25 Types of Bathroom Showers (Design Ideas)

Your shower is an essential part of your bathroom. After a long, hard day out of your home – be it for work or play – there is nothing better than stepping in and letting the water wash your worries, cares, and the sweat of the day’s activities away.

The type of bathroom shower you choose will help you create the relaxing atmosphere you want from your ideal bathroom. You want a bathing area that you can relax and be comfortable in. Your bathroom should be a place of relaxing contemplation as a place that enhances the look of your home.

When choosing between the types of bathroom showers, you need to consider the different styles and designs. You can choose between custom spaces and prefabricated enclosures. You will also have a choice of different shapes and even types of door operations and enclosures. The type you choose should fit the all-around design of your bathroom and also fit your particular needs.

There are many different types of bathroom showers out there, and it might be a little confusing as to which exactly is the right one for you. To help you make the best decision, we’ve identified five important questions you need to ask yourself and why they are important. Follow along and make the best decision on what type of bathroom shower is YOUR dream come true.

Quicklist: Types of Bathroom Showers

Types of Shower	Types of  Doors	Custom Ideas
Prefabricated	Sliding Door	Rainfall
Manual Mixer	Hinged Door	Body Spray Jets
Thermostatic	Pivot Door	Steam Showers
Electric	Privacy Glass	Multiple Sprayers
Tub-Shower Combo	Glass with Half Wall	Outdoor
Rectangular or Square Stall	Doorless Walk-In Showers	His and Her Showers
Corner Stall		Extra Large
Curved Stall		Concealed Fixture
Round Stall		Ceiling Mounted Sprayer
Wet Room

Custom Showers

The first question to ask before you proceed is, do I want to have a custom design, or will a prefabricated enclosure for showering do?

A custom shower will be built from scratch according to your exact specifications. This means that every component – from the sprayer to the flooring – will be picked out by you. Custom showers are uniquely suited to your personal preferences.

Popular custom design features include:

• Rainfall heads
• Dual heads
• Bench seat
• LED lighting
• Digital temperature controls
• Built-in sound
• Steam enclosure
• Handheld sprayers
• High pressure

By choosing a custom enclosure, you can be sure that your design fits your space, needs, and idea of what your dream bathroom will look like. However, as a custom project is built from scratch, it can be complicated, time-consuming, and quite expensive.

Prefabricated Shower

A prefabricated unit , on the other hand, comes already made. It usually comes as a single piece you can install in your space. A prefabricated unit has all the necessary parts included in one piece. This includes the walls, floors, doors, showerhead, fittings, and – depending on the unit you choose, a variety of finishes and accessories.

As a prefabricated shower already comes with everything you need, all you need to do is pick the unit that suits your tastes and needs and install the whole thing in one go. This saves you a lot of time, with the trade-off being the lack of all the personalized features you may want.

There are also many prefabricated products available out there with various features that you can choose from.

If you take your time and pick carefully, you will find one that can suit your needs and match your bathroom’s style and theme. This is the more budget-friendly option.

Prefabricated enclosure kit with angled design

What type of shower system do you want?

Whether you choose a custom or a prefabricated product, it is important to choose a system that will give you the experience you want.

The shower system type you choose and install in your bathroom will allow you to control the temperature and pressure of the water that falls from your showerhead.

Manual Mixer Shower

This is the most basic showerhead system that most people are used to finding in a bathroom.

A mixer unit takes its name from the water temperature, allowing you to mix hot and cold water to get the desired temperature. The basic part of a mixer design is the head and one or two valves.

By turning the valves, you can control how much cold or hot water comes out of the showerhead. This allows you to control the overall temperature of your water.

These types of systems are common and popular because they are easy to use and also easy – and economical – to install.

Thermostatic Shower

As with a manual mixer system, the defining feature of a thermostatic showering system is that it allows you to control the water temperature from your fixture.

The difference is instead of manually controlling the temperature by manipulating the valve, you program your ideal water temperature into a built-in thermostat.

This ensures that your faucet system automatically provides a consistent water temperature.

