Tile shower Design Small bathroom

There are as many ways to tile a shower as there are types and colors of tiles. The only must-follow design rules are to select tiles that are waterproof and durable, and to ensure that they are grouted properly. Then, it's time to have fun and stretch your creative imagination. Here are nine of our best ideas for your bathroom shower tile.

Idea: Add an accent tile wall inside the shower.

Think of the kitchen: Many homeowners use the space behind a range for an intricate mosaic tile showpiece. You can do the same in a shower. To keep the space from looking too busy, keep the border and rest of the walls a fairly neutral color. Or, for a more subtle change, mix up the pattern of the tile on one wall—tile laid on the diagonal, for example.

Idea: Change up the size of the bathroom shower tile from the rest of the space.

If you're unsure about mixing and matching materials, you can still add subtle visual contrast by choosing a different size of tile inside the shower. Try a large, square granite tile on the floor, for example, and a smaller rectangular ceramic tile (in the same color) in the shower.

Idea: Vary the tiles inside the shower.

There's no reason to stick with the same tile inside the shower. Use white subway tile to wainscot height, glass mosaic tile above that for an unexpected visual twist, and pebble tile on the floor for a gentle foot massage.