For many homeowners, the shower becomes one of the main features of a bathroom remodel. Beyond choosing beautiful tile, a well-planned shower should be comfortable, functional, easy to maintain, and designed to work with the available space.
If you’re planning a bathroom renovation, here are some important things to consider when designing your new shower.
Walk-In Shower or Tub and Shower Combination?
One of the first decisions is determining what type of shower works best for your home.
Walk-in showers can create a clean, open appearance and offer plenty of opportunities for customization. A traditional tub and shower combination, however, may still make sense for households that regularly use a bathtub or want to maintain one in the home.
The right choice depends on your available space and how your household actually uses the bathroom.
Think About the Shower Size and Layout
Bigger isn’t automatically better.
A well-designed shower should fit comfortably within the overall bathroom layout without making other areas feel cramped. Door placement, nearby fixtures, walking space, and the location of plumbing can all influence the best shower configuration.
During a bathroom remodel, looking at the entire room rather than the shower alone can lead to a more functional finished space.
Choose Shower Tile Carefully
Shower tile has a major impact on the appearance of a bathroom renovation.
Large-format tile can create a clean, streamlined look, while smaller or decorative tile can introduce texture and personality. Some homeowners choose a simple main tile and use an accent tile to create a focal point.
It’s also important to consider more than appearance. Maintenance, grout lines, durability, and slip resistance—particularly for shower floors—should all be part of the decision.
Include Built-In Shower Storage
Nobody wants to finish a beautiful new shower only to realize there’s nowhere to put shampoo.
Built-in shower niches can provide convenient storage without taking up additional floor space. Their size and placement should be considered during the planning stage so they feel like an intentional part of the shower design.
Depending on the space, shelving or a shower ledge may also be an option.
Consider a Shower Bench
A built-in shower bench can add both comfort and functionality.
It can provide a place to sit, hold toiletries, or simply make everyday routines more convenient. Even when a full bench isn’t practical, smaller corner seating may work in certain bathroom layouts.
Think About Glass and Shower Doors
Glass can dramatically influence how a finished bathroom feels.
Frameless or minimally framed glass can help showcase shower tile and allow light to travel throughout the room. This can be especially helpful when remodeling a smaller bathroom because maintaining sightlines may help the space feel more open.
The shower layout and available clearance will help determine what type of door or glass enclosure works best.
Don’t Forget About Lighting
Good lighting shouldn’t stop at the bathroom vanity.
Depending on the design of the room, lighting around or within the shower area can make the space brighter and more comfortable. Lighting placement should be considered early in the bathroom renovation process so it can be incorporated into the overall plan.
Plan for Everyday Maintenance
A beautiful bathroom should also be practical to maintain.
Tile selection, grout, glass, fixtures, ventilation, and shower design can all affect how easy the space is to clean. Thinking about maintenance while selecting materials can help create a bathroom that continues to look great long after the remodel is complete.
Bring the Entire Bathroom Design Together
The shower may be a focal point, but it should still feel connected to the rest of the bathroom.
Coordinating shower tile with the bathroom flooring, vanity, cabinetry, fixtures, lighting, and hardware can create a more cohesive finished design.
Not everything has to match perfectly. The goal is to choose elements that complement one another and make the entire bathroom feel intentional.
Final Thoughts
Designing a shower involves much more than choosing a tile you like. Size, layout, storage, lighting, glass, fixtures, maintenance, and everyday functionality all contribute to the finished result.
Whether you’re planning a walk-in shower, updating a tub and shower combination, or completing an entire bathroom renovation, thinking through these details early can help create a bathroom that’s beautiful, comfortable, and designed for everyday life.