Bathroom Tile Trends in Vancouver: What’s Shaping 2025 and 2026
If you’re planning a bathroom renovation in Vancouver — whether you’re refreshing a powder room or overhauling a primary suite — picking the right tile can feel overwhelming. Tile trends move quickly, and what looked cutting-edge five years ago can already feel dated.
The good news? The bathroom tile trends in Vancouver for 2025 and 2026 are genuinely beautiful, practical, and well-suited to the Pacific Northwest design sensibility: clean lines, natural materials, and spaces that feel calm. Across the Lower Mainland, we’re seeing clear patterns emerge in what homeowners are choosing — and what they’re leaving behind.
At RT Stone & Tile, we work with clients throughout Greater Vancouver every week. Here’s what’s actually gaining traction right now, and what’s worth investing in.
Large-Format Tiles Are Taking Over Bathrooms
If there’s one shift that’s dominated Vancouver bathroom renovations over the past two years, it’s the move toward large-format tiles — and that trend shows no sign of slowing for 2025 and 2026.
Large-format tiles — typically 24×24 inches, 24×48 inches, or even full slab-style formats — reduce grout lines, make spaces feel more expansive, and create a sleek, uninterrupted surface. For smaller bathrooms common in Vancouver condos and townhomes, this effect can be transformative. A 24×48 porcelain tile on the floor and feature wall can make a tight bathroom feel noticeably more open. See our overview of types of tiles for more on porcelain slab options.
What Sizes Are Homeowners Choosing?
The most popular sizes we’re installing across Burnaby, Richmond, and Coquitlam right now are:
- 24×24 inches for floors in compact bathrooms
- 24×48 inches for feature walls and walk-in shower enclosures
- 12×24 inches as a versatile mid-format option when full slab is cost-prohibitive
One important note: large-format tiles demand an extremely flat, well-prepared substrate. This is why proper installation matters as much as the tile itself — thin-set coverage, back-buttering, and floor levelling are non-negotiable at this scale.
Fluted Tile — The Texture Trend That’s Here to Stay
If you’ve scrolled through any home design platform recently, you’ve noticed fluted tile everywhere — and across the Lower Mainland, demand has been building steadily through 2024 and into 2025.
Fluted tile features vertical ridges or channels that create a three-dimensional surface effect. It adds depth and visual texture without overwhelming a space. The impact is particularly effective in shower niches, feature walls behind freestanding tubs, and vanity backsplashes.
Fluted tiles are available in porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone formats. We’ve been installing fluted white porcelain panels in primary bathrooms throughout the Lower Mainland, and the feedback is consistently positive — the ribbed surface catches light in a way that flat tile simply can’t replicate.
How to Use Fluted Tile Without Overdoing It
The key to fluted tile is restraint. Apply it to one focal surface — a feature wall, a niche, or a shower enclosure — and keep surrounding surfaces calm and flat. Pairing fluted tile with smooth matte finishes in the same tonal family produces a result that feels intentional and cohesive rather than busy.
In Delta homes especially, where mid-century and contemporary hybrid styles are popular, fluted tile in a soft cream or warm greige bridges the gap beautifully between classic and current.
Earthy Tones and Warm Neutrals Are Replacing Cool Greys
For nearly a decade, cool grey dominated Vancouver bathroom design. Slate grey floors, white subway tile, chrome fixtures — it was everywhere. That palette hasn’t disappeared, but it’s clearly in retreat.
What’s replacing it? Warm, earthy tones rooted in the natural world: terracotta, warm sand, clay beige, mushroom brown, deep forest green, and soft sage. These colours feel grounded and organic, which aligns well with the biophilic design movement that’s prominent in Pacific Northwest architecture.
The shift is playing out clearly in tile choices. Earthy-toned porcelain, terracotta-look formats, and warm travertine-effect slabs are all in strong demand among our Vancouver and Lower Mainland clients right now.