Many thermostatic systems incorporate a digital control panel. When they do, these systems can also be called digital showers.

The advantage of this type is the consistency of the water temperature.

With this device, there is no more standing to the side shivering or accidentally scalding yourself while trying to get the temperature right.

Thermostatic systems are ideal for households with young children or elderly persons. These individuals are less likely to scald or burn themselves while turning the water on accidentally.

(Thermostatic product with manual temperature control)

Electric Shower

With an electric showering system, you get a built-in heating unit that heats the cold water from your home water supply. This type operates separately and independently from your home boiler or hot water system.

The built-in heating unit takes cold water from your home supply and heats it before it comes out of your showerhead.

Because an electric showering system has its heater, it can heat the water quicker than a mixer or thermostatic system. Instead of combining cold and hot water to create the right temperature, it just heats the water straight.

This means you do not have to switch on your home’s hot water system and wait to provide hot water before bathing. All you have to do is jump in and turn on your units heater.

An electrical shower system tends to be more economical regarding water usage. However, as it is electrical and draws from your home’s power supply, it will affect your electricity bill.

They are also a little bulkier looking than mixer systems, so it might not suit everyone’s vision of what their ideal design looks like.

(Electric sprayer with digital temperature gauge – See at Amazon)

Concealed Shower

The term, concealed shower refers to hiding the pipes and, in some cases, the controls completely out of sight.

Concealed designs maximize space with their low-profile design and offer a contemporary style.

They are sometimes referred to as recessed showers and can be installed with any plumbing system.

A fully concealed system is a minimalist design where all the pipes and controls are hidden from view.

This custom design provides a streamlined look that works well in modern or natural bathroom designs where you don’t want to be surrounded by unnatural fixtures and elements.

Types of Shower Heads

After deciding how you want to control the water temperature, the next step will be to decide how you want your water spray to hit you. This depends on the type of showerhead you decide to have.

There are three basic types of showerheads, depending on how and where they are mounted in your wall enclosure.

Fixed head

Fixed Head

This is the most traditional type of fixture. They are mounted on the wall and often feature an adjustable head to direct the water spray. Fixed heads come in various styles such as Victorian, rainfall, extending arm, and multiple jets.

(Hand sprayer with flexible hose)

Hand-Set Shower

This nozzle head is also mounted on the wall but features a flexible hose that allows you to remove it from the wall to better direct the spray to where you want it.

Ceiling Mounted Shower

This type of sprinkler fixture is mounted on the ceiling of your shower. Also known as rain showerheads, they work well with medium or low water pressure. This is because the positioning of the head allows gravity to work on the water and allow it to “rain down” on you as you stand underneath it.

Another way to classify the different types of heads is according to how and if you can control the water pressure levels and the spray that comes out.

The picture above features a ceiling-mounted rainfall showerhead, a wall-mounted head, and a traditional wand sprayer.

Single Setting Head

As the name suggests, this type only has a single, unchangeable setting. The flow of water from this head is consistent and steady.

You can get these heads in various spray patterns, but once you choose this head, that will be it.

For a relaxing, cleansing spray, a single setting head is more than adequate. It is also the more budget-friendly option.

But if you want a more varied, spa-like experience, you should look into the next type of sprayer head on this list.

Multi Setting Head

With a multiple setting nozzle head, you can change the spray settings of your sprayer head to craft a unique experience that suits your wants.

Some common types of adjustable spray patterns you can get with a multi-setting head are the full body spray, the massage spray, the misting spray, and the water-saving spray.

Many multi-setting heads also allow you to control the size of the stream that is coming from the sprayer.

For a truly luxurious experience, you might also want to look into one of the following sprayer heads: The rainfall showerhead and the shower tower.

Rainfall Shower

We mentioned the rainfall showerhead earlier when we discussed the different types according to how they are mounted.

As we mentioned, this showerhead is mounted on the ceiling and uses gravity to direct the spray so it falls around and on you like raindrops.

Rainfall showers usually have a single setting head, but that one single setting is one of the most popular types of settings.

