The One Question You Should Always Ask Before Picking Out Shower Tiles

Picture this: The time has come for a top-to-bottom bathroom renovation. Along with paint colors and hardware finishes, you’ll need to choose a new tile for the walls in your shower. With so many options to choose from—subway tile, zellige tile, hexagon tiles, mosaics, ceramics, porcelain, and beyond—it’s tough to know where to start.

But according to one very wise Redditor, there’s one important question you should ask yourself before deciding: “How hard is your water, and how much do you like cleaning?” Translation? Some tile varieties are easier to clean than others. Which tile you choose should factor in how often you’ll realistically be able to clean it, especially if you have hard water that could cause easy staining. 

Here, we asked some tile professionals for their best advice when it comes to picking out shower tiles. Here’s what they had to say. 

What to Keep in Mind While Picking Shower Tiles

Consider Water Absorption

For any tile that will be laid in the bathroom, its water absorption levels should be taken into account first. “This indicator directly affects the strength and durability of the material,” explains Kim Dreiling, co-owner and designer at Kitchen Creations, Ltd. “The lower the percentage of water absorption, the more resistant the tile will be to moisture and temperature changes.”

Tiles with low water absorption work best in the shower. Similarly, Dreiling suggests seeing how slippery a tile can get when splashed with water, especially if those tiles are laid on the floor. “For shower areas, it is better to choose tiles with an anti-slip coating, which prevents slipping with and without shoes,” she says.

Factor in Grout

As the tile enthusiasts on Reddit know, any design that requires more grout will be harder to clean. “It might seem self-explanatory, but smaller tiles = more grout = more surface area for mold to build,” says Courtney Cole, an interior designer with TileCloud.

Plus, lighter-colored grout can stain and become discolored more quickly. “So, long story short, if you’re not keen on scrubbing, make sure you choose large format tiles with a coordinating grout color. This will make everything look more seamless and will cut down on the maintenance,” Cole adds. “Grout is one of those things people overlook, and then they are like, ‘Wait, why does my bathroom already look dirty?’ which can be avoided.”

But don’t fret if you’ve fallen in love with a tile that needs lots of grout. “A large format tile will certainly have less grout to clean than a mosaic, but if grout is sealed and cared for properly, it should be easy to maintain,” says DeeDee Gundberg, chief designer at tile retailer Ann Sacks. “There are also several grouts on the market now that have sealers included in the formula, which can make maintenance easy.”

Pick Something You Love

Cleaning is an important factor in your decision, but so is style. “The most important thing to think about when selecting a tile for your shower is to pick something you love,” Gundberg says. “You will be living with your selection for a long time and you should pick something that really speaks to you.”

She encourages people to seek out timeless styles so that their choice is just as relevant in a decade or more.

“While that tiny mosaic might look stunning on Pinterest, it could become a nightmare to clean if it’s covering your whole shower,” adds Cole. “I would suggest creating a good balance between form and function. Too many times I see people choose something trendy and then hate it six months later because it’s hard to live with!”

Shower Tiles That Are Easy to Clean

Wondering which tiles are in the running for easiest to clean? “Porcelain tiles are one of my go-to choices for a reason! They’re durable, non-porous, and available in so many finishes,” says Cole. “They’re super easy to clean. Another little bonus here is that if you get a porcelain tile that’s rectified, which means the edges are super straight, you can get those lovely thin grout lines.”

Both porcelain and ceramic tiles are Gundbuerg’s top choices. According to her, they’re the two that are easiest to clean and maintain. “However, stone is a fabulous look, and you should not shy away from stone if it’s what you love,” she says. “Just make sure to clean it with a formula suitable for stone, and keep it sealed for best results.”

Overall, glossy tiles are easier to keep up with. Dreiling explains they’re great for bathroom walls because stains, water marks, and soap residue are easy to remove with household cleaning products. “However, for the floor, it is better to consider matte tiles with a smooth surface or tiles with an anti-slip coating,” she adds. “They are also easy to clean but are less slippery and safer to use.”