1. Explore Neutral Territory

Miles from bland and boring, this exquisite shower proves how vivid and invigorating neutrals can be. Featuring an expressive palette of white, beige and rust, the handmade-look and marble look tiles offer rich details in complementary tones. On the floor, Kasbah tile in Cross Terracotta and Star Bone creates a unique checkerboard, echoing the white and rust tones in the Arabian Pisa Oro Matte shower wall tile. The marble look tile’s lush veining provides a visual throughline to the handmade-look details of the Coco White Matte and Canvas Matte subway wall tiles, creating a beautifully complex yet cohesive space.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Warm & Inviting Earth-Toned Neutral Tile Ideas

2. Add Fluted Details

Awaken your senses with an elegant fluted tile—like the Kelli Fontana Tommas Classico wall tile (also available in grey-veined Carrara) featured in this charming bathroom. The raised, gently rounded flutes are both invigorating and soothing to the touch, while also casting soft shadows that shift as the light moves throughout the room. We love how the crisp marble look tile is paired with the checkerboard-patterned Kelli Fontana Inlay Proper Eden Ode and Florence Lace floor tile for a whimsical, romantic aesthetic.

If you love this classic, bold and whimsical style, shop our exclusive Kelli Fontana designer collection.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Wellness-Focused Bathroom Ideas

3. Coordinate Your Tiles

Create a seamless transition from the bathroom to the shower by pairing large format tiles with coordinating mosaics. In this space, designed by West Bay Homes, Livingstone Bianco large format tile is used on the main floor, while the matching Livingstone Bianco mosaic provides essential traction underfoot in the shower. The increased grout lines of the 2″ square mosaic offer safety without disrupting the visual flow, especially when paired with the complementary Simona White wall tile.

For more exquisitely expansive looks, explore our wide selection of large format tile.

MORE TO EXPLORE | A Step Inside: The Eden Project by West Bay Homes

4. Line the Wall With Trim

Whether smoothing the transition between surfaces, outlining a patterned or mosaic picture frame or adding layers of interest to your walls, trim plays an essential role in your tile design. Much like with clothing or bedding, layering trim makes your space look elevated and intentional.

This chic shower features Bianco Gloss subway tile, but it is the bands of Black Gloss London, skirting and pencil trims that take the space from simple to stylish. By creating sleek outlines along the walls, these trim tiles add depth and dimension.

Explore the Signature collection for more elevated basics designed for mixing and matching. 👉

MORE TO EXPLORE | How to Elevate Your Space With Trim

5. Make a Tonal Shift

Whether your walk-in shower is spacious or snug, varying your tile creates invigorating interest. Even a subtle tonal shift can enliven your design. In this stunning shower, designed by Two Chicks and a Hammer, Coco tile is installed in two colorways—White Glossy and Amber Grey Glossy—creating a unique layout that remains uniform in size and style. The undulating tones and texture are enhanced by the herringbone pattern, drawing the eye across the space with a soothing sense of movement. Note how the two colorways are separated by a band of marble trim for an elevated, finished feel.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Creative Design Ideas for Coco Subway Tile

6. Pick Painterly Motifs

Inspired by her original artwork and popular textile designs, our exclusive Laura Park collection brings painterly expression to unexpected spaces. This gorgeous bathroom features the patterned Cosmo Aegean Blue, Seaside Marble and Bespoke tiles. Picking up the vivid hues of the floor, the Seaside Marble porcelain shower tile creates a space that is both tonally cohesive and beautifully distinct. On the shower floor, the coordinating Seaside Marble herringbone offers essential traction.

Discover more painterly patterns in our exclusive Laura Park designer collection.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Introducing The Tile Shop x Laura Park

7. Bathe Your Space in Marble

If your budget allows, an all-over marble design offers unparalleled beauty and exceptional elegance. As each piece is crafted from natural stone, no two tiles will ever be alike, ensuring your design is truly one of a kind. Featuring Siberian Pearl marble throughout, this exquisite bathroom exemplifies how to mix stone styles to create a distinct, cohesive design. From the hex floor tile to the Niles with Grey Dot picture frame and corner seat, every element coordinates while the stone’s natural veining offers unique variation from piece to piece.

If you love this look of cohesive opulence, explore our wide selection of marble tile.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Marvelous Marble Tile Bathroom Ideas

8. Create a Picture Frame Focal Point

Take advantage of the extra wall space available in a walk-in shower to showcase a beautiful tile focal point. By “framing” a patterned or mosaic tile with trim, you can incorporate a favorite motif that might otherwise feel overwhelming if used throughout the entire space.

Here, the decorative Laura Park Martini Olives Taupe tile is framed by Africa Tempesta Barnes trim. The grey-veined white marble complements the tones of the painterly pattern, creating an elevated, high-end design moment.

