Can you have a walk-in shower in a small bathroom?

Contrary to what you might think, walk-in showers can be adapted to suit any size bathroom and can in fact make everything feel much more spacious. 

 

The walk-in shower is different from that equally modern bathroom concept, the wet room in that in the latter the space is usually completely open-plan with the water flowing away through a drain in the floor, whereas a walk-in shower typically features one or two glass screens and a low level shower tray, however it shares many of the same benefits too. 

 

Both have a contemporary look and a more streamlined so there are fewer nooks and crannies to scrub. 

 

Also, you can say goodbye to dingy, mould-attracting shower doors and curtains! 

 

There are many different shapes of shower that can be adapted to suit a compact space, including corner showers and offset quadrant and different ways to install them depending upon the room you’re working with. 

 

Five ways to make a walk in shower work for you 

 

This is a real space saver for a smaller bathroom as it tucks neatly into a corner and leaves plenty of room for other fittings. If you’re really pushed for space you can opt for an offset quadrant or neo angled shower, which is a revolutionary design that uses a corner and maximises the feel of more space. 

The pros: Works for all types of small bathroom. 

 

If you’ve decided you’re more a shower than a bath person then the easiest solution is to get rid of the tub altogether. You can then if you wish extend the shower area along the rear wall to create a luxurious shower experience. 

 

The pros: Fully-tiled walk-in shower rooms with or without shower enclosure or screen can be easily adapted for disabled people. 

 

If your bathroom has period features like alcoves and eaves then factor them into your design. Tuck your walk-in shower under the eaves or in an alcove, think about how walls can be used as natural dividers and consider installing windows into the roof space to bring more light into the room. 

 

Low profile shower trays and enclosures designed for walk-in showers are available in many shapes and sizes to suit your room. 

 

The pros: This is a great way to include interesting design features in your bathroom. 

 

A half wall is a possible solution for a small bathroom. 

 

The pros: This will prevent water splashing all over the place but still keeps everything open and lighter. 

 

Small rooms need more light to give the illusion of space so glass doors are an excellent see through option. 

 

The pros: This will blend seamlessly with the rest of the bathroom. 

One of the worries of a walk-in shower includes spills of water making the floor of the bathroom slippery but don’t make this an issue as you can erect a glass or marble wall adjacent to the shower head to enable the water to be deflected off your body. You may also prevent this through a nozzle that jets water. 

 

Depending on the size of your bathroom and its ventilation situation, a door-less shower might be conducive to a draught of cool air greeting you as soon as you turn off the hot water. But then a small wall or barrier is a way to prevent this as it will be able to block any unwanted air streams. You can also introduce a system where water pours straight down – a rainfall shower head would be ideal for this. Finally to make sure that all bases are covered, you could invest in slip-resistant floor covering that slopes slightly toward a central drain for maximum safety. 

Walk-in showers can be a little more expensive than traditional showers as they usually need specialised drainage systems and high-quality glass. But if you are on a budget a design without glass will cut the costs. Plus you’re future-proofing your bathroom for a time when a walk-in will be so much easier to use as you get older and less mobile. 

 

For help in creating a fabulous shower room, big or small, you can contact us or visit your local showroom.