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.

1. Introduce Elegant Expression

Express your care for your guests with a boldly luxurious—and exceptionally durable—marble look tile. Featuring rich veining, the Arabian Niro White matte tile fills this marvelous, Nikki Chu–designed bathroom with a wonderful sense of movement, creating a feeling of expansiveness in the small space. With cool neutral shades that mimic the look of real Carrara marble, this large format tile is easy to clean and maintain, helping you keep your guest space looking spotless.

Find a wealth of designs that combine luxury with durability when you shop marble look tile. 👉

2. Relish in a Rich, Earthy Palette

Timeless and on trend, rich, expressive earth-toned neutrals are filling modern spaces with soothing hues. This stunning space demonstrates how to mix neutrals to create robust visual texture. The Nuovo Riad tile in Bianco and Creme is installed in a checkerboard pattern on the wall and tub apron, while the Terrazzo Bianco Macro tile fills the floor with expressive flecks of brown, black, grey and beige. Though the floor tile is smooth, the design—based on real terrazzo—creates the appearance of texture that complements the gently uneven surface of the handmade-look wall tiles.

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

3. Choose Coastal Chic

Welcome your guests with the breezy elegance of coastal chic design by choosing seaside-inspired colors and patterns. This charming space demonstrates the versatility of this contemporary style. The Jeffrey Alan Marks Sand Dollar Ash tile (also available in blue Ocean) features a delicate grey sand dollar design on a crisp white background. The cool colors and oceanic motif offer subtle coastal nods, while the woven sconces and white baseboard complete the relaxed aesthetic.

If you love this charming, coastal style, explore our exclusive Jeffrey Alan Marks designer collection.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Coastal Chic

4. Create Seamless Luxury with Porcelain Panels

Exceptionally elegant, durable and easy to maintain, porcelain panels offer the luxurious look of a single stone slab. Featuring exquisite stone details, this oversized tile minimizes the appearance of grout lines for a cohesive design that creates a feeling of expansiveness, even in a small space.

This soothing bathroom exudes spa-like opulence with 32″ x 94″ Masterstone porcelain panels. Using complementary grout, the lines between the panels are almost indistinguishable, creating a seamless look across the walls. We love how the modern brass fixtures elevate the beautiful mix of warm and cool neutral tones, creating contemporary glamour.

Shop porcelain panels — also available in shower and tub surround kits —in four contemporary stone looks: Masterstone White, Calacatta White, Max Rapolano Ivory and Statuario Nuovo.

5. Set a Mood with Cool Blues

From stunning sapphire to soothing sky, blue in all its hues will uplift your guests’ moods by connecting them to the natural world. This stylish, feminine space pairs the gorgeous Kelli Fontana Inlay Proper Dutch tile with Signature Slate Blue bevel subway wall tile. The soft blues complement each other without feeling overly matched, and guests will appreciate how the theme carries through to the blue-veined Laura Park Watercolor Herringbone mosaic tile in the shower niche.

If this is the hue for you, explore our extensive collection of blue tile. 👉

MORE TO EXPLORE | Our Best Blue Bathroom Tile Designs

6. Play With a Checkerboard Design

Timeless, classy and effortlessly chic, checkerboard patterns are making major moves in contemporary design. While classic black-and-white squares will always be en vogue, if you want to level up your game, consider choosing an unexpected take on the look. Here, large format, marble look Livingstone tile in Grigio and Nero is arranged in an oversized checkerboard pattern across the floor and tub surround. We love how this unexpected design makes the space feel expansive and how the stone details give it a wonderful sense of movement.

Create this dynamic look by pairing any two same-sized square tiles or explore our curated checkerboard pairings for an easy design win.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Unique and Unexpected Checkerboard Tile Ideas

7. Add English Elegance

Posh and poised with a spoonful of whimsy, English country cottage design brings the best of Britain to American homes. This charming bathroom features the Morris & Co. St. James Pure Cloud tile. Inspired by William Morris’s historic wallpaper design that once graced the halls of St. James’s Palace, this tile fills the space with ornate beauty in a soft palette.

