Living in Los Angeles comes with the blessing of gorgeous weather year-round, but the tradeoff is that space is limited, especially in bathrooms. As an L.A. resident myself, I know the struggle of trying to design a beautiful, functional bathroom within a tiny space all too well!
But here’s the good news – with some clever design tricks and the right tile choices, you can completely transform even the tiniest L.A. bathroom into a spa-like oasis. I’ve renovated bathrooms of all shapes and sizes over my years as a contractor here, so consider me your L.A. bathroom tile guide!
In this article, I’ll walk you through all my insider tips on selecting the perfect tiles to make your snug L.A. bathroom feel open and airy. We’ll go over tile sizes, materials, colors, layouts, and more so you can create a gorgeous, hotel-worthy bathroom even in a cramped corner of your Spanish bungalow or beach cottage. Let’s dive in!
The Power of Tiles to Visually Expand Small L.A. Bathrooms
When working with a petite L.A. bathroom, tiles can be incredibly transformative in making the space appear larger. Unlike smaller accents like towels or decor, tiles cover huge swathes of real estate on your walls and floors, so they have an outsized impact on how expansive your bathroom feels.
The key is selecting tiles that enhance, rather than overwhelm, the intimate vibe. Stay away from busy patterns or strong colors and instead opt for clean-lined tiles in neutral, light-reflecting shades. Going bigger in size and limiting grout lines also keeps things feeling sleek and airy.
With the right tile layouts and hues, I’ve helped L.A. clients make even a 25 sq. ft. bathroom feel serene and spa-like rather than claustrophobic. So don’t despair if your current bathroom is a little cramped – some mini renovations and strategic tiling choices can work magic!
Best Tiles for Small L.A. Bathrooms by Type
Now let’s explore some of my top tile recommendations for opening up snug L.A. bathrooms. We’ll go over the benefits of different sizes, shapes, materials to help you narrow down your ideal look.
Large Format Tile
For tiny L.A bathrooms, oversized tiles are your best friend! Large format tiles, defined as tiles over 12”x24”, have the magical effect of making rooms appear much more expansive. By limiting the number of seams from grout lines, they create clean, sweeping surfaces that are less choppy and crowded.
I always recommend bumping up tile sizes as much as your layout allows – try 12”x24”, 16”x32” or even larger rectangles. If you have a walk-in shower, experiment with enormous square or penny round tiles for unbroken vertical lines. For truly bijou bathrooms under 30 sq ft, using large tiles on floors and walls can make the room feel twice as big.
Wood-Look Plank Tile
Wood-look plank tile is another of my go-to recommendations for diminutive L.A. bathrooms needing a size upgrade. Mimicking hardwood floors with long, horizontal planks, these tiles trick the eye into perceiving a more expansive floorspace. They also lend a warm, organic vibe that softens hard surfaces and prevents an antiseptic feel.
From bleached oak to smoky walnut, wood-look tiles come in endless varieties these days with impressively realistic grains and textures. And unlike actual hardwood, the porcelain or ceramic construction makes them water-resistant for high-moisture bathrooms. Just be sure to coat with grout release before installing to avoid staining between planks.
Glass, Metal & Stone Mosaic
While oversize tiles open up floors and walls, don’t overlook the charm of mosaic tiles for adding detail. Especially captivating in a steamy shower enclosure, mosaic tiles composed of glass, metal or natural stone create glittering, liquid movement when illuminated.
Unlike uniform ceramic tiles, mosaic tiles catch and reflect light from their irregular edges and multi-dimensional surfaces. This dazzling effect draws the eye in and makes even the most compact, enclosed shower feel special. For total spa inspiration, I love to dot silver or gold glass mosaics across dark stone slate tiles.
Best Tiles for Small Bathrooms by Color
In addition to material and size, don’t underestimate the visual impact of color on spatial proportions! Some hues enhance luminosity and depth perception while others absorb light and flatten space. Here are my handy tips on leveraging color psychology for an expansive look:
White & Neutrals Classic white, ivory or light gray tiles banish boundaries by bouncing light around, making bathrooms feel seamless and stretched out. They also keep the mood relaxed rather than visually loud. For calming ambiance plus depth, try natural stone tiles like ethereal Carrara or silvery-grey slate.