Explore our wide selection of trim tile to frame your own tile masterpiece. 👉

9. Go Grey

Gorgeously soothing, grey is a timeless shade that continues to gain popularity in modern spaces. Whether patterned, subway, marble or stone look—like the Moonstone Grey featured in this marvelously moody bathroom—this versatile hue complements a range of contemporary and traditional styles. We love how the large format tile covers the floors and walls to create an expansive, cohesive space, but you could pair it with the coordinating picket mosaic tile to vary the design.

Love this timeless hue? Explore our many shades of grey tile.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Gorgeous Grey Shower Tile Ideas

SHOP SHOWER

Shower Tile

Shower Wall Tile

Shower Floor Tile

10. Show Your Stripes

Lines of Zellige petite subway tile in Shamrock and White run up the far wall of this cheerful shower, creating a sense of height and fashionable variety. Stripes are a great way to visually expand your space
—turn them horizontally to add width—and this dynamic design can be created with virtually any two tiles. Whether you prefer the long, skinny effect of these subway tiles, or want to create a distinct edge with penny round or hexagon—the possibilities are endless.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Unique Zellige Bathroom Tile Ideas

11. Choose Coastal Hues

Sophisticated seaside serenity washes over this exquisitely blue-hued bathroom. Featuring Signature Denim Gloss subway tile with layered London, pencil and skirting trim details, the soft, moody tones are complemented by sandy-colored Hex Elongated Off White Two Tone mosaic tile. On the floor, Alison Victoria French Connection Le Marais tile brings a beige design with patina detailing. The result is an elevated coastal chic design that goes far beyond typical shells and nautical patterns.

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

12. Match Stone-Look Tile With Real Stone

Stretch your budget without sacrificing style by pairing stone-look porcelain or ceramic tile with the real thing. While marble, slate and travertine—like the Claros Silver tile featured in this opulent wet room—offer unique details and unparalleled beauty, stone and marble look tile bring superior durability and easy maintenance at a lower price point.

Note how the Atlanta White marble look tile mimics the veining of natural stone, creating a vivid tableau in this West Bay Homes-designed space. The Claros Silver hex floor tile and trim, with their complex beige and grey tones, bring rich, earthy detail and the authentic complexity inherent in natural materials.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Wonderfully Luxurious Wet Room Tile Ideas

13. Add an Abstract Pattern

Mimicking the look and feel of glazed pottery, the Jeffrey Alan Marks Big Sur Sea Spray tile (also available in blue Off the Hook) creates a vivid abstract design in this splendid shower. Featuring six distinct, multi-directional faces, this unique tile allows for unlimited creativity and a truly custom layout. We love how it is paired here with the Look Avio subway tile, installed in a horizontal straight stack to add structure to the fluid, artistic pattern.

If you love this cool, coastal-inspired pattern, explore our exclusive Jeffrey Alan Marks designer collection.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Small Bathroom Shower Tile Ideas

14. Pick a Pebble Tile

Give your feet a treat with the raised stone-shaped Grey Pebble Small tile (also available in Black, Earth, White and White/Grey/Black). The smooth, rounded rocks gently massage your toes, creating a relaxing spa-like experience. Wonderfully soothing and elegantly earthy, this tile pairs perfectly with natural stone tile, such as the Arctic White marble wall tile featured in this luxurious shower.

15. Switch Directions

No need to adhere rigidly to a single layout—even small variations in your design can create interest and make your space feel more intentional. In this refined, transitional bathroom, a double band of Coco Canvas Glossy is installed in a vertical straight stack, artfully disrupting the horizontal stacks of Coco Canvas Matte. The glossy finish heightens the design, reflecting the light to highlight the change in direction. To make this design even more distinct, you could experiment with contrasting colors or textures.

Shop our wide selection of subway tile for more sleek design ideas. 👉

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Transitional Design

16. Bring in Botanicals

If being in nature boosts your mood, bring the outdoors in with colors, materials and patterns that evoke the natural world. Biophilic design can enhance well-being, making it a perfect style for the space where you begin your day.

This cheerful shower features the Amazonia Emerald Tropic tile. With lush foliage patterns and cool blues and greens mixed with warm brown hues, the hexagon tile creates a vibrant tableau that both invigorates and calms the mind—the perfect setting to start or end a busy day.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Biophilic Design

17. Surround Yourself With Seamless Luxury

Oversized porcelain panels create a near-seamless stone-slab look in this sleek, contemporary bathroom. The Masterstone White is available in both a complete shower kit and individual panels, allowing you to carry the continuous, floor-to-ceiling marble look throughout your main bathroom. We love how the brass fixtures infuse the space with an elevated, modern aesthetic, but these extra-large porcelain slabs—available in five distinct stone looks—are compatible with a wide range of styles.

