Transform your bathroom into a luxurious spa experience with a marble shower! Marble shower tile adds timeless elegance. Its sleek appearance and clean lines integrate seamlessly into traditional, transitional, contemporary and modern designs.
I have received an abundance of questions about the marble tile we used in our lake house primary bath remodel. I’m detailing everything you need to know – including how to select the size, design/shape, and color, installations, how to pair wall, floor and niche tile and grout and more!
Why I Love Marble Shower Tile
- Timeless and Elegant
- Durable
- Easy-to-Clean and Maintain
Marble is a natural material derived from the earth. It is made of limestone formed by a blend of shells, coral, bones and algae settling on the sea floor. Carbonate minerals and salts result in beautiful deposits light reflecting crystals and veining. Each piece of marble wall tile and marble shower floor tile are inherently unique. They vary in color and veining that fabricated materials like quartz mimic, creating interest. Pieced together, they create a one-of-a-kind marble shower.
Marble has been used for centuries in both outdoor and indoor installations due to it’s durability and ability to withstand moisture. It is easy to clean with mild soap and warm water and requires very little maintenance.
I love marble – we installed Danby Marble countertops in our previous and current home and have marble bathroom countertops in our girls’ Spa Bath and our lake bathroom vanity. When we were planning our lake primary bathroom remodel, I gravitated to marble shower tile, but was hesitant. After nearly 5 years of use, we do not have any regrets. We love it so much we decided to use it in our primary bathroom remodel as well!
Both bathrooms have limited space and light, making marble an excellent choice. Crystals nestled in the marble reflect light, making the space look and feel brighter and larger. It adds lustre and enhances the overall appearance.
Marble Shower Tile
There are a few things to consider when selecting marble shower tile:
- Aesthetic
- Material
- Installation
I’m detailing everything you need to know to make the best choice for your shower!
Varieties of Marble Shower Tile
A wide array of marble wall tile and shower floor tile are easily accessible. Choose a style, color and veining that speaks to you and the aesthetic you want to achieve! Some of the most well-known, popular marbles are Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario and Thassos.
Some marble varieties are more porous than others. Minimal porosity is idea for shower floor tile to resist discoloration and staining. Polished tile is typically sealed and stain resistant, however, prone to etching, so use non-acidic / PH free cleaners.
Marble Wall Tile
Marble wall tile is adhered to a flat surface and receives very little wear and tear. For this reason, you can install a slab of marble for a shower wall, or larger individual tiles. A slab offers a clean, modern aesthetic that is not interrupted by lines. Larger stacked tile is another alternative to achieve a modern appearance.
For a traditional marble shower, install marble wall tiles in a 2 tile or 3 tile stagger with grout in a similar color. Marble subway tile is frequently used in showers, but I prefer larger tiles to minimize maintenance. Grout absorbs minerals from hard water and is susceptible to staining while marble does not, requiring more frequent detailed cleaning.
Wall tile is easy-to-clean using a squeegee.
Marble Shower Floor Tile
Small marble shower floor tiles are easier to install, promote effective drainage and reduce the risk of slipping. Proper drainage is important to prevent buildup, mold and mildew. Showers are installed sloping to a drain in the center or front of the shower. If the drain is in the center, it is imperative to use small marble shower floor tile to achieve the proper slope. The grout between each tile allows feet to grip, reducing the risk of slipping on polished tile.
You can use smaller tile in the same shape as your wall tile, classic Hexagon Tile or have fun with it and choose an ornate marble shower floor tile! The options are endless! I love a beautiful basketweave, herringbone, penny tile or quatrefoil. I selected an Arabesque Baroque Mosaic for our shower.
For intricate tile, increase overage to 15-20% to account for broken pieces, especially with a central drain.
Tips for Choosing and Cleaning Grout
White Marble Shower
Pure white marble doesn’t exist, however, marble is classified based on it’s veining and color. When each slab is removed from earth, it is labeled based on where it was extracted. Marble that is predominately white, free or impurities, color and veining is often labeled as “pure white”. For centuries it has been used in the most luxurious installations and become synonymous with sophistication.
Thassos, from Greece and Bianco Dolomite, from Turkey are my go to’s for white marble shower tile. They show minimal color and veining and are very accessible in a variety of sizes and shapes. White marble showers are the epitome of luxury, yielding a refined and sophisticated appearance with a relaxing spa-like feel. White marble shower tiles are typically more expensive since they are hand selected and classified to be the purest white excavated from earth.
10% overage is recommended when purchasing tile, however, I recommend a 20% overage for white marble. This provides you the opportunity to hand select pure white tile and use pieces with more pigment as trim pieces or in discreet locations, if needed. In our first install, several pieces displayed significantly more grey and yellow than other pieces.
Design Tip
Make a statement with your shower niche using the marble shower floor tile.
To seamlessly blend a shower niche, use the same marble wall tile.
