White tile shower ideas for small bathrooms
10 looks that stretch space |
(Image credit: Future)
If you are looking for small bathroom shower tile ideas, it's likely that one of your priorities is for the finished effect to be space-enhancing. You can achieve this in various ways: with light colors, reflective finishes, large-scale tiles or a one-tone scheme.
However, tile shapes, textures and the tile layout itself have a role to play, too, when you are looking for small bathroom ideas that are specifically within the shower enclosure. Here, we look at the best small bathroom shower tile ideas that cover all the bases.
Small bathroom shower tile ideas
Well-thought-out bathroom tile ideas for small spaces will do more than be a practical addition. They should make the space feel luxurious and welcoming, add decorative details, and even set the tone for the color scheme. This is what these small bathroom shower ideas do – and our interiors experts explain which one might be best for you.
1.
(Image credit: Drummonds)
A one-color scheme can make any space feel cohesive and larger, and matching small bathroom shower tile ideas to the finish on the walls and ceiling, as in this walk-in shower, is one way to achieve this.
'Bathrooms are one of the few places in the house where you can get away with strong, vivid tones which might be over-the-top in other rooms. Maximalism is very much on-trend with more and more people experimenting with bold patterns and bright colors,' says James Lentaigne, creative director at Drummonds .
Ensure lighting is good – and layered – with a combination of ceiling spotlights and wall lights, and lay out the space so that the basin is nearest the source of natural light.
(Image credit: Shalini Misra )
'Using large format shower tiles in a compact bathroom makes the most of the space as there are fewer joins between the tiles which create a clean and seamless look.
Smaller tiles or tiles with bold combinations of colors and patterns can make the space feel busy and smaller.
'The muted pattern on the large format tiles in this bathroom brings in a textured look. Focus on beautiful brassware, such as these antique bronze fixtures, to add an extra considered design element to the space.
'Use large mirrors to increase the light in the space. To make the most of compact space use mirrors on cupboard doors. If you can, build a cupboard above the WC cistern to add storage and keep the wall surfaces in line. Keeping the surfaces aligned will create a clean and sharp look,' says Shalini Misra, interior designer and founder, Shalini Misra Ltd .
3. Mix it up with different tile shapes and sizes
(Image credit: Albion Bath Company )
For wet rooms or, for walk-in shower tile ideas, you can afford to be a little more adventurous with mixing up tile shapes and sizes, purely because there's very little other architecture in the room.
'Create interest with small bathroom shower tile ideas by using a mixture of different floor, ceiling and wall tiles. Use larger designs on the walls and mini tiles on the rest of the surfaces; doing so will add a fabulously textured look and, if you use white, will will make the space feel light and airy,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief at Homes & Gardens.
4. Go for a bold wall tile in a modern shape
(Image credit: Etch Design Group/Rebekah Westover Photography)
Looking for shower room ideas that have a splash of bold color? You can achieve this by tiling one wall; choosing an eye-catching design like this creates both horizontal and vertical lines across the wall, which can make the bathroom feel wider and taller.
'This tub and shower combination saves space and creates a stunning focal point in the bathroom. We love how this Bedrosians Reine dark teal picket tile turned out. Just the right mix of color and pattern,' says Stephanie Lindsey, principal designer at Etch Interior Design .
5. Large hexagonal floor tiles help to trick the eye
(Image credit: Maestri Studio/Par Bengtsson)
Of course, small bathroom shower tile ideas needn't be limited to the walls: you can affect the proportions of your space with floor tiles, too.
'Go for a high impact floor tile in a small bathroom/shower room as it will be stunning visually and distract from the compact space. Shades of grey teamed with black work well with white wall tiles; keep the color scheme simple as it will be effective that way,' says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens.
6. Choose all encompassing tiled walls in a long and narrow bathroom
(Image credit: Gunter & Co)
A hotel-bathroom approach is often a great solution to transforming a narrow corridor-shaped space into one that feels luxurious.
'A tricky space like this narrow bathroom can still look fabulous with some clever design features. All over tiles in a dramatic tone and with a subtle texture will help to bounce the light around – but add in some paler colors on the ceiling and floor for contrast, and keep fixtures and fittings sleek and modern to enhance the space as much as possible,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief at Homes & Gardens.
7. Reflect the light with marble effect floor and wall tiles
(Image credit: Stone & Ceramic Warehouse)
For really luxurious small bathroom shower tile ideas, go for marble – or a porcelain lookalike.
'Pale colored tiles can make a small shower space look bigger as they reflect more light than darker colors, creating a light and airy feel. Using the same tiles on the walls and the floor in a bathroom will enhance the feeling of space by creating a continuous look.
'We’ve seen a huge increase in the popularity of slab or large format porcelain tiles in recent years. Slab tiles are ideal for creating a striking, high-end look, and can often make smaller rooms appear larger thanks to their seamless appearance,' says Jo Oliver, director at The Stone & Ceramic Warehouse .
8. Create a one-tone bathroom with tiles and fittings
(Image credit: Lisa Staton/Kara Mercer)
While the advice is to avoid small tiles in a compact shower area, you can sucessfully do so if you combine them with larger tiles elsewhere in the bathroom – and keep all your tiles to one tone, if not one color, as in the small bathroom shower tile idea above.