Discover seamless sophistication in all five luxurious styles: Masterstone White, Statuario Nuovo, Calacatta White and Max Rapolano Ivory.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Great Large Format Bathroom Tile Ideas

18. Choose Fashion-Forward Design

Featuring a geometric hand-drawn motif, the Nikki Chu Zulu Cement tile—also available in Pumice (beige) and Graphite (black)—is fashion-forward and endlessly versatile. Its multidirectional design can be used to create custom patterns; here, the tiles are arranged in horizontal closed loops to create linear movement across the shower’s back wall. The Nikki Chu Mrembo polished marble look tile echoes the grey-and-white palette, while offering its own distinct visual texture.

For more high-end looks, shop our exclusive Nikki Chu designer collection.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Ultra-Stylish Neutral Shower Tile Ideas

19. Choose a Checkmate Design

A timeless pattern that’s a win for grand and cozy spaces alike, checkerboard is a surprisingly versatile style that brings a modern feel to your shower. If you love the look, consider going beyond traditional black and white to put a unique twist on the classic.

This suave, transitional shower, designed by @jessicasmithhomedesign, features Avorio Fiorito and Royal Satin White marble tiles in an elevated, neutral stone design. Picking up the beige and white tones of the Coco Canvas Glossy handmade-look subway wall tile, the checkerboard floor adds a playful element that remains consistent with the bathroom’s formal elegance.

For easy plays on this timeless style, explore our curated checkerboard tile collection.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Unique and Unexpected Checkerboard Tile Ideas

20. Keep It Classy With Black and White

What’s black and white and stylish all over? This contemporary shower featuring Lanse Matte Picket tile in Black and White. Much like a fashionable tuxedo, this suave space features crisp lines in the form of elongated hex tiles installed in horizontal stacks. While complementary grout makes this a slightly muted design, you could opt for contrasting colors to further highlight the unique silhouettes.

Make a pointed design with our selection of picket tile.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Fabulous Black & White Shower Tile Ideas

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21. Choose Handcrafted Elegance

Each Zellige tile is crafted, painted and glazed by hand, resulting in perfectly imperfect variations in size, texture and color. Note the undulating tones and surface variations in the Zellige Alabaster Gloss wall tile featured in this beautiful bathroom. This single colorway offers a stunning range of pink, grey and beige hues, creating a subtle patchwork tableau. On the floor, Zellige Charcoal Chabon tile in Star Matte and Cross Gloss forms a classic Moroccan pattern. The effect is a marvelously modern space that’s steeped in tradition.

Explore our expertly curated selection of Zellige tile for more authentically handcrafted looks. 👉

22. Add Natural Beauty With Wood-Look Tile

While we wouldn’t recommend real wood for a space that is regularly inundated with water, wood look tile offers the same natural appeal with the waterproof durability of porcelain or ceramic.

Here, the Violin Decor tile features rich visual and tactile texture, combining a realistic wood design with a fashionably fluted surface. The Cool Blue handmade-look tile on the adjoining wall adds rich, undulating tones for a water-like effect, beautifully enhancing the themes of biophilic design.

If you love this durable, earthy aesthetic, explore our wide selection of wood look tile.

23. Give Yourself a Seat

Whatever stage of life you’re in, you can benefit from a place to rest. Walk-in showers make it easier to accommodate mobility aids, and a built-in bench or seat offers a dedicated spot to sit if standing becomes difficult—adding to the long-term accessibility of your home, a key feature of universal design.

As this chic shower proves, a seat can be a stylish feature as well as a practical one. Tiled in Marradi Calacatta Emerald Polished, the seat features bold veining that echoes the natural green of the Alison Victoria Gem scalloped wall tile. Fully integrated into the design, this seat offers unassuming assistance when needed—even if its primary use for now is a convenient spot for shaving.

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

24. Add Curb Appeal

A stone curb separates your shower pan from the main bathroom floor while elevating the character of your space. Available in a range of natural stone styles, curbs can seamlessly match your shower tile or add a decorative, high-end edge to a ceramic or porcelain design.

This elegant shower features Volakas marble throughout, anchored by a matching Volakas curb. Utilizing expressive, grey-veined marble in mosaic, field and trim formats, the space exemplifies how dynamic a design can be even when sticking to a single stone.

Explore our wide selection of curbs and thresholds in a range of stone styles. 👉

25. Create an All-Over Marble Look

Whether subtly or boldly veined in neutrals or vivid hues, marble look porcelain and ceramic tiles are available in a wide range of looks that fill your space with easy-to-maintain luxury. If you’ve found a marble look tile you love, drenching your entire space—as seen in this stunning Nikki Chu-designed bathroom—creates floor-to-ceiling opulence. The Arabian Niro White Matte tile features rich beige veining and a finish that adds essential traction to shower floors.

For more durably luxurious designs, explore our wide selection of marble look tile.

26. Give It Grip With Granite Tile

A flamed finish creates an earthy, textured surface on the Shanxi Black granite floor tile. Adding natural traction to this transitional shower, the silver-veined stone provides a striking visual contrast to the Tribeca Gypsum White handmade-look subway tile. While a smaller format naturally creates more grout lines for grip, the unique flamed texture of this granite provides inherent slip resistance even in a larger format.

