20 Cool Large Tile Shower Ideas for Indoor & Outdoor Spaces
Jul 26, 2025
Once seen as purely utilitarian, showers are now a significant design flex and the heart of a bathroom’s aesthetic story. When it comes to crafting a beautiful, relaxing oasis, tile is where the magic happens. Large format tiles, in particular, impart a luxurious look that elevates the everyday. From subdued to daring, large tile shower ideas offer endless possibilities for creating envied focal points.
Here at Apollo Tile, we’re committed to getting the details right by offering materials that work best for your lifestyle, practical needs, and individual taste. While there are no hard rules for styling with shower tile, it matters that the walls and floors are resilient, non-porous, and easy to clean, given the high moisture and humidity in the bathroom. Style-wise, you can go as dramatic or as simple as you’d like. Perhaps an elegant marble feature is more your fancy, or maybe you prefer a little color to get you invigorated for the day ahead. Can’t go wrong with either!
Ahead, we've rounded up 20 stunning large tile shower ideas that are sure to stretch your creative imagination—and we bet you'll fall in love with more than one. These ideas cover everything from neutral to vibrant and suit every bathroom size and layout.
1. Add Tactility with Three-Dimensional Tiles

Field Porcelain Tile
Shower walls can be bland and uninspiring, but yours don’t have to be! Take your space to new dimensions with sculptural 3D tile. These wall tiles, highlighting soft waves that mimic the gentle ripples of water, raised geometric reliefs, or intricate floral motifs, add a layer of depth and texture that inspires a sense of touch. Our White 12x24 Matte Field Porcelain Tile, for example, features a smooth, wavy-like pattern. Stack it horizontally, stand back and look at the full picture, and you’ll be amazed at how it amps up your shower surrounds!
2. Turn to Green Tiles for a Splash of Color

Ceramic Large Format Tile
Because the shower area is often on the smaller side, make yours stand out with a unique embellishment. We love the idea of green tile used as an accent wall to add a bold splash of color, especially in a room dominated by neutrals. Go for a verdant shade that reads soothing but still adds a punch, say sage or muted olive, so your bathroom truly feels like an escape.
3. Keep it Elegant with Linen-Look Wall Tiles

Porcelain Large Format Tile
If you’re dreaming of large tile shower ideas that boast quiet luxury, lean to linen-look tiles. Offering a unique fusion of textile-inspired beauty and the enduring strength of porcelain, these tiles manage to balance simplicity with sophistication. Whether in a modern spa-like bathroom or a serene outdoor shower, you can be sure of a surface that’s neither flashy nor forgettable.
4. Stretch Stone-Look Floor Tile Up the Wall

Large Format Tile
If you’ve fallen for stone-look floor tile, ramp up its visual impact by carrying the same material up the wall. Stone speaks the language of timelessness, strength, and natural beauty, and matching walls and floors adds more substance to these qualities. It creates a less-is-more look and will make your entire space feel seamless, expansive, and upscale.
5. Use Fluted Wall Tiles for Added Texture

Ceramic Large Format Tile
If you have a large wall to cover, explore big tile shower ideas that infuse plenty of unique texture. Fluted tile isn’t necessarily a new trend, but we’re in love with how it adds tactility and engages both sight and touch. The vertical ridges on the face of the tile catch light differently throughout the day. In a large format, the resulting visual rhythm becomes more immersive, preventing walls from the slightest chance of falling flat. Consider our White 12x36 Matte Fluted Ceramic Large Format Tile to introduce an architectural edge to the scheme of things.
6. Bring on the Shine with Metallic Gold Tiles

Ceramic Large Format Tile
Gold metallic tiles are always a big YES, especially when they wrap the shower and keep climbing up the walls. Whether used for indoor or outdoor bathrooms, the resulting aesthetic is anything but ordinary. Honey Gold 16x48 Matte Ceramic Large Format Tile, for instance, gives you the opportunity to play with orientation. A large vertical subway tile shower wall draws the eye upwards and adds a sense of height, while a herringbone pattern stretches things out. In addition to lending a touch of decadence, these ceramic tiles thrive just fine in a high-moisture environment.
7. Go for Material Drenching with Slate Tiles

Porcelain Large Format Tile
Saturating the room in a single material, across floors, walls, and niches, is a great way to embrace total unity, blur the lines between surfaces, and create a high-impact scheme. The continuous application is also a great way to celebrate materiality and take the fuss out of planning your color scheme. Use slate-look tiles, such as Beige 12x24 Matte Porcelain Large Format Tile, to introduce a strong monolithic visual impact.
8. Pair Large and Small Tiles for Visual Intrigue