The rainfall shower gives you a soothing and luxurious rinsing experience. The gentle pressure of the spray and the soft “rain-like:” tinkle of the drops falling is soothing and perfect for washing the day’s cares away.

Shower Tower

The shower tower is a uniquely designed all-in-one sprayer head column that adds an interesting and luxurious touch to any bathroom.

Instead of just one nozzle, the tower has several nozzles to direct the spray on your body.

Your basic tower is a vertical strip studded with body jet nozzles that are usually adjustable to spray water on you from several directions.

Most shower towers have adjustable nozzles and multiple settings to enable you to control the sprays and craft your own spa-like experience. It’s like being in a jacuzzi, except you’re standing up.

Here’s an illustration of the most popular types of showerheads available

Beyond the basic showerhead styles available, there are also some with varying functionality. For instance, high-pressure, low-pressure, water filter attachments and built-in LED lighting create an exciting ambiance.

Bathroom Shower Dimensions

When considering a bathroom remodel, there is not a one-size-fits-all standard shower size, there is an effective way to help you find the right one for you.

To find a good size, try standing with your arms extended and turning in a circle. This should offer a guideline for how much space you would feel comfortable in without feeling too claustrophobic.

Most would feel comfortable with a standard shower size of 48″ x 36″. However, depending on your space and budget, this may not be possible.

For a smaller bathroom remodel, the smallest standard size you would likely find is 32″ x 32″. For those with a larger remodel layout, a good size would have the minimum dimensions of 60’’ x 36’’. A larger size is especially welcome if you add custom design features such as a bench or dual showerheads.

To help you with your design layouts, there is an assortment of bathroom remodel software available. These types of programs are extremely useful for selecting materials and planning the room layout without needing to first hire an architect.

Shower Materials

After you know the size of your bathroom layout, it’s important to carefully consider the material you want to use for your walls.

When selecting the best materials for your shower’s wall, it is important to consider several factors to select the best type for your design.

• It must be water resistant.
• It must be easy to clean.
• It must look stylish.
• It must be long-lasting.

Here are some of the most popular types of wall options for showers currently being used today.

Ceramic/Porcelain Tile

Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are constructed from clay, making them quite similar. Overall, ceramic and porcelain tiles are both great for a bathroom. However, for overall durability, porcelain wins. Porcelain tile is more durable and less porous than ceramic tile, making it ideal for the bathroom.

Marble/Travertine/Stone Tiles

Having real natural stone tiles, such as marble, travertine, granite, and slate, is luxurious and looks amazing. The downside is natural stone materials can require much maintenance, such as sealing and cleaning, to keep looking their best.

Some natural minerals, such as marble, have a large amount of iron, which can cause discoloration issues to develop over time if not properly sealed.

The picture above features a travertine shower with a stone pebble inlay and flooring. A white marble vanity with double sinks provides an attractive contrast to the beige of the natural stone tiles.

Engineered Quartz/Cultured Marble/Solid Surface Materials

Several man-made materials are frequently used in bathroom design with great results. Some of the most common are cultured marble, engineered quartz, and solid surface materials such as Corian.

Both cultured marble and engineered quartz are created from a blend of natural ground stone particles and combined with a resin to create a natural-looking product. They both have various colors and realistic patterns to match your design.

Corian is the brand name for solid surface material created by the Dupont company. Their product also mixes natural materials with an acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate. There are several distinct advantages of solid surface materials like Corian over tile, such as maintenance and lifespan of the product.

Fiberglass One Piece Shower Kits

Fiberglass enclosure kit

A fiberglass bathroom kit is a good option for those looking for an affordable and simple-to-install option. These kits are generally constructed with fiberglass with a glossy acrylic finish to keep it stain resistant and make it easier to clean.

Shower Shapes

What type of bathroom enclosure shape should you install? When crafting a unique and relaxing spa-like experience, we can’t neglect the aesthetic and practical importance of choosing the right shape. The right shape can make or break your entire bathroom, as a stall that doesn’t “fit” can ruin your space’s overall theme and look.

