How to Plan the Perfect Shower Room
7 design questions to ask yourself before going ahead
A bathroom is no longer just a functional space to take care of business. Done well, a bathroom can be an indulgent and relaxing retreat that washes your worries away. Shower rooms have become a lust-have feature in dream bathrooms, but before you move to install one at your house, ask yourself these questions to make sure you’ve thought through every detail. A badly designed shower room will never be the heavenly retreat you were hoping it would be.
If an all-glass room isn’t going work at your house, don’t despair. Bathrooms don’t have to be light and bright to be wonderful. This shower room combines glass with solid walls painted a charcoal grey is as elegant as it is cosy. The glass used in this shower room ensures it doesn’t feel closed in, and the marble tiles and great lighting make it positively enticing.
If you would love to fill the space with loads of natural rather than artificial light, consider turning an exterior wall into glass instead. Factoring in privacy is, of course, something to consider beyond the glass wall.
2. What kind of door is best?
A swinging door isn’t the only option for a shower room, although it may be the one that springs to mind first. A sliding barn-style door like this one is just the thing if you want to make the best use of the limited space. The tones of the ceiling and floor and wall tiles also work to make this bathroom seem bigger and brighter than it otherwise would be.
A swinging door isn’t the only option for a shower room, although it may be the one that springs to mind first. A sliding barn-style door like this one is just the thing if you want to make the best use of the limited space. The tones of the ceiling and floor and wall tiles also work to make this bathroom seem bigger and brighter than it otherwise would be.
Doing without a door can be an option if the shower room is designed well. The floor slope and shower head angle have to be well thought out if a design like this is going to work and not flood the rest of the space.
Or why not make the shower door the bathroom’s standout feature? As long as you can protect the material facing the inside of your shower to prevent damage, the options are endless. If yours is a family bathroom that needs to be used by more than one person at a time, a solid door that offers privacy is worth considering.
3. Should you include a bath or not?
A shower room need not only be for showering. If it’s well waterproofed, it can incorporate both a shower and a bath and become a wet room.
A shower room need not only be for showering. If it’s well waterproofed, it can incorporate both a shower and a bath and become a wet room.
This wet room is just as gorgeous, but the use of marble gives it a whole different look and feel.
4. Do you want to sit down in the shower?
A bench seat along one wall, or even lining all three walls like this one, adds both flair and function to a shower room. This one doubles as a steam shower – how divine.
A bench seat along one wall, or even lining all three walls like this one, adds both flair and function to a shower room. This one doubles as a steam shower – how divine.
A shower needn’t be huge to incorporate somewhere to sit, so don’t dismiss this option too soon. You could even bring in a waterproof stool if you don’t have the flexibility to add a built-in.
5. What kind of showerheads would you like to have?
Rainforest showerheads can give your bathroom the same five-star luxury you’d find in a high-end resort, but plumbing must be factored in. The cavity created by lowering the ceiling height in a shower room can be just what you need to house behind-the-scenes plumbing and electricals. Overhead lighting in a shower room can make the space far more welcoming.
Rainforest showerheads can give your bathroom the same five-star luxury you’d find in a high-end resort, but plumbing must be factored in. The cavity created by lowering the ceiling height in a shower room can be just what you need to house behind-the-scenes plumbing and electricals. Overhead lighting in a shower room can make the space far more welcoming.
6. What about ventilation?
If cleaning mould and mildew off shower walls, floors and ceilings isn’t your idea of a good time, plan for adequate air circulation to ensure your shower room dries out quickly after use. Consider underfloor heating if you live in a climate that’s on the humid side, and build in extra ventilation with windows and exhaust fans.
If cleaning mould and mildew off shower walls, floors and ceilings isn’t your idea of a good time, plan for adequate air circulation to ensure your shower room dries out quickly after use. Consider underfloor heating if you live in a climate that’s on the humid side, and build in extra ventilation with windows and exhaust fans.
7. How should you prevent water run-off?
A threshold at the bathroom door keeps water in its place but, just like in a regular shower, floors need to be waterproofed and tiled correctly to direct water where you want it to go. If not, expect unpleasant pools of water to collect on your shower floor. DIY tilers be warned – this might be a job for the experts.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Which of these shower rooms would you love to have? Have you got a shower room or bathroom, or both? Tell us in the comments section below.
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Steam Showers: The Perfect Antidote to a Busy Life
Outdoor Showers: 14 Refreshing Design Ideas
15 Inspiring Spaces for Bathtubs (That Aren’t Bathrooms)
A threshold at the bathroom door keeps water in its place but, just like in a regular shower, floors need to be waterproofed and tiled correctly to direct water where you want it to go. If not, expect unpleasant pools of water to collect on your shower floor. DIY tilers be warned – this might be a job for the experts.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Which of these shower rooms would you love to have? Have you got a shower room or bathroom, or both? Tell us in the comments section below.
MORE
Steam Showers: The Perfect Antidote to a Busy Life
Outdoor Showers: 14 Refreshing Design Ideas
15 Inspiring Spaces for Bathtubs (That Aren’t Bathrooms)
Glass is the ideal choice for this space because it takes nothing away from the bath and vanity area, and allows natural light to penetrate the whole space.