Transform your bathroom sanctuary into a place of sophistication and beauty with these shower wall tile ideas. Shower wall tile is a way to elevate this personal space into a creative reflection of your style and personality. Shower wall tile options are as varied as your imagination, whether you prefer a timeless, classic look or something more bold and contemporary. In this exploration, we will look at shower tile ideas that combine functionality and style, as well as new ideas that can help you define your space.

Shower Wall Tile Ideas

Interior designers and homeowners use shower wall tile as a showcase for creative tile designs. Shower wall tile ideas range from traditional and timeless to modern and trendy.

Classic shower tile designs are popular because they are timeless and adaptable to a wide range of design styles. Contemporary shower wall tile, on the other hand, is distinguished by its cutting-edge designs, vibrant patterns, and eye-catching colors.

Subway Shower Tile

Subway tiles are a rectangular tile shape that was used along New York subway walls. While the popularity of subway tiles fluctuates, it is always a classic look. Use a vibrant and colorful subway tile, lay the rectangular tiles vertically, or pair them with a more contemporary floor tile type to update the classic subway tile look.

Hexagonal Shower Tile

Fibonacci Stone

Another classic but distinct shower tile style is hexagonal, or six-sided tiles. They make an excellent addition to a vintage or retro bathroom design. Using large tile sizes or arranging different colored hexagonal tiles in intricate designs can give hexagonal tiles a modern twist.

Penny Shower Tiles

Tiffany Brooks

Penny tiles are small, round tiles that resemble the shape of a penny. This shape echoes the classic shape of the hexagon tile. Use penny tiles to line the shower walls if you want to create an intricate yet playful shower design. Some designers use penny tiles to create decorative bands or nooks in larger tile patterns, like subway or square shower tile walls.

Basketweave Shower Tile

Paula McDonald Design Build & Interiors

Traditional basketweave tile designs feature a combination of light and dark tiles that look like they overlap each other in a woven pattern. Other basketweave patterns just utilize subway tiles laid in a specific basketweave pattern.

Basketweave tile is a traditional Victorian tile pattern that looks great on shower walls or floors. Small grid basketweave tile patterns are typically black and white or gray and white, but basketweave tile comes in a variety of other colors. Subway tile can be used to create large basketweave patterns in a variety of colors and sizes.

Oversized Shower Tile

M|R Walls

Oversized tiles, also known as large-format tiles, have become popular wall tile options due to their ability to create a streamlined appearance. This is due to the fact that larger tiles reduce the use of grout lines, which visually break up the look of the shower tile.

Large format tiles are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, allowing you to personalize the look of the shower. Oversized tiles are an excellent choice for a modern shower wall tile design.

Herringbone Shower Tile

National Association of the Remodeling Industry

Herringbone shower tiles are small rectangular tiles laid at angles ranging from 90 degrees to a sharper “V” shape. This is a timeless yet modern style that seamlessly blends these diverse looks. White or marble herringbone is a classic look, but small rectangular tiles in a variety of colors and materials can give your shower a unique edge.

Square Shower Tile

Janine Dowling Design Inc.

Square shower tile is one of the most standard tile shapes. You can update the style of square tiles by using tiles in luxurious materials like marble or using vibrant square shower tiles.

Geometric Shower Tile

Design Matters

Some modern shower tiles have interesting geometric patterns created with triangles, hex tiles, or irregular shapes. These tile designs give your bathroom a contemporary appearance. Black and white geometric patterns add contrast and a traditional twist to the trendy tile pattern.

Victorian Shower Tile

Mahogany Builders

The Victorians were the ones to bring the bathroom into the modern age, and they were enthusiastic in their use of tile. Intricate patterns, floral mosaics, and rich color palettes characterize Victorian-style bathroom tile. Incorporate Victorian-style tile into your shower walls or floors to create a historic look in your bathroom.

Patterned Cement or Ceramic Shower Tile

Rustico Tile & Stone

Colorful patterned cement or ceramic tiles have grown in popularity as a tile choice for shower walls and bathroom floors. This look is inspired by encaustic tile, an ancient kiln-dried and glazed tile.