If this storied design is your cup of tea, explore our exclusive Morris & Co. designer collection.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: English Country Cottage

8. Keep It Simply Stylish

Like a well-tailored tux, a black-and-white color scheme is the epitome of sleek sophistication. Here, the Vintage White patterned floor tile adds design within a minimal palette. Layer in textures, patterns and materials—the handmade-look Mallorca White subway tile, uniquely shaped Arabesque Black tile in the shower niche and the Hampton Carrara curb along the tub edge—and you have a space rich in detail and visual texture.

Explore our wide selection of black-and-white tile for more effortlessly sophisticated designs. 👉

MORE TO EXPLORE | Fabulous Black & White Shower Tile Ideas

9. Add Niche Appeal

Form meets function in this stunning shower niche showcasing the Laura Park Cosmo Aegean Blue patterned tile. Featuring an abstract, hand-painted look motif inspired by her original watercolors and popular textile designs, this lovely tile is a cornerstone of our exclusive Laura Park designer collection. The vivid blues in the pattern pair perfectly with the Laura Park Seaside Marble porcelain tile surrounding the shower, creating seamless sophistication and convenient storage that keeps your guests’ toiletries from cluttering the tub ledge or floor.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Introducing The Tile Shop X Laura Park

10. Show Your Taste with Handcrafted Design

Every piece of Zellige tile is formed, painted and glazed by hand according to ancient Moroccan techniques. The result is an exquisitely unique tile that exudes character through perfectly imperfect variations in color, size and surface texture.

Display your good taste and love of authentic design by incorporating this handcrafted tile into your guest bathroom. Available in a range of traditional colors and styles, our Zellige tile collection offers a wealth of design opportunities, like this beautiful basketweave pattern created with Zellige Light Grey gloss petite subway tile. The crisscross pattern gives the space a soothing sense of movement and highlights the individual character of each piece.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Unique Zellige Bathroom Tile Ideas

11. Offer Your Guests a Seat

Not only does a seat add comfort to your shower, but it is also essential for people with mobility issues. A corner tile shower seat is an easy way to make your bathroom more accessible for guests. This Brooke Pavel–designed space features the San Dona honed marble shower seat. Matching the Picket Florencia Super Bianco wall tile, the seat is fully integrated into the shower, providing a place to rest without disrupting the design.

Explore corner shower seats to incorporate this essential design into your shower. 👉

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

12. Achieve Affordable Luxury

Don’t let your budget cramp your style. The Tile Shop offers excellence at every price point. Case in point: this opulent shower featuring the Macula matte marble look tile. With expressive grey veining on a crisp white background, this large format tile creates a stylish, luxurious space—and at under $7 per sq. ft., you can give your guests the best without breaking the bank.

Find beautiful looks for every space, style and budget in our curated collection of tile under $7.

13. Add Abstract Expression

Show your guests your artistic side with the wonderfully abstract Jeffrey Alan Marks Big Sur Sea Spray patterned tile (also available in blue Off the Hook). Featuring a glossy green design over a cream-colored matte base, reminiscent of glazed pottery, this magnificent tile includes six distinct, multidirectional faces that inspire creativity. We love how it pairs with the Look Avio handmade-look subway tile in this fashionable shower for cool, contemporary coastal appeal.

14. Celebrate Midcentury Excellence

With sleek silhouettes and stylish palettes, our Fired Earth Stoneware collection is retro reimagined. Featuring chic subway tile in three earth-toned colorways with speckled details that mimic the look of 1960s pottery, this collection celebrates the best of midcentury modern design. Here, Fired Earth Stoneware Linen Brick tile infuses this bathroom backsplash with a warm beige hue punctuated with crisp white grout lines. Paired with contemporary fixtures, the space updates the classic look to create enduring design.

