Go Bold! Standout Tile Ideas for a Stunning Shower Surround

If you're renovating your bathroom, one of the best ways to make a stylish statement is to use eye-catching tile on the walls surrounding your shower. Tiling above and around your shower surround is an impactful yet relatively affordable way to add glamour and sophistication to your space. With so many tile types, textures, colors and patterns to choose from, you're sure to find options to complement your aesthetic preferences and create a stunning focal point in your bathroom.

From sleek and modern glass tiles, to elegant natural stone, to artistic mosaic designs, there are endless possibilities for crafting a beautiful, bold tile installation. Read on for inspiring tips and trends to help you design the shower of your dreams!

Choose Eye-Catching Mosaic Tiles

One artistic and versatile tile option to consider is mosaic tile. Mosaic tiles are made up of small, intricately shaped porcelain, ceramic, glass, or stone pieces that are arranged in stunning patterns. There are several advantages to using mosaic tiles to add pizzazz above and around your shower:

• With mosaic tiles, you can create geometric shapes, floral designs, abstract patterns and even pictorial murals using a combination of different colors and materials.
• Mosaic tile designs can be subtle or bold, perfectly complementing your existing shower tile or adding a major pop of style.
• Premade mosaic sheets make installation simple. Or, you can buy individual tiles and mix and match to create custom designs.
• The small scale and grout lines of mosaics add lovely texture and visual depth versus large format tiles.

When installing mosaic tiles, carefully follow any pattern layouts and use spacers to achieve consistent grout line widths. Use a grout color that complements the colors in your mosaic. To achieve a flawless finished look, take your time grouting and cleaning the joints between the tiny tiles.

Some gorgeous ways to use mosaic tile above a shower surround include:

• A stylized art deco design as the shower focal point
• Thin bands of mosaics stacked horizontally to add stripes
• A geometric mosaic pattern surrounding recessed shelves
• An abstract floral mosaic mural for a touch of nature and softness

Add Modern Style with Glass Tile

Another on-trend option is to use glass tile. With its illuminating sheen, glass mosaic and formed tile can lend a contemporary, sleek style. Glass tile comes in a spectrum of colors, finishes, and degrees of opacity:

• Clear glass has a brilliant transparent finish.
• Opaque glass offers an attractive frosted appearance.
• Colored glass introduces eye-catching hues like midnight blue or ruby red.
• Recycled glass tile has an eco-friendly vibe.

When designing your shower surround, creatively blend glass tiles in glossy bricklay, stack bond and offset patterns. Use glass accents sparingly for added drama, or cover entire walls for contemporary wow factor. Take advantage of glass's ability to transmit light by incorporating LED lighting.

Glass tile does have some special considerations to factor in. It can be more expensive than ceramic or porcelain. The hard surface is also prone to cracking if the substrate or tile is not properly prepared and supported. Use a white thinset adhesive and take care when cutting intricate shapes to avoid breakage. Finally, use a specialty grout designed for glass for the best fill and polish.

Here are some eye-catching ways to highlight glass tile in your shower surround:

• A alternating multicolored glass subway tile pattern as an accent border along the top
• Clear glass mosaic penny rounds to add tactile texture and reflect light
• Sleek horizontal bands of frosted white glass stacked up the wall

Go Industrial Chic with Metallic Tiles

For a modern, edgy vibe in your bathroom, try tiling your shower surround with metal tile. Metal tiles come in stainless steel, copper, brass and aluminum finishes. They can lend an urban, industrial chic look with their smooth, shiny, and subtly reflective surfaces.

When selecting metal tile, consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Stainless steel and aluminum have a cooler modern sheen, while warmer brass and copper have more traditional luxurious appeal. Metal tiles can have a glossy mirror finish or a subtly textured matte surface. They are available in a range of geometric shapes and patterns, from sleek bricks to retro hexagons.

Use metal tile sparingly as an accent, such as:

• A contrasting metal tile trim border
• Vintage penny round metal mosaics combined with glass and stone
• Metal subway tiles stacked horizontally above the showerhead

Or make it the star of your shower surround with an entire metal accent wall. Just take care to use mild, non-abrasive cleaners to avoid scratching the finishes over time. Match metal grout colors carefully to complement the tiles.

