Rethinking the bathroom

A walk-in shower’s characteristics mean it is particularly suitable for someone with reduced mobility, who is dependent on others or who has difficulties with movement, even if this is just temporary. Institutions that host these people (hospitals, rehabilitation centres, nursing or care homes, etc.) have widely adopted walk-in showers in their bathrooms, to make these rooms more convenient.

However, architects, decorators and other designers picked up on this concept many years ago, in order to create bathrooms that boast unrivalled ergonomics and elegance. A walk-in shower offers comfort, safety and ease of use. It also boasts a minimalist look – stripped of everything unnecessary – and allows people to rethink a bathroom’s design. This is especially true when the bathroom is small.

With or without a panel? It’s your choice

You may feel that there are two disadvantages to a shower that does not have a panel, and rightly so. First, your bathroom may quickly start to resemble a swimming pool, because there is nothing to stop the water from splashing around. Second, there is a lack of privacy if several people are sharing the room at the same time, such as in the morning rush.

Both these concerns can be easily addressed by adding a shower panel made of glass. It won’t deprive you of your open shower’s main advantage. Because the glass panel will protect the immediate surroundings from splashes, without blocking the view or creating the impression of a smaller space. The panel can also provide privacy with opaque, frosted, smoked or sandblasted glass, or with mid-height stripes or silk-screened patterns. You can even choose a glass panel with a mirror effect. This will magically increase the space in the bathroom, and even allow you to see yourself from head to toe!

Another tip: some glass panels can be fitted with an integrated towel rail. This will enable you to have your bath towel close at hand and to dry off immediately when getting out of the shower. Looking for a bit of a workshop style? Choose a glass panel featuring a square-pattern of matte or glossy black profiles. This creates an industrial look that never goes out of fashion. If you prefer a more classic or glamorous look, you can choose profiles in chrome or gold.

What about a shower tray?

The purest kind of walk-in shower will not have a shower tray. However, there is nothing to stop you embedding a shower tray invisibly in the floor, so that it blends in with the floor. In this case, you will need a recess deep enough to accommodate the shower tray.

Extra-flat shower trays are another simple and cost-effective option, but one that does not compromise the spirit of a walk-in shower. These trays come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from rectangles up to 70 cm wide and 200 cm long, to squares measuring 70 cm to 120 cm on each side, through to shower trays with rounded corners measuring 80 cm by 80 cm or 90 cm by 90 cm.

The advantage of this type of shower tray – available in a various materials such as acrylic, enamelled steel, resin, or ceramic, etc. – is its easy installation. And if the water drainage system prevents the tray from sitting perfectly flush with the floor, a slightly raised shower tray will be just fine.

Tiling

The choice of tile type will depend on the overall visual effect you wish to achieve. So you should think about the colour and size of the tiles.

Two criteria should be taken into account when choosing a colour: the look and convenience. The look is all about the sought-after ambience (modern, retro, Scandinavian, romantic, stylish, etc.), while convenience relates to the ease of cleaning your shower. It’s best to select pastel shades, on which you can easily spot stains. To reduce cleaning time to a minimum, go for smooth tiles rather than textured surfaces.

As far as size is concerned, the range is huge! From the trendy yet classic XXL option, to the small square or rectangular Parisian metro-style tiles. When choosing your tiles, remember not to mistake thickness for strength. Strength is measured by the tonnage used to press the tile. A thinner tile pressed at a higher tonnage is therefore preferable to a tile featuring the opposite characteristics.

Mosaic

This is a lovely tile variant. Mosaic is very decorative and allows you to create a multitude of patterns, from the simplest and most traditional to something highly original. When using single-colour stoneware, mosaic will give your shower a very refined and chic atmosphere. If you prefer a warmer, more fun and cheerful ambience, you could choose the brilliance of pâte de verre (glass paste). For elegance, opt for marble and stone to create a sleek, natural and zen-like look.

Mosaic tiles can be used throughout your bathroom, to create a very distinctive overall look. But take care not to overload your bathroom with mosaic, as you may grow tired of it. Our best advice is to use mosaic in the shower and perhaps in small touches in other areas of the bathroom, such as the storage cabinet under the wall cabinet, opposite the washbasin.

Apart from being decorative, mosaic is a material that adheres well to the floor. This reduces the risk of people slipping. Mosaic is also very resistant to wear and stains.

Inside the shower

You can, of course, install a conventional shower tower with a handheld shower, shower hose and mixer tap. But the ideal solution for this open space is to fit a built-in shower tap, so that all the technology is concealed behind the shower panel. To control the water, choose a thermostatic shower mixer for precise temperature control.

When it comes to overhead showers, don’t make your choice in haste. Because this part of the shower can give you an incredible feeling of freedom and well-being, so typical of a shower inspired by Roman baths. Here too, the range of possibilities is extensive: a shower head can be round, square or rectangular, small or large, and wall- or ceiling-mounted. It can notably feature various adjustments, thus tailoring your experience as desired: gentle rain for a soothing feel, a bubbling jet for a relaxing massage after exercise, or a powerful jet for an energising burst of freshness, and so on.

Finally, minimalist accessories will create a shower that is convenient but not detract from its clean lines. You can even do without these accessories, simply by building a niche into the wall so that shampoo, shower gel and sponges are within easy reach.