White shower tile ideas – 10 takes on this clean, classic choice
It’s no surprise that white shower tile designs are the most popular choice for many bathrooms. They seem new, assist in keeping the space light, and may be used in a neutral or colorful scheme. They’re also timeless and won’t date a room in the future.
However, white tile for the shower is also really adaptable. Tile format and size, finish – gloss or matte, textured or smooth – white shade, and tile material can all contribute to a plethora of diverse styles to allow even the most fastidious of remodelers to accomplish their bathroom ideas.
We’ve gathered a variety of bathrooms with gorgeous white shower tiles to inspire you, and we’ve asked designers for their advice on incorporating them into your space.
WHITE SHOWER TILE IDEAS
White shower tile choices will suit any walk-in shower design, whether traditional, transitional, or contemporary. Pay attention to the color of the grout, which can blend in softly with the tile or emphasize the shape.
1. PLAY WITH PATTERN
To zone, this area of the shower room, consider constructing an attractive pattern using white shower tile. ‘I adore taking classic white tiles and applying them in exciting and unexpected ways in bathrooms,’ explains Creative Tonic Design’s Courtnay Tartt Elias.
‘By cutting 12 by 12 white tiles in half (in any direction) and arranging them in a brick joint or herringbone pattern, you elevate a plain material. Using multiple patterns of the same tile sliced into different sizes gives the illusion that you’re weaving in distinct materials. Because of the innovative use of tile, this space is quiet and calming while also feeling bright.’
2. ADD AN EXTRA DIMENSION
White tile with texture is an excellent method to add dimension to wet areas. Use it for the shower when there is patterned tile on the floor, as shown in this room. Choosing a textured white tile keeps it from being the forgotten Cinderella of the space and complements the floor’s geometric complexity.
3. TRY TONE ON TONE
In organic bathroom designs, a softer twist on traditional white shower tile ideas may prove to be the finest choice. Above is an example of a walk-in shower tile idea by Emily Dunn of Emily Dunn Interior Design.
She recommends experimenting with various white hues to achieve a casual and organic feel. It’s not as stark as a white tile, but it still has that clean, unpretentious vibe.
4. CELEBRATE SUBWAY TILE
Given that replacing tile is more labor-intensive than altering wall color, it’s crucial that you love your tile choice now and in the years to come. Subway bathroom tile in a classic pattern is one option for a white shower floor that will never look out of place.
Though the most room is just the shower, it can be extended to other walls for a wraparound style and is one of the small bathroom shower tile ideas that can help the room feel more open and airy.
5. MIX FINISHES
In addition to picking between glossy and matte white shower tile ideas, you may also want to consider combining the two for a more sophisticated aesthetic.
Mark Williams and Niki Papadopoulos of Mark Williams Design state, “Creating a shower with economical white wall tile doesn’t have to be dull.” To create depth and variety without overwhelming the eye, consider incorporating matte and glossy variations of the same tile into your design scheme.
Both have been put to good use in this shower, from the recessed niches to the shower seat at the other end of the room.
6. CHANGE THE LINES
Swap out the straight lines of a white tiled shower for the curves of fish scale tile. Fish scale tile, also known as scallop or mermaid tile, is a lovely decorative option for showcasing niches and other shower storage ideas. It creates a gentle contrast to the room’s straight lines.
Consider whether you want the pointy end of the fish scale tile to face down, to the side, or up to make a teardrop pattern. The pattern can be further embellished by laying it at an angle.
7. MAKE WHITE WALLS POP
To achieve a modern aesthetic, combine white tiles for the shower’s walls with a tile in a striking accent tile for the floor.
In a bathroom, there are numerous opportunities to highlight classic white tile, as HouseMill’s Lauren Ramirez points out. Since you’re probably seeking understatement in a traditional white tile, a tone-on-tone design will give you the layered effect and added drama you’ve been craving. To draw attention to the white walls (and unlacquered brass hardware), choosing a floor color that stands out may be a good idea.
8. USE DARK GROUT
The grout color greatly impacts the appearance of the white shower tile. If you want people to notice the shape of the tile, go with a dark color like gray or black. It’s a great way to add visual interest to a bathroom with white tile and may be coordinated with the color scheme you choose for the shower curtain.
Alternatively, if you’d like the tiles to disappear into the wall, you should choose white or off-white grout.
9. ADD OPULENCE WITH MARBLE
Select marble bathroom designs for an air of quiet luxury. It maintains the advantages of using white tile in the shower, such as reflecting light to create the illusion of a larger space and making the area appear clean and fresh while adding intrigue with its gray veining and giving the impression of generosity.
Porcelain tile, which accurately mimics the look of natural stone but requires much less upkeep, is an excellent option for achieving this style on a budget.
10. DWELL ON DETAIL
This variation of using a different pattern on the lower part of the shower than the top walls is yet another technique to make white shower tile look like anything than a blank, homogeneous background.
Using small-sized tiles, the herringbone tile below produces a broken zigzag that injects vitality into the room. The design above is modern and draws attention upwards while providing a soothing contrast to the herringbone below.
IS WHITE SHOWER TILE HARD TO KEEP CLEAN?
Where you put white tile can make a big difference in how much pain it is to keep clean, but using white tile in the bathroom, especially the shower, isn’t a difficult choice.
Maintaining a clean shower and removing soap and hair residue from the tile will require regular cleaning. Another consideration is the hardness of the water in your location, which may necessitate periodic tile cleaning to remove limescale. These responsibilities, however, would remain the same regardless of the tile’s color.
Remember that regular cleaning is necessary for more than just the tile itself. Because it is porous and absorbs cleaning, mold can grow in the grout, making it smell bad and perhaps making people sick.
WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR TILE FOR SHOWERS?
Whites and off-whites are popular neutral bathroom colors, including shower tile. If you want to be ahead of the curve, however, the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) reports that organic/natural styles are rising. This could refer to the tile used in the shower, which could be a tile of green, blue, or even wood.
Although subway tiles have stood the test of time, the NKBA’s analysis predicts that larger format tiles that require less grouting will be the next big thing by 2022.