Bold Colors Contrary to popular belief, bold colors can work beautifully to augment intimacy in petite bathrooms rather than overwhelm. Deep hues draw the eye inward while adding a splashy, salon-style attitude. Navy, emerald or sultry black tiles feel opulent and enveloping. Just be sure to keep grout lines minimal and opt for glossy finishes that reflect light.
Nature-Inspired Hues Organic colors like sage, sky blue and peach intuitively feel more expansive by evoking landscapes and sunlight. Handmade cement tiles glazed in an array of foggy sea glass greens and gentle sand tonestransport the mind and soften boundaries. Pair with rubble stone walls, woven baskets and reclaimed wood for total bohemian bliss.
Best Tiles for Small Bathrooms by Layout
Equally as important as tile size and color is layout configuration when working with limited square footage. Small bathroom tiles can feel bursting tight or light-filled and expanded based purely on arrangement. Here are my specialist tips on using layout creatively to maximize spatial impact:
Linear, Stacked Layouts: Guiding the eye upward visually lifts ceilings to promote height and airflow. For wall tiles, opt for rectangular sizes installed in an offset brick pattern or randomly stacked subway tiles. Vertical stripes feel tailored while mini stacked boxes offer quirky charm. Limit grout lines for unbroken color bands that stretch walls skyward.
Large-Scale Geometric Patterns: Bold geometric patterns telegraph movement to counter stagnant crampedness. Classic examples like harlequin diamonds or offset zigzags play tricks on proportions to elongate surfaces, especially when repeated across floors and walls. Modern interpretations feature unexpected colorblocking in graphic De Stijl arrangements.
Diagonal Tile Layouts: Angling walls and floors fuels energy, dynamism and the impression of extra surface footage in rigid, boxy bathrooms. Set rectangular or square floor tiles on a 45-degree angle to maximize this corner-cheating effect. Pushing the eye along accelerated diagonals makes small rooms ride larger.
Curbless Showers: For small bathrooms, a curbless shower seamlessly united with the floor space helps dissolve boundaries and expand circulatory room. Losing the curb around a shower enclosure optimizes floor dimensions to their maximum capacity while enabling barrier-free entry. Streamlined, unobstructed floor vistas promote effortless movement.
Additional Tips for Maximizing Small L.A. Bathrooms
Beyond just tile tactics, there are lots of other little design moves that can coax spaciousness into tiny L.A bathrooms. Here are some of my tried-and-true favorites:
Built-In Storage: Tuck plumbing, toiletries and tools into custom cabinetry with integrated shelving, drawers and hidden compartments behind mirrors and walls. Removing clutter amplifies spare footage.
Pocket Doors: Swapping swinging doors for pocket doors that recede into walls optimizes precious square footage that would otherwise be obstructed by door swings. Great for skinny bathrooms and powder rooms!
Glass Partitions: Frosted glass partitions between the shower/tub and vanity promote transparency and fluidity from every vantage point. Light effortlessly passes through for a weightless look.
Skylights: Cutting holes in ceilings for recessed skylights ushers sunlight from above, mimicking outside expanses. Especially effective for inside bathrooms sans windows!
Round Mirrors: Circular mirrors diffuse and scatter reflections in all directions for glimpses of depth. Hang an oversized orb mirror to embellish actual proportions. . Sconces & Chandeliers: Install multiple, low-hanging pendant lights rather than potentially oppressive overhead can lighting. Sparkling fixtures feel celebratory.
Vaporous Botanicals: Floating potted palms, trailing ivy and delicate ferns make indoor spaces feel alive and connected to exterior freedom. Fogged glass terrariums reinforce aqueous motifs.
How Surfside Builders Can Makeover Your Small L.A. Bathroom
Hopefully this gives you plenty of tile ideas to help transform your tiny L.A. bathroom into a relaxed, luxurious oasis! Don’t let limited square footage deter you from having your dream bathroom.
As an experienced L.A. contractor, I live for bathroom challenges and have all the insider tips to visually expand awkward angles, low ceilings, confined layouts and more. My team at Surfside Builders specializes in petite bathroom makeovers across all L.A. neighborhoods from Santa Monica to Silver Lake. We leverage the power of tiles combined with lighting, finishes, accents and custom storage to create incredible, one-of-a-kind boutique bathrooms.
To schedule a complimentary design consultation for your L.A. home, reach out to Surfside Builders at 424-581-7150 today. We can’t wait to hear your vision and help elevate your small bathroom into an elegant, ultra-functional showpiece!
