Tiled showers: types, installation patterns, design, color palette and examples in the bathroom.

What type of tile is better to choose?

The finishing should not only be beautifully executed, but also meet certain requirements, have high water-repellent properties, resistance to chemicals, good strength qualities and waterproofing, in the form of special mixtures for grouting, preventing the appearance of fungus and mold. Be sure to look at the article about finishing the bathroom with tiles, all the nuances are taken into account there.

Photo of a shower tray made of tiles

Floor clinker tiles for a homemade shower podium are selected taking into account frequent and long-term contact with water. For cladding, products are used that have a relief or rough surface and a high slip resistance index, which is less traumatic.

Most often, there is a design in the form of dense, durable, strong and moisture-resistant porcelain stoneware or quartz vinyl finishing. Such structures can have a rectangular, square, rounded shape, be open type without a roof or closed type with a podium, walls and a ceiling base. A shower tray with a rim can have different heights, be deep enough and perfectly function as a bathtub, which is especially suitable for those who, for example, need to bathe a child.

The photo shows the interior of a bathroom and an open shower made of tiles with a square tray.

When decorating the tray, mosaics are also often used, which not only easily copes with the cladding of various shapes, but also makes the surface non-slip due to the large number of inter-tile seams and joints.

Seat decoration with tiles

Convenient and comfortable steps or chairs integrated into the wall are most often decorated with small tiles or mosaics, which are most suitable for curved and curved lines.

Examples lining of shelves and niches in the shower

Thanks to the finishing of built-in niches and shelves in the shower, it is possible to create truly elegant accents in the interior. For example, you can use dark tiles to add visual depth to the niches, or choose a contrasting design for the shelves to make them even more decorative.

The photo shows a shower with niches finished with dark-colored mosaics.

How to finish a shower cabin without a tray with tiles?

In this case, they use cladding that contrasts with the overall design of the room, thereby highlighting the shower area, or use the same type of large-format tiles suitable for floors without height differences. This way, you can visually increase the space and give it a very solid look.

When arranging this cabin, the main requirement is sufficient room height, since, due to the fact that the shower drain and the pipe that drains water into the sewer must be located below the floor level, you have to raise the floor and make a slope towards the drain using a concrete screed.

The photo shows a toilet combined with a bath and a shower without a tray with a glass door, tiled.

Options for laying tiles

The classic option for laying boar tiles is a horizontal arrangement with an offset. To create an original design, you can use a more complex, but at the same time quite original layout in vertical rows or a herringbone. Also very labor-intensive is considered to be laying tiles diagonally, allowing to visually expand the space.

In the photo, gray boar tiles with horizontal layout with an offset in the shower.

Color scheme of tiles

The choice of color scheme directly depends on the dimensions of the room and its functional planning features. Beige, white, black, gray, green, blue, brown or any other color tile finish, taking into account all the spatial nuances, can harmoniously complement any design.

The photo shows the interior of a bathroom with a shower decorated with square gray tiles.

When using light shades, not predominantly white, it is possible to visually expand the shower and increase its volume. A more unique and inimitable design, as well as the elimination of minor surface defects, can be achieved by alternating tiles of different colors.

Shower design options

Several original options.

Combination of tiles and mosaics

This combination allows you to create a truly interesting shower finish. By adding such a characteristic touch as mosaic, the interior becomes more thoughtful and complete.

The photo shows beige tile finishes combined with multi-colored mosaics in an open shower.

Wood effect

It completely imitates the surface of natural wood, while possessing all the advantageous qualities of ceramic tiles.

Be sure to check out our selection of ideas for wood-look tiles.

Under the stone

Thanks to special technologies, ceramics differs even in the smallest irregularities, graceful fractures, cracks and overflows, characteristic of stone breeds.

On photo of a small shower made of marble-effect tiles in the bathroom interior.

Under concrete

In visual and aesthetic terms, the room with this cladding acquires a more powerful and reliable appearance.

Fish scales

Due to the beauty of fish scales, which have soft tints, it is possible to visually endow the space with additional volume.

The photo shows a bathroom with an open shower without a tray, decorated with turquoise tiles in the form of fish scales.

Large pebbles

They are not afraid of moisture and therefore are equally well suited for finishing a shower in an apartment and for decorating a summer shower in the country. Large pebbles will bring the mood of a real sea coast to the decor.

With a pattern

A large image that occupies the entire plane or small patterns that are repeated several times are an excellent solution for diversifying and enlivening a monochromatic design.

The photo shows a bathroom interior and a small shower with white tiles decorated with patterns.

Ideas for decorating a shower cabin in various styles

With proper decoration of the shower, you can create a truly beautiful design for any interior style, such as loft, Provence, country, classic or modern style.

For example, for a modern style, they use laconic decoration in a basic and neutral color scheme, which is sometimes complemented with bright elements. For Provence, they choose fragmentary use of mosaic or patchwork tiles, and in an urban loft, they use no less organic hog tiles or cladding with imitation of aged surfaces and building materials.

The photo shows a shower cabin made of gray piglet tiles in the interior of a loft style bathroom.

Features of finishing a small shower with tiles

In a small shower, medium-sized ceramics without unnecessary patterns and designs are most appropriate. When laying out the walls, you can use a horizontal arrangement, visually expanding the space, or a vertical layout, raising the ceiling. On the floor, to increase the area, you can use square or rectangular tiles laid diagonally.

See how to properly decorate a small bathroom.