Showers are increasingly becoming the main attraction in a bathroom — the star of the show. From high-quality rainfall showerheads to best-in-class steam features, built-in benches, and even sauna-style spaces, showers are being designed for relaxation and spa-inspired bliss.
If you love a long, hot shower and treat it as a moment to unwind, you understand these shower goals. And if the experience matters that much, chances are you want your shower to look as good as it feels. That’s where shower tile enters the picture, right alongside that rainfall nozzle.
Even if you treat a shower as more of a quick, functional part of your morning routine, the practical nature of that shower tile is still an important factor.
So, no pressure, but the shower tile you choose sets the tone for your entire bathroom! It has a huge impact on both form and function, setting the tone of your daily routine, shaping how your bathroom feels, and even influencing your cleaning chores and long-term maintenance.
But there are so many shower tile options, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. From colors, materials, and patterns to different finishes, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know to select the perfect shower tile, including creative shower tile ideas, the best tile for shower floors, and so much more. Your shower transformation starts here!
Choosing the Best Shower Tile Material
The type of tile material you choose plays a major role in both how your shower looks and how it performs over time. From a practical standpoint, durability, slip resistance, and water absorption all come into play.
Here are some of the most popular shower tile materials, along with a few considerations for each.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles have been a design staple for thousands of years, and for good reason: They're versatile, and they're also available in essentially unlimited colors and shapes.
As such, ceramic tiles are like a chameleon of design, fitting for styles ranging from farmhouse chic to sleek minimalism, modern transitional, and more.
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Solid Ceramic Tile: Solid ceramic tile is a one-color tile that comes in a variety of sizes and hues, from whites and neutrals to richly colored shades. It can be matte or glossy, and it can also be in a more organic, formed variety with textural variations.
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Patterned Ceramic Tile: For a punchier twist, patterned ceramic tile adds statement-making visual interest without overwhelming a space.
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Artisan Ceramic Tile: Bespoke and beautiful, artisan ceramic tile is hand-painted into various patterns. Dimensional relief options are much like tiny sculptural moments on the wall.
Ceramic is a popular choice because it’s durable, water-resistant, and available in a wide range of colors and shapes. It’s low-maintenance, making it great for high-traffic and kids’ bathrooms.
Cement Tile
Cement tile is far less industrial than it sounds! Many people are surprised by its distinctive, richly artisan look and feel. And unlike ceramic tile, the color in cement tile runs through the layers of the tile rather than being applied as a glaze, creating a velvety, matte appearance that feels both bold and timeless.
Cement tile is especially well-known for its patterned styles and geometric layouts, but it also comes in solid options.
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Solid Cement Tile: These single-color tiles come in a wide variety of color-saturated hues.
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Patterned Cement Tile: The bold, graphic nature of patterned cement introduces statement-making allure.
While cement tile does require sealing and a bit more maintenance, the visual impact is well worth it for many people.
Zellige Tile
Zellige tiles are authentic Moroccan glazed tiles, 100% handcrafted using methods from the ancient tradition, known for their irregularities and imperfections. In fact, this imperfection is what makes them so beautiful.
Because every piece varies slightly in tone and texture, the tiles have an undeniable character that machine-made tiles cannot replicate. The tiles also catch the light in beautiful, unexpected ways.
Natural Stone Tile
Natural stone tile is cut and finished from quarried stone. Because of that origin story, no two pieces of natural stone tile are exactly alike.
Each type of natural stone tile has its own distinctive veining, texture, and coloration. These variations are all part of its beauty, adding sophisticated character to any space and helping make it feel one-of-a-kind.
The most common type of natural stone used in showers is generally marble, but there are other options you can consider, as well:
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Marble: A lesson in classic luxury, marble is renowned for its smooth texture and dramatic veining
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Limestone: This softer, more porous stone has subtle color variations and a matte finish, so it brings an understated elegance
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Slate: Characterized by a more rustic, rugged appearance and textured surface, slate brings rustic charm
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Travertine: With its natural variations in its surface, travertine delivers a warm, earthy look
An important note: Natural stone, especially the more porous stones like honed limestone and travertine, can require more sealing and care, and certain varieties may not be appropriate in all showers.
Tile for Shower Floor: What Works Best
When selecting tile for shower floors, safety and functionality are key.
Large-format polished tiles are typically not recommended for shower floors because they can become slippery when wet. Slightly textured or matte finishes tend to provide better grip.
Another reason large tiles aren’t ideal for a tile shower floor is that they can be difficult to contour to the subtle slope needed for proper drainage.
Because shower floors are constantly exposed to water, smaller tiles with more grout lines are ideal. Those additional grout lines provide traction and help prevent slipping.
Instead, smaller tiles are usually the best choice. Because they create more grout lines, they provide additional traction underfoot and naturally adapt to the shower’s slope.
Popular choices for a tile shower floor include:
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Mosaic tile sheets
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Penny round tiles
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Hexagon tiles
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Small square tiles
These formats combine safety, durability, and visual interest in a way that works especially well in shower environments.
How to Choose Shower Wall Tile
While shower floor tile must prioritize function and traction, shower wall tile options are essentially endless.
Larger tiles can make the space feel clean and modern, while smaller handmade pieces add personality and warmth.
When selecting tile for shower walls, here are some things to keep in mind:
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Size and scale of the bathroom: Large tiles often work well in spacious bathrooms, while smaller tiles add visual interest in compact showers.
