Bathroom tiles used to be concerned mainly with function. Each tile should be resistant to water, durable and not require extensive maintenance.

But over time, design has taken on increased importance for bathroom tiles. Now you can combine great function with high fashion.

Bathroom tile offers plenty of design opportunities. Here are eight amazing bathroom shower tile ideas you can use today:

1. Use Neutral Colors

Bold, bright highlights have their place in bathroom design. But many people prefer softer, more neutral colors for the bathroom tile.

Greys, off-whites and beiges are popular color choices. In fact, grey and beige are combined into the popular (and relatively new) color “greige.”

Tiles don’t always have to be the same neutral color. You can add some variety to your shower by layering in different neutral tones.

Try adding darker tiles on the floor with lighter tiles on the walls to create a sense of height in the room.

Bottom Line:

A mixture of neutral colors creates a comfortable look without being drab.

2. Choose Matte Over Glossy  

Tiles with a matte finish tend to function better in the bathroom maintenance-wise compared to glossy. They’re often a good choice if your bathroom has a busy design on the floor.

Matte finish works well for the shower because it doesn’t show water marks or smudges as clearly as a glossy finish can.

Plus, a matte finish won’t mirror much light, so light won’t bounce around the bathroom. This makes matte a good choice around the vanity and other well-lit areas.  

Bottom Line:

Matte Tiles offer understated, earthy design while also being durable and resistant to water marks.

3. Choose Glossy Over Matte

This doesn’t mean glossy finish also doesn’t have some great features. Glossy tiles have a few unique properties which work well in certain types of bathrooms.

Glossy tiles reflect a lot of light, which is a good choice for smaller bathrooms. The reflected light can make the bathroom look (and feel) a bit larger than it actually is.

Glossy tiles do get slick, so they’re best used on walls instead of floors. They’re not really safe for flooring, especially in wet areas.

The glossy finish does tend to look very upscale and glamorous. They’re a good choice if you want to add a bit of luxury to your bathroom.    

Bottom Line: Glossy tiles add an elegant, bright look to shower walls.

4. Add Graphic Tiles

Graphic tiles can add a splash of color and boldness to otherwise neutral design. There’s really no limit to the hues and colors you can find. You can even find hand-painted graphic tiles!  

Both floors and walls are a great place to add graphic tiles. Plus, you can mix and match graphic tiles to create unique looks.

Graphic tiles are also an easy and effective way to change the entire look of your bathroom. Only a few tiles need to be added for a complete revitalization. The eye is naturally drawn to towards graphics, especially if the room is mainly neutral colors.

Bottom Line:

Graphic tiles are a simple and easy way to add a bold splash of color to your existing shower tile.

5. Change Shape with Geometric Tiles

There’s no need to limit your shower bathroom tiles to the traditional rectangular shape. Geometric shapes are a popular new trend.  

Practically any shape is available including circles, ovals, squares and other common shapes. But the fastest growing shape is probably the hexagon. Hexagonal tiles of every shape and size can help create a unique look.

Colored shapes give you even more design options. Just a few colored tiles placed on the walls or floor can be used to create visually striking accents.

Match the shape to the structure of your bathroom. Geometric tiles are often a great way to tile corners and other irregularly shaped features.     

Bottom Line:

Hexagonal tiles and other non-rectangular shapes add a bold visual style.

6. Get Detailed with Mosaics

Mosaics are clusters of multiple tiles on a single backing. They’re much easier to install than individual tiles.

The tiles in a mosaic are often very small. Once installed, the tiles look like they were painstakingly installed one by one.

Smaller tiles allow for subtle coloring options. You can create salt and pepper effects, shading and even intricate designs.

Mosaics usually look great in shower nooks, vanities and other small areas. Mosaic tile can also be made from glass, a look which can be used to make a small bathroom feel larger.    

Bottom Line:

Mosaics are an easy way to add a collection of small tiles to your bathroom shower.

7. Contrast Shower and Bathroom Tile

Don’t use the same tile in the shower which you use in the rest of the bathroom. Instead, you want to set the shower apart from the bathroom. This helps add a feeling of depth to the entire room.

If you have large or standard sized tile in your bathroom, try using small tile in the shower. This separates the shower from the rest of the bathroom and is often a great style choice if the shower has glass walls.

You don’t need to use the same size of tile consistently throughout the shower. Generally, you want to use larger size tiles on the floor and smaller tiles on the walls.    

When using different sized tiles in your shower, keep a consistent color. This helps keep the design orderly and uncluttered.

Bottom Line:

Using two types of tile can help create a sense of separation between the shower and bathroom.

8. Blend Visibility and Obstruction

Your bathroom is unique in that you can have many reflective and clear surfaces. There are often plenty of design opportunities available which deal with visibility and space.  

For instance, you can use clear tile to help open up a smaller room. On the other hand, frosted tile can be used to help make the shower feel a bit more private in a larger bathroom.

As mentioned earlier, glossy tile helps brighten an area. You can use glossy and matte tiles of various colors to emphasize lighting throughout the room.

Bottom Line:

Mirrors, glass and lighting work can be used to shrink or expand the feel of the room.

Conclusion

There’s no one way to tile your shower and bathroom. Instead, you want to consider the space you have and your existing décor.

Ask yourself how your shower currently fits into your existing bathroom. What features do you want tile to help highlight?

If you want to add a quick splash of color or style, try adding just a few colorful tiles. You can further draw the eye with geometric tiles such as hexagonal.

Varying the size of the tiles in the bathroom is also a great way to focus attention throughout the room. Large, heavier tiles work well on the shower floor. A mosaic of smaller tiles is a good choice for nooks, vanities and smaller areas.

Design is often heavily influenced by lighting. Clear, frosted and solid tile can all be used together to alter the feel of the room.

The best bathroom shower tile ideas are flexible and simple. Using the tips above, you can combine function and design to create the shower of your dreams.