Everything you need to know about a walk-in shower
Bathroom
Buying guide
A walk-in shower is a floor-level shower, larger than average, generally without a shower tray, and sometimes with no shower panel. But why is it also called an ‘Italian’ style shower? Simply because it is inspired by the baths of Ancient Rome. Those buildings that were home to public baths – where water was omnipresent, of course – had large rooms with walls and a floor that were fully tiled. People could easily move around them, as there were no doors or entrance, and no barriers of any kind. These characteristics, of offering great freedom of movement, can be found nowadays in a walk-in shower – a modern version of the Roman baths. An Italian-style shower is also known as a ‘walk-in shower’.
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.
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.
Uncluttered space, more peace of mind
The main advantage of a walk-in shower is that it takes up so little space. If this kind of shower is delivered in its typical form, it will come without a shower tray or a screen. The only parts visible will be the shower drain through which the water flows, the controls, shower head and possibly the handheld shower. All the pipes are flush-mounted into the floor and walls. This simplicity creates an impressive feeling of openness and space, enhancing the sense of completeness and calm, which are so important in this room devoted to well-being.
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.
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.
Tips for your panel
Here are a few recommendations for choosing and cleaning your shower panel:
For your safety, opt for 6 to 8 mm thick tempered glass. If the glass is hit by a strong impact, it will shatter into a myriad of small, harmless splinters.
For easier cleaning and a longer life, choose an anti-scale treated panel. Of course, this won’t prevent scale deposits, but it will reduce them and make it easier for you to remove them.
For flawless cleaning of your panel, you will need a sponge, a mixture of water and white vinegar, and a glass wiper.You can add a shower door
If you’re really worried about splashes, or if the bathroom layout doesn’t allow you to install a ‘real’ walk-in shower, you can still modify the concept a little. Simply fit a shower door, also made of glass, to retain as much of the feeling of space as possible. The ideal solution is a shower panel (100 or 110 cm) that slides over a larger fixed panel (e.g. 120 cm wide). Other options include :
A door that pivots on itself: this is practical if your walk-in shower is fitted between two walls.
A folding shower door that folds up like an accordion, a perfect solution for a small bathroom.
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.
Decorating your walk-in shower
Let’s look at perhaps the most fun part of designing your walk-in shower: the choice of covering for the wall(s), and for the floor if you opt for the purist version without a shower tray. In that case, the covering really should be the same for both types of surface, in order to create a totally harmonious whole. This is a fun task, because there are so many decorative possibilities. You can really let your creativity run free, enabling you to achieve a far more customised look than you would with a traditional shower. Here are some of the options available to you.
Waxed concrete
The term isn’t strictly correct, because waxed concrete (also known as ‘polished cement’) could be better described as a very fine ornamental plaster made from mortar, resin and pigments. Thanks to its thinness, waxed concrete can be applied to walls and floors. It also works well for your bathroom furniture, creating a very stylish ‘overall look’ in the colour of your choice, from light to dark. Better still, during the fitting of waxed concrete, a craftsman’s touch can create a highly personal finish that could even be described as artistic.
Other advantages? Besides being waterproof, waxed concrete resists knocks and scratches, it protects against dust mites and silverfish, and is easy to maintain with a mild soap or pH-neutral cleaner. But remember that abrasive sponges are not recommended for cleaning, as it’s best to cover the surface of waxed concrete with a varnish.Wall panels
If you install a shower tray in your walk-in shower, you can cover the walls with wall panels. Produced in materials that are waterproof, resistant and light, these panels are especially suitable when renovating a bathroom. They can be fitted very easily and quickly to the existing wall, so you can forget demolition, dust or noise!
Wall panels are also a great option because of the wide variety of decors available: plain colours (grey, mint, brownish-grey, cappuccino, blue, etc.), geometric or nature-inspired patterns, plus finishes in wood, concrete, natural stone, white or black marble. You could even have your favourite photo printed on a wall panel!
Last but not least, a wall panel is UV-resistant, antibacterial and antifungal. It also has a dirt-repellent coating, to ensure easy cleaning and a lasting shine.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.
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.
A professional job
Obviously, the most important requirement for a walk-in shower is that the wall(s) and floor are completely watertight. There should also be a sufficient slope and an efficient water drainage system. If for example you want to install waxed concrete, you will need some expertise to avoid cracks appearing. Our final tip is to always call on an experienced craftsman to do this exacting work. This will ensure you enjoy your beautiful walk-in shower for years to come.