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Lighting: Glossy and handmade tiles reflect light and can help bring a sense of radiance to darker spaces.
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Color palette: Neutral tiles keep things timeless, while bold colors create a dramatic focal point.
Matching Shower Tile with the Rest of the Bathroom
A big question that homeowners often have is how to match or coordinate their shower tile with the rest of the space. And the truth is that there are so many ways to approach this part of bathroom design. Some showers seamlessly flow into the floors and walls adjacent to them, because the same tile is used throughout. Others stand apart with a distinct accent tile.
Whatever the approach, when you are thinking about a cohesive bathroom design, make sure to pay attention to:
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Vanity color and materials
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Flooring outside the shower
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Lighting fixtures
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Hardware finishes
For example, if your bathroom is warm and organic with natural wood tones, an earthy zellige tile or a neutral natural stone would be a fitting choice for the shower. If your approach is more of a space steeped in classic luxury, marble fits the bill. When it comes to fixtures, warm-toned brass pairs beautifully with handmade tiles, while polished chrome works well with crisp whites and cool tones.
The goal isn’t perfect matching, it’s harmony.
Shower Tile Ideas That Elevate Your Bathroom
Looking for inspiration? There are countless shower tile ideas worth exploring, from color-drenched spaces to textured handmade walls and creative pattern layouts.
Here are a few standout examples.
Museum Quality
With painterly walls and Merlot 4"x4" Zellige Tile, this shower is nothing short of museum quality. The rich, red tones add depth, mood, and a little drama in the best way. Bold doesn't mean brash; it reads as confident refinement.
Sun Catcher
Designed to catch the light and hold it, this Blush 2"x6" Thin Bejmat Zellige Tile is rustic and refined, turning golden hour into an everyday atmosphere.
White Out
Pantone’s Color of the Year is Cloud Dancer — a take on white that is anything but flat or boring. These showers prove it, too, celebrating beautiful restraint through materials.
This is a great example of how diverse white tile can be — from White 2"x8" Cement Tile to Snow White 4"x4" Zellige Tile and Show White 2"x2" Zellige Tile, Casablanca Carrara 6"x12" Subway Marble, White Terrazzo, and Natural White 2"x6" Zellige Tile.
Each brings its own character to an otherwise quiet palette, with simplicity that has substance.
Marble Serenity
This serene shower pairs luminous Casablanca Carrara 3"x6" Subway Honed Marble Tile on the walls and Casablanca Carrara 1-Inch Penny Round Mosaic Marble Tile on the floors with warm Azru Sand 2x8 Moroccan Limestone, blending brightness and depth in a relaxed, natural way.
Mod Pod
You may not think to combine White Terrazzo with rosy, terracotta-hued tile, but they are a perfect match here for a mod take on your morning shower.
Haute Herringbone
The tile pattern makes all the difference — the floor is herringbone, and the walls are half-offset brick. This Calcutta Gold 4"x12" is swoonworthy here, with its soft veining and mix of warm and cool tones. The natural movement makes every piece feel unique, and the pattern possibilities are truly endless.
Green Dream
This shower went from drab to fab thanks to these bold, colorful 2"x8" Green Cement tiles that completely transformed the space. Every inch is bursting with personality and charm.
Shades of Grey
The marriage of Bardiglio Grey Light 18"x18" Marble Tile and Italian Statuary Herringbone Mosaic and 4"x12" Subway Tile proves that natural stone is unmatched in scale, serenity, and style, especially when it surrounds you from floor to ceiling.
How to Tile a Shower: What to Know
For the DIY weekend warriors, if you've been looking up how to tile a shower and are considering tackling it yourself, keep one thing in mind: The prep work matters just as much as the tile you choose and the installation itself.
Because behind every beautiful tiled shower is a lot of careful groundwork. Professional installers follow several important steps to ensure the finished shower not only looks great but also holds up to years of daily use.
Here are the basics involved in how to make a tiled shower that performs well over time:
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Install waterproof backer board.
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Apply a waterproof membrane to protect the structure behind the tile.
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Set the tile using thin-set mortar.
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Grout and seal the finished surface.
Some experienced DIYers do investigate how to tile a shower themselves, and they do the job successfully. But if you have any doubts, you may choose to hire a professional, especially since waterproofing and installation are critical to both the look and performance of the shower.
If something goes wrong at any stage, even a small mistake can lead to water damage or a less-than-ideal result later. If you have any questions, looking for an experienced installer is often the safest investment. Riad Tile often helps homeowners find installers for their tile.
Your Next Steps: Finding Shower Tile Near You
The best shower tile is the one that stands up to your daily routine while reflecting your personal design preferences.
For a curated selection of the highest quality, artisan-created shower tile, Riad Tile stands out as a go-to destination. From handmade textures and statement-making patterns to classic, timeless neutrals, Riad Tile offers options that blend beauty and performance seamlessly.
If you’re based in the North Texas area and are searching for “tile stores near me,” Riad Tile is based in Dallas, offering you the chance to compare colors, textures, and finishes up close, something that’s hard to replicate on a screen.
For those not in Texas, Riad Tile can send samples your way.
By taking the time to think through design, durability, and maintenance, you can select a shower tile that not only looks stunning from day one but continues to perform beautifully for years to come.
