best walk in shower
Inspiration • September 13, 2021

40 Walk-in Shower Ideas That Are Trending

by Floor Authority

A walk-in shower is a shower that is completely or partially open, so you can simply walk into it without stepping over a tub. Some are closed by half walls or curtains, but they’re generally not closed by any door or window. 

Walk-in showers make bathrooms feel more spacious, as they typically have no or a very minimal frame. Since the inside of your shower will be visible, make sure it looks amazing! To help you in this process, we’ve compiled a list of the best walk-in shower ideas. 

1. Walk-in Shower for Small Bathrooms

walk in shower small bathroom

Walk-in showers are ideal for small bathrooms since they need less space and can make the bathroom look larger. However, you do need to choose the right features. Consider a neo angle shower — they save space without comprising the look of your bathroom.

2. Walk-in Shower for Older Adults

walk in shower elderly

Walk-in showers improve accessibility since they’re easier to step right into. If there are older adults in your home, consider adding a seat to your shower. This is also a good feature if you or someone else using the shower has mobility issues.

3. Minimalist Walk-in Shower

walk in shower minimalist

If you’re going with a minimalist style for your bathroom, a walk-in shower is a must-have, since it creates an open space feeling. Simply use clean lines and an accent color on a monochromatic scheme.

4. Contemporary Walk-in Shower

contemporary walk-in shower

You might want to give your bathroom a minimalist look but also create a feeling of openness. In that case, consider a contemporary shower design. Go with simple, clean lines of the minimalist design while adding postmodern elements to create a contemporary style.

5. Scandinavian Walk-in Shower

scandinavian walk in shower

Consider going with a Scandinavian style if you want to keep your bathroom simple without sacrificing functionality. Muted colors and natural lighting will create a modern and restful environment.

6. Sophisticated Walk-in Shower

sophisticated walk in shower

Minimalist elements are a must for sophisticated design. The difference from other minimalist design styles is you will have greater levels of detail — like shapes and borders made from thin lines — to achieve a more elegant look. 

7. Luxurious Walk-in Shower

luxurious walk in shower

Walk-in showers are becoming more popular for luxury interior design because they create a sense of comfort that other showers often can’t achieve. Add one or multiple oversized shower heads, a bench seat or a steam generator to create a luxurious spa feeling.

8. Elegant Walk-in Shower

elegant walk in shower

This elegant shower design is polished and simple. You can achieve an elegant style by combining multiple features and colors, like adding some functional items to your contemporary design elements. 

9. Sleek Walk-in Shower

sleek walk in shower

Similar to modern and contemporary style, less is more when it comes to sleek design. Combining elements of minimalist design with simple and neutral colors will make your bathroom timeless. You can add avant-garde art and furniture (like built-in shelves) for an even sleeker look. 

10. Rustic Walk-in Shower 

rustic walk in shower

If you want to give your bathroom a natural and aged vibe, make your shower design rustic by highlighting the raw elements of nature. Earthy colors like green and brown and natural materials like stone and wood will create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your bathroom.

11. Mountain-Style Walk-in Shower

mountain walk in shower

Characterized by open layouts, a mountain-style shower will help create a relaxing vibe in your bathroom. Use rustic and natural materials like stone and add a large window to your bathroom to take advantage of any picturesque views.

12. Classy Walk-in Shower

classy walk in shower

Classy design is characterized by polished and stylish features. Use a neutral color scheme to go with a classy look for your shower design. You’ll end up with a simple but elegant look. 

13. Walk-in Shower With a Curved Wall

walk in shower with curved wall

Opt for a curved wall if you want to give your bathroom an extravagant feel. A curved wall walk-in shower is a good alternative if you don’t want a door or curtain but still want to have some privacy. A curved wall will also help keep water inside the shower. 

14. Walk-in Shower With No Door 

no door walk in shower

The main advantage of a walk-in shower is creating more space. So why not take full advantage of this and get rid of any cumbersome doors? Choose a doorless walk-in shower for an open concept bathroom design.

15. Walk-in Shower With a View

walk in shower with a view

Whether you’re in a tall building in New York City or a cabin in the mountains, if you have a stunning view from your bathroom, make sure you take advantage of it. Place your shower in a strategic position to enjoy the view while showering. 

