12 Small Bathroom Shower Tile Ideas

Even a small space can feel luxurious with the right tile. From sleek porcelain slabs to beautiful mosaics and vibrant patterns, these 12 shower tile ideas will refresh and rejuvenate your limited square footage.

Discover a wealth of possibilities for wet spaces in our expansive selection of shower tile.

1. Surround Yourself With Seamless Luxury

Create a lush, opulent space with oversized porcelain panels. Available individually or in four-piece shower kits, these 32″ x 94″ panels mimic the look of a single stone slab with minimal grout lines, creating a near-seamless finish that makes a small space feel larger—bonus: they’re also easier to clean.

Exuding high-end elegance, this chic bathroom features the Masterstone White panel throughout. A crisp white background with a contemporary mix of beige and grey veining creates a rich stone look and a soothing atmosphere, enhanced by sleek brass fixtures.

Shop porcelain panels in all four exquisite stone looks: Masterstone White, Calacatta White, Max Rapolano Ivory and Statuario Nuovo.

2. Find a Fashion-Forward Focus

A bold accent wall in muted neutrals is the focal point of this fashionable shower. Featuring a hand-drawn geometric design, Nikki Chu Zulu Cement tile (also available in Pumice [beige] and Graphite [black]) is installed in a dynamic zigzag pattern that draws the eye up and across, giving the small space a sense of expansiveness. On the side walls, coordinating Nikki Chu Mrembo Honed stone-look tile echoes the palette of the patterned tile.

If you love this sophisticated, globally inspired design, explore our exclusive Nikki Chu designer collection.

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3. Add Stylish Utility

At the intersection of form and function sits the shower niche—a recessed shelf designed to store your toiletries in style. Perfect for keeping essentials from cluttering a small shower, a niche also provides an opportunity to showcase a decorative patterned or mosaic tile. Here, Laura Park Cosmo Aegean Blue tile is on elegant display, surrounded by coordinating Laura Park Seaside Marble tile.

Designed to complement, the vibrant patterns and calming colors of our exclusive Laura Park designer collection will add artistry to your space.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Introducing The Tile Shop x Laura Park

4. White Tile Shower Ideas for Small Bathrooms

Crisp and clean, white tile is an excellent choice for showers. This bright, invigorating bathroom features Kelli Fontana Tommas Classico marble look tile (also available in grey-veined Carrara). The raised fluted pattern casts soft shadows that shift with the changing light, giving the space a dynamic sense of movement. Run your hand over the gently rounded flutes to awaken your senses in the morning or calm your nerves at the end of a long day.

If you love the whimsical, romantic look of this space—note the checkered Kelli Fontana Inlay Proper floor tile in Eden Ode and Florence Lace—explore our exclusive Kelli Fontana designer collection.

5. Create a Playful Pattern

Kids’ bathrooms can be tricky to style—you want a design that can grow with them or transition into a guest bath over time. Hand Makes Home strikes the right balance between playfulness and sophistication in this charming bathroom designed for her young boys. Glass subway tiles in White, Storm and Light Blu are installed in a custom pattern that infuses the space with cheerful energy.

To create a similar pattern of your own, explore our wide selection of subway tile.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Playful Kids’ Bathroom Tile Ideas

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6. Add Abstract Expressions

Designed to emulate glazed pottery, the Jeffrey Alan Marks Big Sur Sea Spray tile (also available in Off the Hook [blue]) brings expressive movement to this coastal chic shower. Tonally complementing the blue-green Look Avio subway tile on the adjoining wall, this vibrant tile adds rich visual interest—perfect for elevating a small space.

For more relaxed, coastal-inspired designs, explore our exclusive Jeffrey Alan Marks designer collection.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Cool & Calming Coastal Chic Bathroom Tile Ideas

7. Go for a Design Checkmate!

A classic pattern making a major play in contemporary design, checkerboard is a versatile look that enlivens and elevates any space. While black-and-white squares remain a staple, there are many creative takes on the pattern that add an unexpected twist.

Here, handmade Zellige tile in Azul (dark blue) and Light Grey brings a new dimension to the design. The sides of the shower are tiled in Zellige Azul as well, with the glossy surface reflecting the checkerboard pattern on the far wall, making the space feel more expansive.

If you love this authentic, handcrafted look, explore our wide selection of Zellige tile. Or explore our newly expanded selection of checkerboard pairings for an easy play.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Unique and Unexpected Checkerboard Tile Ideas

8. Break Up the Space

Pairing Villa Cool Grey Gloss subway tile and large format Macula Matte tile, this chic shower layout adds a sense of height and expansiveness to the small space. Featuring lush grey veining, the marble look tile along the bottom half of the space creates a sense of movement that draws the eye across the room. On the top half, the subway tile, installed in a vertical straight stack, directs the eye upward, making the wall feel taller.

