Updated August 2026
Every dog owner knows the struggle of muddy paw prints after going for a walk or playing outside.
Rinsing off Rover with a hose outdoors isn’t always possible because of location or climate. Wiping off Winnie with a rag is a short-term solution at best. Using your regular shower or sink generally gives you a clean Coco at the expense of a dirty space: dog hair, wet dog smell, and water everywhere once she shakes off.
It’s no wonder that the New York Times listed dog showers as an upcoming trend in design and architecture. These showers are usually slightly elevated to make washing your dog more comfortable (less bending over). They also generally include handheld shower heads to help you rinse fur thoroughly.
A dedicated dog wash station is a great addition to rooms accessible directly from outside to avoid tracking dirt throughout the house (such as mudrooms and garages). But homeowners also commonly add them to laundry rooms, kitchens, and even bathrooms.
Plus, you can use them for rinsing off dirty boots and other athletic and outdoor gear. They’re helpful for home projects and crafts. They’re handy for gardening and canning activities.
In other words, dog showers are a smart multipurpose investment.
A final perk of dog showers? They’re adorable and give you the opportunity to showcase your favorite ceramic tile style. Here are a few of our personal favorite dog shower designs for you to consider.
[Related: 29 Examples Proving Pets and Tile Are a Perfect Match]
Dog Wash Station Ideas We Love
From subway tile classics to bold patterns, your dog wash station thrives with ceramic and porcelain tile. Here’s a look at some of our favorite ways to bring style and function together in a dog shower.
Gray Tile Grid Dog Shower
We spy with our little eyes one dog shower in a clean gray tile grid, flooring in a white octagon and dot tile pattern, a conveniently located yellow dog bed, and a brown pooch begging for our attention (he has it).
Besides the beautiful design, the best thing about this space is that you can throw dirty towels directly in the wash, and your dog can nap until they’re dry.
Wood-Look Tile Dog Shower
The wood-look tile in this dog shower matches the flooring, and the beautiful tile pattern on the wall adds a cute and creative touch. Another under-the-counter dog bed proves this is a great way to maximize space in small rooms.
White Subway Tile Dog Shower
It’s black and white — white subway tile is obviously a popular look for dog showers, and we couldn’t choose our favorite. Pairing white with black accents or black ceramic tile flooring creates a crisp, timeless look.
Gray Subway Tile Dog Shower
Gray subway tile is another trending choice for dog showers, whether you go with a hue closer to greige (above) or charcoal (below).
These dog showers also showcase different size options. While the first dog shower above is likely best suited for a small pup that you can lift, the other two dog shower examples have space for multiple large canines. They’re also walk-in style shower stations, designed so that dogs can climb in themselves.
That’s a design choice worth considering up front: Retrofitting for size and ease of use later means retiling.
Blue Patterned Dog Shower
Patterned tile is another great choice for dog showers. It adds an opportunity for a playful feature or to use a special tile design to coordinate with other features of your space. See how this lovely blue floral pattern complements the laundry room cabinets.
Black Subway Tile Dog Shower
A handsome Lab–Rottweiler mix gets to enjoy this lavish dog shower. It sports debonair ebony scallop-shaped tile with peach penny round tile underfoot for traction (and flair).
Black Stone-Look Dog Shower
Dark stone looks great on just about anything, including dog showers. This black stone-look dog shower is a classic design, and the copper fixture and vintage decor are perfect complements.
Swipe right to see a post-bath pic of @ReadyFreddieDoodle!
[Related: 40 Shower Tile Ideas: Designs, Colors & Tips for Every Bathroom]
Why Ceramic Tile Is Perfect for a Dog Wash Station
Ceramic tile designs clearly make for stylish dog showers. And the material earns its place for practical reasons, too.
Ceramic tile is easy to clean, as well as water-, stain-, scratch-, and bacteria-resistant. That makes a huge difference in a space that’s wet and in near-constant use.
Choosing a textured or matte-finish tile for the shower floor adds slip resistance, an easy safeguard for wriggling dogs. And because grout lines are the most vulnerable part of any tile installation, a good seal keeps moisture and pet dander from settling in over time.
It’s a small step that keeps a tile dog wash station a breeze to maintain for decades. And that makes one the ultimate in multipurpose convenience and even higher home values.
[Related: Find a Qualified Tile Installer]
Sit, Stay, Explore More Dog Wash Station and Shower Ideas
We hope we’ve showered you with enough dog shower design ideas. But if you need more ideas, including ceramic tile shower floor ideas for your dog shower or more puppy pics to warm your heart, visit our Dog Wash Stations Pinterest board.
Check out our design gallery for inspiration spanning spaces alongside tile colors, shapes, sizes, layouts, textures, and beyond. Curating its library of images is one of our favorite tasks at Why Tile.
