Until not so long ago, shower tiles seemed to be a thing of the past. But like all things, interior designers seem to have found a hack to put a breath of life into them.
After all, not only are the modern avatars of shower tiles stylish but they’re also solving the most practical problems of space and functionality.
And this is especially true for smaller bathrooms where tiles bring about contemporary aesthetics and create an illusion of space.
So, it’s no surprise that tiles have become the number one material for small space bathroom renovations. Moreover, designers will also suggest you go for tiles if you’re building a shower in a tiny area.
Now, one thing you might end up struggling with is finding the best small bathroom shower tile ideas. In fact, a lot of my clients even got overheard and confused scouring through thousands of inspiration on platforms like Pinterest.
This is exactly why I’ve shortlisted the best small shower tile ideas that are stylish, functional, and affordable so that you don’t have to go through the headache. Read on, and find the best tile inspiration for your shower.
The best small bathroom shower tile ideas
1. Subway tiles with a shower makeover
When it comes to the top tile shower ideas for small bathrooms, subway tiles ace the competition. And let me tell you this has nothing to do with my personal liking for NYC subway architecture.
You see, subway tiles with their horizontal layout have a sense of classical elegance, which makes them a favorite among bathroom designers.
In fact, pair some glossy white tiles with contrasting black grout and you’ve created a modern vibe. Similarly, you can keep the grout tones soft for a more minimalist layout.
However, for a small shower, I suggest a minor twist with a vertical or diagonal tile arrangement. That’s because such layouts draw your eye upward and create an illusion of a higher ceiling.
As a result, you start to get a sense of increased space despite the lower square footage.
2. Geometric patterns add character to small tile showers
Being a residential general contractor myself, I quizzed New York homeowners about what they think of small showers. And from boring to shoe box to claustrophobic, their responses were a mixed lot but mostly negative.
But what if I said that you could add energy and character into these compact spaces?
Yes, that’s possible, and all you need is geometric shower tiles.
Here, you can go for tile shapes and patterns such as hexagons, triangles, or diamonds, but in neutral or pastel shades. This will create a sense of openness but without keeping the space too bland.
Moreover, soft hues like sage green or dusty blue can even add a visual intrigue to your shower space.
Also, if you’re someone who is artistic by nature, I suggest you blend a few mosaic tiles with geometric ones for more depth and texture.
Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
3. Herringbone tile designs for small shower enclosures
If there’s one layout that interior designers consider the ultimate space maximizer for a small shower, it is without doubt herringbone pattern tiles.
And there’s science to it.
As you enter a shower with this pattern, the angular layout naturally guides your eye either upward or across.
The result: The rather tight quarters in your bathroom start to feel larger and more dynamic.
Talking about tile type, elongated ceramic or glass tiles are perfect for this pattern as they reflect light and further accentuate the sense of space. In fact, if you like a touch of sophistication, these tiles also let you naturally pair tones like beige or gray.
Want to try out something more adventurous?
Add tiles with metallic finishes for an attention grabbing effect.
4. Porcelain tiles for a feel of marble
Let’s admit it: There’s nothing that comes close to the luxury of marble.
But are there any small bathroom shower tile ideas that let you bring that vibe?
Yes, there is.
I am talking about marble-inspired porcelain tiles which are underrated right now but can be super practical for small showers like yours.
You see, installing real marble in a compact area doesn’t make economical or even functional sense. More so since porcelain tiles can mimic the design and elegance of real marble all while costing less than half the price and offering ease of maintenance.
Not to mention, marble-look tiles in light colors like white or gray will open up your compact space and help create an airy feel.
Also, porcelain makes the tiling process simple, so you know how long it will take to remodel your bathroom.
5. Go bold with a Moroccan-inspired accent shower wall
What makes small showers perfect for a personal touch is the fact that these are intimate spaces mostly attached to bedrooms. And for those of you who’ve always wanted to try a bold design pattern out, this is the best place to do so.
Now, one such bold design that’s a top trend among small walk in shower tile ideas is a Moroccan-inspired accent wall.
Herein, you can go for vibrant tile colors like blue and green on the wall opposite to the shower door. At the same time, use neutral tiles on the remaining walls to keep the space elegant and not overwhelm it.
The outcome: You’ve injected life and individuality into your shower.
6. Penny shower tile designs for small bathrooms
While Moroccan-themed tiles are great for traditional aesthetics, they are not for everyone designing a small tiled shower. And for such folks, penny tiles are an excellent counterpart offering a mosaic-like decor.
Penny tiles are small in size and can add unique texture and charm to a small shower enclosure. Also, just like Moroccan-style tiles, penny tiles let you showcase your creativity by pairing multiple tile colors and creating a personalized theme.