The shape of your stall depends on the shape of your enclosure. Your basic enclosure includes the walls and floor. Simply put, it is where you stand to take your bath.

According to the shape of the stall, there are five basic types of bathroom enclosure shapes that you can choose from:

Rectangular or Square Shower Enclosure

Square enclosure kit

This is the most basic shape that an enclosure can come in. Just like the name says, it is composed of four sides that enclose a rectangular or square space.

The reason for the popularity of the rectangular or square enclosure is its versatility. An enclosure in this shape can fit almost any bathroom area and suit almost any room’s design style. You can find many prefabricated enclosures in this shape in almost any size.

With regards to your bathing experience, a rectangular enclosure provides ample room for your cleaning & rinsing activities so it’s a good choice that will work with almost any sprayer or faucet system.

Corner Enclosure

Corner rectangle enclosure

This is a particularly good shape to have if you have limited space. This type of stall is designed to fit in the corner of your bathroom.

Many corner enclosure showers come in a rectangular, angled, or square shape, but they many also be curved.

Curved Shower

Round pre-made enclosure

The curved enclosure basically has three sides to the rectangular enclosure’s four. Like the corner enclosure, it is also built to fit into the corner of your bathroom area.

Also known as a quadrant enclosure, the curved wall design encloses an area in the shape of a pizza slice.

Two straight walls form an angle while the third wall, often the entrance or door, bridges that angle, but in the corner enclosure, it is a curved line. The curve of the third wall creates more space than a plain, straight line would.

Round Shower

As its name implies, the round enclosure is shaped like a circle. While it can make an interesting bathroom feature, you’ll need a lot of space if you incorporate this round shape into your bathroom design.

It is a free-standing circular shape, meaning it will not use the corners of your room and must be placed in the middle.

Neo Angle Shower

Rather than use walls that have 90° corners, a neo-angle design has walls that feature 135° angles, and most have a shortened 45° outer corner.

This space-saving modern design adds interesting visual flair to the space and can be modified to the layout of the bathroom floorplan. The average size of a neo-angled design is 36″ by 36″; however, many different models exist.

The primary advantage of this design is that its minimal construction provides little room for mold and mildew to accumulate and thus makes cleaning and maintenance easier to perform.

Most neo-angle showers are sold as all-in-one-packages. The kit includes the pan, three wall pieces (two flat panel and a corner shelf connector unit), and the glass panels and frames for the door. – Chris Peterson, Black and Decker The Complete Guide to Bathrooms Updated 6th Edition

Tub Shower Combination

As the name implies, you combine two bathroom features: the tub and the showering space. This popular combo maximizes space and is installed over a bathtub, so the tub is the base, and you must step in to bathe.

Combining a tub and shower in your bathroom is a practical, space-saving trick. That’s why this particular type of semi-enclosure is popular in hotels. It also allows you to have some variety in your bathroom routine as you now have two ways to wash away the day’s cares.

However, there’s no denying that many of these combos are not very attractive, especially when they use cheaper materials and fixtures. Think before you decide on this enclosure.

A wet room design like this combines a bathtub in the same enclosure as the wash area. This design has the benefit of keeping water spills primarily in one part of the room’s layout.

The downside to this is more maintenance, as moisture from the area tends to fall all over the tub, even when it’s not used, creating more potential cleaning.

Types of Shower Doors

Now that you have decided on what type of enclosure and sprayer you want, the last element you must decide on is what type of door you should choose.

Your door is an important final component of your dream design as it is how you ensure your relaxation space is an aesthetically pleasing haven from the outside world.

There is also the practical aspect of a good door. You want to prevent the rest of your bathroom from getting wet while bathing and avoid potential water damage from occurring.

You also want a door to protect you from drafts, look stylish, potentially provide privacy, and allow you to enjoy your bathroom. Check out this page for even more ideas about the types of shower doors available, including glass styles and variations.

There are generally three different common types of doors for the showers that you can choose from:

Sliding Door

A sliding shower door is mounted on a frame at the entrance of your enclosure. You slide a glass panel open or closed to get in or out.

