Transform Your Bathroom with Stunning Shower Accent Tile Ideas

By - Michelle
09.02.23 10:03 AM
A bathroom featuring a shower, a bathtub, a shower niche, and a horizontal tile accent.
If you find your bathroom dull and want to give it a lively touch, consider adding a bathroom shower tile accent. This tile accent serves as an artistic addition that can enhance your space, introduce a touch of personality, and reflect your unique style, ultimately creating a pleasant atmosphere.

What is a Tile accent?

    • Tile accent refers to a decorative section of tiles that stands out and adds visual interest to the overall design. 
    • It's a special highlight or pattern made with tiles, usually a different color, shape, or arrangement, to make the bathroom or shower area look more attractive and unique. 
    • It adds a stylish detail to make the space more appealing.

The Power of Tile Accents

    • Personalize Your Space: Tile accents help to make your bathroom space more personalized. You can choose the color, shape and size of the tile pattern based on your preferences. This will give you a sense of ownership as it reflects your unique style. 
    • Enhance the Mood: Tile accents can give your bathroom the right energy by making it look brighter and more inviting. The different patterns and colors will bring a cheerful atmosphere to the room, while still giving it a modern bathroom feel.  
    • Make Your Design Unique: Tile accents enable you to stand out from others without having to break the bank. It's an affordable way to create something unique that looks expensive. 
    • Fresh Feel: Tile accents are a great way to make your bathroom feel fresh and new. It gives the room an uplifting look with its unique patterns. They can also be used to hide blemishes, discoloration, or other flaws in the existing tile work. 
    • Add Visual Interest: With its unique shapes and colors, it will draw your eyes to the design and make the space appear more appealing. 

Design Ideas for Shower Tile Accents

Discover shower accent tile ideas that bring creativity and distinction to your bathroom design. These shower tile ideas can add elegance and visual interest to your shower walls, making your space uniquely yours.

01. Vertical Shower Tile Accent 

This custom-made walk-in shower for a homeowner in Corpus Christi features an exquisite design with white subway tiles and vertically aligned honeycomb accent tiles. The vertical accent strip not only adds a touch of elegance but also creates an illusion of increased height within the shower area. The floor tile, crafted from pebble tile, enhances the overall design, bringing a unified and harmonious look to the entire shower space.

A custom-made shower with a showerhead, grab bars, and a vertical tile accent.

02. Horizontal Shower Tile Accent

A minimalist shower was designed for one of our Corpus Christi clients. This shower radiates a modern feel with smooth horizontal accent tiles crafted from ceramic tile. Its clean lines and open atmosphere make it an ideal addition to a contemporary bathroom. The shower floor features pebble tile, adding an intricate and artistic touch to the overall design.

A white tiled bathroom with a horizontal shower tile accent and a shower head

03. Horizontal Tile Accent with Pencil Trim

One of the standout shower tile ideas is a sophisticated and polished design featuring horizontal accent tiles paired with pencil trim around the edge. This combination results in a stylish and complete appearance, giving visual appeal as well as a smooth transition between surfaces in the shower area. The mosaic tile on the floor complements the design, adding a subtle artistic touch.

A shower with a shower niche, two showerheads, and horizontal tile accents with bullnose.

04. Subway Tile Accent

The beauty of white subway tile is enhanced by a captivating blue tile accent in this tile shower. The classic white tiles make the background neat and adaptable, while the carefully added blue tiles bring in a fresh burst of color and personality.

A custom-made shower equipped with a shower head, shower base, shower niche, white subway wall tiles, and a horizontal arrangement of blue accent tiles

05. Glass Tile Accent

A custom-made shower for a Corpus Christi homeowner, with a glass tile accent in the center that crosses and complements the tile for the shower niche. The shower floor tile showcases mosaic tiles with a natural stone appearance, creating a harmonious blend of textures and styles that enhances the entire shower area.

A bathroom with a glass tile-accented shower and a stone wall.

06. Honeycomb Shower Tile Accent

The honeycomb accent tile in this walk-in shower seamlessly matches the same tile used on the shower floor, creating a consistent and attractive look. This approach reflects modern bathroom design, where smooth transitions and stylish touches give the space a fresh and current appearance.

A walk-in shower with a honeycomb tile design on the floor, a vertically arranged honeycomb accent tile, and a shower niche

07. Square Tiles Accent

Clean lines and a timeless shape come together to create a modern and versatile accent that adds a touch of subtle elegance to the shower wall tiles. This design enhances the shower's aesthetic, offering a minimalist yet sophisticated look that complements various bathroom styles.

 A shower with white tiles and a black square-shaped vertical tile accent.

08. Bold Mediterranean Accent Tile

This beautiful shower from Drummonds Bathrooms features classically elegant bold Mediterranean tiles that create a unique shower space. The intricate patterns and rich hues of blue and green draw the eye, evoking the charm of Mediterranean architecture and design. Paired with sleek subway tiles for balance, this accent wall becomes a stunning centerpiece, turning the shower into a luxurious and inviting retreat that blends timeless elegance with bold, artistic expression

A shower area with a large showerhead. The shower has subway wall tiles on one side and a Mediterranean accent on the other side

Photo by Darren Chung from Drummonds Bathrooms 

09. Herringbone Tile Accent

The herringbone tile accent offers a classic pattern with tiles arranged in a herringbone configuration, providing a timeless and captivating accent to the shower walls. This design brings a dynamic element to the space, blending traditional elegance with modern appeal. Incorporating this pattern as an accent wall further highlights the shower area, adding depth and sophistication to the entire room.

