30 Walk-in Shower Tile Ideas You'll Want to Copy

Tile is a popular bathroom floor and wall pick, thanks to its durability and resistance to water damage. The right type of tile can make a bathroom shine, and this is especially true of walk-in showers, which normally serve as the focal point of the bathroom. So, whether your style is more industrial chic or retro, there's a walk-in shower tile idea that's perfect for you.

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Use Classic White Tile

Emily Henderson

Simple and clean white tile is always a great pick for your walk-in shower. It works especially well in smaller showers and bathrooms, as the white brightens up the space and makes it feel larger in the process.

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Add Seashell-Inspired Tile

Desiree Burns Interiors

For a walk-in shower look that's beach-inspired and a little bit coastal, use shimmery and imperfect white glass tile. The shell-colored tile will make you feel like every shower is a trip to your favorite seaside destination.

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Use Different Orientations

Emily Henderson

For a tile look that feels fresh and bespoke, install tile in two different orientations. Start with horizontal tile at the bottom of the walk-in shower, then finish with vertical tile, which will make the shower look extra-tall.

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Make It Minimalist

Cathie Hong Interiors

If your walk-in shower is first and foremost a place of refuge, pick tile with a minimalist, non-distracting look. Oversized tiles in neutral colors are great for this.

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Install Green Tile

Emily Henderson

Green glass tile adds a healthy touch of drama to your walk-in shower. Look for handcrafted tile for slight variations in color that will look stunning once installed.

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Add a Ribbon of Color

Devon Grace Interiors

Walk-in shower tile can have accent color too. Take a page out of Devon Grace Interiors' book in the shower above by using a ribbon of colored tile amidst a sea of white.

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Make Your Tile Blend In

Emily Henderson

For a walk-in shower with a subtle tile look, use extra-small tiles—like penny tile—with matching grout. The combo will make the tile blend into the surface of the rest of the shower.

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Use Different Tile Patterns

Devon Grace Interiors

Tile patterns aren't only made up of the way a tile is installed—rather, they can made up of different types of tile too, like the repeating tile types in the bathroom above from Devon Grace Interiors.

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Pair Matte White and Copper

Cathie Hong Interiors

Want a picture-perfect tile and hardware pairing? Try using copper shower fixtures alongside matte white tile. It's an on-trend look that still feels cozy and fresh.

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Go for an Industrial Look

Cathie Hong Interiors

For a more industrial take on the walk-in shower, use beige or concrete-colored tiles. Make sure they're oversized to complete the chic industrial look.

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Try Three Different Tiles

Cathie Hong Interiors

Who says your walk-in shower has to be all one tile, or even two? Mix it up by using three types of tile—start with a fun, patterned floor tile, then accompany it with two more neutral types of tile for the wall.

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Get Moody

Bespoke Only

For a moody walk-in shower look, install deep gray or black tile alongside similarly darkly colored bathroom walls.

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Use Wood-Inspired Tile

Devon Grace Interiors

Ready to make your shower a little more sauna-like? Try installing tile with a faux wood look in narrow rows to imitate the look of a wooden sauna.

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Make It Monochrome

Cathie Hong Interiors

When trying to determine the best color for your walk-in shower tile, start by picking a color that's featured prominently in the rest of your bathroom for an easy monochrome look.

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Install Tile in the Gaps

Devon Grace Interiors

If you want a mostly-marble shower but are still looking for ways to incorporate some unique tile, try leaving gaps in the marble that tile can be installed in.

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Create a Custom Tile Layout

Cathie Hong Interiors

If you have the extra resources, try splurging on a custom tile layout like the one above in the bathroom from Cathie Hong Interiors. It adds a unique vintage touch, and a little bit of whimsy too.

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Rotate Tile

Michelle Berwick Design

If your walk-in shower tile comes in sets (like mosaic tile), try rotating the tile in patterns for a dynamic look.

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Make It Immersive

Devon Grace Interiors

For an immersive tile look, use the same type of tile on the bathroom walls outside your walk-in shower as the one you use inside of it.

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Try Terrazzo

Cathie Hong Interiors

Another way to bring a vintage look into your walk-in shower is by using the midcentury darling that is terrazzo tile. Created with shards of colored tile and concrete, terrazzo adds tons of retro personality wherever it goes.

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Try a Chevron Pattern

Cathie Hong Interiors

Another popular tile pattern for a walk-in shower is the classic chevron look. With this layout, tiles are installed in repeating 'W' patterns up and down the wall.

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Add Square Tile

Pure Salt Interiors

Square tile brings a handcrafted look to your walk-in shower, and it's a great addition should you want the space to feel more down-to-earth.

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Use Contrasting Grout

Cathie Hong Interiors

To give penny tile a touch of extra personality in your walk-in shower, consider using contrasting grout. Try an extra-dark color for lots of drama, or pick a light gray for a more subtle look.

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Use Tile to Make Your Shower Feel Bigger

Cathie Hong Interiors

To make your walk-in shower feel bigger, consider installing larger, floor-sized tiles at the bottom of the space and finishing with smaller tiles to make the shower feel taller than it is.

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Add Structural Tile

Cathie Hong Interiors

For a stunning brutalist look in your walk-in shower, add narrow upright tiles in a relaxing neutral color. The striking repetition gives off a great sense of structure and purpose.

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Bring in Subway Tile

Devon Grace Interiors

Subway tile is certainly enjoying its moment in the spotlight, and it can have a home in your bathroom too. Try adding it to your walk-in shower.

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Use Geometric Patterns

Cathie Hong Interiors

For a dynamic tile look, try installing tile in a repeated pattern, like an L-shape or sharp angle. It may not be noticeable at first glance, but it's a subtle style addition that shows thoughtfulness.

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Try Black Tile and Grout

Devon Grace Interiors

For a walk-in shower look that's elegant and a little bit mysterious, pick tile in a rich black or navy, and use matching grout.

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Add Black and White Tile

Devon Grace Interiors

When in doubt, use black and white tile. This elegant and classic color combo works well in nearly any space, walk-in showers included,

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Try a Penny Tile Surface

Devon Grace Interiors

For an extra-grippy walk-in shower surface, use penny tile on the floor of your shower. You can pair it with penny tile on the shower walls as well, or choose a different tile entirely.

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Pair Gray Tile and Brass Fixtures

Desiree Burns Interiors

Another fantastic tile and hardware combo is gray tile alongside brass shower hardware. The gray tile adds a calming affect to your walk-in shower, while the brass adds a touch of pizazz.

FAQ

How much does it cost to install a walk-in shower?

The cost to install a walk-in shower varies depending on your location and your desired shower's size and complexity. But on average, installing a walk-in shower will cost you between $700 (should you use a prefab shower insert) to upwards of $6,700 (should you install something more custom).
What tile is best for walk-in showers?

Almost all types of tile will work in a walk-in shower, from stone to porcelain. However, avoid concrete tile, which is too porous for a shower, and laminate tile, which isn't waterproof enough.
What color shower tile is best?

Shower tile colors vary widely depending on your own preferences and style. But if you're looking for a simple and stylish tile color pick, use a neutral like white, gray, or beige.

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