mudroom tile ideas: 10 inspiring designs you’ll love

over the years, the mudroom has evolved into something that’s more of a concept than a dedicated room: it’s a gathering space, a resting point, an intermission between indoor and outdoor acts — a place to bring a little outside in, and relax the boundary between indoors and out.

here are 10 inspiring mudroom tile ideas to keep in mind when building your perfect mudroom, along with key practical considerations.

mudroom floor tile ideas and inspiration

1. classic patterns and textures

certain mudroom tiles are classics for a reason. terracotta tile — available in a sunset of color options ranging from dusty pink to burnished orange and deep red — evokes a distinctly mediterranean mood with its earthen texture. plus, its shade is a type of neutral that even the color shy can get behind.

slate and tumbled travertine are other timeless choices, both donning neutral hues that play well with glossy white subway tile, honed marble and zellige alike.

2. modern geometric designs

on the more modern side of things, you might consider incorporating a geometric design into your space. cement tile offers many eye-catching ways to achieve this, with patterns featuring squares, rectangles, triangles, hexagons, diamonds and more. stripes and zig zags lend a similar clean lined effect.

prefer to let the grout do the talking? go with a hexagon tile, be it cement, marble, travertine, terracotta or zellige. or, have rectangular installed in a creative pattern such as herringbone or basketweave.

3. nature-inspired tiles

although commonly seen as a place to cleanse ourselves of natural elements, the mudroom is also a great space to reincorporate nature into the home. terracotta tile, made with nothing but clay, water and fire, brings an earthy and elemental vibe to your mudroom floor — almost like walking on earth itself, minus the mess. terrazzo, on the other hand, is earthy yet modern, with natural variegation in creamy brown and beige tones.

another way to bring a little of the outdoors indoors: opting for a cement tile with a nature-inspired motif. the fern tile in our erica tanov collection is a lovely example.

4. add personality and flair

whether your mudroom is an entryway to the home or a private, “behind the scenes” family area, there are plenty of ways to add personality and flair.

for a graphic, colorful material that works well in both indoor and outdoor spaces, cement should be your go-to. with cement, the sky’s the limit. it’s up to you how you want to customize your space, whether you’re into geometric patterns, western vibes or want to try something completely new like granny squares.

5. mix textures, colors and patterns

don’t be afraid to mix different colors, textures and patterns. in fact, we recommend it. slate subway tile on the floor with glossy ceramic tile on the walls? go for it. jewel toned tile laid in a herringbone pattern with contrasting grout? the mudroom is your canvas.

6. go durable and bold with cement

make a statement in your mudroom by going bold with cement tiles, a stylish and durable choice that adds personality to your space. available in a wide range of colors, patterns and geometric designs, cement tiles can transform a simple mudroom into a visually striking entryway. their handcrafted look brings character and charm, while their durability makes them perfect for high-traffic areas.

opt for intricate moroccan-inspired patterns for a bohemian feel, classic black-and-white designs for a timeless touch or vibrant hues to create a lively, welcoming atmosphere. with the right sealant, cement tiles resist moisture and wear, making them both a practical and stylish option for an eye-catching mudroom floor.

7. add earthy appeal with terracotta

bring warmth and natural charm to your mudroom by incorporating terracotta tiles, a timeless choice that adds earthy appeal and rustic elegance. known for their rich, warm tones ranging from deep reds to soft oranges, terracotta tiles create a cozy, inviting atmosphere while seamlessly blending with various design styles, from farmhouse to mediterranean. their natural texture provides a slip-resistant surface, making them practical for a high-traffic area like a mudroom.

whether arranged in a classic square pattern, trendy herringbone or hexagonal design, terracotta tiles add depth and character while standing up to daily wear. sealed properly, they resist moisture and stains, ensuring both beauty and durability in your functional entryway space.

8. porcelain for sleek sophistication

for a mudroom that exudes elegant style, porcelain tile is a perfect choice, combining sophistication, durability and low maintenance. available in a wide range of colors, finishes and patterns, porcelain (a type of ceramic tile) can effortlessly mimic the look of natural stone, wood or even concrete while offering superior water and stain resistance. its non-porous surface makes it ideal for high-traffic areas, standing up to dirt, moisture and daily wear with ease.

choose large-format tiles for a clean, modern look, or opt for intricate patterns like herringbone or geometric designs to add visual interest. with its refined aesthetic and practical benefits, porcelain tile ensures your mudroom remains both elegant and functional.

