The bathroom was once called the wash closet. It became a standard room in homes during the end of the 19th century. They were built strictly for function and had an antiseptic quality. For the most part they used white surfaces because it was considered sterile. Around 1930 the Deco Style Era introduced a new style in interior decor. It was known for its shapes, patterns as well as vivid colors. Ceramic and glass tiles started appearing in bathrooms of newly built homes. The glazes that were used back then had a thinner consistency than the glazes of today. This created a flat surface unlike the tile in our modern bathrooms that have a slight bevel.

For today�s life style the bathroom is a place for relaxation and pleasure. We are spending longer amounts of time in this room to pamper ourselves. Every day we clean our bodies which helps to ignite our energy and enlighten our spirits for the day ahead.

The bathroom has become our personal sanctuary and should be treated with special touches. With the many options that exist you can add elements of comfort, softness, radiance and sophistication.

For most home owners the bathroom is a fun place to start a decorating project. The bathroom is usually the smallest room of the house and the easiest to make over for the novice. Even if you have zero tile experience this project can be accomplished over a weekend. If you do not have the do-it-yourself attitude there are many contractors just waiting for you to call.

Bathroom wall tiles come in various materials, sizes, shapes, colors, patterns and price ranges. Some materials that are available are ceramic, porcelain, marble, metal and limestone. The most common material is ceramic. It is water resistant, easy to clean, extremely durable and economical. All wall tiles help protect your walls and fixtures.

There are endless options when it comes to decorative tile. A few common choices to consider are the raised rope or sea shell design. There are also hand painted porcelain tiles and multi colored glass tiles that are available. Marble is an excellent choice for borders. There is also a technique that was developed in Europe. You can have digital images reproduced on tile.

Here are a few designs considered to be trendy: Traditional tiles with splashes of colors and patterns, natural stone with marble accents and the harlequin pattern which uses diamond shapes rather then square shaped tiles.

It may be wise for resale value to keep the wall tile confined to a small space. A couple of examples would be framing a small section in front of a vanity or just installing the tile in your shower stall. What ever you choose try to make it the focal point of the room.

Within the last 10 years we have learned that using large body tiles and less grout make the room easier to maintain and helps make the room look larger and less busy. There are so many options full of decorative potential. There are an abundance of finishes such as shiny, matte, rustic and earth tones. All of these help create either a casual or elegant atmosphere.

The key to achieving your desired look is to plan everything in advance on paper. Let your imagination run wild. Many companies offer bathroom design software. This will give you an idea of how the wall will look before you purchase your tile. Otherwise ask for samples to take home. This way you can make certain it will match your decor.

So start planning your project and soon you will have a room that is appealing to you and your guests.