26 Stylish Walk-In Shower Ideas for Small Bathrooms (2024)

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Arrange Tiles Vertically

Create the illusion of a tall ceiling in your small bathroom by arranging tiles vertically to draw the eyes up. This deep green subway tile turns the walk-in shower into a stunning feature while the charcoal gray floor tile creates a seamless flow with the rest of the space. A clear glass door allows for a full view of the shower and a light wood vanity is the perfect addition to create a natural, forest-inspired color scheme.

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Maximize Space

If a slanted wall poses a challenge in your bathroom, a walk-in shower is an excellent use of what would otherwise be wasted space. Use glossy white subway tiles to visually enlarge the room and bounce light around.

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Use Modern Hardware

Hardware is one of the best ways to update a walk-in shower. In this monochromatic bathroom, the matte black door handles, shower head, and wall fixtures stand out against the crisp white tiles for a clean and contemporary aesthetic.

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Add a Built-In Ledge

Create a built-in ledge in your walk-in shower to add dimension as well as a practical storage surface. This way, you don't need to bring in any hanging caddies that would clutter the space and potentially fall and cause damage.

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Go With Color

Use the wall and floor tile in a walk-in shower to continue your bathroom's color scheme. These butter yellow wall tiles brighten this traditional space and tie in the elegant crown molding and beadboard behind the vanity which is also painted in a matching shade of the warm color.

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Incorporate Pattern

A walk-in shower presents you with the perfect opportunity to create a big design statement in a small bathroom. Wall tiles with a bold geometric pattern do just that—they draw the eyes in, create contrast, and add visual interest.

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Create Tiled Stripes

Play around with tile arrangement in your walk-in shower to incorporate color and pattern into your bathroom. The row of blue tiles separating the vertically stacked subway tile completely transforms the small shower. Simple brass hardware adds warmth and a touch of shimmer that instantly elevates the space.

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Build a Half Wall

Separate your walk-in shower from the rest of the bathroom by building a half wall and topping it with clear glass that extends to the ceiling. This provides a practical divider while allowing for full accessibility without the physical separation of a door.

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Install a Glass Door

A glass door maintains a modern design and a bright, open aesthetic. Using visually light materials is especially beneficial in a small bathroom because they help make the space feel larger. A glass door also emphasizes visual continuity, which allows for a full view of the walk-in shower, therefore extending the room's depth.

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Add Shiny Brass

Think of bathroom hardware as jewelry for the room—instead of viewing it as a necessary component, use it to add character and complement other materials in the space. The warm-toned brass hardware emphasizes the luxurious feel of the marble tile in this walk-in shower and ties in the vanity knobs, wall mirrors, and sconces for a cohesive design.

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Choose a Chevron Tile Arrangement

Instead of a traditional horizontal tile arrangement, bring in an extra decorative look with a chevron pattern. If you want to emphasize the placement, use contrasting grout that will make it stand out more.

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Go Blue

Blue is an ever-popular color choice for a bathroom. Depending on the shade, it can infuse the space with bold energy or create a calming ambiance. A Greek island-inspired color scheme of blue and white is a timeless choice in this small bathroom. A glass door on the walk-in shower and matte black hardware allow the saturated color to stand out and help maintain a contemporary look.

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Create an Accent Wall

Creating an accent wall in a walk-in shower can be as simple as choosing a contrasting tile. Black penny tile is a dramatic addition to this all-white bathroom and a beautiful backdrop for modern polished nickel shower hardware.

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Stack the Tile

Stack subway tile to give it a modern update that will transform your walk-in shower. The bathroom is paired with simple polished chrome hardware, gray slate floor tile, and a glass door to create a cool and contemporary vibe. To take the space to the next level, a slatted wood ceiling covered with a rich stain adds an unexpected natural element that warms up the room's cool tones.

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Mix Tile

Don't be afraid of mixing different colored, sized, and shaped tiles in a walk-in shower. A built-in shelf is a natural spot to add contrasting tiles such as this brown honeycomb one that matches the shower floor. Its white grout also highlights the fun pattern.

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Stick With Black and White

Stick with a monochrome color palette of black and white to give your walk-in shower a modern makeover. Lining the bottom with black tiles creates a solid base while extending glossy white tiles up to the ceiling visually expands the shower and adds a clean and crisp finishing touch.

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Make a Statement

Take inspiration from this stunning walk-in shower and make a big statement with graphic tile on the wall. This mosaic-like tile incorporates various colors and is used throughout the bathroom to make it feel intentional and help tie the space together.

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Opt for Luxury

If budget allows, an all-marble walk-in shower is the ultimate luxury. Slabs of marble with pronounced gray veins make a dramatic statement that doesn't need much accessorizing. The simple glass door, frameless mirror, and streamlined light fixtures allow the material to shine without any competing elements.

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Build a Shelf

If you're in the process of designing a walk-in shower, incorporate a built-in shelf or two into your plans. This eliminates the need to purchase hanging storage and provides an opportunity to get creative with tile choices.

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Use Textured Tile

A textured wall tile featuring subtle waves draws attention to this sleek walk-in shower. When using a muted color scheme, the texture is your best friend—use it to create depth, dimension, and contrast to add interest without introducing new colors.

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Add a Grid Door

For an industrial-style look, install a grid door in your walk-in shower. The stark lines create structure and make a big statement, so you can keep the shower tile simple for visual balance.

A gooseneck shower head and polished chrome hardware continue the vintage theme in this small bathroom, adding lots of character and elevating the space through quality materials.

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Juxtapose Contrasting Tile

Mix large and small-scale tiles in your walk-in shower and vary color and shape to emphasize this eclectic aesthetic. As long as you keep one consistent element, which in this case is the color scheme, that'll be the anchor that keeps your design intentional.

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Put a Modern Spin on Subway Tile

Subway tile is one of the most frequently used bathroom wall coverings. Instead of sticking to its traditional placement, put a modern spin on this affordable classic by stacking it horizontally and pairing it with contrasting grout to highlight the unusual arrangement.

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Install a Built-In Bench

Install a built-in bench that provides a seat as well as a practical storage surface in your walk-in shower. Here, it breaks up a wall of white subway tile and the gray stone helps tie in the other bathroom elements such as the vanity top and hexagonal floor tile.

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Show It Off

A glass door on your walk-in shower prevents water from getting all over the bathroom floor while allowing you to show off a cool tile design. It also extends the room visually, creating the illusion of spaciousness that can be highly beneficial in a small bathroom.

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Tile the Shower From Floor to Ceiling

Opt for the same tile to cover your walk-in shower from floor-to-ceiling for a continuous design that makes the space seem bigger. The uniform look is crisp and clean, while small accents such as brass hardware or a vintage-style rug bring in subtle details that break up the monotony.