10 Beautiful Ways To Incorporate Trendy Fluted Tile Into Your Bathroom

If you have your finger on the pulse of the latest interior design trends, you're likely familiar with fluted tile. Said to be the top textured design trend taking over in 2025, fluting is a contemporary take on a traditional flat surface, with shallow grooves or ribbing giving it enhanced visual appeal and dimension while diffusing light around the space. Fluting is commonly used on flat surfaces such as glass, wood panels, and ceramic tiles. Many homeowners are considering fluted shower glass as a privacy-enhancing alternative to frosted glass. In fact, there are so many ways to showcase this trendy design feature in your bathroom. Fluted ceramic tiles make a statement that is both timeless and modern. With a sophisticated accent wall in your shower, a textured backsplash above the sink, and a unique take on wainscoting along the walls, you can transform your ordinary bathroom into a luxe retreat. You can also add fluted tiles to functional pieces such as shelves, vanities, and side tables. In this article, we'll introduce you to 10 creative and beautiful ways to elevate your bathroom's aesthetic with this textured trend.

Fluted tile, while seemingly simple, has a ton of advantages. The fluted grooves create reflections that bring wall surfaces to life and cast alluring shadows around the space. The tiles act as a focal point or a complement to other materials and design elements, unlocking endless opportunities for creativity. Fluted tiles can even make the space appear bigger than it truly is. The grooved surface is also relatively easy to maintain; however, cleaning it could become more challenging depending on where it's installed. Fluted tiles are the perfect way to infuse your space with character, depth, and style, so without further delay, let's dive in.

Fluted shower walls will add sleek style and texture to your bathroom, but there is some level of maintenance involved. Fluted tile can be more challenging to clean than other types due to its ribbed design. The crevices can become an environment for soap scum and grime that will become more stubborn the longer it accumulates. For this reason, glass tiles are a popular low-maintenance option for showers as they are smooth and easy to wipe clean. If you aren't deterred by a little extra scrubbing, fluted tile is not only visually stunning but also versatile. There are many ways to tastefully incorporate fluting into your shower design. Go for a polished off-white finish for timeless elegance or a natural wood-colored tile for a more earthy and spa-inspired look. 

Incorporating fluted tile into your backsplash design is a great way to infuse your bathroom with contemporary flair. The vertical lines will enhance your space by making it appear bigger, and the textured ridges of the tile will catch light in intriguing patterns. Fluted backsplash works beautifully as a full-wall statement or a subtle accent below the mirror. It's a great opportunity to add some more color to your space. Even small bathrooms can pull off bright accent tiles, such as green, yellow, or blue. However, vibrant colors and bold design choices are generally less ideal for preserving your home's resale value and timeless appeal. 

There are so many ways to play with fluted tile on your bathroom walls. One elegant option is to create a fluted feature wall. Pair the narrow flutes with contrasting materials and shapes, such as subway tiles or natural stone slabs like marble or granite. Be sure to select tile pairings in similar or complementary colors to give your bathroom a cohesive and streamlined look. Alternatively, a dramatic accent color could be just the thing that your bathroom is missing. Consider a two-toned accent wall with a lighter color on the upper half and a darker shade below. Another option is to mix the two colors together in an alternating pattern to create an artistic tapestry. The options are practically limitless; all you need is a creative eye. 

Tiled wainscoting is a fixture of contemporary bathrooms. It offers the classic elegance of traditional wainscoting, but instead of decorative molding, it uses durable and water-resistant tile that is safe for environments with excessive moisture. Apply the tile to the lower part of the wall to achieve the look. Similarly to an accent wall, wainscoting allows you to contrast fluted panels with a different style. You can pair tiled wainscoting with painted walls in a similar or contrasting color, or wallpaper if you're adventurous. Mix glossy black tile with matte black walls for a dramatic monochrome aesthetic, or marbled fluted tile with off-white paint to enhance your bathroom's brightness.

Another stylish placement for fluted tile in your bathroom is around your bathtub. If you have a freestanding tub, consider installing a tiled feature wall behind it. Incorporate sconce lighting and floating shelves for additional style and function. Alternatively, if you have a drop-in tub, consider fluted tile for the area surrounding it. Keep in mind that glossy tiles tend to be slippery when they're wet, which can become hazardous as you get in and out of the tub. Avoid this by choosing textured or matte tiles, slip-resistant coatings, or well-placed bath mats for safety. 

Add a pop of linear design to your bathroom with fluted panels. Depending on your vision, fluted panels can be a discreet detail or a show-stopping highlight of your bathroom. Panels can be anything you want them to be and exist for the purpose of making any space feel more artistic and architectural. The panels can run vertically and span the full height of your wall, and even extend across the ceiling. If your bathroom is a place you go to unwind, opt for floor-to-ceiling wooden fluted slats to evoke a feeling of spa-like serenity. If you live in a hard loft or prefer an industrial chic aesthetic, consider slate gray or concrete-inspired fluted tile panels. 

Though not technically tile-related, fluted vanities are one of our favorite ways to hop on this design trend in your bathroom. There are many variations of fluted vanities out there. Many of them feature ribbed cabinet door faces made of wood veneer or durable materials like melamine. You could also consider matching the face of your fluted cabinets to a complementary feature elsewhere in the bathroom to give it a cohesive look. Instead of a vanity, you could also install a medicine cabinet with a fluted glass door or fluted tile interior. 

Shelf niches maximize recessed wall space, making them especially useful in bathrooms with limited room for storage. They're also an opportunity to add visual interest to your bathroom. Instead of a traditional linear shelf, give it an arched shape for architectural flair and use fluted tiles as the backdrop. Recessed shelves require custom installation, so a more cost-effective option could simply be to install fluted floating shelves instead. Another eye-catching way to include fluting in your bathroom design is with a freestanding tub. Bathtubs with vertical fluting around the exterior can create a bold yet sophisticated statement in your bathroom.

Similarly to fluted panels, wall columns can be purely decorative. However, depending on which you choose, they can also be functional. For example, these handmade ceramic tile fluted columns sold at Tile Bar serve a double purpose as a design feature and a makeshift shelf, as the upper lip of the column is wide enough to store hand soap and other essentials. Instead of wall-mounted columns, another option is to choose a freestanding feature such as a fluted side table or cabinet. The Nordens Concrete Side Table by Article can look incredibly stylish in a bathroom. Place it next to your bathtub to store washcloths and salt scrubs, or use it to display a moisture-loving houseplant that thrives in bathrooms.

To fully embrace the fluted tile trend, go for a maximalist approach by extending it across every wall. If you're going all the way, opt for light-colored glossy tile that will make your space feel brighter and more spacious. Light colors and glossy tiles are an excellent combination for bathrooms with abundant natural light, and as we've mentioned previously, the linear tiles will create the illusion of height in the space. Consider leaving one wall empty for a contrasting accent, such as wallpaper, stone, or subway tile. Continue the linear theme by incorporating geometric or herringbone tile floors, but be sure to plan carefully to prevent the space from appearing too busy.