9. natural stone for durability and timeless elegance

natural stone tiles offer a sophisticated yet practical flooring solution. materials like slate, travertine and limestone provide rich textures and unique color variations that add depth and character. known for their strength and resilience, natural stone tiles can withstand heavy foot traffic, moisture and dirt while maintaining their beauty over time.

opt for a honed or textured finish for better slip resistance, ensuring both safety and style. whether you prefer the rustic charm of slate or the refined appeal of travertine, natural stone tiles create a warm, inviting entryway that blends seamlessly with any home design.

10. create a focal point with mosaic tile

elevate your mudroom’s design by creating a stunning focal point with mosaic tile, adding intricate detail and personality to the space. whether used on the floor, as a decorative border or for an eye-catching accent wall, mosaic tiles bring texture, color and artistic flair to an otherwise functional area.

choose classic marble mosaics for a timeless, elegant look, or opt for bold geometric patterns and vibrant hues to make a statement. their small size allows for intricate designs, while their durability ensures they hold up to daily wear. with endless possibilities, mosaic tiles turn your mudroom into a stylish and inviting entryway.

practical considerations for mudroom tile floors

what kind of mudroom do you have?

this should be the first question you ask yourself when designing a mudroom. in some homes, the mudroom is the initial space you enter after stepping through the front door. in others, the mudroom appears near the garage or patio, towards the back of the house.

considering your mudroom’s location, think about the impression or vibe you want to evoke with your floor tile. if your mudroom is at the front of your house, use it to preview the rest of your home, using colors and textures that reflect the overall mood of the home and show what’s to come.

if your mudroom is a little more tucked away, such as one that doubles as a laundry room, you can use this opportunity to get creative—and maybe take a step outside of your comfort zone.

how will your mudroom be used?

imagine how your mudroom will be used. like a traditional japanese genkan (a small tiled entryway directly inside the front door used for removing and storing shoes) a mudroom can be small and fulfill a simple need.

if organization is your main priority, think about your needs and requirements for storage. even in this case, there are lots of ways to play with design. open shelving with a patterned backsplash is a great way to add oomph without compromising on storage space.

looking at the floor specifically, consider how much foot traffic and weather the mudroom will see. a busy mudroom exposed to heavy rain and snow would benefit from a slip resistant slate or terracotta floor (treated for water resistance, of course). if your mudroom won’t serve as direct entryway from the outdoors, you have more leeway to weigh aesthetic preferences with slip resistance.

don’t overlook water resistance, maintenance and durability

mudroom floors should be water resistant and easy to clean, and not highly sensitive to scratches and high foot traffic. if you’re dealing with snow and ice, make sure to select materials rated for freeze/thaw use.

as a general rule, stick to materials traditionally used for both indoor and outdoor spaces. for the floor, try to find something slip resistant. think: tile with natural variation in texture, like our belgian reproduction terracotta hexes or foundry flats brick. you can also widen the spacing between tiles so that the wider grout joint helps reduce slipping.

tiles made from some terracottas, stone and high-quality cement (make sure it’s sealed) hold up best against water, mud and sand—the same natural elements used to create them.

stone is also an ideal choice, with slate tile offering the most slip resistant and moisture resistant surface. slate subway planks come in a variety of sizes and also show the stone’s natural variegation, so no surface looks exactly the same.

what type of tile is best for a mudroom?

ultimately, this is up to you and your style. with the aforementioned durability and slip resistance in mind, look for a tile that fits into your aesthetic goals for the space. in love with a tile that isn’t suitable for floors? consider making it your wall tile, as you can generally use a broader range of tile on walls.

a few of our favorite mudroom tiles include slate planks, belgian reproduction terracotta, forage terrazzo stone, cement granny squares and new california brick.

what is the best flooring to put in a mudroom?

again, there is no one “best” flooring for the mudroom. the ideal mudroom floor tile has enough texture to provide slip resistance, and this could be natural stone, terrazzo, terracotta or cement. it’s also water resistant, often made possible with a waterproofing penetrating sealer.

if you’re going with stone, terracotta or cement, good news: these tile materials, when treated properly, hold up especially well to dirty shoes, water, sand and dirt.

what is the best stone tile for a mudroom?

on floors, we most often see slate. unlike marble and limestone that are honed to create a smooth surface, slate is split along the grain to yield a cleft texture. this gives it a naturally slip resistant and tactile matte surface that many appreciate in high-traffic areas. another great option: pantry pavers, tumbled travertine tiles that mimic the look of antique terracotta.

if you’ll be tiling the walls, you should know that nearly any type of stone is a feasible option. whatever you choose for the floors or walls, clé offers a wide selection of boutique, handcrafted, artisanal tile that combine style with functionality, ideal for every room in the house. and we always recommend hiring a pro for the installation to guarantee that the finish aligns with the plan.