Classic Penny Tile Design Ideas (And The Best Penny Rounds)
Classic penny tile (also known as “penny rounds”) is a timeless and popular choice of tile in home design. Interior designers love using penny tiles for the bathroom floor, shower floors, and in high-traffic areas. Penny tile is such a classic and beautiful tile option for your home, so let’s learn a bit more about this crowd favorite!
Let’s take a look at favorite penny tile design ideas, where to buy beautiful penny rounds, what rooms work well for this specific tile, how to choose the perfect grout color, and, of course, some interior design inspiration!
What Is Penny Tile?
Penny tile is a type of ceramic, porcelain, marble or glass tile known for its distinctive small, circular tiles (about the size of a penny!). The most popular material for penny rounds is a classic matte porcelain. These tiles are typically sold on mesh sheets, allowing for easy installation of this classic mosaic design (it’s a favorite amongst DIY enthusiasts!).
The charming, rounded shape of this mosaic tile offers a subtle texture and pattern, bringing a vintage feel to any space. Available in a variety of colors, from crisp white and solid black to bold colors, pastels and neutrals, penny tile offers a timeless look that complements both modern and traditional design.
With pocket-friendly prices (especially in porcelain or ceramic) and endless design possibilities—including patterns, borders, and custom colors—it is consistently a popular choice for bathroom floors and walls, powder rooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms and more!
History Of Penny Tile
Penny tile became popular at the turn of the 20th century, emerging in the late Victorian period. Penny round mosaic tiles earned their name because the standard size was approximately three-quarters of an inch in diameter, similar to a penny!
Initially, these durable, small circular tiles were predominantly white- a color chosen to represent cleanliness and good hygiene- making them instantly popular for floors in bathrooms in both homes and commercial spaces.
This classic mosaic design had offered a slip-resistant, water-friendly surface that was also budget-friendly. As their popularity grew, designers began to experiment with the rounded shape of this mosaic tile in various colors, materials, and patterns- which again boomed throughout movements such as Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern, all the way to present day.
It’s a timeless look, that interior designers today love for both it’s cohesive look when used as a single color and it’s versatility for creating unique designs- it’s the perfect round tile to embrace creativity and pattern!
The Best Penny Round Materials
Similar to most tile shapes, penny tile is available in a variety of materials. Some of the most popular materials include porcelain, glass, marble and ceramic tiles.
Porcelain tiles are an excellent choice for areas with heavy foot traffic. Ceramic, porcelain and glass penny tiles are all commonly used in wet areas like the bathroom, or in spaces where you’d like a water-resistant tile (some are even suitable for outdoor use for pool areas, patios, and other outdoor spaces). Glass, porcelain and ceramic tiles are great for a space where you prefer a tile that is easy to clean!
(*Read more about Porcelain Tile Vs. Marble Tile if you just can’t decide!)
Marble penny tile is an absolute favorite! Marble penny round tiles offer an elevated look, and are an ideal choice for someone who is set on using beautiful natural marble tile in their home!
While marble subway tile or intricate designs and patterns such as marble herringbone tile are popular choices, marble penny tile can give an entirely new look- embracing a fresh circular pattern while keeping it’s timeless design characteristics. Gorgeous penny tile in Carrara marble or Thassos marble (a popular white marble) also looks fabulous paired with marble subway tile!
While marble penny rounds are stunning, they do require a bit more maintenance than ceramic, glass, or porcelain penny tile.
Penny Tile Sizes and Colors
Penny tiles are sold in small sizes (about the size of a penny!)- a smaller size of 3/4-inch rounds to the “larger tiles” that are only about 2-inches round. Like most mosaic tiles, these small tiles are sold with a mesh backing for easier floor and wall applications.
Penny tiles come in a wide array of colors! They can also be matte or glossy (as a shiny ceramic, porcelain, or glass), or come in a honed or polished marble. And since penny tiles come in various color choices, they can even be laid out in intricate patterns, or as a tile border, to give a pop of color and design detail!
For example, you could choose a white penny tile in a small powder room for the bulk of the floor tile, while using another color as a focal point in the center of the floor, or using dainty pieces to create floral shapes. (*If you need help finding the perfect color penny tile, I’ve linked a few below!)
Using penny tile is such a great way to incorporate a pop of bold color throughout a white tile floor, without committing to using the color for the entire space. And there’s a stunning range of beautiful patterns and designs to choose from!
Where to Use Penny Tiles
There are so many rooms both in and out of the home where penny tile can look fabulous!
- Bathroom or Powder Room: The most popular rooms to use penny tile is in the bathroom or powder room! From shower wall tile, to shower floor tile, from a shower niche to bathroom floor tile, a penny tile bathroom is always a favorite! White penny tiles are a fantastic choice for a fresh and bright look in bathrooms and powder rooms. Carrara marble penny rounds always look fabulous on bathroom floors and walls- and it’s such a classic look! I’ve seen quite a few interior design projects pair marble penny tile with marble subway tile and the pairing looks stunning! Consider a penny tile backsplash behind the bathroom vanity for a fun touch. And porcelain penny tile is such a good choice for a kids bathroom floor if you want an ease of maintenance (especially if you’d rather avoid the maintenance of marble).
- Laundry Room: Ceramic and porcelain penny tiles are often used as laundry room floor tile as it creates such a fabulous tile surface and one that can handle mess and wetness that may land on the floor at times. Interior designers love playing with a bit more color in the laundry room, so this would be a great room to try different colors for a penny round floor tile- a bold statement makes such a design impact! Equally as pretty are simple white penny tiles for embracing that bright, fresh, and clean look.
