10 Expert Tips for Designing the Right Shower For Your Home
Keep these style and layout ideas in mind as you plan your dream shower and bathroom
A spacious, spa-like shower is at the top of many people’s bathroom wish lists, but getting the design of your shower right isn’t always easy. For help designing your ideal space, here are 10 tips to create an efficient layout and bring in stylish details.
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 bath or planned vanity might require a reduced shower space, so you might want to consider going for a smaller bath or vanity to get a larger shower.
Another option to consider is increasing the size of your current bathroom to achieve the shower size you want. Talk with your design pro about opportunities to steal space from an adjacent wardrobe or bedroom. They may even recommend relocating your bathroom to another room in the house entirely.
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Another option to consider is increasing the size of your current bathroom to achieve the shower size you want. Talk with your design pro about opportunities to steal space from an adjacent wardrobe or bedroom. They may even recommend relocating your bathroom to another room in the house entirely.
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If you have the space, consider placing a freestanding tub within your shower enclosure (if, indeed, you want a bathtub). This wet-room concept creates a beautiful spa-like environment and a contemporary visual statement.
Layout, size and plumbing conditions make a wet room difficult to create in some bathrooms, so working with experienced design professionals for this set-up is crucial to getting it right.
There can be some drawbacks to a wet-room arrangement. A freestanding bathtub will probably get splashed whenever you use the shower, so you may need to do a quick wipe-down of the tub after showering. Plus, freestanding tubs often cost more than bath insets.
Layout, size and plumbing conditions make a wet room difficult to create in some bathrooms, so working with experienced design professionals for this set-up is crucial to getting it right.
There can be some drawbacks to a wet-room arrangement. A freestanding bathtub will probably get splashed whenever you use the shower, so you may need to do a quick wipe-down of the tub after showering. Plus, freestanding tubs often cost more than bath insets.
2. Decide on a walk-in or step-up design
Shower ‘kerbs’ serve as the threshold between the floor of your shower and the floor of your bathroom. The little lip or step is designed to keep water in the shower and prevent it from spilling onto your bathroom floor, and they sometimes serve as a base for mounting shower doors and panels.
Shower ‘kerbs’ serve as the threshold between the floor of your shower and the floor of your bathroom. The little lip or step is designed to keep water in the shower and prevent it from spilling onto your bathroom floor, and they sometimes serve as a base for mounting shower doors and panels.
Walk-in showers, on the other hand, feature a continuous transition between the bathroom floor and the shower floor, making them safer to use as there’s no potentially hazardous lip to step over with kerbless showers. This also makes them wheelchair-accessible.
Walk-in showers offer a minimalist, elegant aesthetic and help create a bright and airy feel, which is especially appealing in a small bathroom.
To achieve proper drainage in a walk-in shower, you’ll need to lower the shower floor below the bathroom floor to create a gentle slope to the drain. That means that switching to a kerbless shower 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 bathroom design and renovation pros about what’s possible – and practical – in your space.
Walk-in showers offer a minimalist, elegant aesthetic and help create a bright and airy feel, which is especially appealing in a small bathroom.
To achieve proper drainage in a walk-in shower, you’ll need to lower the shower floor below the bathroom floor to create a gentle slope to the drain. That means that switching to a kerbless shower 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 bathroom design and renovation pros about what’s possible – and practical – in your space.
3. Consider a shower-tub combo
A space-saving shower-tub combo such as the one shown here 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 apron front.
Do keep in mind, however, that many homeowners and designers are steering away from shower-tub combinations – having an individual shower and bath is undeniably much more luxurious and usually easier to clean.
A space-saving shower-tub combo such as the one shown here 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 apron front.
Do keep in mind, however, that many homeowners and designers are steering away from shower-tub combinations – having an individual shower and bath is undeniably much more luxurious and usually easier to clean.
4. Showcase shower doors
A glass shower enclosure will make your bathroom feel light and airy regardless of whether your glazing is framed or frameless, as it allows accent tiles in your shower to become a focal point. Hinged shower doors are the most popular option for glass shower screens. They can open inwards, outwards or both ways to a 90-degree angle, providing a safe, wide and open entrance.
If you opt for this set-up, consider how the door swing will affect available floor space and other elements in your bathroom, such as the toilet, towel rails or hooks, and so on.
Browse more beautiful Australian bathrooms on Houzz
A glass shower enclosure will make your bathroom feel light and airy regardless of whether your glazing is framed or frameless, as it allows accent tiles in your shower to become a focal point. Hinged shower doors are the most popular option for glass shower screens. They can open inwards, outwards or both ways to a 90-degree angle, providing a safe, wide and open entrance.
If you opt for this set-up, consider how the door swing will affect available floor space and other elements in your bathroom, such as the toilet, towel rails or hooks, and so on.
Browse more beautiful Australian bathrooms on Houzz
Also think about the metal finish of your glass shower screen’s hinges and hardware. This finish can match other finishes in the room, such as tapware and light fixtures.
