Our Walk In Shower Tile Design
Take a look at our new walk-in shower tile design! I’m sharing the layout, tile choices, and tips to help inspire your own bathroom remodel.
Last week, I shared our inlaid tile bathroom floors, but I didn’t share the rest of the tile I chose for our master bathroom. I’ve mentioned before that I spent endless hours searching for and choosing bathroom tile. It’s such a permanent choice, and it was something I felt could not be rushed.
I have at least 20 different design boards I put together with options for this bathroom, but the one above was the one that is closest to what the final outcome will actually be.
Why we chose a walk-in shower
In our house renovation, we converted a bedroom into our master bathroom, which made for a pretty spacious bathroom. I’ve always wanted a free-standing tub, and the space allowed us to have that with a separate walk-in shower.
Plus, a walk-in shower is more easily accessible, which we learned was important during my husband’s health struggles. And I’m assuming it’ll be easier to clean without having to lean over the bathtub walls.
Choosing the right tile
Choosing the right tile was no easy task! So many options! For our walk-in shower tile design, I knew I wanted to do an inset feature of patterned tile centered on the back wall. That helped narrow down the initial search. I came across the pattern tile shown above at The Tile Shop. It was very similar to what I was picturing.
I loved the white background with the patterned tile, but was struggling to find a companion tile to go with it. I wanted to stay away from gray, and I prefer matte tile over shiny. Initially, I chose the combination above, but when I went home and photoshopped it into our deconstructed bathroom pick, I hesitated.
In my Photoshop rendering, the accent tile looked too pink. I wasn’t sure if that was just the computer screen, so I went back to the store. Sure enough, it did have pink tendencies, so I nixed that idea.
Instead, I looked at the same patterned tile but in a different color story. After more extensive searching, I found a white matte tile that didn’t appear to have any undertones.
Finally, I settled on that and placed the order.
I used the solid tile everywhere on the walls (and in the niche) to let the patterned tile be the star. When you walk into our bathroom, you are directly facing this wall, so it’s the first thing you see.
For our shower head, I went with a beautiful champagne bronze fixture. I stuck with colors in the antique brass metals, mostly everywhere throughout the house. I have a lot of brass in our current house, and I never get tired of it, so I knew that was a safe choice for me.
At one point, I had considered making the whole back wall patterned tile like wallpaper, but ultimately chose the inset look instead.
our tile layout + design details
We did a simple skinny trim tile to frame out the pattern so it looks like framed art, which it basically is!
The reps at The Tile Shop suggested the shower floor tile in a cobblestone color that matches the pattern tile. I love the look of natural stone, so I went with that.
In the photo above, you can see how the shower meets up with the tiled floors.
What we love most
What we love most is how it all came together! The pattern makes a big impact and looks like art in the bathroom. It enhances the overall bathroom, considering it’s the first thing you see. Whenever I’m in the adjoining bedroom and glance that way I have to do a double-take because it’s truly beautiful!
Tips for designing your own walk-in shower
Designing a walk-in shower can be overwhelming with so many options, but it doesn’t have to be. After going through the process ourselves, here are some key tips to help your decision-making.
function first
Porcelain and ceramic tiles are both durable and water-resistant, making them both good choices for everyday use. After that’s decided, you can start looking at what styles are available in those options.
Choosing a cohesive color palette
Your shower shouldn’t feel like an island—try to create a cohesive look by pulling tones from your vanity, flooring, or wall paint.
Neutrals like white, beige, or gray are timeless, but don’t be afraid to add a bold accent tile or mosaic for personality. But overall, you should follow your gut and choose what you love as opposed to what’s trending. This way, you are more likely to appreciate it for many years.
Mix tile sizes or finishes for visual interest
One of the easiest ways to create a designer look is by combining tile types. For example:
- Subway tile on the walls with small hexagon or penny tile on the floor
- Matte tile on the walls paired with an accent strip of contrasting tile
- Large format tiles on the walls paired with a glossy accent strip
- Large tiles with a vertical niche in a contrasting color
- Or keep everything one color for a saturated look
You can see real-life examples of these shower tile ideas here. These combinations add dimension and keep the space from feeling flat or one-note. Even keeping it all one color adds a restrained, elegant look.
Don’t forget grout color is important
Grout can completely change the look of your tile—light grout brightens, dark grout adds contrast, and hides dirt. Consider whether you want the grout to blend in (for a seamless look) or stand out (to highlight patterns). Also, think about maintenance: white grout looks crisp but can be harder to keep clean over time.
The reps at the tile store should be able to help you with grout colors. The Tile Shop was great with this, and they had samples of the grout so we could see it paired with the tile.
collect inspiration and create a mood board
Because tile is such a commitment, I suggest not rushing the process. I was back and forth to the store multiple times. Take your time, get samples, and make mood boards to see how the tile will look with the other elements in the bathroom.
Before buying anything, gather photos from Pinterest, Instagram, and tile supplier websites. Doing this can help you identify which colors/patterns you repeatedly are drawn to.
Seeing your ideas side-by-side helps you narrow your style and ensure all your elements work together. If you’re feeling stuck, let the tile experts in the store help you. They work with tile every day and can help you hone in on a look you’ll love!
Free Printable Checklist
If you’re overwhelmed and need a little extra help picking tile, here is a free printable checklist you can take with you!
What do you think of our walk-in shower tile design?
