White subway tile showers are the safe choice in any bathroom renovation – they’re timeless and won’t look dated in five years.
The problem is they can also look boring and builder-grade if you don’t switch up the grout color, layout pattern, or add an accent somewhere to keep it from feeling like a generic hotel.
1. Tile Pattern Pops Against Black Tub
Black accents are a great way to upgrade your white subway tile shower. Here, both subway tiles and square tiles add visual interest to the white wall.
Thin black details create an Art Nouveau inspired motif that fits naturally into both classic and contemporary bathrooms. The result is sophisticated and chic – ideal for making a smaller bathroom truly shine.
via Barnes Vanze Architects
2. Full Vertical Tile And Recessed Shelves
When you love white subway tile, there’s no such thing as too much. Instead of limiting them to just the walls, consider extending them to the ceiling too.
This extensive design highlights the linear arrangement and classic shape. Two built-in niches provide storage for your bath products – a great way to cut down on bathroom shelving.
via 4 Men 1 Lady
3. Tonal Grout With Black And White
Black and white decor stays appealing through every season. Bring this stark contrast into your bathroom by combining white and black subway tiles.
For a smaller bathroom, use white tiles on the walls and black tiles on the floor to keep an open, airy feeling. In a larger bathroom, you might add another black accent for a bold look.
via Castle Building and Remodeling
4. Subway Tile Looks Bright And Fresh
If your bathroom is compact, white subway tile is a great way to add texture and depth while making the most of natural light. This tiny bathroom shows it well: the tile covers the shower walls, adding a touch of geometric design without going overboard.
Light gray grout completes this subtle, low contrast aesthetic.
5. Wood Chevron And Black Honeycomb Accents
Unsure how to make your white tile shower distinct? Pair the tiles with a black hexagon-shaped floor tile.
The contrasting shapes create plenty of visual interest – no extra decorative elements needed. The white floor grout complements the shower’s color nicely, giving you a cohesive look.
via Oakley Construction
6. Not Your Standard Subway Tile
Subway tiles look great in a conventional brick pattern, but for a fresh approach, try a herringbone layout. By angling the tiles, you can challenge expectations and turn your shower into a focal point.
This method upgrades a small bathroom without adding clutter or extra color.
via Home With The Oakleighs
7. Classic Industrial Bath
White subway tiles are incredibly adaptable. Here, the homeowner pairs them with metal and wood accessories for an industrial feel.
The raw, rustic furnishings bring out similar qualities in the tile, highlighting its simple elegance. The warmth of the wood adds a comfortable, natural touch that balances the bold black and white features.
via Houzz
8. Dark Grouted Half Wall
All white bathrooms feel crisp and bright. If your space starts to look too uniform, black grout is a straightforward fix.
Against an all white background, the dark lines create dramatic contrast. For more impact, echo the black in your cabinet hardware, mirror frame, or light fixtures.
Here, a warm toned wood floor adds a hint of natural texture and an inviting atmosphere.
via The House That Faith Built
9. Retro Subway Tile With Hex Floor
Here’s another example of white subway tile with black grout, this time inside the shower enclosure. To keep the tile work visible, this shower uses clear, fixed glass panels for maximum transparency.
Antique inspired black metal fixtures give the tile a charming vintage look. Need more texture?
Follow this homeowner’s lead and add wood planks and hexagon floor tiles for a bold design statement.
via Fridell Sells Homes
10. Subway Tile In Elegant Gray
Using two subway tile colors helps liven up your bathroom. For a softer look, go with white and gray tiles.
The slate hue contrasts nicely against the bright white tiles, but the overall feel is serene and calming. For more depth and sophistication, choose slate tiles with subtle tonal variations within each piece.
White grout is an easy way to visually connect the two tile types and the rest of the bathroom.
via Urrutia Design
11. Symmetrical Looks Chic And Modern
Give white subway tile a contemporary twist by changing its orientation – skip the brick pattern and go with a stacked layout. This symmetrical design creates clean, straight lines across your walls.
To soften the sharp, modern look, add a wood vanity with prominent grain for a touch of warmth.
via Design Sponge
12. Complement A Bold Wallpaper Look
Eager to update your bathroom with printed wallpaper? Balance the strong effect of a dramatic pattern with white subway tile.
