6 beautiful bathroom tiles from around the world

The Egyptian tiles that started our love of this flooring choice

Our love of bathroom tiles is shared worldwide, and the choice you make can say a lot about you and your home. Whether you prefer large gloss tiles to cover your floors or intricate mosaic tiles that create a border around your bathroom, tiles offer a versatile and flexible way to create a relaxing bathroom atmosphere that is easy to keep clean and sleek for many years. 

But where do bathroom tiles originate from, and just where do all these tile ideas come from? Aylesbury Tile Centre look at where tiles started, how they have changed in different parts of the world and which countries are synonymous with some of the most popular tiles we see today. 

The earliest documented tile creation dates back to around 4000 B.C. in Egypt. At the same time, the pyramids in Giza were under construction, and the Egyptians, being master stonemasons, could create large stone tiles using materials from the River Nile to make different clay types. These stone tiles were often used to sketch hieroglyphics to depict a story. 

European bathroom tiles to create a wow factor 

Spain 

Suppose you are looking for beautifully coloured tiles that bring a pop to your bathroom. In that case, Spanish bathroom tiles offer vibrant splashes of colour, geometric patterns and floral symbols with intricate designs. Tile manufacturing was first introduced in Spain after the Conquest of Hispania. This made Spain one of the first European countries to start this process, and Spain is still renowned across the world for its colourful tiles. 

Italy 

It has long been regarded that Italy makes some of the best bathroom tiles in the world. Italy is the home of many design studios and dates back to the history of ceramic tiles from the Roman Empire. Design and production in Italy have a lot of Arabian influences, and Italian tiles ooze luxury and intricacy. Churches and wealthier houses in Italy are often decorated with innovative tiles, all decorated by hand. If you are looking for pure luxury and elegance in your bathroom, you may want to consider Italian bathroom tiles. 

Netherlands

Whilst you may not be familiar with the name ‘Delft Tiles’, you will surely recognise the intricacies and uniqueness of these cleverly created tiles. Originally, ceramic and porcelain tiles were being imported from China to the Netherlands until tile manufacturers in the country decided to imitate the style of the tile they were bringing in. The name Delftware comes from the town in which these tiles were created, and they grew in popularity across Europe in the 1600s. These tiles are unique and were made to build a more significant overall pattern. Typically white with blue designs, many featured workers, flowers or animals. 

Asian bathroom tiles that ooze luxury and comfort

Japan

Although Japan has been creating suitable tiles for centuries, it wasn’t until the 19th century that they opened up their design options by creating an Art Noveau movement. Incorporating beautiful bold colours such as greens, reds and turquoise meant that Japanese tiles hit the market worldwide. Many Japanese tiles feature a mix of colours using flowers and geometric designs to create patterns. Japan also use brickwork to create ceramic tiles that don’t look like your average bathroom tile and give your room a more dimensional feel.

Iran

Whilst Iran may not be the first place when you consider bathroom tiles, the Persian people were pivotal in creating mosaic tiles and artistic designs. Many Persian tiles you will see even today feature beautiful Arabic scripture known as ‘Kufic’, which is popular in places of worship. Mosaic bathroom tiles are seen throughout many homes in the U.K., whether they are used as a middle wall decoration, as splashbacks behind sinks or as floor decoration. When you next see a mosaic tile, spare a thought for the Persian people, who were likely at the heart of its design. 

Turkey

Turkish people often used tiles during the 13th century to decorate palaces and tombs. Turkey offers some of the oldest ceramic bathroom tile designs in the U.K., and many tile manufacturers worldwide have been influenced by designs coming from Turkey. With many different colours, designs and shapes coming from tile manufacturers in this country, it’s no wonder Turkey influenced the tile world around it. The Turkish also use monochrome colours and mosaic tiles in its design and production lines. 

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Check our Aylesbury Tile Centre’s showroom for inspiration

When you visit the Aylesbury Tile Centre showroom on Chamberlain Road, you will be blown away by the amount of choice you have over how to decorate your bathroom. From mosaic and stone effect tiles to larger bathroom floor tiles, we have everything you could need to make the best choice for your bathroom renovation. If you have a particular style in mind or a look you are trying to recreate, simply speak to one of our expert team members, who will be happy to help and guide you to the best selection of tiles for your design. Similarly, if you have no idea where to start, the team are here to answer any questions you may have and help you get on the right bathroom tiles track. 

Our reputation in Buckinghamshire and beyond for being a reputable and reliable tile supplier has come from the hundreds of homes we have supported since our beginnings over ten years ago. We are always in touch with the latest tile trends and designs to offer all of our clients the very best when it comes to tile design. Whether you are looking for hardwearing floor Tiles by the hundred or a small handful of our most luxurious tiles, the Aylesbury Tile Centre are here to support you with your needs and will help you create the perfect bathroom in 2022.