Shower tile ideas – 20 ways to create impact and interest
If you are in the process of planning a remodel, you are probably looking for fresh ideas for shower tile. These can be transformative even in the tiniest of rooms, providing the ability to add color and pattern and bring space-enhancing visual trickery. Even in the smallest of spaces, these may have a significant impact.
We would generally say that the shower is the best location to think of new ideas, but if you want to think outside the box a little bit, taking a look at some of these creative ideas for showers might be the next best thing.
The bathroom tile designs presented here are not only water resistant but also easy to clean, making them ideal for use in showers with and without trays, as well as the flooring of wet rooms.
The design possibilities are virtually limitless thanks to the wide availability of tiling in a diverse range of shower-fit materials, including porcelain, glass, ceramic, and stone, in addition to various shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes. In other words, the practical benefits of tiling are only one facet of their appeal.
SHOWER TILE IDEAS
It doesn’t matter if you want to create a modern and relaxed atmosphere with shower wall ideas or a classic and elegant atmosphere with marble shower floor ideas; to transform walk-in shower ideas into spaces that are not only functional but also wonderfully gorgeous, you need to use excellent tile. The following suggestions for shower tiles will assist you in transforming your bathroom into a marvel of water resistance.
1. FOCUS ON THE ART OF DRAMA AND EXPERIMENT WITH PROPORTION
“Whether you’re searching for walk-in shower designs or small bathroom shower tile ideas, using all the visual tricks you can to make a small bathroom look bigger,” advises Lucy Searle, Editor-in-Chief of Homes & Gardens.
Decorating using stripes is one method for creating the illusion of a larger room since the diagonal lines expand the perception of height and width.
2. RETHINK WHAT SHOWER TILES CAN DO
If you are seeking shower tile ideas with a difference, why not embrace the latest bathroom trends: mural ideas?
According to Jennifer Ebert, the digital editor of Homes & Gardens, “many tile makers are now building murals with tile so that you can create a feature wall with walk-in shower tiles,” as shown in this bathroom by Drummonds(opens in new tab). Forward-thinking firms like Wall&Deco design waterproof wallpapers that may be used similarly in bathrooms and wet rooms.
3. USE SHOWER TILES TO CREATE A WALL OF COLOR
When combined with complementary finishes for the walls and ceiling of the bathroom, creative uses of shower tiles can have a substantial visual impact. Traditionally, tile has been the go-to material for bathrooms, and it’s easy to find paint that matches the tile’s color. However, there are other waterproof and water-resistant surface options, such as Tadelakt(opens in new tab), a plasterwork imitation that recalls traditional Moroccan techniques. Even a tiny shower room may considerably impact when tiled in matte or low-sheen materials.
4. Variable tile sizes
You are probably building a bathroom that serves as a shower or wet room and a bathing area if you brainstorm bathroom shower ideas.
Whether this is a Jack and Jill bathroom or a regular family bathroom, it will see a lot of use. In this instance, as with any multi-use space, minimalism is key. But don’t mistake “simple” for “boring.” By utilizing two distinct tile sizes of the same hue, as in the bathroom mentioned above, you can quickly increase the visual appeal of your shower.
5. STYLISH FLOOR TILE FOR THE SHOWER
In the same way that you may give visual depth, color, and pattern to a room by keeping the walls white and placing a colorful rug in the center of the room, you can do the same thing with your shower tile. Using plain wall tile to create the illusion of more space and height and patterned floor tile to provide personality and the visual appeal is a smart move when working with a limited amount of square footage.
Lucy Searle says, “Notice the slanted lip where the floor and wall tile merge.” This can help eliminate any potential breeding grounds for mold in your shower’s grout where water collects. This method is helpful for tiling the floor of a shower as well as any built-in shelves or niches.
6. BOOKMATCH MARBLE FOR DRAMA
If you want to add a touch of sophistication to your wet room design, consider incorporating marble bathroom ideas into your shower tile ideas and book matching them for added impact and a feeling of balance.
The inventor of Elicyon, Charu Gandhi, states, “Natural stone, in a slab, tile, and mosaic forms, is a material we employ often” (opens in new tab). “Marble immediately evokes thoughts of timeless beauty and rarity; it can be bookmatched to amazing effect,” says the author.
