Did you look over the finished shower tiling before you paid the contractor?? I suggest you call your contractor back and inform him to fix the niche properly.

Yes, I have not paid him in full yet. I was just hoping there was a solution that doesn’t involve ripping out the tiles and starting over

Raw edges of tile are never left exposed. Basic tile 101.

He just put grout over top and says he thinks it will look fine

I’m so annoyed for you. How stupid. Sorry no constructive advice, just commiserating.

This is just wrong and should be corrected. Sadly.

If he won’t fix it (I’m not sure if it can be done without compromising the waterproofing?) I would do a search for a matching thin trim piece - like a tiny half round— and add it to the edges. It is not ideal and might be subject to getting knocked off at some point, so buy extra for future repairs. It will look like a picture frame but if it’s the same color and very small it might not be bad.

your other tile is bold and beautiful and will command attention, so it might not stand out too much.

You can also research paint suitable for tile and clean the edges well and use a tiny brush to paint the edges to match the tile. Again, not ideal, but better than a full tear out, unless he’s willing to eat that cost. Which I doubt.

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I truly appreciate it. I will definitely look into those options because he basically laughed at me when I suggested redoing it. Clearly it will be a fight if I go that route.

https://www.tilebar.com/london-white-pencil-liner.html this is what I mean.

eta: I ran out of time when posting earlier, but I wanted to post this info about painting tile edges. Since you have such a tiny area, you might look for the right kind of paint at a craft store where you can buy a small bottle.

painting tile edges

Paint isn't a good long-term solution here. Aluminum trim would work.

What should be used to adhere it? My contractor put grout along the edges of the tile to make it look a little bit better 🙄 Would that grout need to be removed?

@olychick Thank you so much for posting that article! So much great information!!!

Face applying trim to a tile edge is a fools errand. It will not last.

Would paint be the best option (besides ripping it all out)?

Nothing is going to last forever. The options being suggested are to make it look better without having to take the shower out and start over. Put tile trim on it? I would use grout to adhere it. So it doesn't last? It will still be waterproof and you just redo it in the future if it doesn't. Same with paint. So what if it doesn't last? Make it look better and repaint it again if needed.

And yes, ask the tiler to remove the grout he added to the edges and if you decide to try tile trim in a picture frame style, ask him to install it or at least cut the corners in a miter so they will look more professional.

I was just looking for a pic of what I'm thinking and found this! And yes it's not going to last, but it looks like the perfect solution to your problem with the least hassle and it will look better than now, if you can find a color that works for you. Dark to match the pattern tile could look nice if you can't match the plain tile. You'd probably have to use better adhesive other than the peel and stick because it's not designed to go in a wet spot, I suspect.

Smart Tiles SmartEdge Orfero Peel and Stick Finishing Edge Backsplash Border

Here is a pic with tile trim like I was trying to describe. If your tile comes with these trim pieces, I would probably do this. The 2nd pic isn't added picture frame trim but houzzzz won't let me delete it. The link has instructions/advice about doing it.

https://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=127141

I think the trim tile is a very acceptable solution.

The big question is, if he was so clueless as to do this, then does it have any hope of being built and waterproofed correctly under any of that?

So what is your helpful suggestion Verbo? Tear it all out to find out? Or just live with it and see if problems arise? What do you expect the op to do?