Methods for forming surface roughened titanium dioxide coatings are disclosed. Sol-gel compositions may be prepared having colloidal metal oxide particles and/or colloidal silica particles, formed on a substrate, and subsequently the coated substrate may be heated at a temperature sufficient to form a surface roughened anatase titanium dioxide coating. Surface roughened titanium dioxide coatings having at least one of improved antimicrobial properties, self-cleaning properties, hydrophilicity, and/or activation time are also disclosed. Substrates comprising such coatings are also disclosed.