Shop Fired Earth Stoneware in all three colorways: Powder White, Rainwashed, and Linen Brick

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Midcentury Modern

15. Put a Twist on a Classic Design

A modern take on subway tile, picket tile features a similarly stackable silhouette with a distinctly pointed shape. Here, the Lanse Matte Black Picket tile is turned 45 degrees for a dynamic layout, with the pointed ends forming horizontal and vertical lines that offset the long diagonal body. Note how the tile is installed with matching black grout for soft, subtle lines that make this contemporary space feel just slightly off-kilter.

For more on-point styles, shop our wide selection of picket tile. 👉

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

16. Bring in Nature

Give your guests the gift of nature to brighten their morning and evening routines. Motifs and colors–like blue and green–that evoke the outdoors can boost serotonin and elevate moods. A floral- or leaf-patterned tile infuses your space with natural grace, as seen in this charming bathroom featuring the Morris & Co. Hawkdale Willow Olive tile (also available in China Blue).

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Biophilic Design

17. Keep It Neat

Neatly stacked rows of KitKat White tile create soothing lines in this gorgeous Japandi bathroom. The pleasing symmetry and subtle tonal shift between the white mosaic tile and beige grout lines evoke a meditative Zen feeling, offering your guests a wonderful respite during their stay.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Japandi

18. Add Fresh Color

This bathroom, showcasing the gorgeously green Signature Mint glossy tile, will make your guests feel fresh and clean. Featuring 3″ x 6″ subway tile accented with London and pencil trim at mid-height and matching skirting along the floor, the design exemplifies how well-placed trim elevates a space. We love how the light green pairs with the Octagon Matte White with Black mosaic floor tile for a classic look that defies trends.

Find elevated basics designed to mix and match in our exclusive Signature collection tile. 👉

MORE TO EXPLORE | How to Elevate Your Space With Trim

19. Make Waves

By definition, tile is a hard material, but you can introduce softness to your design by choosing a style with rounded edges. The uniquely curved Wave Grey Owl tile evokes the gentle movement of the sea. Installed in an offset pattern along this contemporary sink backsplash, the soft gray tile feels at once dynamic and soothing.

Shop Wave tile in this and three more on-trend colorways: Blue Reef, Old Cream and White.

20. Mix Up Your Mosaics

Consisting of small individual tiles mounted on easy-to-install mesh sheets, mosaic tile adds visual interest to your space and, as a bonus, creates a sense of expansiveness. If you like to get creative with your design, cut sheets of two mosaic colorways to form a custom pattern, like this checkerboard created using Zellige mosaic tile in Shamrock and Light Grey. The blocks of 2″ x 2″ tiles, with their undulating color tones, add dynamic visual texture to the classic design.

For more small designs that deliver a big punch, explore our extensive selection of mosaic tile. 👉

21. Bring in High Fashion Design

Inspired by luxury-brand textiles, the Kelli Fontana Chain Reaction Black on Black tile (also available in Pearl Beige) features a polished marble chain mosaic set against a matte marble background. The interlocking chain design reflects the light, creating a sense of depth in this elegantly moody guest bathroom, designed by Kelli Fontana of West Bay Homes. We love how the mosaic motif feels alive with movement—the perfect complement to the expressively veined marble counter and sink backsplash.

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

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

22. Fashion a Fabulous Space

Globally inspired and effortlessly fashionable, the Nikki Chu designer collection features abstract motifs and contemporary styles in a range of trending neutrals. Here, the Nikki Chu Zulu Graphite tile (also available in Pumice [beige] and Cement [gray]) is installed in an alternating vertical and horizontal pattern, creating a unique checkerboard effect. Paired with the complementary stone-look Nikki Chu Fusi Carbon Steel tile, this space exudes sophisticated glamour.

Explore our exclusive Nikki Chu collection for more fashion-forward looks from the celebrity designer.