Plus, these tiles are available in white and pastel shades if you want to keep your shower enclosure minimal and open.
Remodeler’s tip: Opt for penny tiles with copper or gold finish if you want to create a luxurious finish using small tiles in small bathroom.
7. Nature-inspired tiles for tight spaces
What’s the feeling you get when out on a nature trail?
You likely get a sense of calm and freshness, among all other good feelings, thanks to the instant release of dopamine.
And this is exactly what nature-inspired tiny bathroom tile ideas seek to do in a tight shower space, turning them from claustrophobic to calming.
In fact, while there are plenty of options for nature-themed tiles, wood-look and stone-effect tiles top all nature-based small bathroom shower tile ideas.
Here’s what these two nature tiles are all about:
- Wood-look tiles: These are porcelain tiles that create the warmth of natural wood.
- Stone-effect tiles: These tiles mimic slate or travertine and create an earthy ambiance.
Apart from these, tile colors like sandy beige or nature green are also great options for a nature-inspired shower.
8. Metallic tiles for an ultra-rich feel
With contemporary metallic tile shower ideas small bathrooms have never been more luxurious.
How?
Well, from bronze to silver to gold, and more, metallic tiles are available in all shades and hues. And the best thing is that they mimic these precious metals to perfection at a fraction of the cost.
Moreover, these tiles are pretty reflective, which is yet another brownie point if you want to make your small shower more open.
But won’t metallic finishes make your bathroom too reflective?
Not really, as these tiles feature textured finishes with hammered or brushed effects which add both depth and sophistication.
Awesome, right?
9. Large format shower tiles
In for minimal and clean aesthetic bathroom tiles for small bathrooms?
If yes, then large format tiles are something you should definitely consider.
As the name suggests, these are large tiles available in neutral tones like beige, cream, or light gray, among others. And they’re great for reducing the number of grout lines in your shower and making it look more streamlined and spacious.
What’s more?
Pair these small bathrooms designs tile with frameless glass shower doors and body-size mirrors and you’ve a sleek, modern, and seemingly spacious shower.
Pro tips to make a small tiled shower feel spacious
Small showers are perfectly fine when it comes to their utility. After all, they efficiently utilize a small area and offer all the essential amenities for your needs.
But the only problem is they feel cramped and claustrophobic. So much so that you use it just for the sake of it.
As such, it makes complete sense to utilize the trending tile shower ideas for small bathrooms not just for aesthetics but space too.
In fact, since tiling your bathroom doesn’t need any permit at all, why not make the most out of it.
And here’s how I suggest you do so:
1. Light and bright colored tiles are the best reflections. In fact they create almost a mirror effect, something you can use to make the space appear less cramped.
2. Tiles with glossy finishes increase brightness in the enclosure and make it look more open.
3. Vertical layouts like stacked tiles in a herringbone pattern will naturally draw the eye upward and create a sense of more space.
4. Go for clear frameless glass shower doors as they’ll eliminate visual barriers and instantly make the space feel larger.
Frequently asked questions about small bathroom shower tile ideas
What are the best tiny bathroom tile ideas for shower floor?
When flooring your small shower, you want something that’s non-slippery and offers a good grip. Also, you want it to be aesthetically pleasing and blend with your shower walls.
And to that end, I suggest you go for either mosaic or penny tiles as they meet all these requirements.
Should you go for black small tile shower designs?
The color palette of your shower tile will depend entirely on your taste and liking. However, my advice is you go for lighter colors if you want to make the space feel larger.
You can, nonetheless, pair black or dark colored tiles with the brighter ones to add an element of drama and creativity.
Should you tile all the walls or just the shower area?
Although tiling all the walls can be expensive and time-consuming, it offers a cohesive look overall. Meaning, it’s always better to tile all the walls than just focus on the shower enclosure.
Nevertheless, if time and budget are a concern for you, keep the focus on the shower for now.
How to choose the right grout color?
The safest bet when choosing the grout color would be to match it with the tile color.
But that said, you can also get experimental and go for a bold look with a completely contrasting grout color.
Conclusion
As you can see, the right small bathroom shower tile ideas can turn the challenges of these tiny enclosures into opportunities.
In fact, from safe and minimal options to more playful and adventours choices, there are small shower tile ideas for everyone.
I hope you found my tile shower ideas for small bathrooms useful and that these will come handy for your own bathroom renovation project.
Got more questions or need assistance with your bathroom renovation project?
You can get in touch with us!
At Creative Design Ceramic and Tile, we are seasoned full service home remodeling experts with 38+ years of expertise under our belt. And we’ve got all your renovation needs covered on a budget.