The shower is much too large. You’ll freeze to death. Make it smaller Skip all the little crevices you’ll need to wipe out individually.

Too large, and too busy. Close it up to six/seven feet. max. In fact, show the plan for the entire bath. You don't need multiple tiles, nooks, chair rails , trims and borders for a good looking shower OR bath.

If you can't shorten it? Pick an accent for the middle of the long wall, floor to ceiling.

Yes, the shower is large and cold but redesigning the entire bathroom is not in the budget. The builder's subs did a bad job with the tile in the shower and it is not our style, so we are redoing the shower tile and glassing it in.

I really want to do white subway tile to keep it classic and timeless. We don't like trendy accent tile so I was thinking doing running bond on the bottom and then a chair rail and herringbone on the top.

Tile isn’t wallpaper. You can’t just replace it without 100% rebuilding the entire shower, with the correct waterproofing. 15K for something that size, as a start. Take that gut it to the studs opportunity to redesign it so it isn't so high school gym sized. Put in a closet on the end. A linen tower built in. Something.

As GD mentioned, if you rip out the tile, you have to completely redo the waterproofing down to the studs. New floor liner, etc. Once down the studs, you probably could move the wall in and add shelving.

If you're changing to white subway tile, are you also changing your vanity counter?

GD- yes I am aware that tile isn’t wallpaper. We’ve interviewed several contractors to find the one who will do it right. That will take it down to the studs with new water proofing etc. I actually had one contractor who was the same price as the others but wanted to tile over the existing floor. We didn’t choose him!

We already have a linen closet- if you look at the floor plan I posted. I am open to other suggestions.

cpartist- yes, we are changing the counters to a quartz that matches the existing floor tile.

What's on the outside wall of that shower on that side with the shower head?

Here is the whole second floor plan

I am confused if you are ripping out the shower then make it any size you want. IMO the fewer tiles and patterns in a bathroom the better I actually do not like regular subway tile in a shower too mant grout lines the larger the tile the better 12 x 24 s work very well. Shorten the shower remove that pony wall this is the time for a good redesign of a silly sized shower,In fact what you have for tile is a lot better than all those mixed up ones.

Even 6 x 12 will work. Rip it and the pony and do it right. Shorten it up at the same time

Patricia- We we’re keeping the existing layout to save money. If making the shower smaller without going way over budget is an option, then it will be considered. I don’t know what to do with the empty space once the shower is shortened.

The wall tile is a patterned beige tile, the floor tile is a patterned grey, then we have that busy accent tile and a busy yellow granite.

Jan- if I shorten the shower, what do I put in the empty space?

If you remove the pony wall, you won't have any place for a towel bar. I would shorten the pony wall if it doesn't make the shower door too wide. Is the valve on the pony wall?

I'd consider building out the wall along the entire length to create a ledge for shampoo bottles. Top it with the quartz. That will give it enough interest.

The valve is on the pony wall.

What is the black space behind the showerhead in the drawing?

I don’t know what’s in the space

AJCN - thank you for taking the time to draw up a design! I really like that idea and would really love having a pull out laundry bin in the bathroom. However, we can't move the shower head to that wall you suggested due to the window that is already there.

Sorry, I missed the window.

If you are spending the money to have someone completely demo to the studs and rebuild your shower, re-positioning it a little bit will probably be a small percentage of increased expense.

Can you put the shower in the lower left-hand side of your drawing by removing the current linen and utilizing the dark spot in your drawing (still don't know what that is)? Then a hutch-style linen with pullout laundry could go under the window. That would be a 3.5' hutch with lots of storage and laundry. You could cap the height of the hutch below the window.

While changing the tile pattern can add interest, I'm going to share thoughts about how you "finish" subway tile with a more upscale and architecturally interesting approach. Someone suggested that you don't "need" the details like rails and borders, which is true. You don't NEED it, but it adds to the aesthetics in a big way. In our world there is the basic white subway shower with bullnose trim (found in many tract home/budget installs which we don't do), but there is the kick it up a notch approach that makes a difference. Style of the home comes into play as well (and that's not clear from your post). Here are some basic budget installs (not our work) using bullnose for transition at edges:

And then there's this with a change of pattern insert with NO trim to define it (design fail).

We prefer a classic but well finished design. Just completed this one which does incorporate a colored liner (subtle design aesthetic) and a border, and the proper base and ceiling moldings as well as corner pieces and other elements that add to a "classic" design. (Sorry don't have pro photos yet but you can get the idea). Notice the framing, the base... This is a more traditional historic design and as noted, we don't know what era/design your home is.