Warm Greige and Clay Tones in 2026
Warm greige — a blend of grey and beige — is arguably the most versatile tile colour for 2025 and 2026. It’s neutral enough to work with most fixture finishes and vanity colours, but warm enough to feel inviting rather than sterile. Pair it with brushed gold or matte black hardware and you have a bathroom that feels effortlessly current.
Clay and terracotta tones work especially well in smaller bathrooms or powder rooms where you want more character. We’ve seen beautiful results in Coquitlam renovations where clients have used terracotta wall tile against white fixtures — bold, warm, and visually striking.
Zellige and Handmade-Look Tile: Embracing Imperfection
Alongside the clean precision of large-format tiles, a parallel trend has emerged: texture, variation, and handmade character. Zellige-style tiles — inspired by traditional Moroccan craftwork — feature a slightly uneven glaze, gentle surface variation, and a shimmer that changes with the light.
These tiles aren’t perfectly flat. They’re not supposed to be. And that imperfection is exactly what makes them compelling.
In Vancouver, zellige-style tile is gaining popularity in powder rooms and as accent tiles in shower niches within larger format enclosures. Use it purposefully — as an accent rather than the primary surface — and work with an experienced installer who understands how to handle the natural variation in tile thickness and finish.
Matte Finishes Are the Practical Choice for 2025/2026
Beyond colour and format, finish choice has become one of the most consequential tile decisions for 2025 and 2026. Matte and honed finishes are significantly outpacing high-gloss across bathroom renovations in the Lower Mainland.
The appeal is both aesthetic and practical. Matte tiles look calm and sophisticated, but they also hide water spots and soap residue better than polished surfaces — a genuine advantage in a wet environment. For floor tiles, matte and textured finishes provide better slip resistance, which matters in any bathroom. Explore our full flooring options for more.
Richmond homeowners planning full bathroom renovations consistently ask us about the most maintenance-friendly tile options. Matte large-format porcelain answers every requirement: minimal grout lines, low sheen, high durability, and excellent value.
FAQ
What are the most popular bathroom tile sizes in Vancouver right now?
The most common choices we’re seeing for 2025 and 2026 are 24×48 porcelain for shower walls, 24×24 for floors, and 12×24 as a versatile mid-format option. Large-format tiles reduce grout lines and make bathrooms feel more spacious — particularly valuable in the smaller bathrooms common in Vancouver condos and townhomes.
Is fluted tile a passing trend or a lasting design choice?
Fluted tile has been popular in European and Australian design markets for several years before reaching the Lower Mainland — which suggests it’s well past the early-adopter stage. We expect it to remain a strong choice through 2026 and beyond, particularly for feature walls, shower niches, and vanity accents.
Does earthy-tone tile work in smaller bathrooms in Burnaby or Coquitlam condos?
Yes — warm neutrals in lighter shades (soft sand, warm white, pale greige) can actually enhance the feeling of space in compact bathrooms. Keep the tone consistent and light. Save deeper earth tones like terracotta or rich clay for accent walls or powder rooms where you want stronger visual impact.
Where can I see current tile trends before committing to a renovation?
RT Stone & Tile’s showroom carries a curated selection of large-format, fluted, and earthy-tone tiles so you can see and feel the materials before making a decision. We recommend bringing your rough bathroom dimensions and a few inspiration photos — it makes the selection process much faster and more focused.
The Right Tile Makes the Whole Renovation
Bathroom design in Vancouver is moving in a clear direction: warmer, more textured, and less uniform. Large-format tiles, fluted surfaces, earthy tones, and matte finishes aren’t passing fads — they reflect a broader shift toward spaces that feel natural, calm, and built to last.
The best bathroom renovations across the Lower Mainland are the ones where tile choices balance personal taste with practical demands. Getting that balance right takes experience, access to quality materials, and a skilled installation team.
At RT Stone & Tile, we help homeowners throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Delta, and Coquitlam bring these trends to life with craftsmanship that shows. Ready to explore your options? Contact us for a quote or call us at 604.781.2510 to get started today.rtst.ca to get started.