'We choose a small scale tile for this mid century home. By pairing the small scale with the large format slab the room is both warm but still modern,' says Lisa Staton, principal designer at Lisa Staton Interior Design .
9. Use rectangular tiles vertically in a small bathroom
(Image credit: Maestri Studio/Jenifer McNeil Baker)
In a bathroom that's got awkward proportions, you can use tiles for correction. For example, in a narrow bathroom, long, wide tiles fixed horizontally on a wall will make the space feel wider; in a small bathroom, floor tiles laid diagonally rather than square on, can make the space look larger all-round. Here, the ceiling height is exaggerated by rectangular wall tiles fixed vertically.
'Small shower rooms can have low ceilings. To combat this, opt for large-sized rectangular tiles fixed vertically to give the illusion of height in the room, and keep the smaller, more decorative tiles for the floor,' says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens.
10. Fix tiles in stripes to exaggerate a shower's size
(Image credit: Kriste Michelini/Thomas Kuoh)
'Charming and with a timeless appeal, this bathroom was designed for two active, athletic teenagers. By using penny tiles, we were able to create a space that is modern, fresh and full of personality but budget friendly as well,' says Kriste Michelini, owner and founder of Kriste Michelini Interiors .
However, the cleverest trick this shower space achieves is with the stripes – fixed at eye-height, the make the small shower area feel wider and deeper.
What size tiles are best for small bathroom showers?
The best size tiles for small bathroom showers are large format because, with fewer grout-lines, they look sleeker, and there's less texture to interrupt the line of vision. However, smaller tiles can work in a small bathroom shower, as long as they are laid in a way that best enhances the proportions of the shower area: a low-ceilinged space can be made to feel taller with rectangular tiles fixed vertically; a narrow shower area can be made to feel wider with rectangular tiles fixed horizontally.
What color tiles are best for small bathroom showers?
Light-colored tiles are best for small bathroom showers as they will make the space feel larger and lighter. However, you can have darker colors, as long as natural light is good, and that the space is well-lit at night. Busy patterns should be avoided – instead choose subtle patterns or textures for interest.
Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.
Small bathroom shower tile ideas: 15 space-enhancing designs
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By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.We often have to compromise when it comes to the size of our bathrooms, which means making the most of the space we do have and working out how to enhance it.
If you've got a tiny bathroom, it's unlikely that you have a tub, so one of your focus areas will naturally be, the shower. And when this area looks so good when tiled, giving it some attention with the best small bathroom shower tile ideas around is a total no-brainer to help enhance your space on all levels.
Lighter color schemes, pale floors and as much light as you can direct in will all help lift small bathroom tile ideas furthermore, but one way of highlighting this key element is by carefully choosing your shower tiles.
Clever use of shower tiles can make a small bathroom feel bigger almost instantly. By tricking the eye using different configurations, you can catch the light in all the right places to distract and add the perfect amount of design interest.
Todd Prince, designer at Todd Prince Design notes how it's not just the tile that can have an effect but that grouting plays an important role too, 'Don’t forget the importance of grout color. Choose a grout color to blend with the tile color…that approach works best in small spaces because it allows the tile to remain the focus. Contrast grout colors interrupt the flow from tile to tile…thus making the space feel smaller.’ It's all about the finer detail, and you can really go to town by choosing stylish yet striking options that will make showering each morning, a sheer pleasure. Whether you're on a budget or not, there are stunning small shower tile looks to suit all tastes and budgets.
1. Small scale square tiles in blush pink
(Image credit: Lisa Staton/Kara Mercer )
Blush pink tiles will add warmth to a shower that has little natural light.
Choosing a smaller scale tile will concentrate the eye on the design rather than the size of the space, using white grout keeps the look fresh. Brass fixtures and fittings work brilliantly at enhancing pink bathroom schemes.
2. Consider the shape of your shower tile
(Image credit: Etch Design Group/Cate Black )
We tend to default to square or rectangular tiles, but there are actually plenty more cool and vibrant shapes to choose from, like this lovely scalloped shaped design. Easy on the eye and oh-so-pretty in this sky blue, these tiles give this shower a fabulously decorative element that’s offset by the white shower curtain with blue trim.
3. Select subway tile for a fresh clean feel
(Image credit: Maestri Studio/Jenifer McNeil Baker )
Metro bathroom tiles make great additions for small showers and they are now a pretty timeless option also. Should you match the shower tile to the rest of your bathroom, you can help your shower space pop by choosing black crittall doors for definition.
4. Use mini hexagon tiles in shades of grey
(Image credit: Interior Fox )
‘Working with white walls gives you endless opportunities to play with patterns elsewhere, for example an effective way to introduce a sense of style is through your choice a patterned tile, which adds both color and decorative interest. For this project in Portland, Oregon, we sourced these concrete tiles from Sarah Sherman Samuel that feature a contemporary pattern with clean lines – they balanced the room out perfectly without overpowering the space,’ say Jen and Mar, co-founders of Interior Fox .
