In our recent video series, we talk about tile trends that probably won’t be around in 5 years.
There was a period when one design showed up in showers everywhere:
A field of neutral tile with a horizontal decorative stripe running around the walls.
Usually it landed somewhere around eye level—although, as Rob jokes in the video, whose eye level are we talking about?
Eventually that look started fading.
Then something interesting happened.
The horizontal stripe became a vertical stripe.
Different direction. Same basic idea.
And that’s why Rob thinks this is one trend worth being careful with.
The Horizontal Stripe Had Its Moment
Decorative bands were an easy way to introduce another tile into a shower.
You could use a glass mosaic, contrasting stone, or small patterned tile while keeping the majority of the shower simple.
For a while…it looked fresh!
Then it became so common that the stripe itself started to become a way to tell when the bathroom was first installed/remodeled.
In other words, it was trendy, until it wasn’t.
Turning It Vertical Doesn’t Necessarily Fix It
More recently, we’ve seen the same concept rotate 90 degrees!
Instead of wrapping a band around the shower, designers create a vertical strip running from the floor toward the ceiling.
It definitely looks newer than the old horizontal accent band.
But Rob’s concern is that it’s still a very identifiable trend.
If the only thing making the design feel current is the direction of the stripe, what happens when everybody moves on to the next idea?
You can end up right back where you started.
Let the Tile Do the Work
This doesn’t mean a shower can’t have a focal point.
We love creating visual interest.
But there are other ways to do it that don’t necessarily require running a contrasting stripe through the entire installation.
You might create interest through:
- The niche
- A feature wall
- Tile texture
- A subtle change in pattern
- Natural veining
- Fixtures and trim
Sometimes the most timeless shower is one where the main tile remains relatively consistent and the details provide the personality.
If You Love Your Shower Stripe… That’s Different
There’s an important distinction between following a trend and genuinely liking a design.
If you see a vertical accent and think, “That’s exactly what I want,” then go for it!
It’s your bathroom.
But if you’re choosing it mainly because you’ve been told that vertical stripes are what’s current, we’d recommend reconsidering it.
Tile isn’t particularly easy to change once trends move on.
That’s why Rob’s advice is to be cautious with stripes altogether.
Horizontal had its moment.
Vertical is having its moment.
What’s next? Are we going back…or? guess we’ll find out!
Thank you for reading!
Are you in the Englewood, Venice, North Port, area? Give us a call if you have any questions!