12 Fabulous Black & White Shower Tile Ideas

What’s black and white and stylish all over? A chic shower outfitted with black and white tile. This timeless pairing has captivated designers since the dawn of bathroom tile—and for good reason. The contrast between deep, grounding black and crisp, luminous white creates instant sophistication, whether used in bold graphic patterns or subtle tonal designs.

Always in fashion and endlessly versatile, black and white tile transcends trends, creating spaces that feel both timeless and of-the-moment at the same time. From classic marble checkerboards to sleek modern mosaics, within this single color combination lies a surprising range of moods: dramatic or serene, vintage or contemporary, minimal or ornate.

And because both hues are true neutrals, they make the perfect foundation for evolving your space over time. Change up your look seasonally with new textiles or decor without ever losing that effortlessly polished backdrop.

Whether your taste leans traditional, modern, or eclectic, these 12 black and white shower tile ideas prove that this iconic color scheme is anything but basic.

1. Pair Black Floor Tile With White Walls

The contrast between crisp white wall tile and black floor tile adds depth and dimension to a space. In this bathroom, Jaime Nelson pairs Bianco Puro subway tile with Hex Matte Black mosaic tile on the floor. The white marble-look tile features delicate grey veining for subtle visual texture, while the mosaic floor tile offers added traction in the shower. We love how the marble-look Lombardia White wall tile and the large Black Hex floor tile complement the shower tile while still creating a visual distinction between the bathroom and the shower area.

2. Show Off Your Fashionable Taste

Eclectic and worldly, our exclusive Nikki Chu collection tiles are designed to complement each other for unique, fashion-forward spaces. This stylish shower features the Nikki Chu Fusi Carbon Steel and Zulu Graphite tiles. With its graphic, hand-drawn pattern, the Zulu Graphite tile creates a bold statement wall while maintaining the neutral color scheme, and the complementary dark-grey Fusi Carbon Steel tile adds chic cement-look detail.

3. Make It Marvelous With a Black and White Marble Mosaic

Rich and expressive, natural stone embodies luxury like nothing else—and because no two pieces are ever the same, your space is guaranteed to be one of a kind. Featuring subtle grey and beige veining, white Hampton Carrara marble is paired with black stone in the Geo with Noir mosaic wall tile. Raised, overlapping squares add both visual and tactile texture, creating a layered, sensory experience in this shower.

4. Go Geometric

Bold and graphic or whimsical and floral, a black and white patterned tile adds visual interest to your space while maintaining a classic color scheme. This contemporary shower, designed by @tilerhub, features the geometric Ragno Blanco hex tile. Deceptively simple, this pattern can be installed in a variety of layouts—we love how this starburst design creates a dynamic sense of movement.

5. Pair a Pattern With Solid Subway Tile

The constraint of a black and white color scheme invites creativity in mixing styles. In this charming shower, sleek handmade-look subway tile is complemented by the Jeffrey Alan Marks Summerland Toro hex floor tile. Subtle tonal and surface variations in the Tribeca Basalt and Gypsum White tiles pair beautifully with the patterned tile’s faded embroidery motif, creating an intentional, visually rich design.

6. Add a Pastoral Scene

Style meets function in this elegant shower, designed by Haneen Matt of Haneen’s Haven. The Saltus tile, featured in the double niches below, depicts a bucolic forest scene framed within the recessed squares. While the black and white patterned tile might be too bold for the entire space, it serves as the perfect accent for these decorative yet practical shelves.

7. Make a Hex-Cellent Pattern

A retro shape making a comeback, the six-sided hexagon is endlessly versatile. In this dynamic shower, Black Hex and White Hex tiles are paired to create a custom honeycomb design, while the Hex Matte White with Black Flower floor tile offers a complementary yet distinct touch. Shop our extensive selection of hexagon tile to discover more mix-and-match possibilities.

8. Create Timeless Design

Our exclusive Signature tile collection features versatile basics that create spaces that are anything but ordinary. In this stately walk-in shower, the Signature Bianco Gloss Subway tile is accented with elegant lines of glossy black trim. Explore the possibilities with the full range of mix-and-match elevated basics in our Signature collection.

9. Pair With Wood-Look Tones

Incorporating a third element into your black and white tile design adds visual depth and complexity. Here, the Mauvila Amber wood-look tile—with its natural woodgrain details—contrasts beautifully with the concentric diamond pattern of the Trois Bandes patterned tile stripe. If you love this mix of organic and geometric design, explore our wide selection of wood-look and patterned tile.

10. Don’t Forget About Grout

You don’t necessarily need black and white tile to create a bold color scheme. You can also achieve the look by choosing contrasting grout, whether you pair white tile with black grout or black tile with white grout. This gorgeous shower, designed by @kristenjoyhome, features white subway tile installed with black grout to highlight the brick-lay pattern. The dark grout not only adds drama to the white tile design but also helps hide the appearance of dirt.

Don’t let this essential detail be an afterthought. Unlock all the design potential of this functional detail with our top tips to nail your grout design.

11. Make a Point With Picket Tile

Resembling fence rungs, picket tile is a modern twist on traditional stacked subway tile. There are many design possibilities when pairing black and white versions of this tile, but this color-blocking approach—using Lanse Matte Black and White tiles—demonstrates how dynamic the shape can be, even when installed with complementary grout for a more muted effect. Explore our wide selection of picket tile for more on-point designs.

12. Add Drama With Marble-Look Tile

Featuring expressive veining, the Alvardo Matte and Livingstone Nero marble-look tiles bring drama to this sleek industrial-style shower. The white-on-black and black-on-white tiles pair beautifully, with complementary thin and lush veining that creates rich visual texture. Though they mimic the appearance of natural marble, these porcelain tiles offer easy maintenance and superior durability. Shop our wide selection of marble-look tile for more designs that marry natural elegance with easy care.

Updating your space is easier than you think! Shop our vast selection of shower tile, or explore our 29 Stunning Shower Tile Design Ideas for 2025 for more trending looks. Need help getting started? Schedule a free design consultation and let us help you create your dream space.

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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