If you know a swing door will negatively affect other elements in your bathroom, go for a glass sliding shower screen instead. But keep in mind that sliding doors are known to be more difficult to clean because the track and components can accumulate a build-up of grime.
If you know a swing door will negatively affect other elements in your bathroom, go for a glass sliding shower screen instead. But keep in mind that sliding doors are known to be more difficult to clean because the track and components can accumulate a build-up of grime.
You can also opt for no shower screen or door at all. Instead, a fixed panel of glass is often brilliant at creating a modern look that’s easy to clean. These panels can be framed in metal or can be frameless for the ultimate contemporary detail.
Most shower glass is thick and manufactured specifically for this purpose so it’s durable, safe and long-lasting. Consult your bathroom designer when fine-tuning the entrance or opening to your shower to ensure it’s at least 900 millimetres wide.
Most shower glass is thick and manufactured specifically for this purpose so it’s durable, safe and long-lasting. Consult your bathroom designer when fine-tuning the entrance or opening to your shower to ensure it’s at least 900 millimetres wide.
5. Set up seating
A shower bench is a functional addition that we often recommend. Not only is it a place to sit and shave or wash, it can also help people with balance, strength or endurance difficulties. A shower ledge also provides a generous surface to place products on. Or it can just be a spot to take a moment and let the hot water wash over you.
In terms of materials, I always like to recommend a slab finish, at least for the top of the bench. This could be marble or quartz, for example. Usually I recommend matching the bench-seat slab top to your vanity top for design continuity. I wouldn’t recommend tiling the top of your ledge, however, because the grout lines can be uncomfortable to sit on and difficult to clean.
A shower bench is a functional addition that we often recommend. Not only is it a place to sit and shave or wash, it can also help people with balance, strength or endurance difficulties. A shower ledge also provides a generous surface to place products on. Or it can just be a spot to take a moment and let the hot water wash over you.
In terms of materials, I always like to recommend a slab finish, at least for the top of the bench. This could be marble or quartz, for example. Usually I recommend matching the bench-seat slab top to your vanity top for design continuity. I wouldn’t recommend tiling the top of your ledge, however, because the grout lines can be uncomfortable to sit on and difficult to clean.
6. Include a niche
A niche to store shower products is always a good idea. Consider placement, orientation and size. Take inventory of your most-used products to ensure your niche is the right size and height.
A niche to store shower products is always a good idea. Consider placement, orientation and size. Take inventory of your most-used products to ensure your niche is the right size and height.
The most common shower niche placement is between chest and eye level when standing. But that doesn’t always have to be the case. See how the niche shown here is thoughtfully positioned just above the wall-to-wall bench, creating an interesting visual element. You can use wall tiles to line a guide, so the niche can fit in nicely without disturbing the pattern. Lighting is also a nice touch.
Remember, it’s not really the height at which you position the shower niche that’s most important but the proportions of the niche itself. There’s no standard shape or size for a shower niche, which means you can customise it in any way you see fit. Just keep in mind that the niche will have to sit between the wall studs, or the wall studs will need to be customised to accommodate the niche, both of which will add costs to your shower.
An affordable alternative to the wall niche is a shower ledge designed solely to accommodate toiletries and products. These provide flexibility for what you place on top because there aren’t any height restrictions, and you can specify the dimensions to span the width or length of your shower.
7. Choose the right fixtures
What would your shower be without the plumbing parts? As you probably know, there’s a vast array of options to consider when it comes to showerheads and controls. You’ll want to look at the style, functionality and finish – again, this is one of the many advantages of working with a design pro, who can help you narrow down the choices to fit your lifestyle and space.
What would your shower be without the plumbing parts? As you probably know, there’s a vast array of options to consider when it comes to showerheads and controls. You’ll want to look at the style, functionality and finish – again, this is one of the many advantages of working with a design pro, who can help you narrow down the choices to fit your lifestyle and space.
There are two options for shower heads: ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted. Ceiling-mounted, or rain-style, showerheads 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 out hair products. Some people like having both options, which can be easily achieved with an overhead showerhead and flexible shower wand/hose set-up.
What most people agree on is that a handheld wand or shower hose is vital. These are great for quick rinses, spraying down the shower enclosure or washing pets.
Body jets are another option if you want to go all out. These sprayers can be installed on one or multiple walls and at various heights for a crisscross water massage.
And for the ultimate indulgence, you could even go for a steam shower. These set-ups let you seal off your shower and fill it with steam to create your own spa-like steam room.
You’ll need a way to circulate the air in the shower after you use the steam function to dry the space out. Powerful vent fans and pivoting panels, as seen here, will get the job done.
The placement of your fixtures is another important consideration. 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, but it’s well worth it.
You’ll need a way to circulate the air in the shower after you use the steam function to dry the space out. Powerful vent fans and pivoting panels, as seen here, will get the job done.
The placement of your fixtures is another important consideration. 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, but it’s well worth it.
8. Think about adding technology
High-tech upgrades to your shower can let you use a phone app or other control hub to set and control the water temperature, pressure, spray and options for heated floors or lighting.