- Mudroom or Entryway: Similar to the laundry room, penny tiles tend to be a popular choice for the mudroom or entryway, as porcelain and ceramic penny tile floors can handle heavy foot traffic. Ceramic and porcelain penny tiles are a great idea for a space prone to dirty shoes! For a vintage look, you can try a deco tile style while using black penny tile details on a white penny tile floor.
- Kitchen: While not as popular as the bathroom, penny tiles are sometimes used in the kitchen as a kitchen backsplash- often in white (for that clean white kitchen look), or in a timeless marble such as Carrara marble.
- Outdoor Spaces: Porcelain and ceramic penny tile are even sometimes used in outdoor spaces such as a pool area- what a fun place to try out pretty colored penny tiles by or in the pool!
What Is The Best Grout For Tile?
Grout is often overlooked as that last step after making the huge decision of what tile to use, so people often don’t give enough thought to it! However, grout can truly make or break a look. For example, using a white grout for white penny tile mosaics is naturally going to give a very clean, fresh, and bright look.
However, using a dark grout with a white penny round is going to give a completely different and bolder look. You’ll have to decide which design direction you’re going in, but my personal preference is always for a lighter colored grout.
Tile experts may tell you that a white grout will get dirty more easily (which may be true!), but interior designers will tell you that a good white grout is an absolute favorite for a seamless look between tile pieces. Grout lines and colors really do matter!
If you don’t want to feel overwhelmed with the decision of which grout to choose, I have 2 favorite grouts- the first is a beautiful white that looks fantastic with white tile, and the other is a soft gray that I love using for tile projects with Carrara marble. Read about those 2 favorites below!
Favorite Penny Round Tiles
A personal favorite, small 1-inch or 2-inch Carrara marble penny rounds are the perfect fit for someone looking to embrace a very timeless and elevated look. And someone looking for tiles at the best price might love a timeless ceramic or porcelain penny tile that come at a very budget friendly price point (and again, are easy to clean)!
Here are a few favorite penny tiles you’ll love!
- Tile ONE– This gorgeous “azul cielo” blue honed marble penny tile is an absolute stunner. If you love blue, and you love marble, definitely consider this beauty!
- Tile TWO– This is a classic crisp white matte porcelain penny tile- easy to clean and easy to incorporate with another color via pencil line, tile borders, and other penny rounds for design and pattern.
- Tile THREE– Love, love, love this darling pink honed marble penny round tile. Perfect for an elevated girls bathroom!
- Tile FOUR – A beautiful polished porcelain penny tile in the color “cloudy sky”. A very popular choice for a shiny blue penny round!
- Tile FIVE – A beautiful pearl white matte porcelain penny round that is so versatile in any space!
- Tile SIX – A beautiful sage green penny tile in matte porcelain. This would pair beautifully with the pearl white matte porcelain listed above- as they are the same tile just in different colors!
- Tile SEVEN – A timeless honed Carrara marble penny tile that is simply stunning. A beautiful choice for a bathroom, powder room, or even a kitchen backsplash.
- Tile EIGHT – A lovely Thassos marble penny tile. White marble is an elevated tile to incorporate in a space where you’d like to keep the look fresh and elegant, or in a space that you want a versatile drawing board- pair with a gorgeous colorful wallpaper or a beautiful powder blue vanity!
- Tile NINE – Such a beautiful blue marble blend penny tile! If you love some variation in color, this blue marble blend is so so pretty!
Penny Tile Design Ideas and Inspiration:
This penny tile powder room from the Serena and Lily Design Shop features a white penny tile paired with a neutral colored grout which masks the dirt from heavy foot traffic into this particular space.
Pretty In The Pines uses a chocolatey brown penny tile and white penny tile to create a beautiful earth-toned vintage bathroom.
Kate Figler Interiors uses the most darling flower details in this beautiful girls bathroom.
And here she creates the most beautiful striped detailing on this penny tile laundry room floor!
OneCottageWay elevated a penny tile bathroom with crisp whites and neutral tones.
Emily Meszkat Interiors created a boys bathroom perfection with this white and navy penny tile striped detailing!
Madison Nicole Design designed a gorgeous penny tile bathroom with pops of color and both modern and traditional touches.
And if you’re looking for a place to add a splash of color, a penny tile shower in shades of blue does the trick!
Sarah Hollingsworth Designs uses my personal favorite- a soft light blue penny tile with an off-white grout paired with marble- gorgeous!
And more gorgeous light blue patterned penny tile designs by Julie Abner Interiors- love this design!
I love this penny tile design by Britt Raborn- a beautiful combination of white and light blue, with a sweet detailed pattern.
Penny rounds are a stylish choice loved for their timeless appeal, versatility and ability to create gorgeous patterns and designs- its versatility in the interior design world makes it such a popular tile choice! There are so many different colored penny tile options- from soft pinks to navy blues and everything in between, and classic whites and traditional marbles- no wonder penny tile is a crowd favorite!
You’ll Also Love:
Versatile and Timeless Hex Tile Designs (Hexagon Tiles)
Porcelain Tile Vs Marble: Pros, Cons, and Design Ideas
Mapei Avalanche Grout: A Favorite Grout Color For White Tile
Mapei Warm Gray Grout: A Favorite Grout For Marble Tile
