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How small is too small for a steam shower?

16 years ago

So, even with 4 bathroom drawn in to our house-to-be, the only bathroom where we can reasonably put a steam shower is in the mudroom shower, which can only be fitted as a shower stall (stand up shower only).

Quick rundown of why the other baths don't work:

Master bathroom (on 2nd floor) will have a shower & tub in one large doorless "wet room" - we could put a door on it, but I don't want to clean the glass on a daily basis, and it would be a large space to have to heat up and steam.

2nd bath on 2nd floor is the "kids bath", though we don't have kids, so this bathroom will rarely, if ever, be used.

Full bath on 1st floor is attached to DH's office, which will also likely be used as the guest powder room. It's not in a very convenient location for a steam shower.

That leaves the bathroom in the mudroom - the steam shower actually makes sense here, as it's where DH will come in from "man land" (the garage), and where I will come in from either driving in or coming in from gardening in the backyard. The laundry facilities are here, making things even more convenient.

Unfortunately, the space is only large enough for a shower stall, so here we are.

Is it worth putting the steam shower in a stall shower (I don't really know how expensive the mechanisms are)? I think we would still enjoy it, and can pull a small bench in to the stall if needed.

What do you think?

Thank you for your opinions!

Karen

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Comments (5)

weedyacres
16 years ago
You definitely need a bench, as it's not very relaxing to stand up while steaming. Another thing to keep in mind is the placement of the steam nozzle. It's very hot within 12-18" of it, so in a smallish shower, I'd recommend putting it up high.
karenyang
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks, weedyacres - nozzle placement is going on the list!

does anyone else have a small steam shower, or are we going to be the only ones?

pros: heats up quickly, we get a steam shower in the house.

cons: not the most relaxing environment, must consider alternate nozzle placement.

am i missing anything?
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loriley, Did you ever see my steam shower pix in the gallery? The layout I posted was from memory, but I can measure it for you if you like...just email me. We put our bench lengthwise and had it tapered back. For more foot room. I've also seen them designed open underneath and I like that look a lot too. I like the long bench because often in the mornings, DH and I like to steam together (is that too much information?) and the long bench allows us both to sit and steam. If you're alonge, you can lay down on it. After 6 years, we still love it and use it everyday, sometimes twice. Also, ours is plenty big for two adults...we have two shower heads. One fixed and one handheld. I think if I could do it over, I would do two hand-helds. Sometimes it's nice to shower a bit of cool water on yourself while you steam. Can't do that with the fixed one, so DH and I have to share. Click the link to see the pix and my "from memory" layout! Kompy Here is a link that might be useful: Kompys Master Bath
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hendricus
16 years ago
I would go back and redraw the master bathroom to add the steam shower and give it its proper space rather than as an add-on somewhere.
salbwil
16 years ago
I placed a steam shower at the end of a bathroom ; measurements are approx. 3 x 5, give or take. I have a small corner bench. If I had had the room, I'd have made the bench a little bit bigger, but for one person, it's o k. I do love my steam shower and am happy I put it in.
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kompy
16 years ago
Once you have the steam shower, you'll want to use it every morning. Consider a re-design of the master bath. Our glass door is so easy to keep clean. We use Dow 'scrubbing bubbles' on it once a week and that's it.

It's so nice to walk in to a warmed up shower. On days that I don't steam....walking in the shower isn't nearly as pleasant. It's great, too, for warming yourself up before bedtime...especially on chilly February nights.

I just couldn't see myself using it so much if the steam shower was in the mudroom bath.

My shower is in the 'bath gallery' under the top "traditional cherry with steam shower".

Kompy

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