How to decorate with vintage tiles
I’m not the only one who’s noticed that trends have steered towards the eclectic and ornate as of late. While there are many ways to channel the past with your home decor, recently, I’ve spotted vintage tiles featured in the background of many of my favorite interior designers’ latest projects.
Whether opting for an Art Nouveau floral tile or a classic Delft variety, there are plenty of tile ideas to choose from. Decorating with vintage is a guaranteed way to bring personality and rustic charm to a room, and exploring how to decorate with vintage tiles can beautifully enhance a room with not only eye-catching texture, color, and pattern, but also, a sense of history.
1. Mix and match old and new tile types
(Image credit: E&A Interiors)
Adding architectural charm to a room that doesn’t have any can be tricky, but opting for vintage tiles might just be the answer. While sourcing a substantial amount of vintage tiles can be a mission, mixing and matching pre-loved varieties will enhance the foundations of a room, providing an empty wall with some fine detail and patina.
Types of tiles vary but classic vintage tiles are often made from ceramic or porcelain. The bathroom (pictured above) features a range of varieties, from a mosaic wet room to vintage-inspired botanical tiles scattered along the walls. Here, E&A Interiors founder Chloe Elkerton proves that mixing old and new tiles is the answer to bringing character into a sometimes clinical space.
Discussing the best tile combinations, Chloe says, ‘Using a patterned cement tile always adds character to spaces, whether it’s a tiny powder room or a spacious kitchen. They have a lovely patina that makes them even more beautiful as they age. The patterns are also endless, from florals and stars to geometrics, and if you are only able to source a few vintage ones, then we like to use them on small areas such as a splashback or inset into a wall or archway.’
2. Use a retro wallpaper to go alongside your vintage tiles
(Image credit: Dafna Kikuchi)
While bathroom wallpaper ideas may feel a little unconventional, this retro choice can work well when paired with vintage tiles.
Dafna Kikuchi, the designer behind the nostalgic bathroom (pictured above) proves this, and says that instead of sourcing vintage tiles she kept the ones the room already had, bringing them to life with a playful wallpaper. She says, ‘For this boy’s bathroom, we wanted to keep the vintage tile so we found a paper with an old-timey feel to it with the old cars. The combo feels very fresh but also like it’s always been there.’
Country wallpaper ideas or wall mural ideas can inspire your vintage look, bringing a sense of charm and elegance that allows the tiles to sing. Dafna’s top tip is ‘Don’t pair them with anything too shiny and new because the contrast would be too stark. I embrace the imperfection of vintage tiles and add other vintage pieces to the mix.’
3. Go classic with a vintage tiled backsplash
(Image credit: Nina Watson Interiors)
Vintage tiles are often found in the kitchen. A nod to the classic farmhouse style kitchen, incorporating a handful of aged details can bring added depth and coziness to the room, especially a kitchen that has been newly built and lacks period features.
A long-loved, practical way to feature tiles, kitchen backsplash ideas are the perfect way to channel the past. Positioned above a stove or along a countertop, a backsplash tiled with vintage tiles is a lasting statement that wraps the room in a detailed border.
For a more traditional look, antique Dutch tiles provide a sense of history and narrative, often featuring figures and landscapes. If you’re looking for a more vibrant style and a way to make your kitchen more unique, source colorful Portuguese varieties that will stand the test of time and continue to make your kitchen a stylish statement.
Referring to her kitchen (pictured above), Nina Watson says, ‘It’s not just about the tiles you use, but the way you tile with them. If you want an Art Deco look, find images of how they’re used, so you can see how the patterns are put together. Border tiles, corner tiles, edges – all of these details mattered 120 years ago and are just as important now in achieving an authentic finish.’
4. Enhance the architecture of your fireplace with historic tiles
(Image credit: Bambi A’Lynn Interior Design / Photography Tobin Davies)
Period features and vintage tiles are a beautiful pairing that nod to the past. To elevate your fireplace ideas, enhancing the feature with vintage tiles will only enhance this cozy focal point with inviting character.
Nina says, ‘If you’re searching for antique fireplace tiles to fit into an existing traditional fireplace, try to source tiles that are of a similar age to the fireplace and house – this is an architectural feature, so anything you add to it should be in keeping with what’s there already, that way they’ll look like they belong.’
Nina says there are technicalities to be aware of, such as grouting mistakes to avoid. She adds, ‘Consider the grouting color. For an authentic vintage finish, match (as close as you can) the grout color with the tiles.’
She adds, ‘Find a good tiler who will understand the vision of what you’re trying to achieve, as the quality of the tiling is so important to the overall look – even if you’re tiling yourself, ask their advice on how many tiles to order as you always need more than you think, to cover cuts and breakages. You’ll want to order all of your tiles from the same batch as colours can vary between different batches.’
5. Create a small panel of antique tiles
(Image credit: Nina Watson Interiors)
While the idea of covering a wall in hundreds of vintage tiles sounds heavenly, it may not be the most feasible option if you’re opting for a specific variety that’s particularly old. Opting for a small panel of vintage tiles is far less of a commitment and still invites some vintage charm into your space.
Take this powder room idea, for example, Nina has sourced eight uniform ceramic tiles and used them as a bathroom backsplash idea by positioning them behind her sink. The tiles enhance the vintage feel of the room and coordinate with the other antique features such as the sink and stained glass. They also create a point of interest, making the sink a focal point as they frame the area and contrast against the ornate wallpaper.
If you’re creating a retro bathroom idea or you want to nod to the past subtly, designing a small panel of vintage tiles will bring character without the fuss of a major retiling job.
Get the look with these vintage-inspired tile designs
There are many types of vintage tile varieties out there, originating from all over the world. I’ve selected a few of my all-time favorite kinds for creating an eclectic space that honors the past.
Etsy
Antique delft sailboat tiles – set of 4
A classic vintage tile choice, Delft tiles have long been featured in homes due to their whimsical and charming qualities. This set of four depicts intricately painted sailboats, making them a perfect choice for a coastal bathroom idea.
Etsy
Art Nouveau Style Ceramic Tile 4.25″ x 4.25″
Inspired by classic Art Nouveau motifs, this ornate floral tile is inspired by the past and all its decadence. Place on a kitchen backsplash or along an entryway floor for a rich and moody display.
1st Dibs
Set of 5 ceramic tiles by Roger Capron, France – 1970s
A more contemporary choice, this set of five tiles dates back to the 1970s. Made from rustic terracotta and engraved with a detailed motif, they blend past tradition with contemporary style, making them an easy choice for homes of all styles.
Vintage tiles are one of the many vintage trends for 2025, and we love how they can enhance homes, both old and new, with a wonderful sense of nostalgia.
If you’re a fan of vintage decor, why not also try your hand at decorating with vintage fabrics?
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