990’s home. Although I am one who likes to leave the footprint alone and just remodel, I do not think that is an option for me here. In the future maybe just like you discussed the different layouts of living rooms, you could address smaller bathrooms in a creative way.
It is a bad idea install lighting above a mirror – lights need to be either side of the mirror if they are to light the face well. Overhead, or lighting above mirrors creates unflattering shadows and is surprising hard to see clearly by. It is a design mistake that almost all hotel bathrooms have, and very often new builds.
I just found your article and feel both inspired and intimidated anew! HELP! My bf and I have had to move in to my mother’s house as she’s not safe to live alone anymore, so we’re trying to update the house to make it more sustainable for us. The bathroom needs serious attention, but I’ve been laid off for months, so we’re DIY on a budget! So…very glad that won the poll, as I will now be subscribing! Some of the major issues I’m facing, is, well first off: all of it is 34+yrs old when they bought the house, and its fallen into worse wear since my dad passed over 6y ago. Replacing the tub would be too much, but I *NEED* to get rid of the idk…plastic-like wall surround they put in when I was a child, and has a melted candle hole to add to the 90’s gaudiness. If it wasn’t for the melted part, I’d have done a short term chic fix of just the Peel and Stick I’ve seen on some articles, right on top to freshen it up until we save for reno/decide to sell if she needs more care. But as it’s not waterproof atm, (luckily it was an upper niche on the back wall with no direct water spray), it seems I won’t get off that easily LOL! Any advice to steer me in the right direction on how to easily replace that stuff? Beyond that, I have the exciting part of finally (FINALLLLLYYY 😃) replacing the vanity, it’s a floor one attached to two walls, likely the original one from ’70’s. Is there anything I should be weary of when ripping it out?
What are your thoughts on a curbless shower versus a curb? We are trying to decide between 4×12 tiles in a herringbone pattern all over the floor and into the shower or doing a curb with a hex mosaic in the shower. I am not sure if one style is optimal! Hoping for some clarity or an honest opinion. Thanks!
Hey Julie another informative episode. Any comment on these renovation companies for those of us more on a budget, such as Re-bath or Dreamstyle? Actually Re-bath was kinda pricey, lol.I recently got several quotes for a shower redo. They had some of the veneer type slabs you mention, as well some stone finishes. Also since I am a color freak (the bathroom is currently blue with a green accent wall) and was drawn to sandstone type shower walls, you think bolder colors are ok or should I move to a more neutral pallet? Or do I go with subway tile look and keep some bolder wall color? The rest of the house is currently in a color block style with bold bright colors.
I saved a ton of money and had all 3 full baths hand sponged to look marbled. One with green and gold, one is blue and silver and the third in bronze with a few green flicks. They used metallic paint or pearl paint and combined 3 colors for the effect. The best part is that the marble streaks join properly at corners of the walls. It isn’t high gloss if you prefer that and the only difference would be the slight texture of the paint if you touch it. A photo cannot tell the difference. It took two people a whole day so the cost was a lot less. The master bathroom was gigantic so I have huge pictures of a roman bath in a modern design above the monster bath tub. We still had to frame the shower with a stencil to make it look a little less blank on that wall. I have framed pictures in every bathroom to add to my look. I cannot imagine a bathroom without pictures. People definitely notice and like them. Your shower curtain is not an accent piece so the pictures become one instead. There is a hanging stained glass piece above a partial wall in the master. It has a real shell in the center and doesn’t make a sea theme but fits. Not everybody loves marble so whoever buys this can change it.
As always, great tips and ideas. Question for you-I plan to do a “surface remodel” of my tiny (and I do mean tiny) 3/4 bath. Toilet, sink in cabinet and shower stall. And that’s it. Still has the original 1958 ceramic tile throughout (aqua, Bermuda pink, and yes- a terra cotta floor border). I really like your suggestion to use a single slab stone on walls and in shower stall. Does it make sense to do that in such a tiny bathroom? All suggestions welcome and appreciated!
Awesome article as always so wondering when you were speaking about the stone slabs for the shower wall what type of stone would you recommend I would like to do marble or granite for the vanity would you recommend the same for the shower wall and also do you highly recommend wallpaper for the bathroom even with the steam from the shower you would not recommend just painting a semi gloss if so what color would be best for bathrooms I know it is sometimes personal taste but would like your recommendation on that bathrooms seem to be overwhelming and would you recommend a heated stone floor such as marble as well or would it be better to use a different material and I would like to purchase a new thank you any advice would be greatly appreciated
Hello Julie.. so I loveeee your website.. I have a question or two I am doing my kitchen overI don’t have a dining room so it is a sit-in kitchen although we usually sit at the kitchen island but my question is I bought a round black dining table and I’m going to get a black console with it as wel l but my question is my chairs are mid gray and you can also see I guess black and maybe white in it as well so my question is what color should my walls be and my curtains and I also have a window above my sink and a window on my door so I’m a little lost on what type of curtains to put there as well… And I want to do a backsplash as well… My cabinets are dark.. so I again my question is what color should my walls be and my backsplash help help help
Hi Julie, I really love your work. I’m struggling with my first bathroom. I just wanted a simple clean look and was going with textured grey tile on wall and matte white tile on all walls. I have sample but worried it looks to plain/clinical. I’ll have a timber vanity and black fixtures. I’m hesitant to add a coloured tile cause it can date really quickly. Any thoughts or tips?