A bathroom with herringbone tile accent on the shower walls

10. Black Accent

The rich, dark tones of the black tiles serve as a strong contrast against lighter surroundings, making the shower area a distinct focal point. This design adds luxury and modernity to your shower area while maintaining a timeless appeal. Incorporating a black accent wall into your shower can create a dramatic and stylish effect, enhancing the overall ambiance of the bathroom.

A shower with a shower niche, a shower curtain, and a black accent wall tile

Photo by Andrea Davis from Pexels

11. Fish Scale Accent

The Fish scale shower tile accent is an aesthetically pleasing design that embraces the beauty of the sea. Installed on one side of the shower wall as an accent wall, the fish scale tiles create a captivating focal point. Their unique shape, reminiscent of a fish's scales, provides a soft and flowing aesthetic. This design choice captures a sense of movement and fluidity, mimicking the gentle ebb and flow of the ocean.

A shower featuring a shower head and adorned with fish scale accent tiles, covering one side of the shower wall

12. Playful Pattern Accent

Playful patterned tiles add a splash of character and personality, while also creating an environment that is fun and inspiring. The vertical accent strip, composed of bold black-and-white patterned tiles, introduces a striking focal point in the shower design. Though slightly misaligned, the placement adds an unexpected, organic charm that feels intentional and artistic, breaking away from rigid perfection. This subtle imperfection enhances the uniqueness of the space, making it a one-of-a-kind, inviting retreat.

A black and white tiled shower with a unique tile accent

Photo by Curtis Adams from Pexels

13. Stretch Accent Shower Wall Tiles 

This bathroom features a bright and inviting design with a standout accent wall tiles. The shower is highlighted by geometric tiles in a calming aqua color, adding a fresh and modern touch. The clean lines of white subway tiles frame the accent wall, creating a balanced and cohesive look throughout the whole shower. 

A spacious bathroom with two sleek sinks, two large mirrors, and an accent shower wall on one side

Photo by Curtis Adams from Pexels

14.Waterfall Accent Tile in Shower

This shower design features a stunning waterfall accent tile, which runs horizontally through the middle of the walls, creating a striking visual contrast. The waterfall accent consists of a blend of slender, textured tiles that add depth and style, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding large, neutral-toned tiles.

Shower with a horizontal waterfall accent tile, light gray walls, pebble floor, and a recessed niche.

15. Shower Accent with Small Mosaic Tile Band

A horizontal band of small mosaic tiles pairs beautifully with the classic subway tile design in this shower. The accent tile seamlessly ties the design together by matching the tile in the recessed niche, creating a cohesive and polished look. This combination adds subtle texture and contrast while maintaining a clean and timeless aesthetic. This approach is ideal for adding understated detail to your bathroom.

Shower with small subway tiles, a horizontal band of small mosaic tiles, and a recessed niche with matching mosaic tiles.

Cost Consideration

Tile accent designs generally come at a higher price compared to basic tile designs due to their intricate patterns and shapes. The installation labor cost might also be higher, as it may involve the use of specialized tools or additional labor hours. However, the cost is well worth it for the unique look and feel they bring to the shower area. 

Shower Accent Tile Placement

Where should accent tile be placed in a shower? Accent tiles can be strategically placed to enhance the shower's design. Common placements include creating a vertical or horizontal strip along the shower wall, highlighting a shower niche, or framing the shower area. 

FAQs

Q: Can I install tile accents myself, or do I need a professional?

A: While simple installations are possible for DIY enthusiasts, complex designs may require professional expertise to ensure a seamless and durable finish.


Q: Are certain tile materials better suited for shower environments?

A: Yes, materials like porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone are popular choices due to their water resistance and durability.


Q: Can I use tile accents in a small bathroom without overwhelming the space?

A: Absolutely, strategic placement of tile accents can make a tiny bathroom appear larger and more inviting.


Q: Can I use a tile accent on the shower floor?

A: Absolutely, tiled floors can create a unique and eye-catching look while providing a non-slip surface. It's important to choose tiles with textured surfaces that are designed for use in wet or humid environments. Grout lines should also be sealed to reduce the potential for mold growth. Additionally, it is advisable to apply an anti-slip coating for added protection. 


When it comes to giving your bathroom a new life, you can rely on tile accents. These accents come in many designs and colors, so the options are endless when searching for one that will fit your bathroom. Tile accents can make all the difference in providing the perfect atmosphere and color within your bathroom. 

If you are located in Corpus Christi or South Texas and need assistance with updating your bathroom with stunning shower tile accents, please feel free to contact us. Our team of experts is ready to help you transform your bathroom into a stylish and inviting space with the perfect tile designs that reflect your unique style and taste.