The clean, sophisticated tiles reduce the amount of wallpaper, making it beautiful without being overwhelming. Plus, the sharp lines of the tile can add a crisp feel to a floral or delicate print.
via Studio McGee
13. Subtle Subway Tiled Wall
Upgrade your built-in bathtub by replacing its standard enclosure with a tiled wall. White subway tiles pair perfectly with any type of tub.
Finish with white grout for an understated look that works in both large and small bathrooms. The subtle texture matches well with any tile, wood, or laminate flooring.
via Magda Interiors
14. Add Interest With Herringbone Inset
Change up an ordinary shower by using white subway tiles in two different orientations. Here, a classic brick pattern wraps around a framed section of herringbone tile.
Highlight the herringbone with a sleek black border. The result is charming but subtle – a nice way to make a statement in a smaller bathroom.
via Classic Casual Home
15. Subway Tile With Glass Tile Mosaic Border
Add new energy to your white subway tile with a mosaic border. A little goes a long way – the high contrast mosaic stands out next to the simple, elegant white walls.
Keep it simple with all white accents, or pick a complementary color from the mosaic for extra flair in a larger bathroom.
via Four Brothers Design
16. Subway Tile Goes Cottage With Vintage Mirrors
Subway tile is an easy way to highlight your home’s vintage features – it’s common in bungalow and cottage inspired spaces. The key is pairing the tile with other vintage items like mirrors, fixtures, or vanities.
Here, aged mirror frames and a planked wooden countertop combine with white subway tile for an eclectic, stylish result.
via Absolutely Beautiful Things
17. Unique Vertical Tile Pattern
Try something different by arranging your white subway tiles vertically on the shower wall. This layout mimics a standard offset brick pattern but uses a double row for a surprise.
The Moroccan floor and shelf tiles add a traditional, appealing contrast.
via Bryan Castelli Contracting
18. Accent With Contrasting Black
Look closer and you’ll see this bathroom uses three different tile types. The floor has large slate tiles, and the shower combines white subway tile with a border of small black squares.
To tie it all together, the designer chose white and gray grout along with black hardware. This bathroom feels fresh and vintage inspired – made for relaxation.
via Sarah Made It Home
19. Gray Grout Works With White And Black
When using white subway tile, the grout color makes a big difference. Gray grout hits the sweet spot for mid-sized bathrooms – it shows off the tile shape without adding too much contrast.
Here, gray grout pairs well with black accents and green plants for a striking, fashionable look.
via Fausz Haus
20. Subtle Backdrop For A Shower Accent Wall
There’s no simpler way to upgrade your bathroom than with a black, white, and gold color scheme. This example starts with the tile work: oversized white subway tiles draw attention to a black herringbone accent wall.
To take it further, the designer used gold shower fixtures. The result is modern and undeniably luxurious.
via Greyhunt Interiors
21. Bold Tile Shower And Tub Surround
Ready to make a big statement? Go with extensive white subway tile paired with black grout.
This high coverage design creates a powerful, eye-catching impression – your guests will be amazed when they walk in. Add colorful accents for a lively mood, or keep the focus on the tile with white accessories.
via Tara Texas Farmhouse
22. Retro Vibes With Checkered Floor
A black and white checkered floor gives your bathroom nostalgic charm. Highlight this bold flooring with classic white subway tile.
Black grout ties it all together, and minimalist black accessories finish the look. The plant and wooden stool add life and color to this sleek, clean space.
via Sarah Cole Interiors
23. Classic Style In Traditional Bath
Large bathrooms give you plenty of design flexibility. Cover your shower enclosure in white subway tile with dark grout – in a big room, this high contrast tiling becomes a subtle feature.
Add other textures like a wood ceiling, floral drapes, large scale floor tile, and plush rugs for a truly impressive look.
via Spivey Architects
24. Contrasting Gray Accent Tiles
Refresh your elegant white subway tile shower with a contrasting inset. It’s a fun, budget-friendly way to update your bathroom without a full redo – just add a strip of neutral toned tile for a fresh look.
To make the inset blend with the rest of the bathroom, pick a tile that uses colors already in the space. Here, warm grays match the vanity and flooring colors.
