This year, we're seeing tiles taking center stage in bathroom designs, providing a functional feature to make a true statement. But as you design a space that feels full of character and style, should your shower tiles match the rest of your bathroom?
We're seeing more and more designs featuring bathroom tile ideas executed in different ways, one of the most popular being a contrasting shower space. But is it an approach designers recommend, or do they prefer a more seamless scheme?
To find out the best – and most timeless – approach to tiles, we've turned to the experts to find out whether or not they think shower tile ideas should match the rest of a scheme, or if it's the perfect place to create a statement.
Should your shower tiles match the rest of your bathroom?
We often discuss whether you should match your bathroom floor and wall tiles, but recent bathroom trends have put the spotlight on a different way to add contrast and visual interest.
There are many reasons why people are gravitating towards a contrasting tile in the shower area. It zones the space and creates a less expected bathroom feature. 'A cohesive, single-tile scheme is not a necessity, and in many cases it may not suit a person's taste or the space available,' says Mike Whitfield, luxury interior expert at LUSSO.
'In larger bathrooms, it can risk feeling flat or uninspiring. Introducing a contrasting tile, within the shower, for example, can create visual interest and establish distinct areas,' he adds.
It's an approach that might not suit everyone's tastes, but it is the perfect choice if you want to design a bathroom that's filled with contrast and therefore interest. 'If there's a bold statement tile that you love and captures your imagination but feels too daring to use throughout, applying it selectively for your shower allows it to shine as a dramatic focal point.'
This decorating style still requires a sensitive touch. Don't go all in with tiles that feel like they are from completely different color families; instead, opt for color combinations that feel complementary and as though they belong together.
'Visually differentiating the shower from the rest of the bathroom allows for distinction between the spaces. To keep it cohesive, echo similar tones across both areas through tiles, paint, and fittings,' suggests Carly Allison, head of product design at Fired Earth.
However, not everyone is a fan of the contrasting shower tile trend. Particularly in small bathroom ideas, this mix of tile patterns and colors can create a visual divide that will always make a bathroom feel smaller. For small bathroom tile ideas, experts still prefer a more cohesive tile scheme.
'Matching your shower tiles to the rest of the bathroom can create a calming and artisanal feel. To keep it interesting, I recommend using a consistent tile color across the whole space but mixing the format with large squares in the shower,' says Lee Thornley, founder of Bert & May.
'The consistent shade keeps it cohesive, while the different shapes and patterns bring texture and personality. Similarly, using the same tile across the entire bathroom, including walls, floors, and inside the shower, creates a space that feels seamless,' he adds.
In bathrooms large and small, a consistent tile choice throughout the entire scheme can do more than just create cohesion and openness. It also allows you to tap into one of this year's most coveted tile trends, which allows you to play with bold designs in a different way.
'Tile drenching, a popular trend in which walls, floors, and even ceilings are covered in the same tile, takes this concept even further. Enveloping a bathroom in tiles from top to bottom creates an ambience that feels uber modern and seamless,' says Mike.
'The colour selection of your tiles is key here: light hues, such as crisp whites or soft greys, create an open and airy atmosphere, while richer, warmer tones offer a cocooning, intimate effect. You can also match your grout color to your tiles for a flawless finish to enhance the seamless effect and achieve a luxurious, spa-like feel.'
There really are no rules on how you should or shouldn't design a bathroom, so whether you opt for one tile throughout your scheme or introduce a bold statement in your shower area is entirely up to you.
It's worth taking on this expert advice, though. In more compact or tiny bathrooms, a contrasting shower tile is likely to make your space feel smaller and disjointed, unless your shower is quite separate from the rest of the bathroom, like in the design pictured above.
Instead, introduce different-sized tiles in a small space to differentiate zones without causing that visual divide. Alternatively, you can go bold with a tile drenched scheme, creating an all-encompassing design.
There is still a place for contrasting shower tiles, though. As we mentioned, more separated shower nooks can truly shine with this decorating approach, as can larger spaces that can handle the bolder contrast. Just remember to think about the colors you are choosing – to they feel cohesive and considered? When done right, it can look truly striking.
There's no denying that tiles are an important feature in bathroom design, so how you introduce them to your scheme is so important. Not only will the other tiles in your bathroom have an impact on the tiles you use in the shower, but your bathroom color ideas will also need to be considered.
There are so many beautiful bathroom color combinations to consider alongside your tile layouts, patterns, and ideas, so really take your time considering which approach best suits your space and style.
