A well-designed walk in shower can become the focal point of a bathroom, but the success of the finished space often comes down to one key element: the tiles.
The right tiles can make a shower feel larger, brighter, and more luxurious, while poor tile choices can quickly make even the most expensive bathroom feel dated or impractical.
In this guide, we explore the best tiles for walk in showers, including popular materials, tile sizes, design ideas, and practical considerations to help you create a shower that looks beautiful and performs well for years to come.
Why Tile Choice Matters in a Walk In Shower
Unlike other areas of the bathroom, a walk in shower is exposed to constant moisture, cleaning products, temperature changes, and daily use.
The tiles you choose need to balance durability, water resistance, slip resistance, ease of maintenance, and visual appeal. The most successful walk-in shower designs combine practical performance with a cohesive aesthetic that complements the rest of the bathroom.
If you’re still exploring layouts and enclosure options, our guide to walk in shower enclosures provides a useful starting point.
Porcelain Tiles: The Most Popular Choice
For many modern bathrooms, porcelain remains the preferred option.
Porcelain tiles are highly resistant to water, easy to maintain, and available in an enormous range of finishes. Advances in manufacturing mean they can convincingly replicate natural stone, marble, concrete, timber, and travertine.
This versatility makes porcelain suitable for both contemporary and traditional bathrooms. Many luxury bathroom projects use large-format porcelain tiles because they deliver a premium appearance while remaining practical for everyday use.
Large Format Tiles for a Seamless Look
One of the most effective ways to make a walk in shower feel larger is to use larger tiles.
Large-format tiles reduce the number of grout lines, creating a cleaner and more seamless appearance. This helps reduce visual clutter, improves ease of cleaning, and gives the bathroom a more contemporary feel.
This is particularly effective in smaller bathrooms, where visual simplicity can dramatically improve the perception of space.
Many of the ideas featured in our guide to small walk in shower ideas use large-format tiles to maximise the feeling of openness.
Marble-Effect Tiles
Marble remains one of the most sought-after bathroom finishes.
While natural marble can be stunning, many homeowners now choose marble-effect porcelain instead. It provides the appearance of natural marble while offering improved stain resistance, lower maintenance requirements, and better long-term durability.
Large marble-effect tiles are particularly popular in luxury walk-in shower designs because they create an elegant, spa-inspired atmosphere.
Stone-Effect Tiles
Stone-effect porcelain continues to grow in popularity thanks to its warmth and natural appearance.
These tiles work particularly well in contemporary bathrooms, spa-inspired spaces, and neutral design schemes. Limestone-effect, travertine-effect, slate-effect, and sandstone-effect finishes can all help create visual interest without overwhelming the room.
Textured Tiles for Feature Walls
While most walk in showers benefit from clean, understated surfaces, a feature wall can add depth and character.
Fluted porcelain, ribbed textures, vertical patterns, and three-dimensional stone effects can create a subtle focal point without making the bathroom feel too busy.
Used carefully, textured tiles can add a sense of craftsmanship and depth while keeping the overall design refined.
What Tile Size Is Best for a Walk In Shower?
The ideal tile size depends on the overall layout and proportions of the room.
In compact bathrooms, larger tiles often work surprisingly well because they reduce grout lines and simplify the visual appearance of the space. Bathrooms of average size offer more flexibility and can comfortably accommodate both medium and large-format tiles.
Larger bathrooms benefit from oversized porcelain slabs and expansive tile formats that create a more architectural feel. The key is consistency. Using the same tile across the floor and shower area often creates the most seamless result.
You can find additional inspiration in our guide to bathroom tiling ideas for small bathrooms.
Choosing Tiles for Shower Floors
Wall tiles and floor tiles often have different requirements.
For shower floors, slip resistance should be a priority. Textured porcelain, mosaic tiles, and structured stone-effect finishes are commonly used because they provide more grip underfoot.
Smaller floor tiles can also help create the necessary drainage falls, particularly in wet room-style walk in showers.
Matching Tiles with Bathroom Style
The best tile choice depends on the overall design direction.
Contemporary bathrooms often feature large-format porcelain, concrete-effect finishes, minimal grout lines, and neutral colour palettes.
Luxury bathrooms frequently incorporate marble-effect porcelain, stone-inspired surfaces, statement feature walls, and frameless glass enclosures. Many of these design approaches can be seen throughout our portfolio of luxury bathrooms in Surrey.
Traditional bathrooms often work well with stone-effect finishes, smaller format tiles, decorative patterns, and warmer colour palettes.
Common Tile Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes is choosing tiles based solely on appearance.
It is equally important to consider maintenance requirements, slip resistance, grout colour, lighting conditions, and long-term durability.
Another frequent issue is using too many different materials within a compact bathroom, which can make the space feel cluttered. In most cases, a restrained palette produces a more elegant and timeless result.
Cost Considerations
Tile costs vary significantly depending on material, size, and manufacturer.
Standard porcelain tiles are generally the most cost-effective option, while premium porcelain and large-format tiles sit at the mid to upper end of the market. Natural stone and specialist finishes often command the highest prices.
It is also worth remembering that installation costs can increase with larger formats, complex patterns, or specialist materials.
For a broader understanding of budgeting, see our guide to luxury bathroom costs in the UK.
Final Thoughts
The best tiles for a walk in shower are those that balance practicality, longevity, and design.
For most homeowners, large-format porcelain remains the ideal choice thanks to its durability, versatility, and low maintenance requirements. However, the most successful bathrooms are those where every element — from tile selection to layout and lighting — works together cohesively.
Whether you’re planning a compact en-suite or a larger luxury bathroom renovation, choosing the right tiles will have a significant impact on both the appearance and long-term performance of your walk-in shower.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best tiles for a walk in shower?
Porcelain tiles are generally considered the best option for walk in showers because they are highly water resistant, durable, easy to maintain, and available in a wide range of finishes. Large-format porcelain tiles are particularly popular in modern bathrooms due to their clean, seamless appearance.
Are large-format tiles suitable for walk in showers?
Yes. Large-format tiles can make a walk in shower feel more spacious by reducing grout lines and creating a cleaner, more contemporary look. They are especially effective in smaller bathrooms where visual simplicity helps maximise the perception of space.
Should shower floor tiles be different from wall tiles?
In many cases, yes. Shower floor tiles often require greater slip resistance than wall tiles. Textured porcelain, mosaics, or structured stone-effect finishes are commonly used on shower floors to improve grip and safety.
Are marble-effect tiles good for walk in showers?
Marble-effect porcelain tiles are an excellent choice for walk in showers. They provide the luxurious appearance of natural marble while offering better durability, lower maintenance requirements, and improved stain resistance.
What tile size is best for a walk in shower?
The best tile size depends on the bathroom layout, but large-format tiles are often preferred because they create a seamless appearance and reduce grout lines. Smaller tiles are commonly used on shower floors where additional grip and drainage falls are required.
