The time has finally come. You’re ready for a bathroom upgrade – in the form of a sparkling, shiny, walk-in shower. With so many luxurious, state of the art enclosures for you to choose from, where do you start? We can help! Read our guide to learn about all the walk-in shower designs, so you can select the perfect one with confidence.

1. Create Your Walk-In Shower
2. Add the Bells and Whistles
3. Measure Your Shower Area
4. Make the Most of Your Walk-In Shower Design

1. Create Your Walk-In Shower

Before you pick your walk-in shower design, you must learn the various shower parts. While you can choose an all-in-one shower enclosure, you can get even more customizable by picking and choosing separate parts.

Shower Doors: The most popular feature for any walk-in shower! Upgrade from a basic shower curtain to this simple touch of luxury. Popular shower door styles include sliding, fixed, hinged, and many more.

Shower Bases: Don’t overlook the base! The shower base is important in providing a waterproof surface to prevent slips and water spillage. It also holds the drain.You’ll be standing on it every time you shower, so choose a design you enjoy. For a traditional design, choose rectangular. For a unique design, opt for a neo-angular base. Almost all bases are made of acrylic with a layer of tile on the top, so don’t waste your creative juices there.

Shower Walls: Sometimes called shower surrounds, these acrylic walls are the vertical, waterproof, and non-glass part of your walk-in shower. Bonus: there are often nooks and shelves added to shower walls for extra storage space. All of your shower toiletries are welcome!

Shower Enclosures: Don’t feel like mixing and matching doors, bases, and walls to create the perfect walk-in shower? With a shower enclosure, the perfect one has already been created. All-encompassing, enclosures often include a base, wall, door, and extra glass panels to completely encase the shower area. A true all-in-one solution.

Tub Doors and Tub Enclosures: Want your new shower to also include a tub? Simply choose a tub enclosure and tub door to make your walk in shower bath friendly. Glass tub doors and enclosures begin at the top of a tub, rather than at the base of a shower.

2. Add the Bells and Whistles

When you're planning your shower design, you'll need to consider which type of shower door, frame, and glass texture is best for your bathroom.

Shower Door

Take a peek at some of the options available for your shower door.

Now ask yourself: is there enough room in your bathroom to open and close your shower door so it won’t bump into things? If space is tight, consider a fixed, folding or sliding shower door. This guide on How to Measure a Shower Door can help you.

Frame Type

Frame type is another customization you can make to get the walk-in shower design you desire. Choose from three frame types: framed, frameless, and semi-frameless. With a frame, you can encase your glass shower panels in a thin aluminum outline. While the frame can provide stability, it will need regular cleaning. With frameless showers, you capture a modern and less bulky look, as the glass door appears to be suspended rather than enclosed. Need a little of each? Semi-frameless offers a partial frame and is typically used when one of the glass shower panels has no edging, but the second one has a frame. This is popular in sliding shower doors.

Glass Texture

While glass is customary for shower doors, panels and enclosures, it’s your choice which style of glass you want. Go standard with clear glass for a clean classic look. You’ll have to set reminders to wipe it down to remove any fingerprints and smudges though! Or stick with frosted, a matte opaque finish that provides the proper privacy.

3. Measure Your Shower Area

Size and location matter. Measure your space accurately to ensure the walk-in shower design you desire can fit. Make sure the shower enclosure is tall enough, wide enough, and long enough for your needs.

Your shower should have 30" of space between the front edge of the enclosure and any other fixture (such as a toilet or vanity), or wall. Ensure that your shower door can open without hitting a wall or other fixture. Your bathroom door should also be able to open without hitting the shower enclosure.

4. Make the Most of Your Walk-In Shower Design

After you've chosen the basics, it's time to add the final touches to your walk-in shower design.

Upgrade Fixtures: A walk-in shower is an excellent opportunity to choose new shower fixtures. Check out our guide on all of the shower fixtures your new walk-in shower needs.

Synchronize Hardware: Match the rest of your bathroom’s hardware with your shower’s fixtures for a clean, cohesive look.

Add a Bench: Make space to relax or stash toiletries with a shower bench. These teak or plastic benches add a spot to sit down while showering, prop your leg up while shaving, and store bathroom essentials.

Create Storage: If your shower walls don’t have shelves or cubbies for your toiletries, invest in a hanging, suction, or other type of storage accessory.

Tip!

Looking for more walk-in shower ideas? Read our guide: 14 Simply Stunning Bathroom Shower Ideas

Now Create Your Own Walk-In Shower Design!

It’s time to finally make your walk-in shower idea come to life. Create away!