A good sliding door is full-length and waterproof and keeps the water from your bathing space from leaking into the room. It also ensures that you are protected from any stray drafts or air currents.

This is an excellent type of inner bathroom door if you have limited space, as it fits in the frame of your enclosure and doesn’t swing out. There is no need to have space around your enclosure where the door can fit.

Frameless sliding door

This type of door for showers is recommended for those with children or elderly users since it’s easy to open and close. Their downside is that the grooves can trap water, leading to some hard-to-reach and clean areas within the track mechanism.

Hinged Door

A hinged door is a door that is attached to the side of an enclosure’s entrance. The door rests on hinges, which means to open or shut the door; it swings out and away from the enclosure.

Example of a hinged door

Hinged doors are recommended compared to sliding doors as they have fewer crevises where mold and mildew can accumulate. Another advantage is they tend to leak less overall than the sliding variety.

Example of a frameless hinged door

Care must be taken to ensure that a hinged door is attached securely and snuggly against the side of the entrance.

You don’t want water seeping out or drafts creeping in. You will also need to make sure that you leave enough space around your enclosure to allow the door to swing out and open without hitting anything.

Pivot Door

A pivot door is similar to a hinged door in that both are designed to be attached to the side of the glass entrance and swing open to let you into the enclosure.

The difference between a pivot door and a hinged door is the position of the hinges. A pivot door hinges are often located at the top and bottom of the enclosure entrance. However, pivot doors can also be seen with one continuous hinge that reaches from top to bottom.

Pivot door with one hinge on partial tub enclosure

Pivot doors are popular for the clean and modern look and feel having one of these gives to your bathroom. This is also a good option if you have a small space and don’t want a sliding door.

Frameless pivot door

Pivot doors swing open at a smaller arc than hinge doors, so you don’t have to worry as much about hitting other bathroom fixtures.

Custom Shower Ideas

There are many ways to design a custom shower. Below, we share some creative ways to inspire your own bathroom ideas.

Shower with Body Spray Jets

This beautiful bathroom design features a frameless glass enclosure with multiple showerheads and jet sprayers. Marble mosaic floor tile and marble vanity contrast well against the darker central square feature tile. An extra large freestanding pedestal tub with a view offers a great spot to luxuriate.

Walk-in Shower with Bench

There are several great reasons to install a bench in your walk in shower designs. Not only does it look stylish, a built-in bench offers convenience, relaxation, storage, and accessibility for those unsteady on their feet.

Carrara Marble Shower

Carrara marble is a popular choice for bath space designs, with costs ranging from $125 to $300 a foot. Since marble is porous, it is highly recommended to use a high-quality sealer to help prevent discoloration of the natural stone.

Quartz Shower

Quartz is a great choice for the bathroom because it is a non-porous stone that will not absorb water and help make things easier while cleaning. Homeowners also find quartz to be a very durable surface material that has a wide range of colors and graining to choose from.

Steam Shower

If you’ve ever been to a health spa you might have run across a steam shower. This type contains a moisture-sealed enclosure so that one can command it to steam via digital controls to relax sore muscles and clear the skin and sinuses. Steam showers can be custom-built or can be purchased as stand-alone units.

Glass Shower with Half Wall

A bathroom enclosure with a half wall provides some privacy for the bather. This type is a good option for couples who want more modesty or have a bathroom design open to the master bedroom.

Shower with Natural Light

This gorgeous bathroom design provides abundant natural light for anyone enjoying the large glass enclosure. The room’s cathedral ceiling is installed with multiple glass panes to let in light and keep the room feeling like a natural outdoor oasis.

Outdoor Shower

An outdoor wash area is ideal for those who live near the beach to spray off sand before entering the house. It also works well in a warm environment or for the more adventurous who like the idea of bathing under the sun or stars. The addition of teak wood and lava rock helps to reinforce that natural feel throughout the space.

Indoor/Outdoor Shower

This impressive indoor/outdoor showering space leaves nothing to the imagination. This custom design features a large glass window overlooking the private backyard garden. Multiple rain sprayer heads and spouts provide ample room for a couple to bathe like they were standing outdoors.

