21 Walk-In Shower Ideas For Any Size Bathroom

Tub-free alternatives to fuel your renovation daydreams.

A tub can be a gorgeous focal point in the bathroom, but a walk-in shower is a true showstopper. For bathrooms big and small, a tub-free shower is a great alternative to make a big impression. According to designers, this stand-alone option delivers powerful style and function.

“A walk-in shower can provide functional elements over a tub shower, such as dual shower heads for busy couples getting ready in the morning, enhanced safety, additional space for a larger niche or two to store shampoos and soaps, etc, and a bench seat,” says designer Susan Sutter. “Walk-in showers also provide more beauty and style than a tub shower with opportunities to use fun tile pairings on the shower floor, niche accent, and wall tile.”

Meet the Experts

• Susan Sutter is the principal designer of Susan Sutter Interiors, a boutique design firm in Arlington, Virginia.

• Paige Goodloe is the principal designer of Paige Goodloe Interiors in Atlanta, Georgia.

• Hope Austin is the principal designer of Hope Austin Interiors in Atlanta, Georgia.

In fact, designer Paige Goodloe says that she encourages clients to choose a walk-in shower over a tub shower in most situations. While she insists on one tub per household—to wash kids—, walk-in showers are elegant, space-saving, and optimal for longevity. As folks in your household age (gracefully, of course), a walk-in shower offers ease and safety for getting in and out without having to hike over a tub ledge.

Whether your goal is beauty or performance (or all of the above), a walk-in shower may be the best fit for your bathroom. Use these photos to inspire your next remodel and your tub-free daydreams.

Nix The Tub

Designer Hope Austin reveals that there was once a tub in this space. To build style and function, she replaced it with a gorgeous walk-in

Feature a Double Shower

For couples on the go, double shower heads can double the function of the shower and speed up a busy morning. An intimate double shower helps with time and beauty.

Design a Double Door

Double your shower's style by doubling the doors. This also offers double the opportunity for stylish hardware on the door handles.

Bring in a Bench

Used for storage and sitting, a bench is the way to go when there's space to spare in a walk-in shower. It has all the benefits of a tub ledge with none of the hazards.

Save Space

In a small bathroom, a tub may overwhelm the space. Opt for a graceful walk-in shower to save space without sacrificing style.

Grant Easy Access

Especially with curb-less walk-in showers, you can rest assured that as your family ages, you won't have to worry about the hassle of climbing over a tub rail to access the shower. Adding a grab bar enhances the shower's accessibility and is bound to help out both now and down the road.

Have Fun with Tile

Turn a walk-in shower into an accent wall. There's so many tile layout patterns to choose from, so we've made a guide.

Switch It Up

Even in a monochrome bathroom, subtle switches in the walk-in shower can make a world of difference. Select different tiles for both the shower walls and floor to make it stand out.

Style a Dark Retreat

Even in an otherwise light and bright bathroom, a walk-in shower can be like stepping into another world. Choose a high contrast tile to transform the mood of any walk-in shower.

Add Greenery

"We love to bring greenery into our designs," says Sutter. "Adding a small plant to your shower bench seat can make the shower feel like a spa oasis."

Give It the Powder Bath Treatment

Just because it's a full bathroom with a walk-in shower, doesn't mean that you can't have fun decorating the space. Enhance your shower with bold tile, fun wallpaper, and playful accents.

Focus on the Floor

Every nook and cranny of this stunning bathroom is dripping in style and intention, but let's all give a moment to the floor. In any bathroom, an interesting floor tile is sure to elevate your walk-in shower.

Design for Privacy

Sealed behind clouded glass, this walk-in shower offers privacy and class. It also optimizes function so that most of the room can be dedicated to a stunning vanity rather than a tub.

Make It Accessible

The most accessible shower option, curbless walk-in showers, also delivers big on beauty. This mint green shower is easy to enter and cute as can be without both a ledge and a door.

Add Color

Tile and fixtures aren't the only places to incorporate fun design into a walk-in shower. This blue glass door provides a much-needed breath of fresh air to its neutral surroundings.

Pair with a Tub

If space allows, the presence of a tub doesn't mean you can't still have a walk-in shower. Here, a stunning tub lies just a wall away from the walk-in, maximizing the potential uses of this space.

Make Room For Storage

This shower includes shelving so that your towel is never out of reach. Goodloe says that she also likes including a shampoo niche to hide those eyesore plastic bottles.

Elevate Your Style

"We like to use items that bring in texture and color, such as a teak bench or shower brush, loofahs/natural sponges, and glass dispensers in fun accents to elevate your shower style," says Sutter.

Forget the Doors

By the strictest definitions, a walk-in shower is one that's not closed off—meaning no doors, or at least incomplete doors that still leave an opening. We promise that builders know what they're doing and can make this option mess-free.

Make It a Spa

"We updated a dated cave-like walk-in shower to a preppy, soothing spa-like shower with marble tile walls, navy penny round accent tile, and classic brass plumbing," says Sutter. "A stunning combo when paired with the gorgeous navy double vanity. The existing shower space was huge, so we used a classic color scheme and tile that didn't feel cold in such a large shower.  Also, we added natural light from expanding the shower opening with shower glass to connect the shower to the rest of the primary bath. "

Include a Rain Shower

Turn everyday showers into a luxury worth looking forward to with the help of an overhead rain shower. This will totally transform your shower look and experience.

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