If you are looking for a way to modernise your bathroom, then installing a walk in shower may add just the touch of contemporary luxury that you are looking for. Increasingly popular, they are practical and stylish, combining easy step-free access with fully tiled walls and shower floor. Walk in showers are great for small bathrooms because they make the most of the available space. A walk in shower can be as small as 800 x 800mm or as large as you desire. Larger bathrooms provide even more opportunity to create a luxury space, and a large walk in shower can be added in combination with an opulent free standing bath.
Planning & Designing Your Walk In Shower
Once you have made the decision to install a walk in shower in your home, planning and design is the next important step. Calculate how much you can afford to spend on your project, measure the available space, and decide whether you will just have a walk in shower or will convert the entire room to be a fully waterproofed wet room. This stage is crucial for ensuring the success of the installation, so take the time to think everything through and ensure that your vision will work in your home.
When considering the layout and design of your walk in shower and bathroom configuration, we recommend looking online for inspiration, such as on Pinterest or on our wet room design ideas page. The more layout and colour schemes you look at, the more you will understand what you like and what could work with your existing space and budget. If either the space or money you have available is tight, then try to identify what the most important aspect of your walk in shower is and then plan around that. For example, you may have your heart set on a rainfall shower head and are willing to compromise on the type of tiles, or perhaps having a shower screen is a non-negotiable for you.
Whether you opt to convert the entire room into a wet room, or just want to install a walk in shower, we recommend that you waterproof the entire floor if possible. In the design and planning stage, it is important to realise that you will need a variety of important waterproofing products below the surface of the walk in shower and wet room. Whilst these will not be seen in the finished design, it is imperative that the room is properly waterproofed before tiling in order to ensure that the shower area and entire wet room (if relevant) are watertight and will remain so for years to come. Items that are likely to be included in the waterproofing layer include: tile backer boards, waterproofing tape, a walk in shower tray and relevant fixing products.
One of the most exciting (and potentially difficult) design choices you’ll have is the colour and type of tiles that you will use in your walk in shower. Mosaic tiles are popular for use in walk in showers, especially non-slip mosaics on the shower floor. You can choose to have complementary or contrasting colours, create a feature wall, or use the same tiles as the rest of the bathroom. You are likely to only be limited by your imagination and budget, but remember that the tiles will be there for many years so try to be confident that you will still love your choice in five and ten years’ time, as choosing the wrong tiles could prove to be a costly mistake. If you are considering natural stone tiles, find out what sort of sealing and maintenance they will require, as they are not as straightforward to use as porcelain and ceramic tiles.
Installing Your Walk In Shower
When it comes to installing your walk in shower and wet room (if relevant) you will need to decide whether you will do any of the work yourself or if you will get tradespeople in to do the lot. Be sure to get at least three different quotes from tradespeople to ensure you find the best fit for you. If you will be undertaking any of the work yourself then we recommend that you read up on the relevant installation techniques and do not attempt to do anything that you are not confident about. At the end of this blog post you will find an instructional video on installing a walk in shower tray and links to Orbry wet room and walk in shower installation guides, which should assist you.
Adding The Finishing Touches To Your Walk In Shower
The tiles and accessories that you use for your walk in shower will have a big impact on your enjoyment of it. For example, installing a shower screen helps to create a separate shower enclosure and prevents water splashing out onto the other fixtures and fittings, whilst still maintaining the modern, open feel of the walk in shower. Having a double robe hook over the top of the shower screen is an ideal way to save space and increase the storage – you can have your towel and bathrobe hanging conveniently close to you so that you do not have to drip water across the room when fetching your towel after showering. The type of shower head you use will also have an important bearing on how much you enjoy your new shower. A rainfall head is a popular item and increases the sense of luxury, but be realistic about what will suit your day-to-day needs as well as your budget. To truly create a hotel-like oasis in your own bathroom, it is a wonderful idea to purchase stylish glass bottles that you can decant your hair and body products into to create a designer inspired look.
Tile Fix Direct stocks all that you will need to waterproof a walk in shower and you can purchase a gorgeous range of tiles from The London Tile Co. that will be perfect for your new shower.
Walk In Shower Installation Advice Guides
Orbry Shower Screen Installation Guide