I have a small powder bathroom that I would love to wallpaper like you were mentioning. It has mall counter top that has navy, powder blue and black in It. The floor is caution flooring square block with grey, light blue and taupe in It. Any ideas on what I should use for wallpaper? I have a white wooden slated blind and need window treatment as well. I just discovered your website and,love it!
I have only just found your fabulous site & had to laugh when you touched on shower niches. I had 4 builders & my husband all giving their input about where to put 1,2, 3 or 4! I argued & won. We just had 1 & I’m glad to say I instinctively put it where you advised, which also enabled us to utilise the space below to create a shallow cupboard accessed from the other side. Both were created from a door entry. I have my niche in the shower & a shallow cupboard. Neither were planned because we thought the entry would be boarded up so it was a double bonus. You also mentioned using the same tile but changing the direction. We did this & it works beautifully. It’s so subtle.
Thoroughly enjoy your website! Looking forward to your diy bathroom articles. My hubby and I are currently doing our master bath and stumbled on another option to edge detail ceramic tile. While searching to source a matching bullnose not available at big box store, the tile manufacturer images showed mitered edges on the outside corners. we gave it a go and found our wet saw even had the 45° block to make the cuts! Turned out spectacular as I had hoped to avoid the outlined look of the schluters. Thank you for all your inspiring content.
I am so looking forward to the DIY bathroom project! As i am needing to make a small bathroom handicap. I am just in the planning stages right now and need help. My bathroom is small but luckily can still go in with the wheelchair to the shower stall. Shower stall is just barely big enough for the handicap shower chair and water is always spills out of the shower stall. That is why I am removing the shower edge and adding a trench drain like in the hospitals. Also can a shower niches be placed on the opposite side of the shower head? I have one wall that faces the door and the commode backs onto it. The next wall has a window and the vanity backs onto that wall and the 3rd wall is just a little deeper than the vanity and has the door opening. I am also putting in a pocket door because our door right now opens inward and does not allow us to get into the build-in cabinet that is next to the shower stall. Please let me know if I should tile all the walls or just the wall that is flush with the shower stall. What other wall treatments do you suggest for the other two walls? Thanks for all your great helpful articles. Looking forward to your DIY bathroom project!
If you can’t get a sample, visit a showroom for the product. We couldn’t tell the actual color, when we were looking at the Kohler Choereograph shower walls we wanted. We visited a Kohler showroom, and realized that the color we thought we wanted was a little too yellow/orange, so we were able to go with our second pick, which turned out perfect!
i have a bathroom in my house that does not have a window. were trying to figure out how to remodel it with todays styles without trying to make it dark. we only have the lights over the vanity so we want it as light and bright as possible. my mom wants to do mostly whites and greys but i dont see why we couldnt do a sort of darker color accent like on the floor or the vanity being a darker color. id love any tips or advice!!!
So you said no accent tiles in a niches. But I had a design where I picked a hexagon green tile with white lines(to me like flowers), then I was going to do herringbone white tile, with black grout for everything. I was going to bring that green to the vanity. Is this okay for accent and bring it together? My vision board all went together and I just loved my design. It also flows with the rest of how I want my house to look.
You are so cute. I really enjoy your ideas & advice. I’m in the process of redoing my bath. After perusal your paint article, I’ve selected SW Alpaca paint. I have a white shaker style vanity & quartz to look like marble with light grayish veining. My question is the bath is small. I live in S. Florida so I’d like a coastal type of feel. I have 1 window that has obscure glass. What type of window treatment, if any?
My master bath (next to, not in, the master bedroom), is small — less than 8′ by 6′, with the shower stall recessed off a side wall. For many reasons, I am choosing to replace the shower with my stacking washer/dryer and then convert the tub to a shower/tub combo. There is a standard 48″ single vanity on the side with the shower, a window with frosted glass opposite the doorway, and then the toilet and bathtub on the other side wall. There is an externally accessed linen closet that bumps into the space on that side. I want the atmosphere to be soothing, the style to be simple but not austere. I will replace the vanity and all of the plumbing hardware. I have been looking at tiles, at ways of enclosing the tub/shower (I am wanting to be able to use a shower curtain for ease of bathing little people), types of tub/shower combos, how to do it with minimal or no grout to clean, and accounting for my not liking the look of marble/quartz/granite — in general I am confused. Any quick tips on important considerations, and especially suggestions on compatible elements for my needs and desires, would be most appreciated!