There are voice-activated options so you can sync your shower experience with your Alexa or other device. There are shower heads with waterproof speakers. Ionised shower heads. Essential-oil-infused shower heads, and so much more. If you’re a tech devotee, this is an area you’ll likely want to look into.
That being said, it’s rare to receive client requests for tech devices and gadgets in a shower. The technology and software changes so rapidly that many homeowners are rightly concerned about specific tech becoming obsolete in a few years and their bathroom becoming dated and therefore unappealing to future buyers. For that reason, we usually recommend clients spend money on nicer materials or fixtures (and you can always plug in a moisture-resistant speaker if you’d like to listen to music).
High-tech upgrades to your shower can let you use a phone app or other control hub to set and control the water temperature, pressure, spray and options for heated floors or lighting.
There are voice-activated options so you can sync your shower experience with your Alexa or other device. There are shower heads with waterproof speakers. Ionised shower heads. Essential-oil-infused shower heads, and so much more. If you’re a tech devotee, this is an area you’ll likely want to look into.
That being said, it’s rare to receive client requests for tech devices and gadgets in a shower. The technology and software changes so rapidly that many homeowners are rightly concerned about specific tech becoming obsolete in a few years and their bathroom becoming dated and therefore unappealing to future buyers. For that reason, we usually recommend clients spend money on nicer materials or fixtures (and you can always plug in a moisture-resistant speaker if you’d like to listen to music).
9. Let in the light
The shower is often designed to be a separate area of your bathroom. In that sense, the shower is its own zone and therefore, in most cases, should have its own dedicated light.
Recessed lighting is the most popular because it can be easily sealed from moisture. Just be sure the fixture you choose is rated for damp locations, meaning it has specialised trim to prevent water from getting inside. And as well as embracing beautiful light fixtures or a feature pendant or two, try to capture as much natural light as possible.
The shower is often designed to be a separate area of your bathroom. In that sense, the shower is its own zone and therefore, in most cases, should have its own dedicated light.
Recessed lighting is the most popular because it can be easily sealed from moisture. Just be sure the fixture you choose is rated for damp locations, meaning it has specialised trim to prevent water from getting inside. And as well as embracing beautiful light fixtures or a feature pendant or two, try to capture as much natural light as possible.
10. Assess the accessories
They might seem like small details, but accessories such as towel hooks, rings and heated drying racks can make a world of difference in how your bathroom functions and feels. I always recommend installing a towel hook or bar right by the shower entrance – or even better, inside the shower but beyond the reach of the shower spray.
Tile grout is the safest spot to anchor these fixtures, but you can also secure hooks and bars through tiles. Just be sure you have a skilled professional who uses the right drill bit and pressure so your tiles don’t crack.
They might seem like small details, but accessories such as towel hooks, rings and heated drying racks can make a world of difference in how your bathroom functions and feels. I always recommend installing a towel hook or bar right by the shower entrance – or even better, inside the shower but beyond the reach of the shower spray.
Tile grout is the safest spot to anchor these fixtures, but you can also secure hooks and bars through tiles. Just be sure you have a skilled professional who uses the right drill bit and pressure so your tiles don’t crack.
The shower drain is often overlooked as a design accessory. You have two basic options: a standard drain cover or a linear one.
Standard centre drain covers are the most common and cost-effective options. There’s plenty of variety in terms of your chosen finish, shape and hole pattern, so spend a little time going through what’s available in your price range. You’ll also want to consider how the manufacturer’s finish coordinates with other finishes in your shower and bathroom.
A linear drain offers a cleaner look and a bit more design impact, plus they’re especially effective in walk-in shower set-ups.
Standard centre drain covers are the most common and cost-effective options. There’s plenty of variety in terms of your chosen finish, shape and hole pattern, so spend a little time going through what’s available in your price range. You’ll also want to consider how the manufacturer’s finish coordinates with other finishes in your shower and bathroom.
A linear drain offers a cleaner look and a bit more design impact, plus they’re especially effective in walk-in shower set-ups.
And for a subtle aesthetic, don’t forget tile insert drains, which hold a custom piece of cut tile that matches your shower floor, creating a blended look.
Your turn
What’s your must-have inclusion for the perfect shower? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for your next bathroom reno and join the conversation.
More
Ready to find a bathroom designer? Read this first to get the best out of the experience – Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Bathroom Designer
Your turn
What’s your must-have inclusion for the perfect shower? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for your next bathroom reno and join the conversation.
More
Ready to find a bathroom designer? Read this first to get the best out of the experience – Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Bathroom Designer
Where would you like your shower to stand? A corner is the most common spot, but the centre of a room or a separate enclosed area might be best for your layout or lifestyle.
Keep in mind that moving or adding plumbing costs money, sometimes a lot of money. So if that’s not in your budget, try to keep your updated shower in the same location as your previous one.
If you’re wondering how much space you’ll need for a shower, you’ll want to aim for at least 1000 x 1000 millimetres (or 900 x 900 millimetres at the absolute minimum).