Porcelain Large Format Tile
For a bathroom soaked in style, big tile shower ideas that make use of both small and large formats are worth exploring. Here, you can go for a single tiling material to maintain a sense of cohesion, and vary the shape and layout to inject just enough intrigue. Using Light Grey White 16x48 Matte Ceramic Large Format Tile with Dove-Gray White 10x12 Matte Chevron Porcelain Mosaic Tile shifts the pace from a one-note design and, instead, adds complexity that keeps things lively.
9. Inject Intricate Detail with Geometric Tiles

Porcelain Large Format Tile
Unlike conventional designs, large tile shower ideas that make use of catchy geometric motifs, like our White Gold 24x48 Polished Diamond Porcelain Large Format Tile, demand to be seen. If you’re fortunate enough to have space for an outdoor shower, using a bold graphic tile across the floor or up the wall can play beautifully against the elements of the natural setting. You might want to keep grout lines fine and the rest of the palette minimal to emphasize the tiled surfaces. The continuous geometric patterning will garner attention and give your space a standout presence.
10. Embrace Black Wall Tiles for Added Drama

Porcelain Large Format Tile
Looking for that regal touch to up the style ante of your space? An obvious choice: black tiles. Black is a confident hue that molds itself to adapt to whatever aesthetic you dream up. It can be dramatic and imposing, moody and cozy, modern and refined. Be it marble, ceramic, or porcelain, we advise that you aim for a vertical large format tile shower wall or floor design that enhances the room’s scheme rather than fighting it. In this instance, black can work well alongside white, earthy beige, or soft taupe to fashion an intentional and considered interior.
11. Freshen Up with Blue and White Coastal Tiles

Porcelain Large Format Tile
Coastal tile is fabulous for switching things up if you want a next-level shower experience. Together, blue and white bring a relaxed tranquility reminiscent of breezy seaside escapes. Whether your bathroom overlooks the ocean or you're creating a sanctuary miles from the coast, trust our Air Superiority Blue 24x48 Polished Porcelain Large Format Tile to provide the color and patterning needed to soothe the senses. As a bonus, its polished glaze reflects just enough glow to keep things feeling light and luxe. To complete a coastal or Hamptons-inspired look, pair with whitewashed wood fittings, natural woven textures, and soft ambient lighting.
12. Pick Terrazzo for Classic-Meets-Modern Charm

24x24 Porcelain Large Format Tile
Once associated with Italian palazzos, terrazzo has made a striking return to contemporary bathrooms, ensuring that large tile shower ideas are anything but basic. Their lookalikes are made from porcelain and mimic the same aesthetic, but far less demanding. Defined by their signature colorful or tonal flecks atop a neutral base, terrazzo-look tiles inject personality while maintaining a retro-meets-modern vibe. Perfect for those who love the splendor and character of their tiles on full display!
13. Have Fun with Large Hexagon Pattern Tiles

Bardiglio Marble Tile
Large-format hexagon-shaped tile on the wall or floor adds decorative panache to a walk-in shower. The detailed repetition of this six-sided honeycomb pattern is distinctive and eye-catching without causing visual overwhelm. Just the ideal finish to transform a shower area that could do with the slightest hint of oomph!
14. Highlight Shower Niches with Contrasting Tiles

Polished Porcelain Large Format Tile
Who says your shower niche needs to be the same style as the walls? Kick your bathroom design up a notch and have fun with tiles that contrast for a striking designer look. This recessed area built into the wall is a golden opportunity to add visual interest and set it apart from the surroundings. A darker tile, such as Black Marquina 24x48 Polished Porcelain Large Format Tile, can recede slightly and give the illusion of a deeper crevice. A small detail, but an impactful one!
15. Lean Into Rustic Appeal with Wood-Look Tiles

Ceramic Large Format Tile
There’s no denying the timeless appeal of hardwood, but moisture, humidity, and temperature fluctuations are unforgiving. Luckily, ceramic and porcelain tile that looks like wood makes it possible to attain the natural allure of timber without worrying about long-term performance and upkeep. And if you think wood-look tiles can’t do a better job at replicating the grain texture and life-like knots of the real thing, you’d be surprised! Choose from a variety of shades and large plank sizes to envelop your shower areas with warmth.
16. Aim for Classic Allure with Carrara Marble Tiles

Polished Gold Marble Tile
Few large tile shower ideas rival the enduring grandeur of Carrara marble flooring. With its soft veining and luminous white background, Carrara evokes an air of sophistication, where each tile stands unique from the other. Whether you want to dress up the walls of a primary ensuite or create an elegantly serene outdoor shower escape, this iconic stone adds a captivating feature that’s hard to ignore. Take a deep dive into more styling tips: 25 Stunning Marble Bathroom Tile Ideas for a Luxurious Retreat.
17. Try Mediterranean-Style Star & Cross Tile