Shop granite tile for more beautifully textured designs. 👉

27. Add Niche Appeal

Form meets function in the shower niche. By providing a stylish spot to store your toiletries, a niche helps reduce tripping hazards while offering a perfect opportunity to showcase a favorite mosaic or patterned tile.

Here, the Arctic White Large Herringbone mosaic is featured within the niche, splendidly framed by layers of Claros Silver Somerset, Arctic White Barnes and DURAL Gold trim. While these coordinate beautifully with the Arctic White field tile, you could further increase your niche’s visibility by using a high-contrast tile.

28. Mix Your Stones

Inspired by the abstract geometric paintings of Piet Mondrian, the Mondrian tile incorporates marble and travertine in varying squares and rectangles to create a striking mosaic. The blend of natural stones and contrasting warm and cool neutrals results in a distinctly contemporary and visually rich tableau.

29. Go for a Gorgeous Green Hue

Gloriously green and visually rich, this spacious bathroom—designed by @yellowstoneinteriordesign—is enough to make anyone envious. The Look Oliva tile lines the shower walls and wainscoting, creating a cohesive and high-end feel. Chic and sleek, this subway tile features perfectly imperfect handmade-look details and undulating tones that give the space a serene sense of movement.

Love this lush hue? Shop our extensive collection of green tile.

DIY Like a Pro

How to Tile a Shower

How to Plan Your Shower Tile Layout

30. Add a Tile Rug

More than just a striking design feature, a tile rug provides both visual and tactile guidance in your shower. An effective tile rug is created using mosaic tile framed by a field tile in a contrasting color—like the white Watercolor Marble herringbone tile surrounded by Seaside Marble large format tile. The change in color and texture underfoot helps you navigate your shower safely, allowing you to enjoy your home longer.

Bring Your Dream Space to Life!

Ready to create your ideal shower? Whether you’re planning a major reno or a weekend DIY project, The Tile Shop is here to take your vision from concept to completion. Schedule a free design consultation or stop by your local showroom today to get started.

The post 30 Fabulous Walk-In Shower Tile Ideas appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Read on to discover 15 of our top tile design predictions for 2026—timeless looks and ideas that will shape the year ahead and inspire beautiful spaces you’ll love for years to come.

1. Modern Rustic

Characterized by warm, muted neutrals, natural materials and an atmosphere of relaxed refinement, modern rustic design is contemporary and sophisticated, yet still cozy. This style is perfect if you’re looking to update your modern farmhouse home—many of the same principles of approachable earthiness apply, but with fewer literal farmhouse elements.

This wet room, designed by HGTV star Alison Victoria, features a wall of rough-cut stone paired with the opulent Bianco Puro chevron marble mosaic, proving that this rugged style can also be elegant. If you love the warmth of modern farmhouse but are drawn to spaces that are a bit more streamlined, modern rustic is the perfect evolution.

2. Pleated Materials

Soft and romantic, pleats are rippling through the interior design world—offering unique tactile and visual texture in unexpected materials and spaces. This beautiful entryway features Kelli Fontana Tommas Classico marble-look wall tile. The raised, fluted pattern mimics pleats found in fabric, adding dimension and a dynamic quality as the pattern casts shadows in shifting light (you can achieve a similar look using Home Kit-Kat tiles). Kelli Fontana Patina Mirror tiles in Eclipse and Siren also contribute depth to the space.

Explore our exclusive Kelli Fontana designer collection for more of this bold, classic, and whimsical aesthetic.

3. Hand-Painted Motifs

Playful and expressive, painterly patterns have been gaining popularity over the past decade—and we predict they’ll continue to bring beauty and joy to interiors in the coming year. The chic bathroom below captures this trend perfectly with tiles from our exclusive new Laura Park collection.

The Cosmo Aegean Blue porcelain wall and floor tile, adapted from one of Laura Park’s signature wallpaper prints, brings artistic flair to the room’s floor with its hand-painted-look floral pattern and expressive brushstrokes. Soft blue tones flow seamlessly into the Seaside Marble wall tiles and coordinating shower floor mosaic, creating a serene, cohesive space full of color and charm.

Explore our wide selection of patterned tiles to discover more hand-painted motifs to suit your style.

4. Modern Organic

Much like rustic modern design (featured at #1 on this list), modern organic design celebrates natural materials and earthy tones—but with a more curated, minimalist sensibility. This style balances warmth and simplicity, pairing clean lines with organic texture and pattern for a look that feels effortlessly sophisticated.

In this serene patio, the Nikki Chu Tangier Pumice tile captures that balance beautifully. Its hand-drawn geometric motif introduces subtle movement and contemporary structure, while the soft, neutral palette grounds the space in nature. The result is a harmonious blend of modern polish and organic ease.

