Tips for Designing the Perfect Shower in Any Bathroom

A spacious, spa-like shower is at the top of many people’s wish lists when designing a new home bathroom. But getting the design of your shower right isn’t always easy as there are many style and construction tips you have to consider. For help designing your ideal bathroom, here are some tips to create an efficient layout in the style of your dreams.

 

Location and Size

Where would you like your shower to stand? A corner is the most common spot, but the center of a room or a separate enclosed area like a water closet might be best for your layout or lifestyle.

If you’re wondering how much space you’ll need, consider that the most popular shower widths are 32, 36 and 60 inches, and lengths will vary. Shower dimensions can be as small as 32 by 32 inches, but most people prefer a shower that’s at least 36 by 48 inches. Shower ceiling heights typically fall between 84 and 120 inches, depending on the space and the design.

You’ll also want to consider the dimensions of other elements in your bathroom before deciding on your shower size. For example, the size of your preferred vanity might require a reduced shower space, so you could consider going for a smaller vanity to get a larger shower.

Additionally, consider increasing the size of your bathroom to get the shower size you want if that is available to you. Talk with your design pro about opportunities to steal space from an adjacent closet or bedroom or even whether relocating the bathroom to another room in the house is the best move.

 

Shower-Tub Combos

A space-saving shower-tub combo allows for the option of a quick shower or a relaxing soak. It’s also a good choice for resale value if you don’t have a tub elsewhere in your home, as a future buyer might want one.

You can upgrade the visual aesthetic of a shower-tub combo by incorporating higher-end fixtures and materials, such as adding tile to the walls or a stylish material to the front, like your favorite paint color or mirrors.

 

In Shower Seating

A shower bench is a functional addition that can help people with balance, strength or endurance difficulties. It also provides a surface to place products on. Or it can just be a spot to take a moment and let the hot water wash over you.

Consider using a slab finish for the top of the bench, usually a large format tile, for a polished look. Coordinating the bench’s slab top with your vanity countertop will give you design continuity. Only use large format tiles for vanity tops to avoid grout joints, this will help keep your shower cleaner and more sleek.

 

Curb or Curbless

Shower curbs serve as the threshold between the floor of the shower and the bathroom floor. They keep water in the shower, and they sometimes serve as a base for mounting shower doors and panels.

Curbless showers feature a continuous transition between the bathroom floor and the shower floor, making them safer to use as there are no potentially hazardous steps over a curb. This is a great way to make the shower wheelchair-accessible. Curbless showers offer a minimalist, elegant aesthetic and can help create a bright and airy feel, which is especially appealing in a smaller bathroom.

To ensure proper drainage in a curbless shower, you’ll need to lower the shower floor below the bathroom floor to create a slope to the drain. That means that switching to curbless can sometimes be tricky in an existing bathroom if you’re not raising the level of the flooring in the entire space. Again, talk to professional design and remodeling pros about what’s possible and practical in the available space.

 

Choosing Fixtures

There is a vast array of options to consider when it comes to shower heads and controls. You’ll want to look at the style, functionality and finish. 

There are two options for shower heads: ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted. Wall-mounted shower heads are typically installed at 80 inches above the finished floor. Ceiling-mounted, or rain-style, shower heads are generally more expensive and require additional plumbing. Some people love rain-style shower heads for the soothing patter of water; others feel the pressure isn’t always strong enough to wash hair products out. 

What most people agree on is that a handheld sprayer is crucial. They’re great for rinsing, cleaning shower enclosure and washing pets.

Body jets are another option. These sprayers can be installed on one or multiple walls and at various heights for a crisscross water massage.

The placement of your fixtures is another important element to consider. An ideal location is at the entrance to the shower, opposite the shower head, so you don’t get a blast of cold water when reaching in to turn on the water. This arrangement can cost more because of the labor involved and the extra lengths of plumbing pieces needed.

 

Showcase the Shower Doors

A glass enclosure will make your bathroom feel light and airy and will allow accent tile in the shower to become a focal point. Hinged shower swing doors are the most popular option. They can open outward to a 90-degree angle, providing a safe, wide and open entry, or they can swing inward, or both.

You’ll want to consider how the door swing affects available floor space and other elements, such as the toilet, towel bars, product carts and so on.

Also think about the metal finish of your shower door hinges and hardware. This finish can match other finishes in the room, such as faucets and light fixtures, or contrast with them for a mixed-metals look.

If you know a swing door will negatively affect other elements in your bathroom, go for a sliding door. But keep in mind that sliding doors are known to be difficult to clean because the track and components can accumulate buildup.

You can also opt for no door at all. A fixed panel of glass creates a modern look that’s easy to clean. These panels can be framed in metal or frameless.

 

If you are redesigning your home bathroom, contact our team at Frameless By Design in Florida and Georgia! We design all glass enclosures using state of the art CAD software, allowing us to avoid outsourcing to third party vendors. Our company only sources glass and hardware from founders and leaders in the industry. We use top of the line materials, made in the USA, to ensure your glass enclosures are built to last. We use HD hinges standard on all of our custom glass doors – up to 36”, this above the traditional standard of 28”. Each design comes with a 5 year parts and labor warranty, and we strive to complete each project within a 3 week timeframe, so you can start enjoying your newly installed bathroom glass as soon as possible. 

We have shower and tub glass configurations for any size bathroom, but we also offer custom designs to make your space unique to you. You can also choose semi-frameless sliders with your choice of assortment of finishes and fixtures! With over 25 years experience, we here at Frameless By Design have the skillset, knowledge, and pride to achieve your desired vision. Whether you need help choosing your custom shower enclosure or you already have in mind what you’re looking for, we will guide you in making the best decisions that will not only leave your guests speechless, but to ensure that it’s long lasting! Contact us for a free consultation. We proudly serve northwest Florida and many counties in Georgia!