Karen Howes, founder of the high-end interior design firm Taylor Howe(opens in new tab)s, says, “Luxury real marble and durable, easy-to-maintain marble-effect porcelain always indicate peace and a connection to nature.” For the floor, use mosaics, while the shower can handle larger tiles.
7. MAKE THE MOST OF CURVES WITH MOSAICS
Mosaics allow you to make adaptable tile designs for your shower, and they are beneficial for making shower benches that are both functional and devoid of rough edges.
According to H&G’s editor-in-chief, “there is a real trend for adding shower benches in cubicles and wet rooms presently.” Tiled to make a showpiece, they were “mostly influenced by the urge to create spa baths at home post-pandemic.”
8. WALL AND FLOOR TILES THAT CONTRAST IN A SHOWER
Using contrasting tile arrangement patterns and concepts can produce a striking visual effect. Yousef Mansuri, director of design at CP Hart(opens in new tab), created an Art Deco bathroom with a wet room style shower, despite the small size of the room. The white and black checkerboard floor tiles were continued into the shower area so as not to detract from the room’s spaciousness or its many Deco characteristics. The owner, a native of Spain, wanted a striking contrast between the floor and the walls, so he had them tiled in azure blue glazed tiles and given a polished black trim to highlight the tiles’ geometric patterns.
9. PICK PORCELAIN FOR PRACTICALITY
You can have porcelain tiles that appear just like marble or get creative and get ones that look like wood. Regardless, it’s a flexible option for making otherwise unaffordable natural materials in bathing areas more noticeable.
Because it doesn’t need to be sealed, porcelain tile is a beautiful alternative for shower tile. Director of natural stone flooring business Quorn Stone, Isabel Fernandez, explains that slip resistance of the tiles is an essential factor to consider when designing a bathroom.
10. USE SHOWER TILES TO FORM A FEATURE WALL
Making provision for a sizable shower area and emphasizing it with a wall of colorfully patterned tiles is one method to get a great appearance.
If I use patterns, I prefer something simple but bold rather than a busy combination. Interior and textile designer Eva Sonaike recommends, “Pick a genre of pattern and keep to it, perhaps merging two graphic patterns, for example, rather than mixing in a floral.”
11: WHITE MARBLE IS ALWAYS AN ELEGANT CHOICE
According to Lee Thornley, founder of Bert & May, “marble is an interior design classic because its cool and sumptuous aesthetic looks stunning in a spectrum of environments,” including minimalist and laid-back chic maximalist designs drenched with color.
The use of marble in interior design has always been associated with luxury; it is a classic material that will never go out of style but has also been prohibitively expensive. The gorgeous natural patinas within the stone are a joy to witness as they contribute to a one-of-a-kind and natural design in a wide range of settings; thankfully, smaller format tiles have made it possible to incorporate this stunning material into more homes.
Since white shower tile ideas are the most flexible, white-gray marble is a widely used material for both accents and extensive installations. The effect is subtle even when used extensively across big tiles, as in the initial bathroom image.
12. GET TONAL WITH DEEP BLUES
Blue is a popular color for bathroom shower tiles because of its relaxing effect and relationship with the ocean and other bodies of water.
To avoid the expected, use a deep color, and add tonal variety, so it doesn’t look too monochromatic.
The wall in the shower seen above has a sense of motion because of the use of square tiles in a few different tones, which look like softly undulating waves. Lighten up the room by matching it with all-white fixtures.
13. KEEP IT NEUTRAL (FOR NOW)
According to Isabel Fernandez, Director at Quorn Stone, “the tiles in a bathroom are an integral aspect of the decor, and often span both the wall and the floor”. The tiles should be a neutral hue so “pops of color can be added through accessories, tap finishes, and painted vanity units.”
A beautiful white and gray marble shower enclosure stands off from the rest of the bathroom, which features a large piece of bathroom art in a variety of colors.
14. Make Your Patterns Huge
Using tiles with a bold pattern in the shower might be a great way to wake up in the morning—this room’s Mediterranean ambiance results from the extensive use of a single rustic tile.
Shower tile schemes are becoming increasingly colorful and patterned, as noted by Thornley.