Explore our exclusive Nikki Chu designer collection for more organic patterns and contemporary neutral palettes.

5. Rich, Earth-Toned Neutrals

Say goodbye to millennial grey! The trend toward beige, warm white, earthy greens and muted blues will continue into the new year. Far from boring, these rich neutrals offer complexity and a connection to nature, creating deeply expressive spaces that move away from the starker, more industrial feel of the cool tones that defined much of the early 2000s.

This sumptuous space showcases Nuovo Riad wall tile in Bianco and Creme, installed in a chic checkerboard—another popular trend we expect to see more of in 2026. The warm browns and blacks in the Terrazzo Bianco Micro floor tile (this tile is no longer available; achieve a similar look with Terrazzo Bianco Macro tile)–which pops up again in trend #15 on this lis–adds even more visual texture.

6. Berry Hues

Warm mahogany, deep purple and dark cherry red have already been named colors of the year by some of the top paint brands—and we predict these rich berry hues will continue to grace spaces for years to come. This retro-inspired bathroom, designed by @johnmartinestudio, features Imperial Sienna gloss square mosaic tile (this tile is no longer available; achieve a similar look with Imperial Red Gloss). The deep red hue is balanced by the warm light wood vanity and off-white walls.

7. Raised Wood Patterns

Compatible with several contemporary and traditional styles—such as modern rustic, modern organic, Japandi and biophilic design—raised wood patterns have been growing in popularity for years, and we predict they will appear in even more spaces in the year to come. Featuring a range of designs—like the geometric cross shape in the Tavola Decor tile shown here—these tiles create a sensory experience with natural appeal. Explore our wide selection of wood-look tile for more unique motifs.

8. Color and Material Drenching

Color drenching—the process of bathing a room, including doors, ceilings and trim, in a single color—will continue to be popular in 2026. For the bold, this trend extends to materials as well as color. Saturating an entire room in a single hue—or even a single tile—adds depth and can make your space feel larger. Here, Costa Emerald Mix mosaic tile covers the walls and floors with rich green tones. We love how the band of gold metal trim breaks up the design—small details like this add visual interest to a monochromatic space.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Creative Color Drenching Tile Ideas

9. Sustainable Materials

Sustainability is always in fashion, and in the years ahead, the focus on recycled, natural and environmentally friendly materials will continue to shape home design. Featuring a durable eucalyptus core and a real wood veneer, our Corlee engineered hardwood collection offers natural beauty along with exceptional durability, easy installation and a lower impact on our forests.

Explore our wide selection of engineered hardwood in a variety of light and dark finishes to suit any style.

10. Terracotta Revival

Rustic and warm, terracotta and terracotta-look tile are a natural fit for many contemporary design styles gaining prominence in the coming year. Evoking a chic Southwest aesthetic, this rust-colored tile instantly brightens a space with rich, complex tones. This stylish room, designed by @northstardesign.co, features Kasbah Star and Cross Terracotta tiles. Their handmade look and Moroccan-inspired design add depth and interest to the modern rustic space.

11. Handmade Ceramics

Our preference for handcrafted designs and authentic materials will continue into the new year, with a particular appetite for handmade ceramics throughout the home. Fully embrace this trend with our Zellige collection tile—each piece crafted, painted and glazed by hand using centuries-old techniques. Here, the Zellige Shamrock and White Gloss petite subway tiles demonstrate that historic design and expert craftsmanship can be used to create stunning contemporary spaces.

12. Art Deco Designs

Curves, geometric patterns and mixed materials—the defining style of the 1920s—is making a roaring comeback in the 2020s. If you think this decadent, carefree style is the bee’s knees, explore our wide assortment of waterjet mosaics, many of which feature mixed materials in flapper-era patterns—like the Christie Volkas tile shown here.

13. Grout as a Design Element

Essential to any tile design, grout color can dramatically affect the look of a space. Choosing a contrasting or complementary color determines how much you highlight your tile layout. While high-contrast grout creates drama and depth, low-contrast grout offers a subtler, more organic effect. Here, white subway tile is installed using Whisper Grey grout for a softer look.

EXPLORE MORE | Tips to Nail Your Grout Color and Design

14. Unique Shapes

Creating interest through lines that offer dynamic movement, uniquely shaped tile will create distinct spaces in the coming year. From charming leaf motifs to unconventional scallops—like the Alison Victoria Malibu Edit Pointe Dume tile shown here—these exceptional silhouettes infuse spaces with character and unparalleled allure.

Explore our wide selection of uniquely shaped tile for more extraordinary designs. 👉

15. Terrazzo-Look Porcelains

Mimicking the look of authentic terrazzo tile—a composite material containing flecks of stone, glass and marble—these tiles offer beautiful visual texture and superior durability. This warm, contemporary space, designed by @craftandtheory, features the Terrazzo Bianco Micro tile (this tile is no longer available; achieve a similar look with Terrazzo Bianco Macro tile). Its earthy tones and organic texture work well with a variety of styles trending in 2026. Shop Terrazzo porcelain tile in all four colorways: Bianco Macro, Azzurro, Nero Macro, and Nero Micro.

