Bathroom Design
8 Shower Features Pros Love to Recommend
Design and remodeling pros share the elements they use to boost a shower’s functionality, versatility and style
When compiling a list of can’t-miss shower features, we turned to the pros for advice. We asked bathroom designers and remodelers on Houzz to share the shower features they confidently recommend to homeowners and why. Here are the eight shower elements that came up the most.
To increase the utility of a handheld shower, designer Bridgette Caporaso of Sketch Design Studio advocates adding one that attaches to a slide bar. Doing so allows you to raise or lower the handheld sprayer, a helpful option for young kids or tall adults.
“Handheld sprayers are versatile enough to be utilized as the primary shower head or as an additional feature in larger showers,” Caporaso says.
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“Handheld sprayers are versatile enough to be utilized as the primary shower head or as an additional feature in larger showers,” Caporaso says.
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2. Shower Niche
A shower niche makes storing bath products in an easy-to-reach location a breeze. “Although shower niches have been around for quite some time, they are a complete necessity in our minds,” says designer Lisa Janzen of KC Interior Design. “When possible, we try to tuck them away so you don’t see all your random shampoo and soap containers.”
Remodeler Damon Fowler of Trends KBS suggests making a shower niche as large as possible for maximum impact. “A lot of times a niche is only as wide as the space between two studs,” he says. “An infinity niche, when possible, will go wall to wall and offer a ton of space for products.”
A shower niche makes storing bath products in an easy-to-reach location a breeze. “Although shower niches have been around for quite some time, they are a complete necessity in our minds,” says designer Lisa Janzen of KC Interior Design. “When possible, we try to tuck them away so you don’t see all your random shampoo and soap containers.”
Remodeler Damon Fowler of Trends KBS suggests making a shower niche as large as possible for maximum impact. “A lot of times a niche is only as wide as the space between two studs,” he says. “An infinity niche, when possible, will go wall to wall and offer a ton of space for products.”
3. Shower Shelving
For an existing shower that doesn’t have a shower niche, adding a shower shelf is a budget-friendly option that will look better than a wire basket over a shower head or a storage basket on a shower floor.
“Instead of adding a built-in niche, simply add a mounted shelf that matches the plumbing,” says kitchen designer Melinda Cabanilla of Flat Pack Kitchen Design. “It saves on labor and tile costs and still makes a big impact.”
For an existing shower that doesn’t have a shower niche, adding a shower shelf is a budget-friendly option that will look better than a wire basket over a shower head or a storage basket on a shower floor.
“Instead of adding a built-in niche, simply add a mounted shelf that matches the plumbing,” says kitchen designer Melinda Cabanilla of Flat Pack Kitchen Design. “It saves on labor and tile costs and still makes a big impact.”
4. Shower Bench
Many design and remodeling pros are creating bathrooms with aging-in-place considerations in mind. As a result, shower benches are a feature that many pros recommend.
Designer Dee Dee Lear of Delaney’s Design says adding a bench to most showers has become standard practice for her. “Our clients’ lifestyles are such that they plan to live in their home for many years; therefore I design spaces that adapt and function to the various stages and phases of life,” she says.
For showers that are on the smaller side, designer Stephanie Frees of Plain & Posh likes to add a floating shower bench. “When working on a shower that isn’t overly large, I like having the shower bench float,” she says. “That way you get more floor space to stand and your toes aren’t hitting the front edge of the bench.”
Many design and remodeling pros are creating bathrooms with aging-in-place considerations in mind. As a result, shower benches are a feature that many pros recommend.
Designer Dee Dee Lear of Delaney’s Design says adding a bench to most showers has become standard practice for her. “Our clients’ lifestyles are such that they plan to live in their home for many years; therefore I design spaces that adapt and function to the various stages and phases of life,” she says.
For showers that are on the smaller side, designer Stephanie Frees of Plain & Posh likes to add a floating shower bench. “When working on a shower that isn’t overly large, I like having the shower bench float,” she says. “That way you get more floor space to stand and your toes aren’t hitting the front edge of the bench.”
5. Shaving Niche and Ledge
Another shower feature that Frees often recommends is a built-in shaving niche. “I love incorporating a shaving niche for clients who don’t want a built-in bench,” she says. “This allows a woman a spot to rest her foot when she is shaving her legs.”