We used a similar approach for this one with beveled tile:

I'm only advocating that one understand the importance of "details" in any tile installation. This makes it important to choose a tile line that has all these finishing pieces available. Ok you won't find it at big box stores, but it is not always that expensive. Find a line with finishing pieces if you prefer this more timeless investment. We just think that adding a change of lay-out is less important aesthetically than professionally fine finishes. And no, we are not a fan of dark grout with white subway tile either. THAT will be dated. Our opinion.

Whatever else you do, I agree with Toby on building out the wall to form a ledge. I have one shower with a ledge like that and I like it so much better than niches.

Dragonfly, Thank to for your reply. You understand exactly what I'm looking to do by using subway tile and adding elements that make it more upscale and finished. I really appreciate the examples you shared and the advice.

Dragonfly - also wanted to add that our home is only a few years old but our tile was poorly done. I'm wanting to fix those issues and make the home more my style - which is traditional/transitional. Our home is in florida and is a typical stucco style builder grade home that is only a few years old.

One of our neighbors (who has the same floorplan we do), partially renovated their master bath to add a tub. I don't think it works for the size of our bathroom.

I had two thoughts - One was to make the shower smaller but add a vanity under the window. I don't know if that would be too cramped of a space.

The other idea - like it was suggested above is to add a linen closet next to the shower.

I think adding a tub like your neighbor did would make it more master bath feeling.

You could do a "wetroom" style and add a freestanding tub to the large shower enclosure.

If you want a tub, you could do that, but your shower will be much smaller. We don't use our tub, so it's not something I'd choose. I like that last picture you posted with the cabinet next to the shower.

Your neighbor has created a tub that is going to be difficult and dangerous to get in and out of and that will be a headache to clean.

I wouldn't worry about the size of the shower. You're in Florida and don't have to worry about a drafty shower.

I see now that you don't have a shower door. Just shorten the pony wall about 6-12" to open up the space. Determine the length by the function of keeping water from escaping through the open door.

With a ledge design, you can do a larger format tile on the bottom with fewer grout lines and a decorative tile above the ledge.

There are worse things than having a shower that’s one foot too long. Your tile pattern sounds lovely.

I wouldn't worry about the size of the shower. You're in Florida and don't have to worry about a drafty shower.

Wrong. Even when I was in South Africa, when I was in a too large shower, it was cold. I'm in SW FL and I wouldn't want a shower that long.

I personally like that last version where you have a linen closet built in and move the wall in to accommodate the linen closet. It doesn't have to be for linens. It could be for decorative items and actually the cabinet below can hold toilet paper, etc.

Regarding your style. If the house is the typical FL house, don't go too traditional. It will wind up looking out of place. Maybe choose a larger subway tile for example. Something that bridges the gap between traditional and transitional.

cpartist - You are exactly right! Our shower is too long and cold!

I think we are going to move in the shower and add built in display/linen shelves.

Yes, our home is the typical Florida house. Our exterior has a craftsman look/style. I'm trying to find that find that line between traditional and transitional without looking out of place for the home.

If it's cold, the lack of a door is a big contributor so I'd plan for a door.

First, I'm with the majority here in saying, Cut down the size of the shower. Cutting it down will require a wall ... but it will also decrease the amount of tile /waterproofing in the shower, so it'll be a wash.

Personally, this is the cut-down idea I like best. Everyone can use more storage, and this is an attractive option.

Your neighbor has created a tub that is going to be difficult and
dangerous to get in and out of and that will be a headache to clean.

Agree.

Final thought: So the shower is sound, but you don't like the tile /pattern? What I'd actually do -- if I were in this situation: I'd install a shower curtain in a great pattern across the whole huge shower. The curtain would hide the pony wall. This would add color and pattern to the bathroom, and it would keep the warmth "in".

Is it ideal? No, but a huge curtain (and probably a custom rod) would be a couple hundred ...
as compared to a couple thousand for re-doing the shower area. And it could be start-and-finished in a single day.

Toby - Yes, we plan on adding a door.

Mrs Pete - The tile work in the bathroom was poorly done and has several issues, not just something we don't like. We bought it knowing we would redo that bathroom.

following.....

armyaaronswife, Using architectural tile details can up the game if chosen and installed correctly. If you are trying to keep it classic and prefer a subway tile, given the age and style of your home, you do have the option of a larger than traditional field tile size, such as a 4 x 8, or even longer. Here is one good line that has all sorts of finishing tiles besides just the standard bullnose. http://adexusa.com/collections/neri/neri-white/#finishing-touches. The Neri line also has multiple subway tile sizes. And it is a quality tile (without the huge price tag). Quality matters both from an aesthetic standpoint and for ease of installation.