Brilliant Walk In Shower Ideas For Small Bathrooms To Maximize Space

Walk-in showers are a good choice for small bathrooms to make the most of valuable space. However, things get tricky when you add elements like doors, thresholds, or partitions to the mix. It's because certain options can make a small space feel even more compact. For instance, poor color and material choices can visually shrink the room. But you don't have to delete your Pinterest board full of breathtaking walk-in shower ideas just yet. You just have to get strategic with your idea execution.

For example, if you share a bathroom and privacy is paramount, replace solid doors with opaque glass versions. Likewise, if you're worried about water splashes leading to wet floors, install a half wall to contain the shower's overspray. You could even opt for a wet room to make your shower a part of your tiny bathroom. Interested in learning about designing a walk-in shower in a small bathroom to maximize space? Here are some ideas to help you out. 

Adding an open glass screen to your walk-in shower is a great way to eliminate visual barriers. In turn, this can make your small bathroom look bigger than it is. Plus, you can easily step in and out of the shower and won't have to worry about overspray drenching the nearby walls. As a bonus, the lack of a door and associated hardware will also make it easier to clean. 

If you don't want to section off your walk-in shower but want to contain rogue water splashes, opt for a curtain instead of a solid door. It won't disrupt the flow of your bathroom (when it's pushed back), and it can promote privacy. Plus, it's a budget-friendly solution and can be replaced once you're bored with the current design. Given the variety of designs and materials, you can pick a shower curtain fabric that adds a luxurious look to your bathroom like Eachope's Textured Linen Curtain and Liner Set. 

A curbless shower might be right for your bathroom if the raised area around your walk-in shower is making it look cramped. A more seamless floor will open up the small area and give it a sleek appearance. Plus, the lack of a curb will be helpful for those with mobility issues or even if you're just clumsy. Simply slope the floor a little around the drain to keep the water in the area. However, be prepared to shell out at least $500 to $700 more for this feature in addition to your walk-in shower costs.

Accent walls in the shower are a rising bathroom design trend that will set your space apart from the rest. If done right, they'll draw the eye and provide your space with a focal point. The best part, though? They'll add depth to the tiny room, effectively creating the illusion of extra space. Play around with materials, colors, textures, and patterns to pick a design that complements the rest of your decor and lets your unique personality shine.

If you share your small bathroom, you might have to sometimes double-book it while still wanting some privacy. The good news is an opaque glass partition can give you a much-needed barrier without shrinking the tiny room. This is because, unlike solid screens, opaque partitions let some light through and won't wall off your walk-in shower completely. Experiment with varied designs and styles to choose a partition that fits in with your existing design scheme.

Glass screens are a great way to separate your walk-in shower from the rest of your bathroom. But if their chunky frames have been impeding your sightlines and visually shrinking the limited space, a frameless shower door can make a small bathroom look and feel bigger. They offer all of the advantages of a framed screen without detracting focus from your carefully curated decor, beautiful tiles, or tasteful hardware. They can be customized to fit your needs and are easier to clean than their counterparts. However, all these advantages come at a premium, and you might have to pay 25 to 50% extra to install them.

A tried and true trick to make your walk-in feel bigger is to use light neutral shades seamlessly throughout the space. This is because these colors reflect light and help make compact areas look more spacious. The result is even more impactful if the surface is glossy. But if you're not a big fan of neutral hues, soft pastels work, too. Stick to the same shade throughout the room to embrace minimalist decor or strategically add darker accents to the mix for a striking contrast.

When tiling the area in and around your walk-in shower, choose large format ones to make your tiny bathroom look bigger. This is because fewer grout lines promote continuity and lead to fewer visual breaks. Following this logic, try using the same tile for your floor as well to minimize interruptions. Bonus advantage: you won't have to spend a lot of time cleaning the dirt stuck in the grout lines. 

While all glass doors let light through and make your small bathroom look spacious, ones that swing out require significant clearance into the room to open. This might not be an issue if you have some space to spare. However, if your bathroom is particularly tiny, maneuvering the door open or close can present challenges. This is where sliding glass doors come in. Besides saving space, they look amazing and are available in a variety of styles so you can install one that works in your space.

Tired of low ceilings making your bathroom feel like a matchbox? Use optical illusion to your advantage with vertical tiles. This simple trick will attract your eyes upward and make the ceiling feel taller. Pick a tile in a bright color with a reflective finish to bounce light around. Similarly, if you feel like your bathroom is closing in around you when you step into your walk-in shower, install horizontal tiles. This will create the impression of a wider space.

Stuck in the eternal 'light vs dark tiles: which is right for your shower space' debate? There's no clear winner since both have their pros and cons. But if you're leaning towards contemporary design and want to add a hint of drama to your walk-in shower, choose dark-hued tiles. Besides helping you incorporate the moody design trend, dark colors tend to recede and create the illusion of extra space. This will make your space feel deeper than it actually is. Then, use light colors outside your walk-in shower for an alluring look.

You can't overlook even a single corner when you're short on space in your small bathroom. So, use the awkward alcove or corner judiciously by installing a walk-in shower. Don't limit yourself to the traditional square, circle, or rectangular shapes. Finalize a design, including triangles and hexagons, based on the space you have on hand. But don't forgo an enclosure to avoid dealing with the overspray. Worried you'll have to relinquish the warmth of your shower to grab a towel or bathrobe? Install a hook right outside your enclosure for easy access.

Adding a half-wall glass enclosure between your walk-in shower and toilet is a great way to boost privacy in shared bathrooms. Since the half-glass wall will let light and airflow pass through, you won't have to worry about a solid wall shrinking the space. Plus, you'll gain a ledge where you can keep things like shampoo bottles inside the shower and decorative accents like plants and candles on the outside.

A great way to turn your walk-in shower into an integral part of your teeny-tiny bathroom is to opt for a wet room. The absence of an enclosure or screen will improve its accessibility and make room for the toilet and sink. However, be warned that the water from your shower will splash onto the other surfaces. The slippery floors might also lead to accidents. So, either waterproof all your bathroom features and decor, or reserve this idea for bathrooms that aren't used on a daily basis, like a small guest room ensuite.