The Best Tile for Showers if You Hate Scrubbing Grout

Choosing the best tile for showers is not just a design selection, it’s a long-term maintenance decision. It impacts your cleaning schedule. It requires regular sealing. 

And honestly, it’s something not enough homeowners are talking about (except for us). Here’s how to nail down your tile selection strategy early, so you’re not paying for the wrong decision down the road.

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Tile is expensive to install and even more expensive to redo. Instead of focusing on color or pattern, start with performance. How does the tile respond to daily water exposure? How does it handle soap buildup? How much upkeep does it require?

I’ve made the mistake of prioritizing aesthetics over performance on a past renovation, and I paid for it. The tile looked great the first few weeks, but I soon learned how much cleaning, dusting, and scrubbing it required to keep it that way. Long story short, it wasn’t worth it. 

Since then, I’ve approached tile selection differently. I evaluate surface texture, grout lines, slip resistance, and long-term wear before I even think about aesthetics. 

So before you walk into Floor & Decor and get carried away with the beautiful options, let’s break down how to choose the best tile for showers in a way that protects your time, your budget, and your sanity.

The Basic Breakdown: Tile vs. Grout 

Every shower tile decision comes down to 2 very basic components: the tile itself and the grout that holds everything together. And both require equal consideration.

More Grout, More Traction

Larger tiles (like slabs or the common 12” x 24”) tend to have fewer grout lines than smaller tiles (like mosaics or anything smaller than a standard 3” x 6” subway tile), which require more grout lines. 

Fewer grout lines generally means less cleaning. But it also means less traction. This is why I typically recommend choosing a mosaic or small-format tile for wet, slippery surfaces like shower floors. 

If you’re on the hunt for the best tile for a shower floor, focus your search on penny tiles, porcelain mosaics, or even pebble tiles for style and traction. 

Grout Maintenance

Grout is a breeding ground for soap residue, mildew, and mineral buildup. In a high-moisture environment like a shower, that maintenance adds up quickly. 

You can combat mold growth and discoloration with a bi-weekly cleaning schedule. All you need is baking soda paste (the best cleaner for tile showers IMO), a grout brush, and some elbow grease. 

But the most effective strategy is to just reduce the amount of grout you commit to in the first place. If your goal is lower maintenance, minimize grout lines on your shower walls and concentrate them where they’re actually necessary: on the shower floor for traction. That’s why the best tile for shower walls is typically a large-format tile (think 12” x 24” porcelain) or even stone slabs if your budget allows.

Grout Color 

If you want a subtle tile pattern in your shower, match the grout color to the tile color as closely as possible (unless your tile is white…I’ll share more on that later). If you prefer more definition, you can make your tile pattern pop with a contrasting grout color.

Best Tile for Showers: Understanding Your Options

There are 4 primary materials used in shower design, each with its own personality and purpose. Before you commit to your shower tiles, let’s evaluate how each material holds up in a high-moisture environment.

Each of these materials can work in a shower. The difference comes down to how much maintenance you’re willing to take on and how the material will age over time.

Now that you understand the basics of shower tile and grout, let’s talk about the formula I use to balance durability, safety, and a low-maintenance cleaning routine.

My Low-Maintenance, High-Impact Shower Tile Formula

After years of designing bathrooms for small and luxury homes alike, I’ve created a foolproof formula for beautiful, safe, and easy-to-clean showers. Here’s what always works for me:

Mosaic Tile Shower Floor + Large Format Shower Walls

These are some of the best tile for shower walls and the best tile for shower floor, sourced directly from our last 4 home renovations. 

Best Tile for Shower Walls: Fav Low-Maintenance Finds

When it comes to choosing the best type of tile for shower walls, my best advice is to go big. Large-format tiles create fewer grout lines, reducing long-term maintenance and offering a cleaner, more expansive look.

Porcelain shower tile offers better moisture resistance, while ceramic can be a more budget-friendly option for vertical applications. Carrera marble commands a higher price per square foot and requires periodic sealing, but it delivers a timeless, natural finish. 

All 3 materials are available in a range of tones and finishes, so your final decision for shower wall tiles will come down to performance expectations, budget, and your desired level of maintenance over time.

Best Tile for Shower Floor: Top Non-Slip Options

Shower floors require a different approach. Small-format and mosaic tiles provide better traction in high-moisture areas, making them a safer option for shower floors. Focus on slip resistance first, then choose the pattern that aligns with your overall design.

If you have a smaller bathroom, avoid breaking up the space with different floor tiles. Instead, use the same tile finish on both your shower and bathroom floors to create the illusion of a bigger space. 

Best Tile for Shower Niche

A niche is a great way to add storage and organization in your shower. I typically continue the tile on the shower wall to the backdrop of the niche, creating a sense of continuity. 

You can also use the backdrop as an opportunity to make a design statement with a contrasting tile. Whichever design option resonates with you, just make sure you select a material that can handle indirect water exposure.

Don’t Make These Common Shower Tile Mistakes

Choosing the best tile for showers is a personal decision, but it’s also a costly one. Before you commit to your final selections, let’s cover a few common tile mistakes I’ve seen homeowners make…and how to avoid them.

And if you want to learn more about the bathroom renovation mistakes that can derail your project, I did a deep dive on the biggest offenders so you can protect your wallet early in the process. Read the post here 👉 13 Bathroom Renovation Mistakes That Could Break Your Budget.

Common Tile Mistakes

I love the color variations and uneven texture in handmade Zellige tile just as much as the next girl. But as stunning as it is, Zellige is not the most practical choice. Uneven glazing can trap soap residue, and textured finishes usually require more cleaning than smoother alternatives.

If you want my advice, skip the bold, trendy tile and opt for a more neutral, timeless option. I’m not saying you have to choose a plain white tile. But generally speaking, neutral color palettes and smooth surfaces tend to age better over time, both visually and functionally.

If you want to incorporate bold or trendy accents in your bathroom, opt for design elements that are easy to switch out, like light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, paint colors, and decor pieces, instead.

Common Grout Mistakes

The same goes for that ultra-white grout I see everywhere on social media. It looks great on install day, but in reality, pure white grout highlights all the soap residue and mineral buildup you don’t want to see. 

Even with constant cleaning and sealing, it tends to show wear more quickly than softer tones.  I suggest choosing a light gray or off-white grout option instead that will age gracefully while still maintaining a clean look.

Narrowing Down the Best Tile for Showers

Tile is not a short-term decision. It affects how often you clean, how your bathroom ages, and how much maintenance you take on each year. So choose your tile wisely.

Start by identifying the material density, then consider the amount of grout lines, and finally, factor in the surface texture to determine the necessary upkeep. Once you found a material and size that works for you, layer in the aesthetic decisions.

When you evaluate tile through the lens of cost, performance, and design, you protect your investment and your time. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Pay attention to the less-glamorous details first, and enjoy a maintenance routine you can actually keep up with later.

This post is all about the best tile for showers!