CRAMPED SPACES AND WEIRD TILE CHOICES—ANYONE ELSE?
- Had a client once who insisted on tiny hex tiles with thick, dark grout in a powder room. At first, I thought it’d feel claustrophobic, but honestly, it ended up adding a ton of personality—almost like a graphic rug for the floor.
- Agree that color contrast is huge. High contrast can be bold, but sometimes it’s just too much in a tight spot. Muted tones or matching grout can soften things up.
- Minimalism can backfire. I’ve seen all-white, super-sleek bathrooms that felt more like hospital rooms than homes. Sometimes a little “weird” is what makes a space memorable.
- There’s definitely a balance... too much character and it’s chaos, too little and it’s bland. Still searching for that sweet spot myself.
CRAMPED SPACES AND WEIRD TILE CHOICES—ANYONE ELSE?
Funny, I had a project last year where the client wanted bold, geometric tiles in a tiny ensuite. At first, I was skeptical—thought it might overwhelm the space. But once it was done, it actually made the room feel intentional, not just small. I do think there’s a fine line, though. Too much pattern or contrast and you risk making it feel busy instead of cozy. Sometimes those “weird” choices end up being the most memorable part of the house... but I’ve also seen a few that just didn’t land.
CRAMPED SPACES AND WEIRD TILE CHOICES—ANYONE ELSE?
I hear you on the bold tile in small spaces. Had a duplex where the owner insisted on these wild, almost dizzying hex tiles in a powder room barely big enough to turn around in. I thought it’d be a disaster, but honestly, it gave the place some character. Not every risk pays off, but sometimes those oddball choices stick in people’s minds—in a good way. Still, I’d never go full circus tent... there’s a limit.
CRAMPED SPACES AND WEIRD TILE CHOICES—ANYONE ELSE?
Bold tile in a tiny room is definitely a gamble, but honestly, it can be a total game-changer if you lean into it. I used to think small spaces needed to be “safe” and neutral, but after seeing a friend’s powder room with these wild blue-and-gold mosaic tiles, I changed my mind. It was like stepping into a jewel box—unexpected, but somehow it worked.
Here’s how I approach it: first, pick one element to go bold with (like the floor or a feature wall), then keep everything else pretty simple. That way, the space doesn’t feel overwhelming. Lighting helps too—soft, warm bulbs can tone down even the craziest patterns. And if you’re worried about resale, just remember: sometimes those quirky choices are what people remember most.
I get the circus tent fear though... there’s definitely a line between “memorable” and “what were they thinking?” But hey, sometimes you’ve gotta take a risk to find out where that line is.
CRAMPED SPACES AND WEIRD TILE CHOICES—ANYONE ELSE?
I once did a tiny bathroom with these crazy geometric tiles—think bold reds and oranges. At first, I thought I’d made a huge mistake, but once the fixtures went in and the lighting was right, it felt like a little art installation. Sometimes you just have to trust the process, even if it feels weird halfway through.