When looking for new shower room ideas, keeping practicality top of the list is essential.
Whether it's for a bathroom design in a new house or an update to an existing one, the best shower room ideas make the most of the space available, provide function for your lifestyle and, of course, create a welcoming and luxurious environment in the process.
No matter if you're working with a small space, adding a new wet room, or creating a relaxing walk-in en suite, below are some beautiful ideas that can be adopted and adapted into any design.
1. Design a walk-in wet room
Is there anything better than waking up and walking straight into a warm shower? Looking up how to install a wet room will enable you to maximise the potential of even the most awkward spaces and create a seamless elegance in a shower room space.
"More people are choosing to go for walk-in showers and wet rooms ideas over baths, while also moving away from smaller cubicles to much bigger and larger enclosures," explains Paul Wells, showroom manager and 3D bathroom designer at Sanctuary Bathrooms.
Before you get started, you’ll need to ensure your shower room is fully tanked to avoid damp, leaks and structural damage, and that the floor has the correct fall towards the drainage.
2. Add a small en suite shower room
Adding a small en suite is estimated to add a value of £15,885 to the average home according to a study from Rated People, but this investment will also provide a sanctuary away from the usual chaos of a family bathroom.
Vic Slovak, Co-Founder of VOSC Bathrooms & Interiors, says, "We always recommend building niches into the shower and wet areas rather than adding shelves or external storage. These can be recessed into stud walls and used for toiletries, which instantly frees up usable space. One recent project included a mirrored cabinet built into a niche: visually, it just looks like a mirror, which makes the room feel larger, but behind it is hidden storage.
"Another key space-saver is switching to a pocket door to enter your shower room. Traditional hinged doors take up valuable floor space when they open, whereas a pocket door slides into the wall and removes that dead zone completely."
Vic Slovak is the co-founder of VOSC Bathrooms & Interiors, a specialist bathroom installation company based in St Albans, working across Hertfordshire and North London. Founded in 2021, VOSC delivers multiple full bathroom installations each month, focusing on high-quality workmanship, waterproofing expertise and practical, well-executed wet room solutions.
3. Use slimline storage in a narrow shower room
Use slimline storage and compact toilets so users aren't shuffling awkwardly along to get into the room. Different-sized vanity units are now commonly seen in DIY shops and bathroom suppliers to help maximise bathroom storage ideas in any space available.
Another trick for narrow bathroom spaces is to place the sanitaryware along one wall to create a practical walkway through the middle. Freestanding designs also help to visually create some extra space.
Practicality aside, slimline storage also looks aesthetically pleasing, giving a streamlined, polished look that feels ultra-modern and calming.
Our shopping picks for slimline storage
Available in oak and soft black, this wall-hung cabinet is both space-saving and stylish.
This compact toilet, featuring a back-to-wall design, is ideal for small shower rooms and helps preserve floor space.
This Shaker-inspired storage unit features a floorstanding design and a sleek, soft matt finish.
4. Make the shower the star of the show
When a bath is sacrificed to create a shower space, don't be half-hearted during the design stage. Choose a wide or long shower enclosure, perhaps using glass panels rather than a full door, with the best shower head you can install.
Showers will be used by multiple people every single day, so investing in a luxurious and enjoyable experience is more than worth your time.
Whether you choose a waterfall-effect feature wall to elongate your room, as shown in the photo above, or install a rooflight to flood the space with natural light, there are plenty of ways to get creative.
5. Great lighting design is key to an effective space
Even if your new space has plenty of natural light, incorporating a great bathroom lighting plan to introduce artificial illumination is key to shower rooms.
Statement pendants and wall lights in shower rooms don't always add the wow-factor as they do in traditional bathrooms where the tub takes centre stage.
However, downlights are always a practical winner for small bathrooms as they work well with awkward spaces and work hard to counter dark corners. Also consider adding unique brightness in the form of recessed LED strips, or integrated mirror vanities.
6. Bring a spa-like feel to your shower room
Even if you're dealing with a small bathroom, aiming to achieve a sense of serenity and escapism using materials, fixtures and fittings will make any room a cut above the rest.
Be it luxurious stones, warm woods, or (as shown above) boutique-inspired marble effects, using floor-to-ceiling tiling creates a spa-like atmosphere that will never fail to help you decompress after a long day.
"People are investing in their homes and want to create their very own sanctuary and place to escape, and what better way than creating your very own spa in your home," says Darren Allison, managing director at BC Designs.
7. Don't necessarily discount baths from a design
Shower rooms can be a good choice for those who don't need or want a bath tub, but many homeowners choose this style of design as a result of a lack of space.
"Don't assume just because you have a small space you can't accommodate a bath," says Albion Bath Co's Phil Etherden.
Many compact and space-reducing baths have come out in recent years so those with smaller rooms can still achieve a sense of luxury.
Shop these space-reducing bathtubs
At just 1300mm long, this elegant bath is perfect for narrow shower rooms.
This compact bath comes with a pre-fitted chrome click-clack waste and deep seating.