Many patterned tiles still use the term encaustic, but whether or not they are truly encaustic is determined by the manufacturer. Regardless, these patterned tiles make lovely bathroom displays. Shower wall tiles with patterns can give your bathroom a historic yet modern look.

Arabesque Shower Tile

Movike Design

The Arabesque tile pattern is an interlaced geometric pattern derived from Moorish or Islamic tradition. Arabesque tiles have an intricate and exotic style that elevates the shower wall. They are available in a variety of sizes and colors, as well as materials ranging from natural stone to ceramic and porcelain.

Mixed Shower Tile

k YODER design

Combining tile types adds visual interest, depth, and personality to the shower. You can make your shower uniquely yours and meet your needs by mixing and matching different materials.

There are different ways to mix shower tiles. Accent tiles in various colors and sizes can be used to define different areas of the shower. You can also experiment with different materials and colors to create a focal point in the shower.

Textured Shower Tile

Jane Kim Architect

Textured tiles feature a raised pattern that provides a tactile element to your shower design. There are many different types of textured tiles that feature waves, lines, and swirls made from man-made materials such as ceramic and porcelain. Natural textured tiles are also available, made from natural stones such as terracotta, marble, and travertine.

Primary-Colored Shower Tile

Alloy Workshop

You can make a mosaic pattern out of small square tiles that reflects your personality and style. The designer created a bathroom for contemporary art lovers using the artist Piet Mondrian’s primary colors and style.

Wood-Look Shower Tile

Spazio LA Tile Gallery

Natural wood does not withstand prolonged exposure to water or moisture. Porcelain tiles with a textured design and distinct grain that resemble wood are available. These tiles are available in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles to complement both rustic and contemporary bathroom designs.

Gradient Shower Tile

RRS Design + Build

A gradient tile design has a tile pattern that changes color gradually from one direction to another. These designs typically employ small tiles to allow for gradual color variation. Most gradient patterns use monochromatic color palettes, but contrasting colors can be used to create a bold and contemporary look.

Choosing a Shower Wall Tile for Your Bathroom

Selecting a tile for your bathroom’s shower wall can be intimidating. Here are some ideas to help you focus your selection so you can design a bathroom that expresses your individuality and sense of style.

Identify your preferred style:

Consider your personal preferences as well as the overall aesthetic you want to achieve in your bathroom. Look for wall tile styles that suit your preferences, such as contemporary, traditional, rustic, or eclectic.

Consider the overall bathroom features:

Determine whether you will be renovating, building a new bathroom from scratch, or simply adding new shower wall tile to an existing bathroom. If you are simply replacing shower tile, consider the other elements in the bathroom and select something that complements them.

Think about maintenance:

Some shower wall tiles require more maintenance than others. Unlike large-scale tiles, which have fewer grout lines, tiny tiles have more grout lines that require sealing and cleaning more frequently. Natural stone will require more maintenance than ceramic or porcelain.

Consider the size of the space:

The visual effect of the shower tile will be influenced by the size of the bathroom, and vice versa. A small bathroom might appear more spacious and open with light colored tile. They can also benefit from large-scale tile with fewer grout lines to break up the design. Large rooms are conducive to a wider range of tile colors and types.

Gather inspiration:

Look for ideas in online articles, magazines, and Pinterest boards. Take note of the common themes in the images you like to see what styles appeal to you.

Consider tile patterns and layouts:

Experiment with different patterns and layouts to see which style and design work best with the tile material and color you have chosen. Depending on the pattern and layout, the same tile can look very different.

Obtain samples:

Look for samples from online retailers, home improvement stores, and contractors. This will allow you to see how the tile looks in your space and how it interacts with the other elements and colors.

Seek professional advice:

Find a professional who can help guide you if you are uncertain about your choices. They can provide valuable insights regarding the best wall tiles for your space because of their experience and expertise.