Porcelain Large Format Tile
If you seek large tile shower ideas that infuse cultural richness, an interlocking star and cross pattern wouldn’t look out of place. These artisanal tiles, often found in Moroccan and Spanish-style homes, are celebrated for their intricate geometry and an array of both muted and vivid colors, meaning you can go any direction you please with your interior design scheme. Opt for sandy beiges and warm whites for an understated look, or lean to exotic blues and greens for shower walls that sing!
18. Combine Matte and Glossy Tile Finishes

Porcelain Large Format Tile
There’s something about large glossy tiles that keeps bathrooms from feeling small and cave-like. And while we always recommend a non-slip shower floor tile in matte, high-gloss walls have a way of making the room brighter, snug, and more open, especially if it falls on the petite side. In fact, combining the two finishes is an opportunity to play with contrast. Think glossy, light-reflective walls with grounded, matte hardwood flooring tile. The outcome is nothing short of impressive!
19. Fit Different Tile Styles for Visual Intrigue

24x48 Porcelain Large Format Tile
Don't shy away from mixing and matching different tiling materials. When done correctly, contrasting finishes within the same space and on the same surface will add depth and distinctive personality. To keep things in harmony, make sure to maintain a common thread, like a shared color, shape, or size.
20. Line Shower Walls with Leaf Pattern Tiles

Fired Ceramic Large Format Tile
Invite the outdoors in by lining your shower walls with leaf-patterned tiles. Whether you choose delicate botanical textures or bold tropical prints, a large format tile shower layout with this organic motif instates a calming tranquility. Consider our White Gray 16x48 3rd Fired Ceramic Large Format Tile for a spa-inspired retreat. It offers a refreshing twist that blends natural flair with contemporary style!
Conclusion
And there you have it: 20 large tile shower ideas to revive your bathroom and evoke an ambience of luxury. Whether you decide to take up our tips on designing with contrasting tile styles or prefer a tone-on-tone monochromatic effect, you can trust each one of these design ideas to take your tile game up a notch. With their durability, versatility, and generous scale, large-format tiles make it possible to craft an indoor or outdoor shower space that’s not only cool and up-to-the-minute but also timeless and practical.
As you explore Apollo Tile’s online collections, don’t hesitate to order tile samples of products that catch your eye. Our support team is always on hand to help you select the best material for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Should large shower tiles be vertical or horizontal?
Large tiles can be arranged either vertically or horizontally, depending on the effect you want to create. Vertical tiles draw the eye upwards and trick it to believing walls are taller than they really are. A horizontal orientation can stretch the walls of a narrow space and make them feel wider and more expansive.
2. What is the best large tile for showers?
Porcelain tile is an excellent choice for showers for both aesthetic and practical reasons. Its low porosity ensures water does not penetrate and affect the integrity of the tile. It’s available in diverse styles, replicates the appearance of marble and hardwood, and complements virtually any interior design theme.
3. Is large tile in style for shower floors?
Large tile shower ideas are always in vogue, thanks to their contemporary appeal and ease of maintenance. The relevance of using bigger floor tiles is driven by the desire for a more seamless and spacious look that eliminates unnecessary visual noise.
4. Are large tiles slippery in wet areas like showers?
Large flooring tiles can be slippery when wet, particularly those with a smooth surface. The best approach is to choose tiles treated with a textured finish for improved traction underfoot.
5. How do I choose the best grout for large tiles in the shower?
Grout that’s close in tone with tile enhances the visual effect large-scale tiles are revered for: a streamlined surface with continuous visual flow. This tone-on-tone effect gives an impression of one uninterrupted plane.
6. What is the best layout for large tiles in a shower?
Big tile shower ideas in traditional offset, vertical and horizontal stack, herringbone, or diagonal are all great for the bathroom. The best orientation will ultimately be determined by your desired aesthetic and the unique characteristics of the room.
7. Do large tiles work well with curbless or open-concept showers?
Not only do they offer a sleek, modern look in open-concept showers, but also help visually expand the floor, making small bathrooms feel more open.
8. How much does it cost to tile a large walk-in shower?
The cost to tile a walk-in shower with large-format tiles varies based on several factors, including material, size of the area, and labor complexity. Bigger tiles typically cost between $5 to $20 per square foot, with professional installation adding another $10 to $30 per square foot. On average, you can expect to spend between $2,500 and $7,000 for a full installation.