go w/a larger tile and smallest grout lines you can do.

We did a 3x12 subway in a stacked layout in this standard shower

this was also a 3x12 in more of a handmade look subway tile, also in a stacked pattern.

my shower. I also did the 3x12 (or maybe 4x12. I forget) standard offset layout.

dont forget to get the bullnose tiles for the outer edges and/or the top row, if you need it.

take the middle tile on the bottom row and then do a diff layout like this double herringbone

plain old 3x6 white subway in a standard offset. If you want common, do this one.

3x6 bevel tile w/white grout

do you really want to have to scrub all these grout lines ? the bevel makes it worse

and if the wall isn't perfectly flush, you will get shadows from uneven tiles

@Beth H. : thank you so much! im going to go with the larger you recomended, thin grout and standard off set pattern. in the white shower you shared with this layout what color is thr grout?

Hi @Beth H. : and @Lacey Gaitan,

How big will this bathroom be? Will this be a farmhouse? I like the bigger tile too and less spacing for grout but are you looking for a shiplap look as well? Curious.

lacey, this one?

I used Mapei Warm Gray on the wall and the floor. black tiles got charcoal grout.

Hi Clairelarece! how've you been?

Turn subway tiles long way up and down. Have a neish and put floor in neish then it will become cohesive.

*niche*

OK hangin in there how about you beth?

Beth had some great examples. I also like to mount subway tiles vertically, like these examples:

Modern Condo Bathroom · More Info

love the last vertical stack.

even if you do it in white, it can look interesting. this is a vertical stack offset. I'd have chosen a niche accent tile since I think all this white is boring.

plain old subways in the 50/50 is so boring.

even if you use the longer tiles, go for something a bit diff.

I love this shower layout

if you must use only one white tile, try the double herringbone and gray grout

here's a 3x12 in a 90 degree herringbone.

vertical stack w/darker grout. it just adds more interest than a regular subway layout, no?

if using a boring 3x6 white subway, jazz it up w/bold niche tile

or, bring in a pattern tile for one wall and the floor

(isn't this so much better than having all white?)

this is a 3x12 subway done in a 1/3 offset layout. something a bit diff

combine two diff colors. don't forget the 'fifth wall'.

Doing an interesting installation with the longer white tile will be updated and modern. You need a talented, experienced tile setter for these. You can buy all the same white tile for both bathrooms but have two completely different tub/shower areas. Change them up with different floor tiles. Black and white is still classic. Or have one b&w and the other a different color completely (navy?)

@RedRyder thank you! I am going with the large subway tiles recommended here and adding a design strip in the middle of the wall where the shower head and handle are!

Everyone has different taste, but unless you plan to live in your home forever, stay away from trends and stick to the classics. Tile is expensive to replace, towels and pictures are cheap.

Plain white subway tile with black grout is my Go To for bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes...and chrome faucets and fixtures. If you are rich and can afford to rip everything out when the latest fad becomes dated, then do whatever you want, but for the rest of us, stick with the classics. PS: White grout will NOT stay white, not now, not ever.

@Augusta Byron is right about grout. Choose a soft grey grout with white, or darker if the pattern is interesting and you want to highlight it.

here is how my shower turned out…i love it! i looked a long time for this time i had in my mind but kept finding more dramatic veining and i wanted softer.

Wow! That looks great! And the floor is a good choice with those walls.

@RedRyder thank you!