“Where before variations of very typical “spa-like,” pared back schemes were trendy, the shower is increasingly considered an opportunity to add an exciting splash of color and personality into a bathroom.”
15. CREATE A CHIC SPOT FOR TWO AMIDST RURAL CHARM
Because of the jewel-like brilliance of tiles, even a tiny shower nook can be transformed into a luxurious retreat.
Most of the room features wood paneling and natural textures in keeping with the farmhouse aesthetic. At the same time, a shower niche is highlighted in white-gray marble to lend a sense of luxury.
If the cost of natural stone panels is too much for you, you can find realistic-looking porcelain tiles with a marble pattern for a more reasonable price.
16. MONOCHROME LOOK SUITABLE FOR SUBWAY TILES
While these on-trend rectangular favorites are available in almost every color and finish, a traditional high-shine white with black grouting will lend some vintage character to a monochrome aesthetic. This trend isn’t going away anytime soon.
The patterned bathroom floor tile design softens the utilitarian vibe of the subway tiles, and the black border in the shower helps break up their wall-to-wall use.
17. The Green Marble’s Submarine Adventure
It’s not just white Calacatta marble making waves in bathrooms; the material’s inherent veining makes it suitable for wet rooms of any color. The emerald green tones of the deep sea are an evocative and fashionable option.
The Verde Guatemala marble we provide as an option on many of our items is becoming increasingly popular with our customers, and we anticipate its color and texture will continue to grow in demand. Director of Creative Services at Drummonds James Lentaigne (opens in new tab).
The combination of green marble, brassware, and accessories in warm brass tones or dark antique finishes is said to be particularly effective in achieving this goal.
18. CREATE A STANDALONE STATEMENT WITH TILING
Tile work for a shower doesn’t have to be confined to a separate enclosure. Tiles can be used to transform an unattractive wall into a beautiful backsplash for a stand-alone bathtub and shower head.
As seen in the above-mentioned bathroom design idea, only a portion of the wall has been tiled with a patterned design to create a focal point, which has been framed like a picture with wall paint. If you want to create a big impression with more expensive tiles but don’t want to break the bank, tiling just a small, carefully selected area is perfect.
19. GET GEOMETRIC WITH YOUR MARBLE
While the natural theme of marble may be fully appreciated in large panels, the material can also draw attention to minute details when used sparingly. The stone’s uneven layers are set off by the bold geometric lines of a patterned tessellation, making for a striking visual contrast that is both striking at first glance and impossible to look away from.
20. BRING THE WHOLE ROOM TOGETHER WITH ALL-OUT TILING
Tiles can be utilized to create distinct zones in open-concept showers or to promote a less-defined space.
The wall tiles in this wet room continue from the shower area and the bath, making the space feel more cohesive. The seamless tile floor extends throughout the entire space, comforting those with wet feet so that they won’t damage the floor.
HOW DO I DECIDE ON THE BEST TILE FOR A SHOWER?
Porcelain, glass, stone, and ceramic are all great options for tiling a bathroom wall and other wet areas, such as a shower.
However, Thornley cautions that before you begin, you should learn as much as possible about the material you’ve decided to use, as there are some costly pitfalls to avoid when purchasing tiles.
To tile a shower properly, it is crucial that you have a firm grasp on the tile material you’ll be working with and that you’ve mastered the art of proper installation. Getting the care of your bathroom’s various components right or wrong can drastically affect how long they last and how they ultimately appear.
HOW BIG SHOULD SHOWER TILES BE?
A smaller tile will make a smaller room feel more manageable, but there is no hard and fast rule for the optimal tile size for a shower. This can be done, but it doesn’t use the tile’s visual tricks that make a room feel more significant and more unique. A smaller shower area can benefit from the use of bigger-scale tiles since the increased visibility of the grout lines in the larger tiles makes the area seem more open and spacious.
Which tile is the least difficult to maintain in a bathroom shower?
If you want a low-maintenance result, porcelain is the way to go, according to Fernandez.
She explains that they are ideal for wet areas because they don’t need to be sealed, and most bathroom cleaners may be used to maintain their pristine condition. Using epoxy resin grout with porcelain tiles prevents the grout from staining and harboring mold.
