A simple scroll through Instagram or perusing on Pinterest and we’re sure that the idea of a walk in shower instilled serious design envy. After all, they are open, modern, and convenient. If you want to take your dream and make it a reality, you’ve come to the right place. Today we discuss the benefits, drawbacks, and the how-to of creating a walk-in shower.

So, What Is A Walk In Shower?

A modern white bathroom with walk in shower showing Paradise White Penny Round Tile on the wall
Design by: Argent Advisors | Featured Tile: Paradise White Penny Round Tile
A modern walk in shower with glass panel using Enigma Ash Blue 2x8 Polished Ceramic Wall Tile
Design: Seaside Home Services | Featured Tile: Enigma Ash Blue Tile

Let’s get technical. For those that have read about or looked at walk-in shower pictures online, there’s a chance that you’ve seen some phony passes of them. AKA, ones that have doors.To clear the air on what really constitutes walk-in shower designs, we have a quick breakdown for you. 

First and foremost, a walk in shower is without a door. The concept is for it to be open so you can just literally walk-in. Who doesn’t love the ease of that? 

There is likely a half panel of glass, half wall, or in some cases, no panels at all and is completely open. There’s no wrong way of designing as long as it fits your taste!

It should also be noted that a walk in shower and tub don’t mesh well together. For it to be this type of shower, there is no tub present, it’s just flooring. There is usually no “curb” or “step up”, it’s all even ground. That said, some may have a slight raise, depending on what the design warranted. But, nothing substantially noticeable. 

In essence, it’s a super modern design that will make an impression.

1 ) The Benefits

When it comes to these types of showers, there are countless benefits. Aside from sheer beauty, there are more functional ones to go over, so let’s start. 

Mobility Perks. One of the most major mobility perks is that since there’s no tub or step-up, this design is perfect for younger children as well as elderly. There’s less chance for slips thanks to this open floor plan design. 

Small Space Helper. If you have a smaller space for your bathroom, this shower can do wonders. A walk in shower for a small bathroom is a classic way to make an open, spacious look. It rids having “closed off” areas and allows the overall design to flow freely.

Wet, Dry, Done. Getting out of the shower to step onto a bath mat, and then put a towel on, results in more puddles than pleasure. This, in turn, is a slip hazard. Luckily with a walk in shower, you can have an area for your towel where you can easily grab it, and dry off inside without dragging wet around.

Add In Seating. Want to take a rest? The beauty of this shower is there is room to add in a bench. This lets you take a second to enjoy the warmth while cleansing, or you can even meditate for a second then enjoy your morning coffee. No judgement. 

2 ) The *Possible* Drawbacks

It’s also good to balance the benefits with some potential cons so your design decision is flawless. To do that, we have possible drawbacks for this shower type to help you out.

Less Privacy. Without doors or with only glass panels, you can bet that there is less privacy involved. If someone accidentally pops in while you’re showering, you’ll find yourself in a pretty vulnerable position.  

Home Value. When it comes to world of real estate, most homes need a shower and tub to be considered a full bathroom. Unfortunately, with just a walk-in shower to show for, it doesn’t pass this standard. Something to keep in mind if selling your home at a higher value is of interest to you. 

Babies + Tubs. Babies and small children are better off bathing in a tub. For that reason, it may not be the best match if you only have one bathroom and a newborn.

3 ) The Size Of Space & Tile Design

The next thing to keep in mind is the size of your space and the design for it. 

The beauty of walk-in showers is that they can work exceedingly well in spaces of all sizes. In large spaces, you can have fun and add in multiple shower jets for a spa experience as well as bench. For smaller spaces, you may focus on more simple elements and a glass panel to keep things open. 

As for the tile design, make sure that you use shower-appropriate tiles. While ceramic and marble stone are gorgeous options, they don’t hold up well to water if not properly maintained. Stick to porcelain options for their durability and low maintenance. 

4 ) The Costs

According to homeadvisor.com the cost of installing a walk-in shower can range from $750 to $6,850. The amount is totally up to you. Depending on the materials and the size of the shower, the price can range greatly. If you’re trying to save, aim for more basic features.

Now that we’ve covered the 4 things to know before you design, feel free to shop all our shower tiles below and get a head-start on the creative process!