23. Make It Marvelous with a Marble Mosaic

A marvelous addition to any bathroom, marble mosaics offer a dynamic sense of movement and rich organic detail. This striking sink backsplash features the Alison Victoria Malibu Edit Pescador tile. Beautifully veined Volakas marble and a pleasing, rounded shape create a sense of flow across the wall, resulting in a space alive with movement and visual texture. We love how the gray- and beige-veined white marble contrasts with the dark wood vanity for a fashionable, contemporary look.

Shop this exquisite tile in all three colorways: Matador (green), Pointe Dume (blue) and Pescador.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Bathroom Tile Ideas to Pair with Wood Vanities

24. Mix Things Up

Mixing finishes is an excellent way to add visual interest to your tile design. A glossy finish adds shine to your space, and when paired with a matching matte tile, it creates a subtle contrast that becomes visible as light passes through. With a double band of vertically stacked Coco Canvas Glossy tile set against a wall of horizontally stacked Coco Canvas Matte tile, this striking bathroom uses finish and layout to create a subtly elegant design.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Classic Subway Tile Layouts

25. Make It Enviously Gorgeous

Your guests will be green with envy when they set eyes on the stunning Alison Victoria Gem marble tile. Featuring rich emerald stone accented with beige veining, this exquisite scalloped mosaic is perfect for a sink backsplash or shower.

Here, the real marble is paired with the marble look Marradi Calacatta Emerald tile. With a crisp white background and bold green and gold veining, the large format tile showcases all the colors of the wall tile—including the white grout lines—in a new format.

If you love this bold, elegant look, explore our exclusive Alison Victoria collection for more of the HGTV star’s signature city chic designs.

26. Blend Contemporary and Traditional Design

When contemporary chic and traditional elegance come together in one space, the result is era-defying transitional design. Here, traditional Hampton Hermosa Octagon marble mosaic tile lines the floor, while the wood vanity features contemporary circular gold knobs and contrasting silver faucets. The mirrors and sconces are also transitional; their silhouettes are sleek and contemporary yet reminiscent of early 1900s style. We love how @styleitprettyhome blends the old and the new to create a distinct space, and we know their guests will love it too!

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Transitional Design

27. Pick a Pretty Penny

Small but mighty, penny round tile is incredibly versatile, lending itself to custom designs—like this unique pattern by Timber Trails. Penny Round Gloss in White and Cloudy dots the floor with a graceful border and cross design. With its many grout lines, penny tile is also practical, as it creates traction on your bathroom or shower floor to help prevent slipping.

Explore penny round tile in a wide range of colors and finishes to create your own design. 👉

MORE TO EXPLORE | Penny Bathroom Tile: Pros and Cons

28. Add Perfect Imperfections

Featuring purposeful variations in surface texture and color, handmade-look tile offers a perfectly imperfect design element. This sophisticated space, designed by Renovation Husbands, showcases the Tribeca Gypsum White subway tile. The undulating tones and subtle shifts in surface texture are highlighted by light reflecting off the glossy tile.

Explore our wide selection of handmade-look tile for more perfectly imperfect styles. 👉

MORE TO EXPLORE | Ultra Stylish Neutral Shower Tile Ideas

29. Create Colorful Accents

A pop of color creates a vibrant tableau in this Zig & Co.–designed guest bathroom. The bright yellow vanity takes center stage, while the Cloth Black and White floor tile provides a neutral base and contributes a charming pattern. By choosing a black-and-white tile, the designer has created an easy-to-update space—simply add a new coat of paint and swap accessories to change the color scheme and refresh the design.

30. Display Your Taste

Add a decorative flourish to your guest shower by “framing” a favorite patterned or mosaic tile with trim. This is a great way to show off a lovely motif that might feel too overwhelming across the entire space. A tile picture frame can complement or contrast with the surrounding tile, depending on your taste.

This stunning shower highlights the Laura Park Martini Olives Taupe tile framed with a single band of Africa Tempesta Barnes trim. Set against a unique layout of Laura Park Bespoke White tile in 5″ and 2.56″ x 5″, this expressive tableau is sure to please any guest.

