Shower Power: 5 Key Shower Looks and How to Get Them
Find your happy place with these examples of contemporary, traditional, industrial, Scandi and eclectic shower styles
Bathe in the beauty of these showers, then find your shower style by narrowing down the ones that appeal to you the most. This should help shape your future bathroom renovation ideas.
Examples of this style
1. This contemporary bathroom in Clovelly, NSW, makes a strong style statement with its raised stone plinth upon which the open shower and bath sits.
1. This contemporary bathroom in Clovelly, NSW, makes a strong style statement with its raised stone plinth upon which the open shower and bath sits.
High-quality, no-fuss fixtures allow the focus to remain on the marble veining and imported Italian tiles.
The neutral colour scheme also ensures that the attention is on design and form. It’s easy to see why this bathroom was named HIA CSR Bathroom of the Year 2015.
Browse more contemporary bathrooms
Browse more contemporary bathrooms
2. Similarly, simplicity, subtle fixtures and natural light are also at the heart of this contemporary Hawthorn, Victoria, bathroom.
In the walk-in shower, streamlined fixtures take a back seat to the deliberate drama of the pattern in the marble wall. Adjacent grey ceramic tiles also fade into the background, allowing this wall to shine.
3. This Sydney, NSW, contemporary bathroom uses light and tiles to great effect. Notice how the corner shower unit is seamlessly integrated into the layout, with very little demarcation between the shower area and the bath. Stone-look tiles in different formats provide the interest, albeit in a subtle ways.
In the shower, which continues the tile theme, a high skylight adds interest and light.
Traditional
This style suits period homes that celebrate their historical past with period-rich details.
Key features to consider:
This style suits period homes that celebrate their historical past with period-rich details.
Key features to consider:
- Patterned floor tiles,
- Decorative wall tiles,
- Traditional fixtures,
- Worn finishes or patina, and
- Eye-catching lighting such as sconces, pendants or chandeliers.
Examples of this style
1. The colourful stained-glass pendant is an eye-catching feature of this Art Deco-style bathroom in West Pennant Hills, NSW. A pedestal basin and hexagonal mirror remain true to the period’s style.
1. The colourful stained-glass pendant is an eye-catching feature of this Art Deco-style bathroom in West Pennant Hills, NSW. A pedestal basin and hexagonal mirror remain true to the period’s style.
Border tiles continue in the shower area, as do black-and-white checked floor tiles.
2. In this California bungalow in Sydney, the bathroom design incorporates the original stained-glass window, period fixtures and tessellated floor tiles to reference the home’s history. The owners have paired these period details with white subway tiles on the walls and a simple glass shower screen, to present a pared-back period-style bathroom.
3. The owners of this Bedford, WA, bathroom have embraced the more traditional clawfoot bath option – and included a shower above. The dark claw-footed bath draws attention away from the showerhead, while highly decorative floor tiles and an Art Deco pendant continue the traditional scheme.
The worn patina of the adapted vanity and original tiles work wonders to emphasise the era of this space.
Tip: For an update on traditional style, choose a few period features then pare everything else right back. In this Sydney, NSW, bathroom, floor-to-ceiling patterned tiles provide wow factor, which is reinforced by a dark vanity with aged-bronze Victorian-style fixtures. A bare white wall keeps things fresh, while the inclusion of the ornate mirror ties it into the overall scheme.
Browse more traditional bathrooms
Browse more traditional bathrooms
Industrial
Stripped-back surfaces and salvaged objects define industrial style. Pared back to form and function, these showers celebrate materiality.
Key features to consider:
Stripped-back surfaces and salvaged objects define industrial style. Pared back to form and function, these showers celebrate materiality.
Key features to consider:
- Exposed pipes,
- Materials such as rough wood, steel, exposed brick,
- Open shower,
- Recycled or raw materials,
- Feature pendant lights, and
- Few soft furnishings or upholstery.
Examples of this style
1. This Sydney, NSW, bathroom is a study in industrial style. Exposed brick and bare, steel-framed windows are the stars.
