Bathroom Design
10 Chic Ways to Use Black-Framed Shower Doors
Enclosing the shower in metal and glass gives bathrooms industrial oomph
The trend toward glass shower doors with black metal frames has been steadily gaining steam, and it’s easy to see why. With an industrial aesthetic that chimes with our love for all things midcentury, they offer a chic alternative to standard frameless or chrome-edged enclosures. Slim, steel-framed and square-paned windows manufactured by Crittall, founded in 1849 in England and still going strong, were a hallmark of Art Deco and modernist houses. This look seems set to stick around inside homes as well as out, if these enviable bathrooms are any indication. Here’s how to use the doors with style.
2. Add character. There are many alternatives nowadays to the standard three-piece bathroom suite, and there’s no reason that your wash space has to look like a typical bathroom.
In this elegant and individual retreat, two black-framed glass panels form an L-shaped shower enclosure. This — along with the characterful honey-colored tiles, fireplace, freestanding tub and curtains — make this bathroom one of a kind.
In this elegant and individual retreat, two black-framed glass panels form an L-shaped shower enclosure. This — along with the characterful honey-colored tiles, fireplace, freestanding tub and curtains — make this bathroom one of a kind.
3. Go solo. Your black-framed shower doors don’t have to create a full enclosure to have an effect. One panel, with an integrated door, still looks stunning here. Bear in mind that you’ll probably need to order something custom for your space, so it’s not a budget option. However, restricting frames to one small area is a way to keep costs down.
When planning your doors, think about the design of the entire room. Here, a black steel base for the sink helps pull the look together.
When planning your doors, think about the design of the entire room. Here, a black steel base for the sink helps pull the look together.
4. Mind the gap. The black-framed shower doors don’t have to reach to the ceiling either. The gap at the top here results in a slightly lighter effect.
One great thing about this type of enclosure is that it draws attention to those beautiful shower fixtures and tiles you spent ages selecting.
Browse bathroom tile
One great thing about this type of enclosure is that it draws attention to those beautiful shower fixtures and tiles you spent ages selecting.
Browse bathroom tile
5. Combine with color. Although there’s no doubt that black-framed shower doors work brilliantly in a monochromatic scheme, they can look equally good combined with color.
In this wet room, the blue tiles and red bench work with the slim black framework. And the rectangular panes don’t look quite as busy as square ones.
In this wet room, the blue tiles and red bench work with the slim black framework. And the rectangular panes don’t look quite as busy as square ones.
6. Mix and match. There’s no reason why you can’t combine different materials. What’s great about black-framed doors is their timeless, minimal aesthetic, which can fit into a variety of room styles without jarring.
In this shower room, the black-framed door pairs with a more conventional frameless glass panel. It’s a way to work in the look without having it dominate the room.
In this shower room, the black-framed door pairs with a more conventional frameless glass panel. It’s a way to work in the look without having it dominate the room.
8. Divide a bedroom from an en suite. OK, this isn’t a shower door, but if you like the idea of a more “broken plan” arrangement, steel-and-glass partitions are increasingly being used as a contemporary means of linking rooms. This includes opening up a bedroom and an adjoining bathroom. The result here wouldn’t look amiss in a boutique hotel.
Using interior glass doors in this way means that both rooms get plenty of light and you can enjoy an extended sense of space. However, you still benefit from that crucial division between the bathing area and the sleeping zone.
Using interior glass doors in this way means that both rooms get plenty of light and you can enjoy an extended sense of space. However, you still benefit from that crucial division between the bathing area and the sleeping zone.
9. Try frosted glass. Perhaps you aren’t quite brave enough to live with clear glass in a space like this and the previous one? Here, the black-framed panels feature frosted glass to allow the owner to retain an element of privacy. They also feature larger panes of glass rather than the typical grid pattern.
10. Create interior windows. Here’s another way to keep a degree of privacy. The owners retained solid areas of wall so that the bathroom doesn’t feel as if it completely intrudes into the bedroom. However, it still benefits from the light filtering through and the tantalizing view of a lovely spa-style space.
Tell us: What do you think of this bathroom trend? Let us know in the Comments.
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Tell us: What do you think of this bathroom trend? Let us know in the Comments.
More
Before and After: 6 Bathrooms That Said Goodbye to the Tub
Read more bathroom guides
Find bathroom products
In this smart space, the black floor and the black-framed shower enclosure, mirror and artwork together add a more designed feel and help ground the white walls, sink and shower.