When it comes to creating the bathroom of your dreams, the right shower can make all the difference. Whether you’re seeking luxury, functionality, or a bit of both, transforming your shower is a key part of any bathroom renovation. But with so many options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to choose the perfect shower, stay on budget, and maximize the value of your investment. Whether you’re drawn to sleek modern designs or timeless classics, you’ll discover how to transform your everyday shower routine into something extraordinary.
Choosing the Perfect Shower for Your Home
Your new shower should be the ideal combination of style and functionality—a space that looks great and meets your everyday needs. However, how do you make the right choice with so many options? Should you opt for a sleek walk-in shower that brings a touch of modern elegance to your bathroom? Or perhaps a versatile shower-tub combo that offers the flexibility of quick showers and relaxing baths in one space? Maybe you prefer the timeless, classic appeal of a traditional enclosed shower. Each option has its benefits, and the best choice depends on your requirements.
Consider Your Bathroom’s Size, Layout, and Style
Several key factors must be considered carefully when deciding. One of the first is the size and layout of your bathroom—this will help determine what type of shower fits best without feeling cramped or out of place. Style preferences are also essential; your shower should reflect your taste, whether minimalist and modern, cozy and traditional, or somewhere in between. Placement within the bathroom is another important consideration, as it can impact the room’s flow and accessibility.
Practical Details and Cohesive Design
Beyond aesthetics and layout, practical details like maintenance, water efficiency, and the materials used are also worth considering. A shower that is easy to clean and built to last will save you time and money in the long run. Additionally, consider how your shower choice fits into the overall design of your bathroom. Does it align with the rest of the space’s colors, textures, and finishes? A cohesive design can elevate your bathroom from functional to truly stunning.
Big Blue’s Tip: A walk-in shower is an excellent option for both luxury and convenience. Its open design is a top trend in modern homes and increases property value.
Explore the options for your perfect shower
Benefits of a Walk-In Shower
Walk-in showers are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners—and it’s not hard to see why. These sleek, modern bathroom features combine convenience, style, and functionality in a way that appeals to a wide range of people. They provide seamless access with their barrier-free design, creating ease of use and a spacious feel that sets it apart from traditional bathtubs or enclosed shower stalls. This makes them an ideal choice not just for the design-savvy but also for individuals seeking accessibility, as they suit people of all ages and mobility levels.
Walk-In Showers: Everyday Luxury in Your Bathroom
Beyond functionality, walk-in showers bring a touch of everyday luxury to your bathroom. Their open design and clean lines exude a modern aesthetic, making them an excellent choice for elevating their home’s style. Whether doing a major bathroom remodel or seeking a practical yet elegant upgrade, a walk-in shower ticks all the boxes.
Low-Maintenance Design for Hassle-Free Cleaning
Another advantage is their low-maintenance design. Traditional shower enclosures with doors and tracks can often trap dirt and grime, making cleaning a chore. Walk-in showers, on the other hand, are easier to clean and maintain, as they typically feature fewer components like doors or raised edges that require constant attention. This simplicity doesn’t come at the cost of sophistication—they continue to look stylish and polished for years with minimal upkeep.
Create an Open and Airy Feel in Your Bathroom
A walk-in shower also gives your bathroom a more open and airy feel, especially in spaces where every square foot counts. If your bathroom feels cramped or outdated, this shower style can visually expand the space and create a more inviting atmosphere. Homeowners often pair them with frameless glass panels and high-quality tiles, enhancing the modern, luxurious vibe.
Whether you’re drawn to their practicality, aesthetic appeal, or user-friendly design, walk-in showers have become a top choice for modern homeowners.
Learn why a walk-in shower might be perfect for you
Small Bathroom Shower Solutions
Short on space in your bathroom but still want a stylish and functional shower? No problem—countless smart shower solutions are designed specifically to help you maximize your bathroom’s functionality without compromising aesthetics.
Optimize Small Spaces with Corner Showers
If you’re dealing with tight quarters, consider installing sleek corner showers. These designs are perfect for making the most of small spaces while maintaining an elegant and modern look.
Enhance Openness with Wall-Mounted Fixtures
Pairing them with space-saving features like wall-mounted showerheads can enhance your shower experience. Wall-mounted fixtures are great for adding a sense of openness, and they work beautifully with frameless glass enclosures. These enclosures create a more airy and spacious feel by eliminating bulky, heavy frames that can make a small bathroom seem even smaller.