16. Walk-in Shower With a Bench

walk in shower with a bench

Add a bench to your shower if you have mobility issues or if you simply want to create a cozy and relaxing vibe. No matter the design of your bathroom, a bench will enhance your shower’s functionality and add an element of safety. It’s also a must-have for older adults and people with mobility issues.

17. Walk-in Shower With a Bathtub

walk in shower with a bathtub

If your bathroom doesn’t have enough space for both a walk-in shower and a bathtub but you still want the luxury of having both, why not combine the two? This type is not ideal for small bathrooms, so only consider this design if you have a medium-size or larger bathroom. 

18. Walk-in Shower With a Half Wall

walk in shower with a half wall

Half walls are meant to partially divide a room and create a degree of privacy. Using a half wall will improve the lines of sight, making your bathroom feel larger. Plus, you can go with any style, from traditional glass to  marble. 

19. Walk-in Shower With Hooks

walk in shower with hooks

Add some hooks to the walls of your walk-in shower to hang your loofahs, towels and more. No matter which color or features you choose, adding hooks to your shower will provide functionality and style. Just make sure you match them with the design style and furniture in your bathroom.

20. Walk-in Shower With a Curtain

walk in shower with curtain

Consider adding a curtain if you like the idea of a doorless shower but want to have some privacy. A curtain will also help keep any water inside while you shower. Make sure the curtain is long enough (since standard-size curtains are usually designed for tubs) but doesn’t touch the floor, so it doesn't collect moisture and dirt. Tie a simple curtain to a rope for a rustic vibe or go with a long valance curtain for a luxurious look.

21. Walk-in Shower Without Walls

walk in shower without walls

Do you have a really small space to work with? Consider choosing a completely open design, but make sure your flooring is angled enough so the water flows into the drain and doesn’t cause water damage.

22. Walk-in Shower With Rainshower

walk in shower with rain shower

Wondering about the best way to create a spa-like vibe at home? It’s easier than you might think. Just add a showerhead with a rainfall effect. The water pouring from the ceiling, mimicking rain, creates a luxuriously relaxing environment.

23. Walk-in Shower With Glass Blocks

walk in shower with glass blocks

One of the best ways to make your bathroom look larger is to use natural lighting in the right way. Glass blocks are perfect for walk-in showers as they allow natural light into the area and are ideal for corrosion resistance, thermal insulation and moisture insulation.

24. Walk-in Shower With Multiple Shower Heads

multiple shower heads

Looking for another way to give your bathroom a luxurious, spa-like feel? Add two or more showerheads to your shower. Multiple showerheads can also help make tasks like bathing children and pets a bit more efficient.

25. Walk-in Shower With Shiplap

walk in shower with shiplap

Shiplap — a wooden board that is resistant to corrosion, rusting and temperature changes — will give your bathroom a rustic look and is perfect for a contemporary farmhouse design style. Shiplap is often painted white and mounted horizontally, but you can choose any color to match your bathroom.

26. Large Walk-In Shower 

large walk in shower

Do you have enough space in your bathroom? Go with a large walk-in shower for a luxurious look. You can add extra elements and ideas from this list to your shower design, such as multiple showerheads, a rainfall showerhead, a bench and hooks for extra storage.

27. Marble Walk-in Shower

marble walk in shower

Try using marble for an elegant bathroom design. There are many different colors of marble, so you can choose one that best matches your bathroom colors. Keep in mind that marble flooring can be very slippery, but you can solve this problem by using a simple non-slip mat. 

28. Walk-in Shower With Patterned Tiles

walk in shower with patterned tiles

Use patterned tiles to add some visual interest in your bathroom. When it comes to patterned tiles, there are unlimited options you can choose from. We recommend exploring different simple, colorful and bold designs to see what you like.

29. Wood Flooring Walk-in Shower

wood flooring walk in shower

A wooden floor will give your walk-in shower warmth and ambiance. When it comes to wooden shower floors, you need to make sure it’s water-resistant. We suggest going with teak, which is resistant to moisture thanks to its natural oils, as well as termite and insect-resistant.

