The Ultimate Guide to Shower Tile Design
Bathroom designs have evolved greatly over the years, and as a Founder of a design studio we love to keep abreast of all the new finishes that come on to the market. Gone are the days of having a sterile all-white bathroom! I love to get creative and introduce interesting colors and patterns with our bathroom designs for clients to not only enhance the space, but its functionality and timelessness too.
I was recently asked to contribute to an online article about shower designs! More specifically, shower tile design and how to make a shower more visually interesting using tiles, yet still stands the test of time.
Let’s explore some shower tile design ideas and considerations!
Shower Design Principles
Shower tile should coordinate with the rest of the bathroom design. All design aspects should work harmoniously together to create a cohesive space.
When it comes to guest and kids’ bathrooms you can get super creative and have fun with color and pattern. These are great spaces to inject personality through the tiles used.
Most Popular Tiles for Showers
One of the most popular shower tiles is, hands down, subway tile. Subway tile has been around for as long as most of us can remember and has significant staying power.
Subway tile is so popular, that there are now many variations in not only the material, but also the installation method too. 3”x6” subway tile used to be the most commonly used format, but now subway tile is available in various sizes, and subtle patterns, colors, and textures are available.
Designers, such as myself, also love using subway tile in different ways to create interesting interiors.
Shower Tile Colors and Grout
White tile is very common for using in showers because it’s neutral and classic. White tile and lighter colors reflect more light which is great for darker and smaller spaces, and it’s more difficult to see water spots.
In addition to that, lighter colored tiles are the easiest to keep clean. Lighter colors are more forgiving, just like lighter colored cars are more forgiving when driving around. Similar to automobiles, darker tiles are more difficult to keep clean because they show everything.
Don’t make the mistake of going with a dark tile if you’re seeking a low maintenance space.
On the contrary, with grout, the opposite is true due to its narrow width and rough finish.
Tile Sizes in a Shower
Small tiles with dark grout will visually make a shower feel smaller, but small tiles with lighter grout may make a shower feel larger! When more pattern is introduced onto a surface, it will visually make that area appear smaller.
It’s okay for a shower to appear smaller as they aren’t generally thought of as large spaces, so making a shower feel spacious shouldn’t be the first priority in the design.
Smaller tiles on the floor however, will help with slip resistance and create an opportunity for self expression. Have fun with small tiles and give your bathroom some personality!
Larger tiles in a shower will give a luxurious and open feeling to the space. They will also minimize grout lines which will allow the shower to be easier to clean.
Shower Floor Tiles
When considering shower tiles, look to use different tiles on the shower walls versus the floor.
Tile is often rated for specific use, so not all wall tile is suitable for the floor. It may crack under the weight of a person walking on it, or it might be too slippery to walk on. These are both safety issues that are easy to avoid.
That being said, there are stunning patterns that are available for wall tiles, so use them to create interesting designs.
We love to use mosaic tiles on shower floors because they help to make the area safe to stand on when wet. The key when selecting a mosaic is to understand how the manufacturer intends for it to be used. Some mosaics are highly fragile or polished which aren’t suitable for shower floors but are great for wall applications instead.
Herringbone Tile Designs
Herringbone tile is classic and won’t be going out of style anytime soon. It’s so much fun to play with different sizes of tile in a herringbone pattern to create a twist on the traditional motif.
Natural Stone in Showers
Natural stone can be used in a shower as long as the maintenance is understood.
Natural stone, such as marble, has a stunning and unique look, and no two pieces are exactly the same. Honed stone works well on shower floors and polished stone can work well on walls.
Regular sealing will protect the stone and give it longevity. Many types of stone will also develop a beautiful patina over time, this is a natural characteristic of the stone, and a feature to be celebrated.
For a maintenance-friendly shower tile choose ceramic or porcelain.