Discover your favorite motif in our wide selection of patterned tile. 👉

Let’s Create a Space Your Guests Will Love!

Ready to refresh your guest bathroom? Explore even more ideas in our favorite Bold and Beautiful Bathroom Tile Ideas, or shop our vast assortment of bathroom tile. Use our Tile Visualizer to see how it will look in your space, and schedule a free design consultation to start bringing your dream bathroom to life.

The post 30 Gorgeous Guest Bathroom Tile Ideas appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

This exquisite bathroom from our Plymouth showroom was designed by Kirsty Froelich, Tile Shop Director of Design. A masterclass in layering trim and color, this space infuses timeless architecture with a soothing coastal palette. From the picture-frame shower accent to the molded trim and skirting, every surface is shaped by thoughtful tile details.

Read on for a closer look at the design choices that brought this beautiful bathroom together and for expert tips to help you confidently approach your own tile projects.

Traditional Elegance With Contemporary Appeal

What do we mean when we call a space “timeless”? It combines traditional and contemporary elements, also known as transitional design. This universally appealing style blurs the line between past and present by celebrating the best of both.

Here, you can see how these seemingly disparate styles effortlessly complement each other. Traditional elements in this space include the wainscot-height tile, topped with trim to resemble chair rail molding, and the elegantly carved legs of the wooden vanity. While subway tile may feel contemporary, it actually rose to popularity in the early 1900s—Victorians loved it for how it symbolized cleanliness and modernity.

Decidedly contemporary elements include the sleek lines and a mix of cool and warm neutrals—note the wooden vanity, Shapes Elongated Hex Off White Two Tone mosaic accents, and the beige detail in the patterned floor tile. The black shower fixtures, minimalist light fixture and mirror further enhance the contemporary feel of the space, while the color palette evokes the sea and sand of coastal chic design.

This space proves that you don’t need to strictly adhere to a single style. By blending designs, you can create a look that defies trends and is uniquely your own.

DISCOVER YOUR STYLE

Tile for Every Style: Transitional Design

Tile for Every Style: Coastal Chic

Cool & Calming Coastal Chic Bathroom Tile Ideas

A Signature Design

Featuring a suite of pieces from the Tile Shop–exclusive Signature collection, this space exemplifies how to mix these elevated basics to create a design that delivers color, depth and dimension.

Signature Denim gloss subway tile serves as the base of the layout, with layered molding details in coordinating trim. Denim London trim finishes the top of the shower divider, with a band of Denim pencil trim below that is carried across the tiled half wall, creating a traditional chair-rail design. Along the floor, a layer of Denim skirting trim finishes the edge with a subtle decorative flourish.

Designed to coordinate, the Signature collection features a range of subway field tile and matching trim in 16 versatile colors, available in both glossy and matte finishes.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Introducing the Signature Collection

DESIGN WITH CONFIDENCE

Tile Patterns & Layouts

Tips to Nail Your Grout Color & Design

How to Choose Bathroom Floor Tile

Classic Subway Tile Layouts

Picture Perfect

A tile “picture frame” detail serves as the focal point of the shower area, creating visual interest by punctuating the design and introducing new colors and shapes to the installation. The Shapes Hex Elongated Off White Two Tone mosaic tile adds a wonderful sense of movement, with vertical and diagonal lines that contrast with the long horizontal lines of the subway tile, installed in a brick-lay pattern.

A successful tile focal point is proportional to the space. Here, the shower fixtures are positioned along the center line of the framed area, while the upper and lower borders allow for a comfortable amount of space around the fixtures, trim edges, and surrounding wall, ceiling and floor.

Off-white grout lines throughout the space provide an element of visual continuity between the mosaic detail and surrounding walls, while subtly accentuating the precise alignment of the frame’s top and bottom borders with the adjacent rows of subway tile.

“You need a trim piece to finish off transitions (where two different finishes come together), so I like to layer in pieces that will work with the overall design.

