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jl_manchester

help with shower tile selection

4 years ago

My shower has to be ripped out and rebuilt after discovering water leaking from a bad waterproofing job. The bathroom is very warm/beige, which is not my favorite, but I’m leaving the beige floor tile as is. I’m having a hard time deciding on new shower tile. Should I just replace with something similar to what I’m removing (which I don’t love) since it goes with the floor? I’d like to modernize, but don’t have ideas for what would look good with the existing floor/vanity. I’ll attach the few pictures I have; this is my vacation house so I can’t get better pics at the moment. Thanks for any ideas!

Comments (21)

  • 4 years ago

    maybe paint/ refinish rhe vanity in white, get a new countertop ( i cant tell if its white or beige) and do the shower in a white tile.

  • 4 years ago

    Id consider also changing the wall color if you do whites with the bejge flooring, maybe a pretty sage green or soft blue wall would be pretty

  • 4 years ago

    You can do as Sammie suggested or a white tile. Nothing busy though. Solid color would be best.

  • 4 years ago

    I would do a plain white tile. I think that would work well with the floor.

  • 4 years ago

    The vanity is fine.
    Just change the hardware and the faucets.

    Match the shower pan for the wall tile.

    I wonder if those zellige multi tone tiles would work here. Maybe try a sample.

  • 4 years ago

    Something like these?

  • PRO
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    The extra tile, in an easy care porcelain to RIP the floor and pick new, and repeat it on the shower walls? Is probably worth the extra $

    Paint on the vanity ? Easy. A bit more gets you a new top, under mounted sinks and nice faucets. Even from a great remnant slab

    So.... ask yourself how long you will own the house, and IF you want the band aid or the happier result.

  • 4 years ago

    I appreciate the feedback! I picked up a zillion tile samples in various warm whites and creams and will go to the house today to make the choice! As much as I’d love to update the whole bathroom, this is primarily an airbnb vacation rental, so cost and time are big factors. Thanks again!

  • 4 years ago

    Totally agree. Waterproofing is the biggest priority for me and I’m going with Schluter/Kerdi system and porcelain tiles. My comment on cost savings was related to not ripping out the tile floor and vanity, which are in good shape and would be an unnecessary expense.

  • 4 years ago

    I've been lucky to have suffered form such sudden water leakages followed by "surprised" expressions on the contractors faces after all is ruined... It happened two times at my previous place, and one time at my current apartment... Oh, the memories!


    I actually ended up scanning a dynamic qr code from several nearby retailers, just to have quick access to similarly-looking tiles and hopefully - hopefully - be able to avail some discount when it happens again... I'm not gonna say 'if' in fear I might jinx it...

  • 4 years ago

    If this is a summer house/rental, I would save money on the shower walls by using solid vinyl and redo the other elements. Think about it - you spend 5-7 minutes inside the shower, but go in and out to use the sink multiple times a day. A nicer floor, wall color, vanity and faucet goes further to impress a renter than tiles inside a shower.

    Spend your money on an adorable tile floor. Porcelain is not expensive and comes is every color, pattern and size. Paint the vanity and walls and you’ve increased the value of your rental. And when you get to enjoy the house, you will be glad you did these elements.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    I think rip the floor out it is a small space and why live with something you don't like when the huge job is the shower do it now and be done. I love 12 x24 porcelaint ile for both bathroom floors and shower walls . Much fewer grout lines and a nice clean slate to live with I use a stacked pattern with matching grout keeps the space from looking too busy the for the shower floor same color tile just smaller. If you would like an accent tile then a strip on the back shower wall and use that same tile for the backsplash. The vanity can stay when you do the floors not a big deal. Th change the vanity top quite affordable if you want to but I think if you go with the porcelain in a nice simple gray tone then the top is fine Change the pulls to something simpler then you will be able to choose wall color you like . Make sure whoever is doing the shower they have worked with the Schluter system often. I would also forget the niche , in my experience this is very often the place where a leak begins.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    How many times does she have to say she’s not ripping out the floor? Niches are handy and expected by vacationers.

    I might look for a mosaic floor tile for the shower that incorprates the floor color along with white and use white for the walls of the shower.

    Not sure that any of these are the right color or a suitable size, but just for inspiration:









    eta: I meant these for shower floor, but didn't realize you had something there now that you are likely to keep and not do a small tile on the floor.

  • 4 years ago

    Thanks for all the suggestions so far! I picked up a few options and would love to hear some opinions.
    Option 1: 12x24 warm white glossy porcelain throughout. Seems practical with few grout lines but too plain?
    Option 2: same tile as above but with a niche that pulls in floor color (like the herringbone picture below)
    Option 3: same 12x24 tiles on the left and right walls but back wall an accent wall with glossy 3x12 tiles that are warm neutral to add a little interest.
    Thanks!

  • 4 years ago

    You are keeping the base you have now?

  • 4 years ago

    Yes, the plan is to keep the base and glass doors if possible

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I think any of your choices would look great, but I like the idea of incorporating the floor tile color, either in the niche or as an accent wall.

  • 4 years ago

    How about something like this: https://www.flooranddecor.com/porcelain-tile/alaria-polished-porcelain-tile-100937366.html

    it will match the tan/brown and will still brighten up the room.

    Or this:

    https://www.flooranddecor.com/porcelain-tile/vicenzia-bianco-porcelain-tile-100966183.html

    Or for a different look, this:

    https://www.flooranddecor.com/ceramic-tile/carson-timberland-wood-plank-ceramic-tile-100976570.html

    Or this:

    https://www.flooranddecor.com/ceramic-tile/talesa-grigio-ceramic-tile-100949478.html

    Or this:

    https://www.flooranddecor.com/porcelain-tile/novara-greige-porcelain-tile-100994409.html

    This is what I am using in one of my bathrooms. I have a similar floor to yours and this brings out the brown, but I also have a black shower panel so this also goes with that. It is a large format tile, the individual pieces are 24 x 48:

    https://www.flooranddecor.com/porcelain-tile/matisse-oro-polished-porcelain-tile-100884733.html

    The picture does not do it justice.