Sculpt Interest with Dimensional and 3D Tiles

Dimension adds exciting depth and contour to a shower surround. 3D tiles are a specialized type of tile with varying levels of texture and multidimensional shape. Options include:

• Ceramic or porcelain tiles with high relief carved, geometric patterns
• Organic freeform 3D tiles shaped like seashells, fish scales, etc.
• Hand-molded terra cotta tiles with rich artisanal textures
• Hexagon, diamond, and cube-shaped dimensional tiles

When designing your 3D tile layout, it helps to sketch ideas to determine the best tile orientations and placements. Dry lay tiles on the floor to visualize finished patterns and spacing. Use caution when applying mortar and grout to ensure it fills the valleys and contours of 3D tiles without gaps.

Some striking ways to show off 3D tiles above a shower include:

• A multifaceted mosaic design filling a niche
• Stacked elongated 3D tiles along the top border
• A nature-inspired accent wall filled with whimsical organic tiles

Add Organic Texture with Natural Stone Tiles

For a spa-like, luxurious feel in your bathroom, consider using natural stone tile above your shower surround. Stone tiles lend an earthy, grounded warmth and have lightly textured, flawless natural markings. Stone varieties like marble, travertine, and slate work beautifully in showers. Choose stone tiles with slight variations in tone, veining, and fossils for an organic look. Large format stone tiles can be installed in striking stacked, bricklay, or herringbone layouts. For more ornate styles, combine different sized square, hexagon, or mosaic stone tiles.

Stone does require some special precautions. Seal tiles with a waterproofing sealant prior to installation for longevity. Use a white latex-modified thinset for adhereing stone securely. Small stones in a mosaic pattern may need reinforced floor sheathing. Match grout to the darkest stone color. Routinely reseal, and clean with pH-neutral products to prevent etching and discoloration.

Some gorgeous ways to incorporate natural stone tile in your shower surround include:

• A marble subway tile wainscotting with inlaid stone mosaic
• Travertine plank tiles stacked vertically from floor to ceiling
• A polished sandstone tile accent wall with niche cutouts

Build Contemporary Style with Geometric Tiles

Geometric tiles can lend a clean-lined, contemporary edge to your shower surround. These tiles get their name because they are shaped in classic geometric forms like circles, triangles, diamonds, hexagons, etc. Paired with sleek grout lines, geometric tiles create crisp graphic patterns. Options include:

• Hexagonal tiles, which lend depth through their multilayered shape
• Subway tiles, which can be stacked in eye-catching vertical or herringbone designs
• Penny rounds, which align in polka dot motifs

Color choice plays an important role in the look and feel of geometric tiles. For a minimalist vibe, use black, white, and gray tones. Incorporate metallic tiles like copper or gold for a glam flair. Vibrant multicolored mosaics make a lively statement. Use contrasting grout to accentuate the geometry even more.

Some chic geometric tile ideas include:

• A glossy black and white harlequin-patterned accent wall
• Sleek silver penny rounds dotted across a single navy blue tile
• Rows of rectangular tiles stacked to create 3D ridges and angles

The key to a successful and stylish shower surround tile installation is creativity coupled with proper planning and preparation. Here are some top tips to keep in mind for your project:

• Select water-resistant materials rated for shower use like ceramic, porcelain, glass, or natural stone.
• Thoroughly clean and then waterproof walls before tiling for longevity.
• Plan creative tile layouts with patterns, colors, and accents.
• Incorporate design details like niches, shelves, contrasts and lighting.
• Use quality setting materials and grout suitable to your tile type.
• Seal porous tiles before and after installation for protection.
• Consider creating a focal point or statement wall instead of tiling the entire surround.
• Have patience during installation to properly level, space, and align tiles.

You can create a shower of your dreams with the right tiles. The design options are endless - mosaic, glass, metal, stone, and more. Use this guide to explore styles and get inspired as you map out the perfect tile plans for your next bathroom renovation!