Bathroom Wall Tile Height: How High Should You Go?

Bathroom wall tile comes in many different forms—and heights. From wainscot to fully tiled, each option creates an entirely different vibe for your space while ultimately performing its job of waterproofing the wettest area in your home.

We’re covering the basics of bathroom wall tile height today on the blog, and going over how to choose the right height for your project with plenty of inspiration along the way. Let’s get into it!

Almost to the Top

The bathroom below showcases one of our favorite unconventional tile heights with the tile covering 3/4 of the wall. This look is often found in contemporary and modern bathrooms, where tile height is part of the design. Accentuate rooms with high ceilings by using vertically stacked sleek shapes, like 3x12, 3x9, or even tall mosaics as this space did.

Bathroom wall tile height grey minimalist mosaic

Tile: 1x6 Gypsum | Design + Image: Amanda Jane Jones

Another way to design wall tile that doesn't go all the way to the ceiling is by incorporating crown molding. Most commonly used in traditional design styles, this element adds elegant contrast to your tile and looks exquisitely timeless when paired with rectangular tile in an offset pattern.

Bathroom wall tile height traditional subway tile with crown molding

Tile: 3x6 Overcast | Design: Anne McDonald Design | Image: Taylor Hall O'Brien

Floor to Ceiling

For you tile lovers, fully tiled bathroom walls are the way to go. The look is fresh and modern, and can be done in every shape, size, color, and pattern there is. With a floor-to-ceiling installation, the tile becomes the focal point of the space—especially when you choose an eye-catching pattern like the mustard and white checkered space below. As an additional bonus, tiling up to your ceiling will also add the feeling of height to your space.

Bathroom wall tile height modern yellow and white checkered fully tiled

Tile: 4x4 Mustard Seed + Ivory | Design + Image: Working Holiday Studio

Bathroom wall tile height modern white glass fully tiled

Tile: 3x12 Egret Matte | Design: Kyla Ray Creative | Image: Angela Price

Bathroom wall tile height contemporary blue hexite fully tiled

Tile: Hexite Adriatic Sea | Design: Banner Day | Image: Chris Stark

Bathroom wall tile height ombre neutral fully tiled picket soaking tub

Tile: Picket Calcite, Feldspar, Dolomite | Design: Nest Design Co. | Image: Thomas Kuoh Photography

Floor and Ceiling

For a real wet room feel, try applying tile to the ceiling along with your walls. This unexpected look creates an immersive feel, especially in the shower. To make it especially stand out, choose tile in a different color than the rest of your bathroom.

Bathroom wall tile height modern pink wall and ceiling tile in shower

Tile: 4x4 Adobe | Design: Susie Novak Interiors | Image: Brad Knipstein

Bathroom wall tile height organic moden white hexagon wall and ceiling tile

Tile: 6" Hexagon Calcite | Design + Image: Sarah Sherman Samuel

Classic Wainscotting

Wainscot is a classic choice for bathrooms that border on the traditional side, although we're seeing it more and more in bathrooms of all design styles including modern and eclectic. The classic design feature is usually between 34 and 54" high, with 36" being the average height.

A traditional offset or straight set pattern in a standard field size tile works well for this wall height. For a truly classic look, finish the top with a decorative trim or a bullnose edge. See our handmade, color-match trim options, including architectural moldings, here.

Bathroom wall tile height traditional brown subway tile wainscot

Tile: 3x9 Cardamom, Quarter Round Trim, 2" Hexagon Iron Ore | Design: Atypical Design Studio | Image: Jordan Layton

Bathroom wall tile height modern green wainscot checkered floor

Tile: 3x3 Eucalyptus, Mini Round Liner Trim, 6x6 Dolomite + Feldspar Gloss | Design: Autumn Hachey, TWENTY-TWO TWELVE, You Should Stay Here | Image: Michelle Johnson

Bathroom wall tile height nautical blue wainscot with mosaic flower floor

Tile: 2x8 Nautical, Sardis Architectural Molding, 1x1 Frost Matte, Mustard Seed, Caribbean Matte, Lake Tahoe Matte + Hunter Green | Design: Victoria Ford | Image: Marcus Ford

Bathroom wall tile height white square wainscot with mosaic flower floor

Tile: 4x4 Halite, Bullnose Trim, 2" Hexagon Halite, Rosemary + Mesa | Design + Image: Alyson Morgan

Bathroom wall tile height traditional brown mosaic wainscot

Tile: 1x6 Cardamom, Pozzo Architectural Molding | Design: Fariha Nasir

Contemporary Wainscotting

For a more contemporary take on the traditional wainscotting style, try using another material such as our Glazed Thin Brick, Glass, or a specialty shape for your bathroom wall tiles. Elaborate trim isn't typically seen with these kinds of wainscots. Instead, leave the border with a sleek and simple glazed edge for a clean, modern design detail.

Bathroom wall tile height modern eclectic pink chaine homme wainscot

Tile: Chaine Homme Desert Bloom, 1x6 Flat Liner Trim, 8" Hexagon Calcite Gloss | Design: Blythe Interiors | Image: Natalia Robert

Bathroom wall tile height yellow glass wainscot

Tile: 2x6 Oriole Gloss | Design: LaTonya Yvette | Image: Nina Barry | Installer: Dziewa Construction

Bathroom wall tile height modern grey blue wainscot with tile shelf

Tile: 2x4 Flagstone, Glazed Edge Trim | Design: Jessie + Brian De Lowe of House of Honey | Image: Mellon Studios

Bathroom wall tile height black brick wainscot

Brick: Absaroka, Glazed Long Edge Trim | Design: Tricorn Black | Image: Zee Wendell | Installer: Will Tile

Bathroom wall tile height blue herringbone wainscot

Tile: 2x8 Flagstone | Design: Banner Day Interiors | Image: Laurey Glenn

A Little of Both

Can't decide how high to go? Why not try a full wall and a wall with wainscotting? We frequently see this play out with the shower walls being nearly or completely covered floor to ceiling in tile and the tile being extended to the other walls as a wainscot. This look allows you to show off more tile without overwhelming the space.