Add Efficiency with Built-In Storage
For added efficiency and organization, consider incorporating built-in shelving, recessed niches, or clever storage options into the shower space. These features provide a designated spot for shower essentials such as shampoo bottles, soaps, and razors, keeping them within reach without cluttering the space.
A small space doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice luxury or convenience—in fact, it’s an opportunity to get creative with your layout and design. Whether you prefer a minimalist aesthetic or something more luxurious, the right combination of features can help you create a shower setup that perfectly suits your needs while making the most of every square inch of your bathroom.
Big Blue’s Tip: Maximize your space by using a shower curtain instead of a rigid door—it’s budget-friendly and adds flexibility.
Get inspired by small bathroom shower ideas
Eco-Friendly Shower Options to Save Water and Energy
Caring for the planet begins in our homes, and one of the simplest yet most impactful areas to make a difference is the bathroom. Daily routines consume significant resources, but minor adjustments can lead to meaningful change. One such adjustment is rethinking your approach to showers. Eco-friendly showers balance conserving resources and maintaining comfort, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying and refreshing experience while reducing your environmental footprint.
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
For starters, installing a low-flow showerhead is one of the most effortless changes you can make. These innovative devices are designed to significantly reduce water usage, sometimes up to 50%, without sacrificing water pressure or performance. You’ll still enjoy a strong, invigorating spray while drastically reducing your water consumption—a win for you and the planet.
Embrace Water Recycling Systems
Water recycling systems are a game-changer for those looking to go even further. These systems reuse gray water from your shower, filtering and repurposing it for other household uses, such as flushing toilets or watering plants. Not only does this reduce overall water waste, but it can also lead to noticeable savings on your utility bills over time.
Choose Sustainable Materials
Beyond water conservation, the materials used in your shower setup can also have a significant environmental impact. Opting for sustainable materials, such as recycled metals or biodegradable components, ensures your shower is functional and eco-conscious. Some shower products, like tiles or fixtures made from reclaimed or recycled materials, help reduce the demand for new resources while adding a unique and stylish touch to your bathroom.
By making these thoughtful changes, your shower can become more than just a daily routine—it can be a statement of your commitment to sustainability. These adjustments may seem small, but their collective impact is significant.
Find out how to build a greener bathroom
The Latest Trends in Shower Design
Looking to give your bathroom a stylish upgrade? Shower remodels are taking center stage with some incredible trends that blend design and functionality. Here are the top trends to inspire your next shower remodel:
Frameless Glass Enclosures
Sleek and modern, frameless glass showers are a favorite for their clean, minimalist look. They make bathrooms feel larger and brighter, perfect for smaller spaces or anyone who loves an open, airy vibe.
Shower Floor Statement Tiles
Bold, patterned tiles on shower floors are making a splash this year. Whether it’s geometric shapes, colorful mosaics, or textured finishes, these floor tiles add personality and become a focal point of the bathroom.
Natural Materials
Earthy tones and materials like natural stone, wood-look tiles, and terrazzo bring warmth and texture to showers. These elements create a calming, nature-inspired retreat right in your home.
Smart Showers
Technology is transforming bathroom design. Smart showers let you control water temperature, pressure, and preset preferences through an app or voice commands, blending convenience with luxury.
Walk-In Wet Rooms
Open-concept wet rooms are gaining popularity for their seamless design and accessibility. They create a unified look without barriers and are ideal for those seeking practicality with a modern edge.
Whether you’re drawn to cutting-edge tech or timeless natural materials, these trends offer something for every style. Incorporate one—or a mix—of these ideas to transform your bathroom into a beautiful, functional, and completely on-trend space.
Big Blue’s Tip: Pair large-format natural stone bathroom floor tiles with a frameless shower enclosure for a sleek and modern look that visually expands the space.
Check out the latest shower trends
How to Maintain and Clean Your Shower
Your shower is likely a perfect balance of beauty and functionality, serving as both a practical feature in your daily routine and a tranquil sanctuary where you can unwind and relax. However, consistent care and attention are essential to maintain this harmony of elegance and usability.
The Impact of Grime and Neglect
Over time, even the most stunning showers can become victims of grime, mildew, hard water stains, and soap scum, which can quickly turn your once-inviting space into an unappealing, worn-looking area. Without proper maintenance, these issues can become more challenging to address and may even cause long-term damage, affecting the aesthetics and durability of your shower.
Simple Habits for a Pristine Shower
With a few simple habits and regular care, you can keep your shower pristine and performing at its best. Start by wiping down the surfaces after each use to prevent water spots and soap scum buildup. Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner weekly to tackle grime and mildew while preserving your shower’s finish.