Whether you embrace these tile trends or create one of your own, there’s one 2026 prediction that’s guaranteed to come true: a new year will bring even more projects to admire and ideas that inspire.

Speaking of inspiration, our biggest source of inspiration, year after year, is our customers. Be sure to share your project photos by tagging @thetileshop on Instagram or uploading them to our Customer Room Gallery—we can’t wait to see what you create next.

Let’s Create a Space You’ll Love

Ready for a room refresh? Schedule a free design consultation or stop by your local Tile Shop for the materials, tools and expert advice you need to bring your dream space to life.

The post Our Top Tile Trend Predictions for 2026 appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

While black-and-white squares remain iconic, modern takes on checkerboard invite you to think beyond tradition. From colorful twists and unexpected layouts to innovative uses of shape and scale, these 15 ideas prove there’s more than one way to play the grid.

1. Choose Multi-Colored Squares

Black and white aren’t the only options in the checkerboard game. For their modern farmhouse kitchen, @eighteenthcenturystephens paired Antique tiles in Lava and Green to create a refined rustic aesthetic that brings both color and character to the space. We love how they grouped four tiles together to form larger squares, but for a more dynamic look, you could alternate the individual tiles instead.

2. Play With Proportion

Everything about this checkerboard wall says classic—except the proportions. Checkerboard layouts don’t need to stick to squares. By using subway tiles instead, this design delivers a fresh and unexpected twist on the traditional look.

We especially love the choice of tiles in this inviting breakfast space. Fired Earth Stoneware ceramic subway tiles (shown here in Rainwashed, a soft blue, and Linen Brick, a warm beige) feature subtle speckles and slight color variation from piece to piece, for a decorative effect characteristic of handmade mid-century ceramics. 

3. Play With Pattern

Pairing two colorways of the same pattern offers a charming, unconventional twist on the classic design. This chic bathroom features the Kelli Fontana Inlay Proper in Eden Ode (black) and Florence Lace (white). The ornate, botanical design is completed when four tiles are grouped together, adding feminine allure to the traditional checkerboard.

If you love this bold, whimsical take on a classic style, explore our exclusive Kelli Fontana designer collection.

4. Play With Shape

A twist on traditional Moroccan design, this Kasbah Cross Terracotta and Star Bone tile floor creates a dynamic foundation for a luxurious shower. The warm terracotta and crisp white tones of the checkerboard floor are echoed in the dramatic rust-colored veining of the white marble-look Arabian Pisa Ora wall tile, resulting in a space that’s visually complex yet tonally cohesive. For a striking variation, try the look in black and white with Zellige White Chabone Star and Charcoal Chabone Cross tiles.

5. Add a Third Color for a Buffalo Check

Another way to elevate your checkerboard design is by adding a third color. This buffalo check wall features Encaustic tile in Black, Cobalt and Light Grey. The three hues play across the wall to create a stylish tableau that can be recreated with any three same-sized square tiles. For a truly unique and luxurious design, try mixing marble or marble-look tiles.

6. Create a Gridded Subway Design

Alternating horizontal and vertical layouts for a grid stack subway pattern creates a dynamic sense of movement in this chic shower. The intentional variations in the Look Avio handmade-look tile add soft visual interest, while the contrasting white grout lines emphasize the pattern. To make the design more striking, incorporate multiple colors; for a quieter look, choose a tonally consistent tile with matching grout. Explore endless design possibilities with our wide selection of subway tile.

7. Choose a Mosaic for an Easy Play

Made up of small individual tiles mounted on a mesh sheet, mosaic tile combines intricate detail with easy installation. The Bennett with Roman Silver tile shown here features marble pieces arranged in an alternating vertical and horizontal pattern. Expressive veining in the gray and white marble adds a sense of movement to the checkerboard effect, while the subtle tonal shifts create a deceptively simple design that works beautifully for a wall, backsplash or floor. For a warmer, earthier look, try the Scabos Triples tile in travertine.

8. Switch Your Strategy

You don’t need to add a second color to achieve a stunning patterned checkerboard. This stylish shower features the Nikki Chu Zulu Graphite tile, showcasing a bold, hand-drawn graphic design (also available in grey Cement and beige Pumice). The multi-directional tiles make it easy to create personalized motifs, as shown here by arranging them in groups of four with alternating horizontal and vertical orientations.

If you love this eclectic, fashion-forward aesthetic, explore our exclusive Nikki Chu designer collection.

