5 Reasons to Choose a Walk-In Shower
Contemporary in design, space enhancing and easy to maintain – what’s not to like about walk-in showers?
Louise O'Bryan
17 June 2016
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content producer for digital and print media. Specialising in house tours, room renovations and decorating solutions, my previous clients include Inside Out (Aus), Ideal Home, The Times weekend supplement and Sainsbury's magazine. I never tire from the thrill of discovering a jaw-dropping, inspirational home to feature and having an insight into other people's spaces. Call me curious or just nosey!
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content... More
Do you love nothing more than an invigorating morning drench, but can’t see a way of fitting a shower enclosure into your bathroom layout? Or maybe you want to ditch the bath altogether? Then a walk-in shower could be the solution. For many years now, this space-saving design feature has been a big trend in European homes and now we are finally realising the benefits on this side of the world. Read on for reasons why you should choose a walk-in shower, and some helpful advice on how to make this bathroom feature work for you.
So what defines a walk-in shower? Primarily, it’s a waterproofed showering area that has no hinged doors, enabling you to simply ‘walk in’. A popular design feature is to have a wet-room-style floor where the floor is tiled throughout, and a pre-formed shower mat is laid beneath the tiles.
It’s also possible to have a visible shower tray in a walk-in, but although they can be very low-profile or sit flush with the floor so the step is minimal, they don’t deliver the contemporary look that many homeowners are after.
It’s also possible to have a visible shower tray in a walk-in, but although they can be very low-profile or sit flush with the floor so the step is minimal, they don’t deliver the contemporary look that many homeowners are after.
Another common design feature is a frameless and fixed glass screen that shields the water spray from the rest of the room. Some walk-in showers can even be completely open, depending on the size of the space and what works with the rest of the fixtures.
Renovating your bathroom? Find expert bathroom designers near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Renovating your bathroom? Find expert bathroom designers near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
1. They save space
Whether you’re desperate for more space in your bathroom or you simply want to create the illusion of it, a walk-in shower can help with both. Removing the need for a bulky cubicle means you don’t have to account for the space taken up by shower doors or high trays – this is particularly helpful in rooms that are narrow or have low ceilings.
A walk-in shower with a wet-room-style floor also offers more flexibility when it comes to planning your layout, as there is no fixed tray size and it can be fitted into awkward spaces.
Whether you’re desperate for more space in your bathroom or you simply want to create the illusion of it, a walk-in shower can help with both. Removing the need for a bulky cubicle means you don’t have to account for the space taken up by shower doors or high trays – this is particularly helpful in rooms that are narrow or have low ceilings.
A walk-in shower with a wet-room-style floor also offers more flexibility when it comes to planning your layout, as there is no fixed tray size and it can be fitted into awkward spaces.
What’s more, if you’re installing a frameless glass screen there will be no visual interruption through the space, and the room will appear larger and brighter – perfect in compact bathrooms where the space is tight or there is little or no natural light.
2. There are practical advantages
A huge benefit that a walk-in shower has over a traditional enclosure is that it’s much easier to use. Thanks to the doorless and step-free design, walk-in showers are ideal for people with less mobility, such as the elderly and young children, who struggle to lift their leg over a bath or to keep their balance.
And with extra space for showering, two or more kids can be washed at once, easing the morning or bedtime routine. Double showers can also be fitted inside the wet area for dual showering, which will add a five-star touch.
A huge benefit that a walk-in shower has over a traditional enclosure is that it’s much easier to use. Thanks to the doorless and step-free design, walk-in showers are ideal for people with less mobility, such as the elderly and young children, who struggle to lift their leg over a bath or to keep their balance.
And with extra space for showering, two or more kids can be washed at once, easing the morning or bedtime routine. Double showers can also be fitted inside the wet area for dual showering, which will add a five-star touch.