“If you want your transition to stand out, select a different material or color from your main tile. For a seamless transition, choose a trim piece that matches your main tile.”

–Kirsty Froelich, Director of Design

Layered in Detail

The decorative Shapes Elongated Hex Off White Two Tone mosaic tile is framed by three layers of trim. The Signature Denim London and pencil trim pieces are bisected by a line of Signature Gris square pencil trim. Building dimension around the decorative mosaic, these distinct profiles transform the space with crafted architectural detail.

MORE TO EXPLORE | How to Elevate Your Space with Trim

Parisian Pattern

Featuring an ornate motif reminiscent of French scrollwork, the Alison Victoria French Connection Le Marais tile (also available in Saint Germain [dark green] and Montmartre [blue]) introduces subtle pattern to the space. A faded beige brick design draws the eye across the room, making the floor appear wider. Notice how the tile is installed on a diagonal, perpendicular to the tiled shower seat. This placement helps visually open the space, as the design expands outward from the shortest wall.

Bold geometry, delicate florals and HGTV Star Alison Victoria’s signature city-chic motifs—you’ll find a design to suit your space in our extensive selection of patterned tile. 👉

Pro Tip: A built-in shower seat and curbless entry make this space easier to navigate for people with mobility issues—essential elements of universal design.

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

Form Meets Function

The best design elements are both decorative and functional. By providing a stylish space to store toiletries, a niche is an excellent addition to any shower. Here, the niche features the Shapes Elongated Hex Off White Two Tone mosaic tile, echoing the decorative picture frame. A band of Signature Denim gloss pencil trim outlines the niche, easing the transition between the recessed shelf and the surrounding tile.

Discover Endless Inspiration

Experience our inspiring vignettes firsthand when you visit your local Tile Shop showroom. There, you’ll find the materials, tools and expert advice to take your project from concept to completion. Can’t make it to a store? Schedule a free virtual design consultation (in-person consultations are also available), or use our tile visualizer to help envision tile in your space.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Bold & Beautiful Bathroom Tile Ideas

We 💖 Your Spaces

We want to see your design expertise! Share your next project by tagging us @thetileshop on Instagram or uploading it directly to our Customer Room Gallery (you can find even more inspo there, too)!

The post Project Spotlight: A Timeless Bathroom With Coastal Flair appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

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 large Black Hex floor tile complements the shower floor 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. This elegant transitional bathroom, designed by @styleitprettyhome, pairs Hampton Hermosa Octagon floor tile with Coco White Glossy wall tile. The black-and-white mosaic adds striking visual texture to the shower while also providing traction underfoot.

Explore our wide selection of mosaic tile for more intricate, beautiful designs. 👉

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 Chic Niche

Style meets function in this fashionable shower, designed by @jaimienelsondesign. A niche lined with Penny Round Matte Black tile is set into a wall of Origami AC 3D tile. The wall tile adds tactile and visual texture, with its raised pattern casting gentle shadows, while the white grout between the Penny Round mosaic creates dramatic contrast.

A shower niche is the perfect opportunity to showcase a favorite patterned or mosaic tile while playing with contrast and scale.

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 Stunning Shower Tile Design Ideas for more trending looks. Need help getting started? Schedule a free design consultation and let us help you create your dream space.

The post 12 Fabulous Black & White Shower Tile Ideas appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

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.

MORE SHOWER TILE IDEAS

Gorgeous Grey Shower Tile Ideas

Ultra-Stylish Neutral Shower Tile Ideas

Fabulous Black & White Shower Tile Ideas

Brilliant Black Shower Tile Ideas

Stunning Shower Tile Design Ideas

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

MORE BATHROOM TILE IDEAS

Small Bathroom Tile Ideas

Stunning White Bathroom Tile Ideas

Timeless Subway Bathroom Tile Ideas

Wellness-Focused Bathroom Ideas

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.

The post 12 Small Bathroom Shower Tile Ideas appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.