1st Aug 2024

10 Shower Floor Tile Ideas For The Modern Kiwi Home

If you’ve taken to Instagram or Pinterest for shower renovation inspiration, you’ve likely come across some stunning tile designs. There are so many styles, colours, and sizes to choose from.

Whether you’re planning a renovation or building your dream home, choosing bathroom tiles can be daunting.

In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about shower tiling and our favourite examples of shower floor tiles that are aesthetically and practically on point.

The Basics Of Tiling Shower Floors: Expert Advice

Our in-house designer, Moet Walker, answered our customers’ biggest questions when tiling their shower floors.

From tile colour and size to maintenance, she covers all the important things to consider about shower tiling.

What kind of tile is best for a shower floor?

Tiles with less grout are the most popular for shower floors as they’re easier to clean and maintain. Many people come to our stores wanting a tile with a little texture to make it less slippery for the elderly or children. So, we would recommend a floor tile with a matt finish with a bit of texture, like the Klif White Matt 37.5x75.

What size tile should be used on a shower floor?

There’s no right or wrong answer, and it mostly comes down to personal preference. In most New Zealand homes, larger tiles, 600x600 or bigger, are commonly used. However, we also see many people opting for small tiles.

At the end of the day, tile size really depends on your preferred style, budget, and available space. We recommend sitting down with one of our tile consultants to get sound advice on the best tile selection for your project.

Booking an appointment is completely free!

What is the best colour tile for a shower floor?

Lighter or mid-toned tiles with patterns are best for shower floors. Terrazzo floor tiles are an excellent example of a tile that would be ideal for a shower floor.

Generally, you might want to avoid plain dark tiles as they tend to show more soap and grime buildup. If you’re set on a dark colour scheme – go for it – just be prepared for the extra cleaning that might be required.

What tiles should not be used on shower floors?

We recommend against using polished tiles on shower floors as they create a more slippery base for your shower.

However, this doesn’t mean you can’t use polished tiles in your shower if that’s the look you’re going for. Just understand the risks if you have children or elderly family members using the shower.

What is the easiest shower floor tile to maintain?

If you want a tile that’s easy to clean and maintain, choose large matt tiles with less grout, less texture, and a flat surface.

A good example of this type of tile is our Marvel Calacatta Matt 60 which is a porcelain tile with a smooth, matt finish:

It’s also available in a polished gloss if you want to match your shower floors and walls.

Does shower floor tile need to be waterproof?

Shower tiles need to be waterproofed before they’re installed — this is a New Zealand building code requirement.

A waterproofing membrane system like Wedi should be extended under and up the walls behind showers, bathtubs, and sinks.

Waterproofing is an important step of bathroom tiling that needs to be done right to avoid moisture damage. Check out our guide to bathroom waterproofing for everything you need to know about the process.

10 Beautiful Shower Floor Tile Ideas

Our tile connoisseurs at Tile Space have curated 10 stunning shower tile ideas featuring a variety of patterns, finishes, and sizes to give you inspiration for your own project.

1. Large shower tile

People often don’t consider large tiles for traditionally tight spaces like showers, but they’re actually fantastic for smaller bathrooms.

Large format tiles, generally 750x750 or bigger, create a streamlined, spacious feel wherever they’re placed.

If your shower is enclosed, large tiles that are light in colour can do wonders in opening up the space and giving it that “wow” factor.

There are plenty of large tile ideas out there, but you can’t go wrong with a simple square stone look.

Take our Keynote Pearl Matt 80 for example, which features a terrazzo style pattern:

Check out our other guides on large tiles for more inspiration:

2. Terrazzo inspired italian porcelain tile

Add personality and vintage charm to your shower with terrazzo tile! Terrazzo tile combines shards of tile and concrete to create a geometric pattern effect.

Not only is terrazzo beautiful with its mid-century flair, but it also has the added benefit of being extremely durable. With proper care, these tiles can last decades and be refinished to look brand new.

Our favorite terrazzo tiles come from the Medley and Ecostone ranges that feature stunners like the Medley White Classic 60:

3. Marble look showers

With intricate veining, marble looks are timeless and easily add a touch of elegance to your space.

Examples include the Sybil Ivory Matt 60x120:

And the Invisible Light Sat120x260 6mm:

While real marble can be extremely pricey, ceramic marble look tiles are an affordable and low-maintenance alternative that’s just as gorgeous when installed.

4. Tiles for open showers

When there’s no border between the open shower and the rest of your bathroom, choose a tile that can create a seamless transition. You’ll want a tile that works well functionally and aesthetically for both walls and showers.

The Sybil Light Grey Matt 60x120 is one of our favorites for open showers as its subtle yet visually interesting:

The rectangular shape draws the eyes up to make your ceilings appear higher than they are.

5. Dark shower tile ideas

There are many beautiful and functional black tile shower ideas. For example, our Sybil Black Matt 60x120 is a stunning black marble look:

This dark shower tile makes a bold, sophisticated statement without emphasising those soap and hard water stains.

While we generally recommend avoiding plain black tile for showers as it tends to show soap buildup, black tile with a bit of patterning or texture hides grime much more effectively.

6. Extra large shower tile

We’ve touched on the benefits of large bathroom tiles, but if you want to go even bolder, look into XL tiles, which are generally sized 1200x1200 or larger.

Here’s our Onyx Unique Matt 120x270, which achieves a subtle marble look tile that visually expands a compact space.

7. Wood-look tile

Transform your shower into a space of natural serenity with tiles replicating the look and feel of wood!

Thanks to advances in printing technology, we can now enjoy all the beauty of biophilic design without any hassles that come with using timber and real wood in wet areas.

Our Magnolia 20x120 is inspired by a natural white-washed timber that brings a natural touch and looks beautiful in modern bathrooms, especially when showcased in a glass shower:

These textured tiles have realistic wood grain detailing, helping to create traction while giving the feeling of natural wood at a more affordable price point.

8. Decorative tile

Want to make a statement in your bathroom? Consider using decorative tiles in your shower to showcase your creativity.

When it comes to decorative tiles, the sky’s the limit. These tiles come in many sizes, colours, patterns, and shapes.

Our favourite decorative shower floor tile ideas use uique shapes like the Kasbah Star Terracotta 16.8 — not only are they beautiful, but the extra grout will also work to make your shower less slippery:

For an extra bold look, you might even opt to mix a few different tiles—but be sure to talk with a tile consultant to make sure the tiles are compatible.

Choosing The Perfect Shower Tile Look For Your Bathroom

Whether you’re looking for large format tiles, decorative accents, or natural stone looks — we’ve got the perfect tile for your shower floor!

Our consultants at Tile Space can help you select the right pattern, finish, and size for your project.

Find a showroom near you to visit us in person or book a free tile consultation to get started.

FAQs

What is the best option for shower floor tiles?

Matte porcelain and ceramic tiles are generally regarded as the best tiles for shower floors due to their durability, water resistance, and grip.

What is trending in shower floors?

Natural stone looks and green tiles have risen in popularity for showers and bathroom interior design in 2024.

What tile is least slippery for a shower floor?

Small, heavily textured tiles made of ceramic or porcelain are the most slip-resistant flooring for a shower.