9. Elevate Your Game With Natural Stone

Marble, travertine or slate—natural stone tile showcases organic variations for a truly one-of-a-kind look. When paired together, these materials create a beautiful, expressive and unique space, like this stunning entryway designed by Timber Trails. Alternating squares of Legno limestone* and Volakas marble bring subtle beauty through veining and natural details. Notice how the beige limestone tiles are installed so that the veining aligns across each row of squares.

* This tile is no longer available; achieve a similar look with Bucak Light Walnut travertine.

10. Expand the Grid

This black-and-white hexagon tile floor delivers the clean geometry of a checkerboard with an unexpected twist.

While square tiles are the most common way to achieve a grid layout—think fabric patterns or city blocks—hexagons are another timeless choice. Their six-sided form adds subtle variety while still stacking together with satisfying precision. The result is a pattern that feels both efficient and fresh. Here, crisp black accents on a white field create a classic look, but inverting the palette to a black background would offer a bold, dramatic alternative.

11. Play in Neutral Tones

You don’t need stark contrast to create an engaging design. This stunning bar area, designed by @creatiffdiy, features alternating squares of Zellige White and Alabaster gloss tile. The beige, pink and grey tones of the Alabaster tile add visual complexity while maintaining a neutral color scheme. Perfectly imperfect, these handcrafted tiles feature subtle surface variations that add texture and depth.

If you love this authentic, artisanal look, explore our wide selection of handmade Zellige tile. 👉

12. Add Winning Charm With Mosaic Blocks

Squares within squares create a beautifully expressive checkerboard tile backsplash in this elegant bathroom, seamlessly blending modern and traditional decor. Composed of 2″ square tiles, the Zellige Turquoise and White mosaic tiles feature tonal and surface variations that add visual complexity to this simple design.

Recreate this look as shown, or explore these handcrafted mosaic tiles in other colorways: Alabaster Pearl, Azul, Black, Dark Grey, Dirty Blue, Light Grey and Shamrock.

13. Turn Squares Into Diamonds

Rotating a checkerboard layout 45 degrees gives this counter-to-ceiling tile backsplash a whimsical touch. The intersecting diagonal lines draw the eye up and out simultaneously, making this cozy space feel both taller and wider. Handmade-look tiles, open shelving, wood-plank floors, and apron sink are all characteristic of modern farmhouse style, while the blue and white color palette adds a breezy, coastal feel.

If you like this look, explore all the styles in our exclusive Laura Park designer collection.

14. Deconstruct the Board

The Cassettone Black tile offers a deconstructed take on the classic black-and-white pattern. Durable yet luxurious, the marble-look mosaic tile brings just the right amount of opulence to this elegant transitional bathroom, designed by @pineislanddesign.

Discover more refined designs to mix and match in our wide selection of marble-look tile.

15. Make a Major Play with Large Format Tile

Defined as any tile with one side 23″ or larger and available in sizes up to 48″ x 48″, large format tile supersizes any design. Here, the 23″ x 23″ Colormatte tile in White and Black hopscotches across the entryway floor in an oversized checkerboard, creating a feeling of expansive movement.

Bring huge style to your space by pairing any two same-size large format tiles. 👉

There are so many ways to play the checkerboard game! Shop our curated checkboard pairings for more ideas. Find a tile combo you love? Order samples to see it in your space, or use our Tile Visualizer to help envision your project.

The post 15 Unique and Unexpected Checkerboard Tile Ideas appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

1. Create a Custom Pattern with a Petite Subway

The short, skinny Zellige Light Grey gloss 2″ x 6″ tile is arranged in a grid, offering a fresh take on the classic checkerboard pattern. The petite subway format is endlessly versatile, with a wealth of layout options and plenty of character. Check out our guide to subway tile layouts for more ideas.

2. Show Your Stripes

A timeless design choice, stripes add both formality and whimsy. For the powder room in her historic home, @daryakaras chose a boutique, custom look. The Zellige Shamrock and White gloss tiles are neatly stacked, but the natural variation between individual tiles adds charming distinction—perfectly in keeping with the classic character of her home.

3. Create a Classic Checkerboard

There are many unique ways to approach a checkerboard design (check out our curated checkerboard pairings for more ideas) but this classic square look is always a style win. With their tonal variations, Zellige Azul and Light Grey tiles add rich visual texture to this charming layout.

4. Pair White With Brass Fixtures

The craftsmanlike quality of Zellige tile lends itself to the understated opulence of quiet luxury design. This lush shower, designed by @forgegrove, exemplifies the look with Zellige White gloss tile and shiny brass fixtures. Subtle variations in tone and edge—enhanced by thin grout joints—add authentic artisanal appeal, while sleek gold trim further elevates the space. If you love the high-end elegance of this timeless trend, check out our guide to quiet luxury.

5. Pair Glossy and Matte Finishes

The Moroccan Star and Cross pattern is a traditional design that feels right at home in modern spaces—as seen in this chic, contemporary bathroom. Pairing Zellige White Chabone Cross matte tile with Star gloss tile adds extra dimension through the light reflected off the glazed surfaces.

