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20 Inspirations That Bring Home the Beauty of Penny Tiles

Hot bathroom trends that have once again been given a new lease on life in the last few years seem to be inspired by the early 1900s. From freestanding tubs to a shift to Art Deco style, contemporary homes have been filled with a sense of nostalgia and timeless allure, thanks to these revitalized style statements. Going well beyond the bathroom and taking over backsplashes in the kitchen and even the fireplace are penny tiles. These smart, unassuming and exciting little things can bring in a sudden dash of color and geometric contrast with elegant ease.

Painted wood trim highlights the penny tile section of the bathroom [Design: Terrat Elms Interior Design]

While they were originally intended for flooring purposes alone, penny tiles have crept up to shape some ingenious backsplashes and even accent walls in recent times. Effortlessly adapting to the style of the room and its ambiance, these tiles promise to alter the appeal of your home, one penny at a time!

Spice up the Kitchen

Before we talk about using penny tiles in the kitchen, let’s spend some time understand the nitty-gritty of these unique tiles. Generally most penny tiles have a diameter of ¾ inch or 1 inch, and the space between them is filled by grout. You can use a coordinating trim tile to ensure that the penny tile backsplash in the kitchen has a more refined, finished look. You can either get machine-made or hand-made penny tiles depending on both your preference and the budget available. Bespoke penny tiles are obviously far more expensive, but also give you greater customization options.

Bold multi-color penny tiles create a vivacious backdrop for the eclectic kitchen [Design: Mercury Mosaics and Tile]
Brilliant, sustainable kitchen backsplash using penny tiles [Design: Mercury Mosaics and Tile]
Pillar with penny tiles adds to the appeal of the custom kitchen [Design: RD Architecture]

At the end of the day, the choice of penny tiles for your kitchen backsplash is determined by both the theme of the kitchen and its color scheme. Penny tile backsplashes are easier to work with than other tiled features, and they are also far more durable. Due to the small size of these tiles, they are a lot less prone to damage and cracks than larger tiles when being used for flooring or backsplashes.

Smart use of lighting to highlight architectural features [Design: Superior Woodcraft]
Stunning contemporary kitchen with a brilliant array of textures [Design: Superior Woodcraft]
Modern rustic kitchen with gorgeous use of penny tiles [Design: Regan Baker Design]
Penny tiles help recreate the aura of a 50s kitchen [Design: Regan Baker Design]

Dip into Penny Tiles!

Modern penny tiles are available in a variety of materials that vary from porcelain to cork! Some of these are far more sustainable than others and will help you in shaping that dream ‘eco-friendly’ bathroom. Since neutral and soothing shades are all the rage in contemporary bathrooms, picking penny tiles in light blue, gray, white and brown is often a good way to go. Unlike in the case of typical tiles, they add a lot more texture and pattern despite sticking to the monochromatic look. Mixing penny tiles in different tones of the same color also gives your bathroom an interesting and unique appearance.

Elegant bathroom with claw-foot bathtub and mulitcolored penny tile flooring [From: Kelly Scanlon Interior Design]
Fabulous white bathroom filled with penny tiles! [Design: C+M Studio]
Large round mirror above the bathroom vanity [Design: William Duff Architects]

Penny tiles can also be used as accent additions in the bathroom by combining them with other tiles. This approach works well in traditional and vintage bathrooms, and by repeating the pattern in more than one place, it is easy to create a symmetrical and stylish space. The hexagonal or round silhouettes of penny tiles will add pattern to the bathroom without overwhelming the space.

Cork Mosaic penny tile for the stylish bathroom [Design: The Habitus Collection]
Wonderful blend of traditional and contemporary elements in the bathroom [Design: Designer Premier]
Gray penny tiles for the cool transitional bathroom [From: Virginia-Kitchens]
Penny tiles used to create an accent feature in the contemporary bathroom [Design: Habitar Design]

Color, Pattern and More

Creative designers have ensured that the use of penny tiles is no longer relegated to the kitchen and the bathroom. The fireplace face is one of the best places to use this snazzy tile, and chic copper-tinted penny tiles add an additional shimmering charm to any fireplace. Some have even taken these little wonders into the bedroom to shape accent walls, and we must say that they do have an undeniable charisma that forces you to take notice! Colorful penny tiles in bold blue, green and yellow take this a step further, as they shape an accent addition that blends visual, textural and geometric radiance in a beautiful fashion.

Copper penny tiles bring the fireplace alive with a metallic glint [Design: E/L STUDIO]
Custom made vanity adds to the glamour of the small bathroom [Design: House of Amelia]
Dazzling accent wall in blue crafted using penny tiles [Design: Doon Architecture of the Hamptons]

The versatility of penny tiles allows you to use them in spaces that range from minimalist kitchens to colorful kids’ bathrooms! We suggest you start off with tile in neutral or pastel shades, but if you are more willing to delve into bright colors, the choices are indeed endless.

Fireplace surround crafted using penny tiles [Photography: Rikki Snyder]
Bedroom accent wall with snazzy penny tiles [From: Ceramiche]
Gorgeous lights and the Martini side table add to the chic ambiance [Design: Modwalls]
Green penny tiles for the smart shower area [Design: Sutro Architects]
Yellow penny tiles add golden glint to the small bathroom [Photography: Corynne Pless]

Sherry Nothingam

Sherry is a blogger who loves to live her life to the fullest. She enjoys everything associated with design, décor and stylish modern trends. Born in California, Sherry has grown up on open ranches and in a wild setting, which has defined her taste for design and developed her interest in examining how structures and homes interact with the beauti[...]

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