Maintain Grout and Seals
Don’t forget to check the grout and seals regularly—reapplying grout sealant as needed helps prevent moisture from seeping in and causing damage.
Dedicating a little consistent effort to maintain your shower can prevent common issues from building up and save you time, energy, and money in the long run. Whether you’re dealing with a luxurious wet room, a classic tub-shower combo, or a custom-built design, these strategies will help you create and preserve a space that’s always fresh, clean, and ready for use.
See the best tips for shower maintenance
Cost of Installing a New Shower
How much does a shower remodel cost? The answer can vary greatly, depending on various factors. These factors include the materials you choose, the overall style and design you envision, and even the labor costs specific to your location. Before starting such a project, it’s important to clearly understand the different expenses involved to ensure your shower remodel costs align with your budget and expectations.
Material Choices and Their Impact on Costs
One of the most significant factors influencing shower remodel cost is the type of materials you select. From tiles and hardware to waterproofing materials and fixtures, every choice you make can significantly impact the total cost. For instance, opting for high-end marble tiles or shower heads will naturally cost more than selecting basic ceramic tiles or standard fixtures. Similarly, plumbing requirements can vary in complexity, influencing material costs and installation expenses. Waterproofing, a critical part of the project, may also add to the budget but is essential to prevent long-term water damage.
Bathroom Renovation Labor Costs and Professional Expertise
Labor costs are another primary consideration when determining the overall expense of a shower remodel. Hiring professionals to handle the installation ensures a high-quality finish and long-lasting durability, but this expertise comes with an additional price tag. The labor cost can fluctuate depending on your location, the complexity of the project, and the specific contractor or team you hire. While it might be tempting to cut costs by attempting a DIY approach, professional installation is often worth the investment, as it minimizes the risk of costly mistakes and ensures that the remodel is done correctly.
Ultimately, the total cost of a shower remodel depends on your individual preferences and priorities. By carefully considering materials, labor, and any extra features you want to include, you can create a shower space that perfectly meets your needs and enhances the overall value of your home.
Discover how to budget for your remodel
Glass Shower Doors: Pros and Cons
A glass shower door can be a stunning addition to any bathroom, offering a bold and modern touch that instantly elevates the space. Its sleek design creates an open, airy feel, and one of its most notable advantages is allowing natural light to flow freely throughout the entire bathroom. This feature alone can make even smaller bathrooms feel brighter, more spacious, and more inviting, creating a sense of luxury and openness.
Glass Shower Doors: A High-End, Polished Shower Enclosure
Beyond aesthetics, a glass shower door can also increase the perceived value of your home, as many buyers view it as a high-end feature. It creates a polished appearance that gives the bathroom a more finished, high-quality look than traditional shower curtains or frosted enclosures. Additionally, glass doors can be customized to fit your needs, whether you opt for a frameless design, sliding door, or hinged opening.
The Maintenance Factor
However, as with any design choice, there are some potential drawbacks. Maintaining the pristine appearance of a glass shower door requires regular upkeep. Water spots, soap scum, and mineral deposits can accumulate over time, particularly in areas with hard water. To keep the glass looking spotless and crystal-clear, you may need to wipe it down frequently with a squeegee or use specialized cleaning products. This aspect could become a potential inconvenience for those who prefer a low-maintenance solution.
Shower Curtain or Glass: Privacy Considerations
Additionally, glass doors tend to reveal more of the shower’s interior, which might not be ideal for everyone, particularly if you prefer a bit more privacy or don’t want to worry about keeping the shower area perfectly tidy at all times.
When deciding whether a glass shower door is right for your bathroom, carefully weigh its pros and cons. Think about your priorities in terms of style, functionality, and maintenance.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Dream Shower
Transform your daily routine with a shower remodel that goes beyond basic updates. A thoughtfully designed shower space can become your sanctuary – a perfect blend of functionality and style that elevates your bathroom experience. From serene spa-inspired retreats to smart, space-saving designs, your ideal shower awaits.
Let us bring your vision to life, whether you’re drawn to the openness of a wet room, the versatility of a shower-tub combination, or the efficiency of modern eco-conscious fixtures. Our expertise ensures every detail aligns with your preferences, creating a shower space that enhances your home’s value and daily comfort.
Ready to start your transformation? Explore our Bathroom Remodeling Services and discover how we can make your dream shower a reality.