6. Create an Eclectic Boho Space

Modern boho chic design is all about embracing personal style and self-expression rather than adhering to strict rules. This spirit shines through in this cool, eclectic space designed by @CarmeonHamilton. The Moroccan-style Zellige Charcoal Chabone Star and Cross floor tile pairs beautifully with abstract black-and-white wallpaper and artwork, creating a room that feels both modern and steeped in global tradition. Discover how to bring this expressive style to every room with our guide to boho chic design.

7. Keep It Clean with Dirty Blue

It’s called Dirty Blue, but this chic tile radiates pristine style in this sleek, contemporary bathroom. With tones ranging from deep olive green to brown and dark blue, this square tile adds rich, rustic visual appeal and a sense of warmth.

8. Add Alabaster Allure

The pinkish-grey tones of the Zellige Alabaster gloss tile cast a romantic hue in this elegant bathroom. It’s a perfect example of how the coloration of handmade tiles can vary from piece to piece—though only one tile style is used on the walls, the space is rich with subtle visual complexity.

9. Make a Mosaic Checkerboard

Here’s another fresh take on a classic design! This chic bathroom features Zellige Turquoise gloss mosaic and Zellige Light Grey gloss mosaic tiles arranged in a checkerboard pattern. While you could create a checkerboard using individual 2″ x 2″ tiles, the 8″ x 8″ groupings allow for easier installation and offer a delightful twist on a traditional style.

10. Choose Handmade-Look for More Consistency

If you love the look of Zellige tile but want more consistency from piece to piece, our wide selection of handmade-look tile offers perfectly imperfect styles with less variation. While mimicking the appearance of authentic handmade tile, porcelain and ceramic handmade-look tiles are machine-produced, creating more uniformity from one tile to the next—and allowing for a lower price point.

Updating your space is easier than you think! Explore more authentic handmade styles in our Zellige tile collection, or check out our 36 Bold and Beautiful Tile Ideas for 2025 to discover timeless designs. Need more assistance? Visit your local Tile Shop showroom, where you’ll find the tile, tools and expert advice you need to get started.

The post 10 Unique Zellige Bathroom Tile Ideas appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

1. Brilliant Black and White

The quintessential checkerboard pairing, black and white is a high-contrast design that will create an air of classic drama. This bathroom vanity, designed by Timber Trails, features Hampton Carrara and Black Marquina marble for an elevated and elegant space.

2. Handcrafted Harmony

Authentic Zellige tile is used in this charming checkerboard fireplace, designed by @DaryaKaras. The squares of the Alabaster Gloss and White Gloss tiles feature slight variations in color, size and finish, creating a truly unique design.

3. Beautiful Blue and White

This room, designed by I SPY DIY, has us singing the praises of blue. The shower wall features the Marrakesh Blue and Off White tiles for a gorgeous and unexpected checkerboard moment. We love how the texture variations in the handmade-look tile create soft movement along this space.

4. Sophisticated Stone

Alternating white marble and beige travertine tiles give this stylish checkerboard an air of sophistication. The border of Bucak Light Walnut mosaic tile works to create definition and a refined edge.

5. Charming Cross and Star

Evoking traditional Moroccan design, star- and cross-shaped tiles creates extra interest when colors are mixed. Here the Kasbah Cross Terracotta is paired with the Kasbah Star Bone tile for a striking orange and white design. Get a similar look in black and white with the handmade Zellige Charcoal Chabone Cross and Zellige White Chabone Star tiles.

6. Stunning Silver and Black

Our Silver Mist and Noir limestone tiles make a powerful pair in this beautiful mudroom floor. The key to this design is the alignment of the veining on the stone tile, the Silver Mist tiles are intentionally installed so that the veining is all flowing the same direction at the diagonal. Discover more about Timber Trail’s home design on this home tour.

7. Antique Appeal

Patterns in different colors offer another great checkerboard design. This gorgeous floor uses Inlay Proper by Kelli Fontana in Florence Lace and Eden Ode. The beige and white tones of these tiles shifts as the sun passes through the room for a stunningly romantic space. Shop our exclusive Kelli Fontana collection for more bold and whimsical styles.

8. Plaid Power

Switch up your checkerboard by including a third color. This monochromatic laundry room, designed by The Divine Living Space, features black, grey and white encaustic tiles for a gingham-inspired twist on classic black and white.

9. Stunning Beige

Legno limestone and Volakas honed marble are paired in this elegant entryway designed by Timber Trails. We love how creams, beiges and whites all mix together for a serene neutral space.

Shop our wide assortment of square tile to create your own checkerboard pattern. Ready to tackle your reno? It’s easier than ever to make your design dreams a reality with our free design services. Or, explore even more tile layouts in real spaces on our Customer Room Gallery and Instagram!

The post 9 Winning Checkerboard Pairings appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.