Sorry about what you've been going through. I probably wouldn't tile the walls at all. I like the green wall behind the sink, and you already have a tiled mirror. It seems busy enough on that wall without adding a pattern.

Since you are asking for personal preference,I think both tiles are grossly oversize for a small room.

I thought about smaller tile but I was trying to limit the amount of grout lines.

I was aiming for a floor that looks like this

I think larger tiles on the floor are fine even in smaller rooms. Can we see the tiles you are considering for the walls and floor?

here are links to the wall and floor tiles...takes a bit to load

https://www.tileshop.com/product/chiaro+h-f+8+x+20.do?from=Search&cx=0

https://www.tileshop.com/product/premium+brown+12+x+24+in.do?from=Search&cx=0

My concern is that you tile everything then your mysterious leak returns. Do you have an inspiration photo? Have you considered the lighter color for the floor and one color for all the walls that could still give you the drama you're looking for?

The entire room is going to be gutted to the studs with all the mold damaged wood being replaced in both bedroom and bathroom so there won't be anything left to leak...

I'm going to have to essentially remove everything. The new walls will be painted lighter colors just haven't figured out what or gotten past the tile install.

sadly I'm out of inspiration. this is actually the third remodel in 20 years and therefore will be the fourth bathroom since I bought the house...I bat zero with contractors

So sorry you've not had much luck with this room. I was looking around for something that would work with the acrylic. Maybe something more modern like a linen-look porcelain tile?

https://www.tileshop.com/product/contempo+sand+porcelain+floor+tile+-+12+x+24+in..do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search

I have an acrylic surround with a row of tile "border" around it that came with the fixer upper we bought. It looks ridiculous.

Here is something similar on the walls...

Here is a light and dark together to see the contrast (pretend the dark is the floor)...

I would not combine acrylic shower pan with tile. The pan flexes and tile is solid mount to the walls. That means a joint that’s prone to leak. If budget is an issue, I’d do all acrylic shower where the sides, the bottom and the doors are all designed to work together as a waterproof unit. If you can spend more, then do all tile. A proper shower pan liner with waterproof backer for the walls works perfectly if installed competently. It looks much better than acrylic, IMO. Tile the ceiling of the shower enclosure. This prevents moisture blistering and mold on a painted ceiling- architect friend gave us that tip when we were house hunting new houses. A lot of builders cheap out and tile to a height only slightly above the shower nozzle. Lastly, avoid natural stone tile like the plague. It has to be sealed and periodically re-sealed. It’s a nightmare for cleaning as many cleaners are forbidden, especially those used to remove hard water spots. CLR? No. Tiles? No. I think the architects and builders who install slate showers don’t know the first thing about cleaning a bathroom. Really, natural stone = nightmare maintenance and cleaning.

FULL STOP. You have not been getting good results with past efforts. You need to change what you are doing.

Hire a Kitchen and Bath Designer. Period. You’re wasting money otherwise.

And read up on the important things. Focusing on pretty pretty is what got you into this mess.

https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer

It strikes me that size tile for flooring in a small bathroom isn’t the best choice. Grout in flooring isn’t the problem. Do you know where the original leaking occurred? Step #1 in problem solving is correct diagnosis of the problem. Not sure your solutions for mold remediation are correct either. Agree with Sofie better stop and make sure you have the right people doing this work.

Sorry Sophie. Missed a letter in your name.

I agree with Kim about no tile on walls. It reminds me of hospitals and mid range hotels. I also agree with Sophie Wheeler on figuring out why your bathroom failed so you can prevent it, if you don't know the exact cause already. Are the same people doing the work?

I installed 12 x 24 floor tile in my 6x8 bathroom and I love it.

Thanks for all the info/responses! The entire bathroom is being gutted. there is no tile going in the shower. The shower will only be acrylic with a life time warranty. We are pretty sure that the liner isn't installed properly under the tile/threshold, but can't confirm until the floor is completely ripped out. The tile is only going outside the acrylic shower. Based on all your suggestions we are going to go with smaller tile on the walls and only use non natural materials.

Porcelain tile is safe bet. Make sure if you want small grout lines, you get "rectified" edges. No chiseled tile edges, that make for larger grout lines. Good quality porcelain that is porcelain all the way through (not just on surface) will give you good value and performance. The larger tiles, if not installed properly, are prone to what we call "lippage". That means they don't all lay perfectly flat, so one tile will lift a bit more than the one next to it. When you have a small space, this can't be rectified with a large span. So that is the main issue with large tiles in small bathrooms. Pattern in laying the long tiles is important as well. 1/3 overlapping is standard, but in small bathrooms, this is more difficult and not everyone does it. Just make sure your subfloor is really level and as flat as possible for best installation.

I wasn't real clear on the lippage issue. On a large span, there is more room for gradual adjustments to deal with the lippage issue. In a small space, you don't have that luxury. Hope that is clearer. You might want to try a slightly shorter type tile, say 12/18. Of course, this sizing precludes a herringbone tiling layout. Just doesn't work well. Longer, narrower tiles work best for a herringbone layout.

IN a small small herringbone layout is not worth the extra money I happen to like large tiles on floors in small spaces they make the space look bigger but I also use that same tile on the shower walls for the same reason. BTW the leakage was probably a waterproofing issue get a pro who knows what they are doing this is not for a DIYer , I would stay away from the biscuit color white is always the best choice, I certainly would not use travertine for the walls and especially if you are staying with an actrylic shower the 2 don’t go together, A picture of the whole space would be helpful along with a floor plan. The pic you posted is showing way too much clutter in a small space and I am wondering what that weird opening is where the clock is.

it is awkward configuration. the clock was sitting on a half wall. this is from the opposite direction.

Ugh. Sorry to hear about your shower leak woes. Sophie always recommends a design professional. As if this stuff is so complicated only a professional can get it right. The easiest way to get inspired is to visit tile showrooms. That way you can see tile that you can actually purchase versus perusing the houzz pictures of bathrooms in multi-million dollar homes.

When remodeling my master bath 5 years ago due to a shower pan had been leaking for goodness knows how long, I went with a Kohler cast iron shower pan. Pretty looking and easy to keep clean.

I wish you well in your remodeling process.

Michele, I had missed your earlier photo with the floor inspiration. How do you feel about painting all walls the same color, but adding tile just above the sink? This way, the tile wouldn't abut the shower. Also, have you considered removing the half wall?

As I mentioned earlier, you could reduce the number of things on the wall to create a vibe like this if you really want tile...