This freestanding bath is 1300 mm long and features a symmetrical, modern design.
8. Get creative with tiles in a new shower room
Bathroom tile ideas are a great way to inject some personality into a shower room, be it with a colourful pattern, interesting laying pattern or even different coloured grout (trust us – it works!).
"Smooth, reflective materials bounce light around and so tend to make a space feel bigger and brighter; think mirrors, floss-finish tile, paint and brassware," explains Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs.
"Alternatively, rougher textures like unpolished stone and wood absorb light to make a bathroom feel warmer and more comfortable. Adding both finishes in different areas to create zones can be a fantastic way of using you bathroom to its full use."
9. Go for a smart and accessible shower room
Installing a shower room as part of an accessible home design can involve more than just including walk-in shower ideas and a level floor.
Wet rooms are perfect for this purpose and the removal of a bath creates more space for getting changed, adding grab bars or storing a wheelchair. Including smart home accessories will take an accessible shower room to the next level.
Digital showers, smart speakers and self-cleaning loos are great to include in any new bathroom, and they work especially well to transform an accessible wet room into a futureproofed and easy-to-use space.
10. Make a statement in your shower room
This statement-making shower panel is sure to turn heads, featuring a gorgeous pink-and-white marble design set against simple, pared-back white flooring.
"Bold elements work best when they’re contained. Using colour or pattern within the shower zone itself creates impact, while surrounding surfaces remain calm and neutral to maintain balance," says Mark Tones, Founder of Aquaroc.
Make the most of this opportunity by incorporating one or two of your favourite styles and trends to make your shower room individual to your lifestyle.
Mark Tones is the Founder & CEO of Aquaroc. He brings together thoughtful design, innovation, and sustainability to create luxury bathroom products. With a hands-on, design-led approach, he’s passionate about building high quality products that effortlessly elevate design, work seamlessly, and become a real centrepiece in bathrooms.
11. Choosing hard-wearing flooring
Ensure you choose the correct bathroom flooring for your shower room, or you could face a long list of problems down the line, including damp, mould growth and water damage to your subfloors.
Hardwearing options include slip-resistant porcelain tiles, natural stone and even rubber, but more cost-effective shower room options might also include luxury vinyl tiles.
You'll want to avoid materials such as carpet, standard laminate flooring, and non-waterproof vinyl, as they do not pair well with the wet conditions of a shower room.
12. Go bold in very small shower rooms
While we used to think pared-back style worked best in small spaces and only large rooms could really take bold colours and materials, nothing is further from the truth in modern bathroom ideas.
This amazing en suite wet room renovation is bursting with personality. Timeless fixtures like flooring, wall tiles and sanitaryware have been matched with more modern trends which can be swapped out as styles change.
Mark Tones says, "In smaller spaces, confidence comes from restraint. Limiting bold design to one surface or material keeps the room feeling intentional, while clean lines and uncluttered detailing preserve a sense of space."
13. Maximise awkward shower room spaces
Working with unusual or awkward spaces in a shower room renovation will make the most of every inch of space. Think about boxing in storage, including clever lighting or even adding some privacy by setting back toilets.
Vic Slovak says, "Maximising space in a shower room is all about thinking vertically rather than horizontally. Built-in niches are one of the most effective solutions, particularly in shower areas where corner shelves would otherwise protrude into the space. By recessing storage into the wall, you keep the footprint clear while still retaining functionality.
"Ultimately, a well-planned shower room avoids clutter. Every fixture should earn its place, and anything that can be built in, recessed or concealed will help the space feel cleaner, larger and easier to use day to day."
FAQs
How much does it cost to renovate a shower room?
This will all depend on the specifications and materials, but to give you a rough idea, Vic Slovak has shared two recent projects he's worked on:
"A standard shower room renovation typically costs around £7,950, with approximately £5,650 for labour and £2,300 for materials. This would include standard fittings, practical tile choices and a clean, well-executed finish.
At the higher end, a premium specification shower room can cost around £14,250, with £8,300 in labour and £5,950 in materials. The difference is almost entirely down to materials and fittings rather than the work itself."
In short, renovating a shower room can cost between £7,950 to £14,250.
How do I plan the layout of my shower room?
While the average bathroom size is 2.5m x 2m, homeowners choose shower rooms in spaces much smaller than that, or with more awkward shapes.
"When it comes to deciding where you're going to position your bathroom fittings, my advice is to think about how they're used and in what order," explains Phil Etherden, managing director of The Albion Bath Co.
"I often recommend that the sink or basin is placed closest to the door, as it is often the last stop in most bathroom routines. The toilet and other fittings can then be further into the room. This not only provides more privacy but saves you from walking through puddles left behind by people stepping out of the shower."
Shower rooms work particularly well in smaller spaces that don't allow for a full bathtub, giving you more area to work with without feeling cramped. As you can see from the ideas shared above, there are plenty of ways to make your shower room into a relaxing retreat you enjoy spending time in.
For more inspiration, read our selection of the best wet room ideas and learn how to choose the best type of shower.