30. Walk-in Shower With Porcelain Tiles

walk in shower with porcelain tiles

Porcelain tiles are the perfect option for a traditional shower design. There are porcelain tiles of any color, style and texture, so you can find one you like and that is a good fit for your bathroom. For example, you can choose wooden, stone or marble porcelain tiles. Similar to marble flooring, porcelain tiles tend to be slippery, so make sure you have a non-slip mat if you go with this option. 

31. Natural Stone Walk-in Shower

natural stone walk in shower

Use natural stone for your walk-in shower to give your bathroom a unique and exclusive look. Stone materials like soapstone, travertine and granite are impermeable and come in a wide range of color options.

32. Pebble Walk-in Shower 

pebble walk in shower

Use small stones for the shower walls and floor if you like the idea of using stone material for a natural look. You might expect a floor made from pebbles to feel uncomfortable, but that’s not necessarily the case. Pebbles will be sanded down to feel smooth and avoid any bumps. They’re also a better option than other stones if you want to avoid a slippery floor. 

33. Brick Wall Walk-in Shower

brick wall walk in shower

Choose a brick wall for a rustic shower style. Does your bathroom have neutral colors like white or black? If so, using red bricks will give it an interesting accent feature. 

34. Walk-in Shower With Penny Tile

walk in shower with penny tile

Penny tiles are small tiles in a round or hexagonal shape, often found in historic homes. Thanks to their non-slip surface, penny tiles are perfect for wet areas like showers. You can use any combination of colors or even create a mosaic pattern with penny tiles. 

35. Neutral Colors Walk-in Shower

Looking to keep your bathroom design simple? Consider using neutral colors like black, white or gray for your shower. The result will be a traditional but elegant style.

neutral color walk in tile

36. Cool Colors Walk-in Shower

Do you want to create a sense of calmness in your shower? Use cool colors like blue or green to play on the water theme.

cool colors walk in shower

37. Warm Colors Walk-in Shower

warm colors walk in shower

To give your bathroom a stimulating and energizing effect, consider going with warm-toned colors. Colors like red, orange and yellow will evoke emotions of passion, playfulness and joy. 

38. Bright Color Walk-in Shower

bright color walk in shower

Is your bathroom really small? Bright colors can make the room feel breezy and spacious. Try going with colors like yellow or green to give your bathroom a fresh and airy vibe. 

39. Dark Color Walk-in Shower

dark color walk in shower

Dark colors are a great way to give your bathroom a sense of luxury. If you’re looking for a moody and mysterious feel, try out a dark shower. 

40. Outdoor Walk-in Shower

Walk-in showers are not only for your bathroom. To give your house a resort-like vibe to impress guests, consider placing it outside. It’s a must-have if you have a swimming pool or live by the beach, but it’s also helpful to take a quick shower after a run or for washing up kids and pets after a day of outdoor fun.  

outdoor walk in shower

4 Tips for Choosing a Walk-in Shower

Below you can find our top tips to keep in mind when choosing a walk-in shower design.

  1. Get a flush fitting shower tray. A flush fitting shower tray is easy to use and clean and it makes the bathroom look larger, so it’s perfect for smaller bathrooms.
  2. Go with light and bright colors. Unless you have a larger bathroom and want to use dark colors for a luxurious feel, we recommend using light and bright colors for your walk-in shower. This will make your bathroom look larger and more open. 
  3. Think outside the box. As you’ve seen in this list, there are plenty of featured colors and styles you can choose from for your walk-in shower. Think outside the box and combine multiple ideas! 
  4. Place your showerhead correctly. If you choose to go with a doorless walk-in shower, pay close attention to the water and whether it splashes outside of the shower. Be careful where you place your showerhead and consider going with a soft rainshower effect. 

Walk-in Shower FAQs

How much does it cost to put in a walk-in shower?

A tile walk-in shower can cost $4,200 to $8,500 for a 32-inch square model. However, it can be cheaper or more expensive depending on the size and materials. 

What is the average cost to replace a bathtub with a walk-in shower?

According to HomeAdvisor, converting a tub to a walk-in shower can cost anywhere from $2,150 to $7,950.

What is the best walk-in shower?

Choosing the best walk-in shower for you will depend on your bathroom’s features, including size, style, color and materials. 

What is a good walk-in shower size?

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a walk-in shower should be at least 36 inches by 36 inches to meet accessibility guidelines.

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