10 Tips for Designing the Perfect Shower
Another shower feature that Frees often recommends is a built-in shaving niche. “I love incorporating a shaving niche for clients who don’t want a built-in bench,” she says. “This allows a woman a spot to rest her foot when she is shaving her legs.”
10 Tips for Designing the Perfect Shower
Adding a small foot ledge for shaving is another option that works well, and it can be installed in an existing shower at a lower cost than a built-in shaving niche.
“Foot ledges are a great option for functionality and safety when shaving in the shower,” says bathroom remodeler Carly Gockeler of KraftMaster Renovations. “They take up minimal space and use corners wisely. They allow for the user to rest their foot on the ledge to help them balance while shaving, reducing the potential for falls and slips.”
“Foot ledges are a great option for functionality and safety when shaving in the shower,” says bathroom remodeler Carly Gockeler of KraftMaster Renovations. “They take up minimal space and use corners wisely. They allow for the user to rest their foot on the ledge to help them balance while shaving, reducing the potential for falls and slips.”
6. Linear Drain
Another shower feature ideal for aging-in-place design is a linear drain. “By using a linear drain we can avoid a shower curb, making it easy for folks to walk straight into a shower without obstruction,” says designer Jeanine Boyle of JB Interior Design. “It’s perfect for those who are aging in place or thinking about that in the future. It’s also a cleaner look.”
Another shower feature ideal for aging-in-place design is a linear drain. “By using a linear drain we can avoid a shower curb, making it easy for folks to walk straight into a shower without obstruction,” says designer Jeanine Boyle of JB Interior Design. “It’s perfect for those who are aging in place or thinking about that in the future. It’s also a cleaner look.”
Designer Carmit Oron also prefers a linear drain for showers because they help create a more unified look and open up tile options.
“When using a linear drain, we can use a bigger tile for the shower pan,” Oron says. “This means that we can use the same tile we are using for the bathroom floor inside the shower. Doing this makes the room look more uniform and cohesive.”
“When using a linear drain, we can use a bigger tile for the shower pan,” Oron says. “This means that we can use the same tile we are using for the bathroom floor inside the shower. Doing this makes the room look more uniform and cohesive.”
7. Steam Shower
For homeowners looking for a luxurious, spa-like experience, adding a steam shower can boost a shower’s appeal and potentially add some health benefits.
“I am specifying a lot of steam showers for my clients lately,” designer Wendy Glaister says. “They help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, help with allergy relief and improve sleep.”
For homeowners looking for a luxurious, spa-like experience, adding a steam shower can boost a shower’s appeal and potentially add some health benefits.
“I am specifying a lot of steam showers for my clients lately,” designer Wendy Glaister says. “They help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, help with allergy relief and improve sleep.”
8. Statement Tile
While many of the features pros recommend improve the function of a shower, making it look great is also a top objective. Covering shower walls and floors in statement-making tile is a great way to enhance the appearance of a shower.
“Consider using statement tile to follow the angles and architecture of a shower,” says designer Kelsey Haywood of Haywoodmade Interiors. “Don’t be afraid to make it a focal point. Play with large- and small-scale tile in the same colorway and things will always work well together.”
While many of the features pros recommend improve the function of a shower, making it look great is also a top objective. Covering shower walls and floors in statement-making tile is a great way to enhance the appearance of a shower.
“Consider using statement tile to follow the angles and architecture of a shower,” says designer Kelsey Haywood of Haywoodmade Interiors. “Don’t be afraid to make it a focal point. Play with large- and small-scale tile in the same colorway and things will always work well together.”
Tell us: What are your must-have shower features? Share in the Comments.
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The most recommended shower feature by design and remodeling pros is a handheld shower head. “Our interior design team always recommends a combination of a shower head and a handheld sprayer in all showers,” says architect and designer Eugene Sakai of Studio S Squared Architecture. “We suggest this not only for usual bathing purposes but for the ease of cleaning. It’s far easier to clean your shower with a handheld.”
Bathroom designer Leah Dunne of Kate Roos Design says the versatility of a hand shower is hard to beat. “Besides the obvious ease of use for rinsing off in the shower, it’s also great for cleaning pets, kids or the shower itself,” she says. “It’s a useful feature that enhances the function of any type of shower, from a simple shower-tub combo to a large spa-style shower.”
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