In trayless showers, be sure to pick flooring that is non-slip or has a slight texture for grip, such as ceramic tiles. This accessible bathroom design has a walk-in shower plus non-slip tiles to offer an easier experience for its owner, who has mobility challenges.
If you do opt for a shower tray, go for a slimline design that can be fitted flush with the floor, so there is a minimal step and less of a trip hazard.
If you do opt for a shower tray, go for a slimline design that can be fitted flush with the floor, so there is a minimal step and less of a trip hazard.
3. They’re easy to maintain
Minimal fittings equals minimal cleaning; that’s what we like to hear. With no door handles or hinges to scrub, just the shower head and valves to buff now and again, you’ll have more time to enjoy a relaxing drench.
Minimal fittings equals minimal cleaning; that’s what we like to hear. With no door handles or hinges to scrub, just the shower head and valves to buff now and again, you’ll have more time to enjoy a relaxing drench.
Most glass panels come complete with easy-to-clean toughened glass, which makes it super-simple to spray down, while the tiled floor inside the shower area can be cleaned with the rest of the floor in your usual routine.
If you want to keep the screen pristine, try using a daily shower spray that you can buy in any supermarket to build up a clear film on the glass that will repel the water and keep mould at bay.
4. You’ll get a designer look that adds value
The sleek lines and minimal styling of walk-in showers gives them a high-end, luxe look that will boost any bathroom’s style credentials. It’s well known that buyers consider the kitchen and bathroom to be important game-changers when it comes to purchasing a house, so installing a walk-in shower is sure to create a stunning feature that will help make your home memorable if you decide to sell.
If you’re worried about a walk-in shower feeling a little chilly because it’s so open, you could try fitting a heat lamp overhead, or even underfloor heating, which will add another luxurious touch to help at resale.
The sleek lines and minimal styling of walk-in showers gives them a high-end, luxe look that will boost any bathroom’s style credentials. It’s well known that buyers consider the kitchen and bathroom to be important game-changers when it comes to purchasing a house, so installing a walk-in shower is sure to create a stunning feature that will help make your home memorable if you decide to sell.
If you’re worried about a walk-in shower feeling a little chilly because it’s so open, you could try fitting a heat lamp overhead, or even underfloor heating, which will add another luxurious touch to help at resale.
You’ll also be pleased to know that achieving this designer look doesn’t need to come with a hefty price tag, thanks to the minimal fixtures and fittings required. Fitting a visible shower tray will bring your costs down as you won’t have the need for extensive waterproofing under the floor, although you’ll still need to tile from floor to ceiling around the tray.
5. Their durability will stand the test of time
With fewer fittings involved in their design than in standard enclosures, walk-in showers are a robust feature that will stand up to years of usage and plenty of wear and tear. No more replacing hinges or door seals that have worn out; a walk-in shower will keep its good looks for a long time.
Browse more images on Houzz of Australian bathrooms with touches of blue
With fewer fittings involved in their design than in standard enclosures, walk-in showers are a robust feature that will stand up to years of usage and plenty of wear and tear. No more replacing hinges or door seals that have worn out; a walk-in shower will keep its good looks for a long time.
Browse more images on Houzz of Australian bathrooms with touches of blue
Your turn
What do you think about walk-in showers? Tell us in the Comments below.
More
For your essential style guide on designing a dreamy shower, read Shower Power: 5 Key Shower Looks and How to Get Them
What do you think about walk-in showers? Tell us in the Comments below.
More
For your essential style guide on designing a dreamy shower, read Shower Power: 5 Key Shower Looks and How to Get Them
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Great article. We import from Spain a true zero entry solid shower base and the response here in the States has been overwhelming.
To me glass defeats the whole purpose. But I guess access is one purpose and cleaning another. My shower in Hawaii is open (but alas not curbless) and that never feels cold. And my cold climate house isn't drafty because we have radiant heat instead of vents blowing air around. So I suspect it would not feel cold. But glass could always be added afterward if so.
How wide does shower have to be to be comfortable