Frosted Glass Privacy Shower

Adding a frosted glass privacy door and window to your bathroom is suited for those who want a little more concealment. This Asian-style bathroom with natural wood flooring is complimented by its large rounded tub and frosted window enclosure.

Wood Style Porcelain Tile Shower

This wood style bath space is made from porcelain tile and creates an amazing-looking wood design without all of the maintenance issues of wood in a wet environment. The light wood tones of the wood look porcelain tile above evoke a feeling of a rustic farmhouse, while the other finishes bring in a more contemporary style.

Rainfall Showerhead

An oversized rainfall showerhead can be a completely relaxing experience after a hard day at work. This spa sanctuary retreat bathroom goes for a natural look with plenty of green plants and wood finishes to provide a place for total rejuvenation.

White Subway Tile Shower

White subway tile is a traditional design look still in style today. The bathroom featured here provides an extra large subway tile matched together with a dark granite floor tile and marble bathtub top.

Wet Room and Bathtub Combination

A wet room combination is the perfect way for bathers to go effortlessly from tub to the showering space without getting cold or dropping water all over the bathroom floor. This gorgeous design uses various finishes such as cultured marble for the vanity, porcelain tile floors & walls, glass tile backsplash, and beige stone for the floor.

Private Spa Shower

An indoor spa can be achieved with the right ambiance. For a relaxing look, this plan utilizes a variety of natural stone surfaces combined with a wood shower bench and green tropical plants for a soothing effect.

Modern Bathroom Shower

This modern wash glass enclosure design showcases a wood grain porcelain tile with a sprayer and wand sprayer. Rather than having a wall cutout for soap and shampoo, this design opted for a small pedestal for necessary toiletries while bathing.

Multiple Showerhead Nozzles

A bathing space with multiple sprayers can be an advantage for those who like a variety of options. Some popular types include rainfall heads, pulsating sprayers, and wall jets. It’s also a great idea for couples who can’t agree on their favorite faucet style.

Doorless Walk-In Shower

A doorless walk-in wet room bathroom design can be a stylish addition to a home. Probably the best reason for a doorless design is there is no door to keep clean.

Shower with Contoured Wall Tiles

The 3D wavy tile found is the perfect complement to a contemporary designed bathroom space. The tile has a contoured look that stands out and creates a lot of visual interest.

Shower with Herringbone Pattern Tile

A herringbone pattern tile in the wall creates a stunning look that can really turn heads. This bathroom design features a rich brown porcelain tile with a frameless glass enclosure. Two types of sprayer heads are a bonus to give it a spa-like ambiance.

Bathroom with Gold Finishes

Gold finishes are making a comeback. This contemporary bathroom offers a variety of gold to match harmoniously with white marble surfaces and a blue ceramic subway tile for the walls.

Shower with Pattern Tile

The beautiful cement pattern tiles in this bathroom make a large statement. Since these types of tiles are porous, they do need to be sealed with a penetrating sealer to help prevent them from staining and maintain their looks.

River Rock Shower Floor

A bathroom with a river rock floor feature can look alluring and bring some of the natural environment indoors. These mosaic tiles typically come in 12 x 12 sheets from the store.

Be aware that using pebble river rock for the flooring can be challenging. When installing, the edges of the pieces are wavy, making it a time-consuming process to line up. In addition, river rock needs a lot of grout to install, and all of that grout needs a lot of maintenance to keep it clean and looking its best.

Shower with TV

Who wouldn’t want to watch their favorite show from the bathtub? This contemporary bathing enclosure design offers white marble walls with various faucet heads for a true spa experience.

His and Her Shower

What’s more luxurious than having his and her showers? This expansive master bathroom design showcases two identical twin enclosures with a central soaking tub. Each glass-walled space has a frameless glass enclosure and a sitting bench.

Extra Large Shower

This extra large walk in shower features glazed porcelain tile with a wood grain style. Some of the custom features of this luxury glass enclosure, besides how large it is, includes a built-in bench, shampoo niches, and a river rock floor.