1. This Sydney, NSW, bathroom is a study in industrial style. Exposed brick and bare, steel-framed windows are the stars.
2. Here’s another great example of industrial shower style in a home in Kuala Lumpur. Exposed copper piping and concrete work together to create a tactile feel.
3. Black-framed windows, a white-washed wood ceiling, wall-to-wall tiles and a string pendant light all set an industrial scene in this Fitzroy, Victoria, loft.
Browse more industrial-style bathrooms
Browse more industrial-style bathrooms
Scandinavian
Clean lines, natural light and minimalism are all core elements of Scandinavian style. The understated elegance and simplicity of this genre instantly draws people in, especially in more temperate zones.
Key features to consider:
Clean lines, natural light and minimalism are all core elements of Scandinavian style. The understated elegance and simplicity of this genre instantly draws people in, especially in more temperate zones.
Key features to consider:
- A white and blonde-wood scheme,
- Feature pendant light,
- Hexagonal or subway tiles,
- Pot plants, and
- Streamlined fittings and fixtures. Updated Scandi bathrooms often feature black fittings
Examples of this style
1. Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the very Scandinavian harmony in this Sydney bathroom scheme, with its hexagonal grey floor tiles, white brick walls, black fittings, plentiful natural light, timber accessories and pop of green.
1. Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the very Scandinavian harmony in this Sydney bathroom scheme, with its hexagonal grey floor tiles, white brick walls, black fittings, plentiful natural light, timber accessories and pop of green.
The wet-room-style shower barely registers, with the focus on the bath.
2. The simplicity of Scandinavian style is captured in this Melbourne bathroom which features a combination bathtub/shower with black rainfall showerhead and fixtures on white subway wall tiles. The natural light, large plant and textured towels add warmth, to create the casual friendliness of Scandinavian design.
3. Blonde wood is the outstanding material in this mostly white bathroom in Melbourne. Hexagonal tiles add texture and tone.
And in the shower area a black-framed shower with matching fixtures adds drama, while timber wall dots (from Scandi company Muuto) add a definitive touch.
Tip: But should you want to add some pizazz to a Scandi scheme, don’t go past the ‘pops of colour’ approach used in this Melbourne bathroom.
Browse more Scandi-style bathrooms
Browse more Scandi-style bathrooms
Eclectic
Eclectic style is a curation of old and new, luxe and minimalistic, loud and quiet elements, from home or afar. These showers incorporate all or some of these elements in order to present a playful, personalised space.
Key features to consider:
Eclectic style is a curation of old and new, luxe and minimalistic, loud and quiet elements, from home or afar. These showers incorporate all or some of these elements in order to present a playful, personalised space.
Key features to consider:
- Old with new combine through fixtures, decor and design,
- An eye-catching shower curtain instead of glass,
- Artwork or sculptural elements as decoration, and
- Unique mirrors, repurposed furniture as vanities.
Examples of this style
1. Capturing a contemporary variation on eclectic design, this Rhode Island, USA, bathroom uses grey tones and a repurposed colourful antique chest to create a simple yet whimsical bathroom.
1. Capturing a contemporary variation on eclectic design, this Rhode Island, USA, bathroom uses grey tones and a repurposed colourful antique chest to create a simple yet whimsical bathroom.
2. Blue walls and mosaic floor tiles set the mood in this eclectic Marrickville, NSW, bathroom, while the old-style shower fitting complements the globe pendant light.
These elements are balanced by the frameless shower screen, natural light and indoor plant, which also bring a calming sensation into this whimsical space.
These elements are balanced by the frameless shower screen, natural light and indoor plant, which also bring a calming sensation into this whimsical space.
3. This Sydney bathroom sets a soft scene, with a coastal palette, sunburst mirror and terracotta tiles.
Browse more eclectic bathrooms
Browse more eclectic bathrooms
It continues into the shower area, from where the bather can gaze onto the softly curtained window.
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This is a style where less is more. These contemporary showers demonstrate how seamlessly integrated profiles, strong shapes and streamlined fixtures bring a modern look to a shower area.
Key features to consider: