35 Walk-In Shower Ideas For Any Size Bathroom

Tub-free alternatives to fuel your renovation daydreams.

Walk-in shower
Photo:

David Christenson; Design by Mark Williams Design

A standalone clawfoot bathtub can be a gorgeous focal point in the bathroom. However, a stunning walk-in shower is the true showstopper. For bathrooms big and small, a tub-free shower is a great alternative to make a big impression. According to designers, this stand-alone option delivers powerful style and function.

“A walk-in shower can provide functional elements over a tub shower, such as dual shower heads for busy couples getting ready in the morning, enhanced safety, additional space for a larger niche or two to store shampoos and soaps, etc, and a bench seat,” Virginia-based designer Susan Sutter says. “Walk-in showers also provide more beauty and style than a tub shower with opportunities to use fun tile pairings on the shower floor, niche accent, and wall tile.”

In fact, designer Paige Goodloe says she encourages clients to choose a walk-in shower over a tub shower in most situations. While she insists on one tub per household (to wash kids), walk-in showers are elegant, space-saving, and optimal for longevity and accessibility. For example, as folks in your household age (gracefully, of course), a walk-in shower offers ease and safety for getting in and out without having to hike over a tub ledge and potentially slip as they do so. Plus, walk-in spaces have more room for benches, if anyone needs to sit to shower, or need to take a load off when they shave.

Whether your goal is beauty or performance (or both), a walk-in shower might be the best fit for your bathroom. Use these photos to inspire your next remodel and your tub-free daydreams.

01 of 35

Nix The Tub Altogether

Walk-In Shower

Laura Negri; Design by Hope Austin Interiors

Atlanta-based designer Hope Austin reveals that there was once a tub in this space. To build style and function, she ditched it and replaced it with a gorgeous walk-in shower. Now the space can accommodate users of all ages and abilities.

02 of 35

Feature Double Shower Heads

Master Bath Shower

Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

These days, double shower heads are often considered a must. For couples on the go, intimate and beautiful double shower heads are perfect. They can double the function of the shower and speed up a busy morning.

03 of 35

Design A Double Door

Splurge in the Shower

Laurey W. Glenn

Everyone loves the feeling of throwing open a set of double doors in your home. So, double your shower's style by doubling the doors. This also offers double the opportunity for stylish hardware on the door handles.

04 of 35

Install A Bench Directly Into The Shower

This Malibu master bath got an ultramodern update grounded in clean rectangular lines that are repeated in the soaking tub, a trio of casement windows, and translucent shower stall. Blue-green Esmeralda onyx shower walls (the marble is from Stone Resource

John Ellis; Stylist: Sunday Hendrickson

Used for storage and sitting, a bench is the way to go when there's space to spare in a walk-in shower. It has all the benefits of a tub ledge with none of the hazards. Use the same material as your shower walls for a seamless, elevated look.

05 of 35

Save Space

Grass cloth wallpaper bathroom

Andrew Bui; Courtesy of Peltier Interiors

In a small bathroom, a tub may overwhelm the space. Opt instead for a graceful walk-in shower. This w to save space without sacrificing style.

06 of 35

Add A Grab Bar

2022 bathroom trends
NOMI

Especially with curb-less walk-in showers, you can rest assured that as your family ages, you won't have to worry about the hassle of climbing over a tub rail to access the shower. Adding a grab bar enhances the shower's accessibility and is bound to help out both now and down the road. We love universal design.

07 of 35

Have Fun With Tile

2022 bathroom trends
NOMI

Turn a walk-in shower into an accent wall. But since there are so many tile layout patterns to choose from, we made a guide. Enjoy.

08 of 35

Switch Up The Materials

Cabin White Bathroom with Pink Accents
Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins

Even in a monochrome bathroom, subtle switches in the walk-in shower can make a world of difference. Select different tiles for both the shower walls and floor to make it stand out. The shower floor here adds visual interest while the simpler walls coordinate with the floor of the main bathroom.

09 of 35

Style A Dark Retreat

christinakim-pc_raquel-langworthy.jpg
Raquel Langworthy

Even in an otherwise light and bright bathroom, a walk-in shower can be like stepping into another world. Choose a high-contrast tile to transform the feel of any walk-in shower. This moody space will make your everything shower way more fun.

10 of 35

Use A Glass Door

Palais Pedestal Soaking Tub
Laurey W. Glenn

It's so simple, yet so effective. A glass shower door can make both the main bathroom and the shower itself feel much bigger. It's also much easier to clean than cloth shower curtains. Use frameless hinges for a more modern look.

11 of 35

Add Greenery

2019 Idea House Master Bath Shower
Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Liz Strong

"We love to bring greenery into our designs," says Sutter. "Adding a small plant to your shower bench seat can make the shower feel like a spa oasis." Pick a plant that prefers high humidity, and you can't lose.

12 of 35

Give It The Jewel Box Powder Bath Treatment

Guest bathroom
Laura Sumrak

Just because it's a full bathroom with a walk-in shower doesn't mean that you can't have fun decorating the space. Take the tiny jewel-box bath concept and apply it here. Enhance your shower with bold tile, fun wallpaper, and playful accents.

13 of 35

Focus On The Floor

Kelly Moore Zinc Dust Paint Color Bath
Colleen Scott Photography

Every nook and cranny of this stunning bathroom is dripping in style and intention. However, let's all give a moment to the floor. In any bathroom, an interesting floor tile is sure to elevate your walk-in shower, especially when you use the same tile in the shower as the main bathroom.

14 of 35

Design For Privacy

Use Local Accents

Laurey W. Glenn, Robbie Caponetto

Sealed behind clouded glass, this walk-in shower offers privacy and class in its own little nook. Tucking away the shower also optimizes function. Now, most of the room can be dedicated to a stunning vanity.

15 of 35

Make It Accessible

In the guest bath of the Rosemary Beach Ultimate Beach House, an oval mirror is suspended in front of the window so as not to sacrifice the natural light for function.
Tria Giovan

The most accessible shower option, curbless walk-in showers, also delivers big on beauty. This mint green shower is easy to enter. Plus, it's cute as can be without both a ledge and a door.

16 of 35

Add Color In Unique Ways

Neutral coastal guest bathroom with floating vanity
Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason

Tile and fixtures aren't the only places to incorporate fun design into a walk-in shower. This blue glass door provides a much-needed breath of fresh air to its neutral surroundings. Unexpected moments like this are key for making an impression on guests.

17 of 35

Pair With A Tub

Bathtub
Dane Tashima; Styling by Raina Kattelson

If space allows, the presence of a tub doesn't mean you can't still have a walk-in shower. Here, a stunning tub lies just a wall away from the walk-in shower, Having both maximizes the potential uses of this space while keeping the space accessible for users.

18 of 35

Make Room For Storage

The floor and walls in this Fire Island bath are clad in Carrara marble (by Ann Sacks) tile to resist trapped moisture and tracked-in beach sand. The cool, monochromatic color scheme gives the room a soothing, spa-like feel.
Jonny Valiant

This shower includes shelving so that your towel is never out of reach. Goodloe says that she also likes including a shampoo niche to hide those eyesore plastic bottles. After all, you can never have enough storage.

19 of 35

Elevate Your Style

Southern Living Inspired Home at Hampstead Master Bath
Grace Photography

"We like to use items that bring in texture and color, such as a teak bench or shower brush, loofahs/natural sponges, and glass dispensers in fun accents to elevate your shower style," says Sutter. Here, also, the shape of the chandelier complements the tile pattern. Additionally, a dividing wall separates the shower for a playful, sophisticated look that is finished off by a small stool in the corner.

20 of 35

Remember Towel Hooks

2019 Idea House Resource Guide Bunk Room Bath
Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Liz Strong

Nothing kills the vibe of a moody, beautiful shower more than a towel tossed over the shower door. Not to mention, while you're in the shower, it can get wet from splashes and mist from the water. Avoid all that by hanging some nice-looking looks just outside the door (easily in reach, of course).

21 of 35

Forget The Doors

2022 bathroom trends
NOMI

By the strictest definitions, a walk-in shower is one that's not closed off. Meaning: no doors, or at least incomplete doors that still leave an opening. We promise that builders know what they're doing and can make this option mess-free.

22 of 35

Make It A Spa

Walk-in shower

Markus Wilborn MW Concepts; Design by Susan Sutter Interiors

"We updated a dated cave-like walk-in shower to a preppy, soothing spa-like shower with marble tile walls, navy penny round accent tile, and classic brass plumbing," says Sutter. "A stunning combo when paired with the gorgeous navy double vanity. The existing shower space was huge, so we used a classic color scheme and tile that didn't feel cold in such a large shower. Also, we added natural light from expanding the shower opening with shower glass to connect the shower to the rest of the primary bath."

23 of 35

Include A Rain Shower

Walk-in shower

David Christenson; Design by Mark Williams Design

Turn everyday showers into a luxury worth looking forward to with the help of an overhead rain shower. This will totally transform your shower look and experience. Install is relatively easy, too, unless you want to move the location of the shower head, which may involve moving around pipes.

24 of 35

Convert Your Bathroom Into A Wet Room

all white bathroom with blue and white tile

Caitlin Kah Interiors

Why worry about parts of your bathroom getting wet when the entire space is designed to handle water? This open-concept bathroom style is all tiled over. So, no matter where you are in there, you can drip care-free.

25 of 35

Add A Curtain For Privacy

Powder bath

Ellie Christopher

Some people love a glass-walled shower. Others want more privacy. If you're the latter and don't have the funds to completely redo your shower, just hang a curtain rod and a beautiful shower curtain as a cheap way to conceal your shower.

26 of 35

Use Subway Tile

Beachy blue, glazed subway tile (from Waterworks) are the main event in this Rehoboth Beach, Delaware bath. A smart cutout and bench add a practical slant to the pretty shower.

Rick Lew; Stylist: Loren Simons

Want a timeless look for your bathroom? Go for subway tile. The sleek horizontal shape is a chameleon. Depending on its color and material (consider Zellige for an organic look), the tile can fit easily into any bathroom design.

27 of 35

Go Earthy With Materials

Lauren Liess bathroom

Helen Norman

Often, your bathroom time is your time to reset and recenter yourself. And what's more grounding than earthy materials? Consider using pebble tiles like this North Carolina beach house for a zen shower you'll never want to leave.

28 of 35

Add A Window

Julia Engel of Gal Meets Glam Charleston, SC Home Blue and White Guest Bathroom
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Although a window may feel exposing in such an intimate part of the home, in a dark, enclosed space like a shower, natural light is key for brightening the space. For more privacy, pick a frosted glass for the window. Or, add a film over the window's glass.

29 of 35

Encase The Opening

Hannah Maple boys bathroom

James Ransom, Prop Stylist: Alya Hameedi 

As they say, beauty is in the details. Adding a decorative casing to the shower opening is a small touch. However, it instantly makes the space feel more finished and refined.

30 of 35

Take It Outside

600 Square Foot Beach Cottage Outdoor Shower
Joseph de Leo; Styling: Liz Strong

Who says you had to take a shower indoors? If you live near the beach or the lake—or you have a pool—you may want an outdoor shower to clean off before coming inside. Have fun with colors and siding in this walk-in space. 

31 of 35

Include A Window To The Tub

The shutter-inspired, slatted detail on the tub surround of our East Beach Ultimate Beach House lends a touch of island style.

Tria Giovan, Stylist: Heather Chadduck

Showers can be dark, enclosed spaces, but they don't have to be. A glass door helps with this. Adding a window on the wall facing the tub, too, can help brighten the space and make it feel larger. Plus, in the case of this bathroom, you can capitalize on natural light from the windows,

32 of 35

Add A Wooden Bench

Idea House 2020 Bunk Room Bathroom Shower
Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kendra Surface

Seating—even if it's only used as a storage ledge—is key for any bathroom. We love the built-in look (see #4 above), but that can get expensive. And you may not want to deal with the hassle of a shower renovation. An easy solution is sourcing a small wooden bench to serve the same purpose.

33 of 35

Color Wash A Small Space

Gibson Cottage in South Carolina
Laurey W. Glenn

In a small bathroom, it's best to stick the shower in the corner. But to make the space feel larger and not compartmentalized, choose one color for your shower tile and bathroom walls. Neutrals and whites, like in this space, work well in tricking the eye into thinking the bathroom is larger.

34 of 35

Put The Shower In Another Room

3509 Crescent Avenue Highland Park TX Master Bathroom Shower
Houston Brown and Stephen Reed

Anyone who has shared a bathroom knows the struggle of having to wait to brush their teeth or use the toilet because someone's in the shower. But why should you have to deal with that? Put the shower in a room off the main bathroom, and everyone can do what they need to do at the same time.

35 of 35

Ditch Tile For Marble

Marble Bathroom

Julie Soefer

If you want a natural look that's still luxurious, then marble is the way to go. This stone comes in all shades, with gorgeous veining variants, to match anyone's taste. Opt for a single slab, or get several colors to create a unique pattern as this bathroom does.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What’s a good size for walk-in showers?

    The nice thing about walk-in showers is that they don’t have to take up a ton of real estate if you don’t have it. While the average rectangular walk-in shower is around 60 inches by 30 inches in the U.S., you should be able to comfortably fit an adult in a 36-inch-by-36-inch square walk-in shower. The 60-inch-by-30-inch option should be large enough to accommodate a wheelchair rolling in as well. 

  • What is the actual cost of a walk-in shower?

    A walk-in shower is most likely going to cost you several thousand dollars (at least $1,000). This is because there are many elements you need, including a drainage system, a waterproofing membrane, a shower base, a diverter to control the water flow, door panels, and more. And the cost can increase depending on the materials used and if you hire professionals to install it. 

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