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When it comes to choosing the tile that goes into your bathroom’s shower, there are several things to consider. Today, we go through the main things you should keep at the front of your mind, so you can be well-equipped for the job ahead.
Showers are arguably the second most important areas within your home; second to your bedroom, that is. They provide a place of solace after a long day. Taking a shower lets you have a momentary bout of silence from the chaos happening outside. For that reason, it’s key to make sure that the way you style it speaks to your individuality and will be a place you’ll want to escape to.
Whether you’re doing a full master bathroom remodel, or redoing your guest bathroom shower, choosing the right tile for both the shower floors and walls is important.
How to Choose Shower Tiles
Here are a few important steps to keep in mind:
1. Think about the bathroom design as a whole and what shower tile will compliment.
2. Choose a tile that complements the intended design of the bathroom.
3. Look at the ceilings and walls to understand the color scheme to help decide if the shower should be bold or neutral.
4. Make sure that you take into consideration textures of tiles.
5. Choose a material that is recommended for a shower and is slip resistant.
Below we’ve gone into detail about each step and the important considerations to keep in mind.
DEFINE THE DESIGN
One of the most vital things you must do when deciding on shower tile is to mind the design of the entire bathroom space. Is it modern? Coastal? Minimalist? Get the design concept on paper and fleshed out. From here, you can start exploring tile samples and seeing what will match other fixtures in your space be it lighting, vanities, or simple things like towels.
KEEP TILE SIZE IN MIND
It’s important to keep the size of tile in mind when you’re deciding on shower tile. Since there’s such a range to choose from, large to small, you’ll want to compare your space to the options available. For instance, a small space may do well with large format tiles. The reason large-format tiles are a popular option for smaller spaces is simple: Less grout lines and it will create the appearance of one full surface. On the other hand, smaller tiles will require more grout lines and are a good option for those who seek more traction. Yet, they require more upkeep since grout will have to be cleaned often. Learn all about how to clean tile here.
KEEP OVERALL DESIGN CONSISTENT
When you’re choosing a color of tile, it’s important to consider the tone of the bathroom itself. Are the walls a striking color that will make you want to choose a more neutral tile color palette? Or, are the ceilings more muted and therefore gives you more room to play with coloring with your tiles? Before you finalize your design, keep this in mind. The last thing you want is to create more work for yourself with working backwards and needing to paint a space to match the tile. To help get a head-start on visualization, use our Room Visualizer tool which lets you try on as many tiles as you want in real-time in your space.
THINK ABOUT TEXTURES
Aside from deciding on tile size, another lesser known trick is knowing the texture. The texture of your tile will also play a role in the way in which you maintain it. Rougher textures that have crevices will require a deep scrubbing more often than polished, flat surfaces. Be wary of your time before committing.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERIAL
When it comes to choosing shower tiles, material should be considered a priority alongside all other things discussed above. So, how exactly do you decide what is the best tiles for shower? You pay attention to both the walls and floors. Here’s the rundown for each:
Shower Walls
Shower wall tile has a bit more leniency than floor tile because slip resistance is not a concern. With that, the sky is really the limit, and finalizing your choice really comes down to personal taste. There are glass mosaics which add a nice reflection and lightness to the overall design since the water will bounce off them naturally. Then, there’s the option to use large format tiles that cover more surface area with seemingly no grout lines. Get in the know on all the tile types on the market today.
Shower Floors
Shower floors have a few more restrictions that you need to know. First off, when it comes to the shower, the area can get slippery. For this reason, you’ll want to choose a tile that is slip-resistant so that when you’re getting your scrub on, you don’t have to worry about losing your footing. We highly suggest using either a mosaic porcelain ceramic that has a lot of grout lines for traction or choosing a textured large format tile that will provide grip when you’re standing.
Now you have the design down take your time with the installation or hire a certified tile installer. With the amount of water in a shower, one has to make sure that the waterproofing is sound. Use quality products and cleaners.
There you have it, our round-up of the most of important considerations for when you hop in to designing your shower with tile. If you’re ready to start making some decisions, shop our shower floor and wall categories for some of the best shower floor tile and wall options!