5. Lay your tiles vertically with a low ceiling
(Image credit: M. Lavender Interiors/Cynthia Lynn)
Shower rooms come in all shapes and sizes, some smaller than we desire, but there are clever interior design tricks you can apply when tiling a shower to give a more spacious feel.
Choosing a pale shade will help a lot, but what will draw the eye up the most is selecting large format tiles and laying them vertically to add instant height.
6. Make a feature of your shower with inky blue tiles
(Image credit: Maestri Studio/Jenifer McNeil Baker )
Love a dark and dramatic feel? These inky blue square tiles give this space a real focal point, which is highlighted by the white grout that ties in with the white walls and basin.
Complete with a shower bench and inset shelf, this scheme looks great with black and gold too.
7. Tile the floor instead of the walls
(Image credit: Kim Armstrong Interior Design)
You don’t always need to have ‘feature’ walls – how about patterned bathroom floor tiles instead? It’s truly eye-catching and keeps your focus down instead of up, also a good trick if you have low ceilings. Match the tiles to the rest of the scheme, these go really well with the Art Deco motif wallpaper and the vintage washstand.
8. Wrap tiles in a windowless shower room
(Image credit: JL Design)
Not every bathroom has windows, in this instance create a shower room that oozes style and texture with tiles that have a textured almost stripy design.
These natural shades give a much-needed warmth without making it feel too dark, aided of course by the paler floor tiles contrast in size against the large format wall designs.
9. Mosaics will add shimmer and shine
(Image credit: Jessica Lagrange Interiors )
Mosaics originate from Roman times, they used them for floor and wall decoration and they often depicted stories as well as artwork. Today they are widely used in bathrooms as they’re cost-effective and come in many eye-catching colors and finishes. In a shower, you can use glass mosaic tiles as they’re waterproof so you’ll have peace of mind that they’ll do the trick in both decoration and functionality.
10. Add drama with jet black
(Image credit: Etch Design Group/Cate Black )
When your actual shower space is small you have two choices, either you go light and bright, or, dark and dramatic.
This tiny shower is given a new lease of life with the large black metro tiles that surround the mini tub.
The look is softened by the hex tiles in shades of grey and white which gives the space a decorative finish.
11. Play with how you layer your shower tiles
(Image credit: Mindy O’Connor)
A herringbone layout will certainly add interest to a small shower, these tiles automatically draw your eye in and therefore detract from the size of the space. Having a design with a shimmery finish will help to bounce the light in too as you can see in this smart shower room. In contrast, the floor features mosaic tiles in gray hues and act as the most perfect neutral to the midnight blue ties.
12. Blend different bathing spaces
(Image credit: Todd Prince Design/Kathryn MacDonald)
This cleverly designed bathroom has created cohesion using a taupe tile across both the tub and shower space. The flooring unites them furthermore and the three different tile textures result in a modern space that's full of character.
13. Let the floor tile overflow
(Image credit: Lindye Galloway Design Studio + Shop/Chad Mellon)
‘These custom dark marble floors that continue into the shower contrast the white thick countertops and tiled walls perfectly, it’s all about balancing dark and light tones to achieve a well-curated look, ’ says Lindye Galloway, founder and chief creative officer at Lindye Galloway Design Studio + Shop .
14. Use a mixture of tile shapes to create interest
(Image credit: Waterworks )
To make a teeny walk-in shower light, airy and oh-so-stylish, you need to use a couple of design features. Firstly, choosing a neutral scheme will tick the first two boxes, secondly, have a play around with scale. On the walls and shower bench we have rectangular tiles laid horizontally, while the rest are mosaics. This is the clever part – with mosaics you can let all your creative juices flow by coming up with all manner of designs, as you can see here with the tiled section above the shower bench, the graduated layout really creates a subtle, yet stylish view.
15. Add a touch of black and white
(Image credit: Living with Lolo/Life Created )
If you want to dabble in a monochromatic scheme but feel a little unsure, then opt for small changes to start with. These graphic black and white floor tiles flow into the shower and give enough of a 'wow' statement without needing anything else other than white tiles on the walls.
They also distract the eye perfectly from the small space.
What size tile should I use in a small shower?
'Use rectangular tiles on a shower wall such as 2 x 8, 3 x 12, or 4 x 16 to elongate the space. These sizes of tile can be installed vertically or horizontally for maximum impact. Don’t use square tiles on shower walls. They create grid patterns making spaces feel choppy and rigid,’ explains Todd Prince, designer at Todd Prince Design .
‘Honestly, you can go with small or large tiles in small showers; it all depends on the right aesthetic,’ says Stephanie Lindsey, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, principal designer at Etch Design Group .
What's the best direction to lay tile in a small shower?
‘If the shower is narrow from left to right, you want to have the tiles be installed horizontally so that it visually elongates the width. If the ceiling is low, you'll want to install the tiles vertically so that the long edge of the tile is running up/down and can visually make the ceiling feel higher,’ advises Stephanie Lindsey, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, principal designer at Etch Design Group .
Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 22 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor of indie magazine, 91, Sophie trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for the modern bride.
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Flat 2.
