Once you’ve decided on a tile material, it’s time to stretch your creative imagination. Get inspired by our favorite bathroom shower tile ideas to create your own unique escape.
1. Install an accent tile wall inside the shower.
Look to the kitchen for bathroom shower tile ideas: Many homeowners use the area behind a range for an intricate mosaic tile showpiece. You can create a similar effect with shower tile. To keep the space from looking too busy, keep the border and the rest of the walls a fairly neutral color. Or, for a more subtle change, mix up the tile pattern on one wall, such as tile laid on the diagonal.
2. Vary the bathroom shower tile size from the rest of the space.
If you’re unsure about shower tile ideas that mix and match materials, you can still add subtle visual contrast by choosing a different size of tile inside the shower. Try a large, square granite tile on the floor, for example, and a smaller rectangular ceramic tile (in the same color) in the shower. The subtle difference will set shower boundaries without calling them out loudly.
3. Switch up the tiles inside the shower.
You’re not required to stick with the same tile inside the shower. For example, use white subway tile to wainscot height, glass mosaic tile above that for an unexpected visual twist, and pebble tile on the floor for a gentle foot massage. Some of the best shower tile ideas use a variety of tile types to their fullest potential.
4. Use bathroom shower tile patterns to add visual interest.
Go for mosaic glass tiles in a recurring border, or use a border of black tiles to divide a white and brown mosaic tile creation, breaking up the wall space. A single strip of patterned tiles will do the trick, too. Visit your local hardware store to find ceramic tile shower ideas inspired by what they have in stock.
5. Add contrast with tile in the shower.
Shower tile ideas can stand as a great counterpoint to other tiles in the bathroom. For example, a slender black border in a shower is a great way to complement a black tile floor. You can also match a backsplash on the bathroom vanity to the tile in your shower.
6. Tile the shower ceiling.
Most of the design and color focus in a bathroom and shower tends to be on the walls and floor. But shower tile designs can extend to the ceiling, another surface that can add texture, color, and pattern through tiling. Doing this will also prevent mold from growing in your shower from rising steam.
7. Add color to niches and benches.
Small shower insets are a natural spot to show off different types or colors of shower tile in either contrasting or complementary colors. For example, a wall of white subway tile can get a fun pop of color with a blue mosaic or encaustic tile inside a recessed shelf. Or, keep the tile the same color and type for a more subdued look. Note: If you DIY a recessed wall shelf, be mindful of the plumbing and pipes in your shower.
8. Complement materials in the rest of the room.
Outside the shower, some baths might not have a lot of tile. Bathroom shower tile patterns are a great opportunity to highlight other colors and materials throughout the room. For example, dark navy shower tiles accentuate medium-gray walls and bright white trim. Marble tile looks extra glam when paired with gold accents and light fixtures.
9. Use grout for contrast.
Bathroom tile isn’t the only way to add color. You can also use grout for unusual color contrast in a shower—dark grout against a white tile, for example. If you want to get trendy, you can try painting your grout any color you want. However, you’ll want to avoid this DIY project if you have unglazed shower tiles.