Stylish and affordable, these tiles prove you don’t need to break the bank to create a stunning space. Discover even more beautiful looks for any budget in our expansive selection of tile under $7.

Pro Tip: Requiring fewer grout lines, large format tile (defined as any tile with one side larger than 23″) will make your small space look and feel bigger.

9. Put in a Picture Frame

Created by “framing” a patterned or mosaic tile with trim, a tile picture frame is a great way to add definition to your small shower. Typically installed around the shower head and handle, this elegant feature provides a captivating focal point while you bathe. Here, the Shapes Elongated Hex Off White Two Tone mosaic tile is framed with three layers of Signature trim (Denim Gloss London and Pencil, and Gris Square Pencil). This decorative detail remains tonally consistent with the Signature Denim Gloss subway tile, enhancing the space’s cool coastal feel.

Discover elevated basics designed for mixing and matching in our exclusive Signature tile collection.

MORE TO EXPLORE | How to Elevate Your Space With Trim

TILE FOR EVERY STYLE

Coastal Chic

Modern Farmhouse

Japandi

Boho Chic

10. Bathe Your Space In Natural Stone

Small spaces are the perfect place to invest in natural stone. Inherently beautiful, marble, travertine, slate and limestone offer rich details that ensure your space is truly unique. Stone collections include coordinating field, mosaic and trim pieces, so you can achieve a unified look across your entire space.

This lovely shower features Volakas tile throughout. The field tile on the left wall is the same stone used in the Alison Victoria Elia Honed leaf-shaped mosaic on the right wall. A coordinating shower seat provides a place to rest, hold toiletries or assist with shaving.

Explore the rich offerings available in the Tile Shop-exclusive natural stone collections: Volakas, Hampton Carrara, Calacata Evora, Legno, Firenze and more.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Marvelous Marble Tile Bathroom Ideas

11. Create Your Forever Space with Universal Design

Bringing the principles of universal design into your bathroom will help you enjoy it—and your home—longer. Features like a curbless entry, grab bars and shower seats and benches help ease bathing for people with mobility challenges, and add comfort and value to your home.

This shower floor showcases another universal design feature. A tiled “rug” of Laura Park Watercolor Marble herringbone tile is installed in the center of the shower, providing a visual and textural guide, while the many grout joints between the mosaic pieces add traction, reducing slip hazards.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Ideas to Equip Your Bathroom for Aging in Place

12. Consider Your Grout

Don’t overlook one of the most essential elements of your tile design. Grout, whether tonally contrasting or complementary, can make a big impact even in small spaces. A contrasting grout will highlight your layout, while a complementary grout will create a softer look.

Here, Whisper Grey grout peeks out between Signature Bianco Gloss tile. The muted tone matches the Hampton Carrara tile used in the shower niche, creating a tonally consistent visual throughline between the walls and trim.

Pro Tip: Consider your cleaning routine when selecting grout. White grout shows dirt more readily, black grout can highlight soap scum, while grey or beige grout will stay looking clean longer.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tips to Nail Your Grout Color and Design

Let’s Create a Space You’ll Love!

Ready to update your small shower? It’s easier than ever to make your design dreams a reality with our free design services. Or, explore even more small shower spaces on our Customer Room Gallery and Instagram!

Small Bathroom & Shower Tile FAQs

What is the best tile to use for a small shower?

As with any space, the best tile to use is the one that most appeals to you. Since the shower is often one of the first spaces you enter in the morning, choosing a pattern, style or material that makes you feel refreshed and invigorated can help you start your day off right. Alternatively, if you’re a nighttime showerer, a soothing, relaxing look can help you wind down.

What is the best color tile for a small bathroom?

Light-colored tile can make your space feel more open and airy, but if your bathroom has plenty of natural light, you can opt for a darker tile. A highly reflective finish, such as a glossy jewel-toned tile, will help bounce light around the space even if the tile itself is darker.

What tile makes a small shower look bigger?

There are many ways to create a feeling of expansiveness in a small space. Large format tile requires fewer grout lines, making a space feel and appear larger (as do oversized porcelain slabs). Perhaps counterintuitively, small-format mosaic tile can also trick the eye into perceiving a space as larger, as it gives the eye more detail to take in.

Layout can also impact perception. Subway tile can create the illusion of height when installed vertically, or width when installed horizontally.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hi! I'm Eimile, Marketing copywriter. What I love about working at The Tile Shop is getting to see all the new design trends. I especially love bright, bold colors and retro designs. When I'm not writing copy, I'm usually reading a novel or taking a walk around my Minneapolis neighborhood.

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