35 Beautiful Shower Ideas to Inspire Your Bathroom Remodel (2024)

Room Design

Bathroom Design

By

Megan McCarty

35 Beautiful Shower Ideas to Inspire Your Bathroom Remodel (1)

Megan McCarty

Megan is a writer, editor, etc.-er, with over 13 years of experience in both print and digital media. She regularly contributes to design-focused outlets such as MyDomaine, Architectural Digest, Domino, House & Home, and Hunker.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

Updated on 09/13/24

35 Beautiful Shower Ideas to Inspire Your Bathroom Remodel (2)

Got a bathroom remodelon your docket? Whether you're planning on ripping out your bathroom's seen-better-days shower or simply daydreaming about a new one, a bathroom renovation can turn a dingy, dated space into a spa-like one—a room you'll love to start and end your day in.

To inspire your shower makeover, whether a small change (like a fresh shower curtain) or an entire gut renovation, we've rounded up some beautiful shower ideas. Some are bold and colorful, and others are understated and elegant, but all will spark a "let's renovate" ambition.

Scroll on for a range of shower remodel ideas in various sizes and styles—each worthy of emulating in a way that fits your space and style.

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    Add a Colorful Accent Wall

    35 Beautiful Shower Ideas to Inspire Your Bathroom Remodel (3)

    Add dimension to an all-white bathroom with a full wall of accent tile. This is a simple upgrade that will personalize your space, like this top floor primary bathroom from Desiree Burns Interiors.

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    Install a Glass Enclosure

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    Keep light flowing by installing a glass enclosure around an open wet room. Kate Marker Interiors tiled both walls and ceilings for a room-within-a-room effect.

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  • 03 of 35

    Upgrade Hardware

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    Upgrade your bathroom plumbing fixtures and hardware for an easy makeover. Cathie Hong Interiors added polished brass accents in this all-white space to add warmth and shine.

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  • 04 of 35

    Retile the Shower-Tub Combo

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    Give your bathroom a whole new look by retiling your shower-tub combo. Studio Peake chose vertical stacked tiles in shades of blue on the walls, niche, and tub surround, pairing them with mismatched floor tiles for an eclectic look.

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  • 05 of 35

    Install a Custom Window

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    Bring more natural light into your bathroom with a custom shower window. Erin Williamson Design chose an octagonal shape to make it double as a design feature in this black-and-white bathroom remodel.

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  • 06 of 35

    Ditch the Shower Door

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    When remodeling your new shower, consider removing the shower door entirely. Foregoing the standard shower door creates a seamless entrance, as long as you have enough square footage to work with and excellent drainage. The no-glass door look is a posh splurge but gives the shower a spa-like quality.

    Tip

    Can't ditch the door altogether? You could also separate the rest of the bathroom by floor-to-ceiling glass panels or other three-quarter wall options.

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  • 07 of 35

    Layer Neutral Patterns

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    Keep a neutral space from looking flat by layering tile patterns and shapes.

    Desiree Burns Interiors chose three different styles of grayish-white tile in this primary bathroom shower that subtly complement one another and blend seamlessly into the overall room design.

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  • 08 of 35

    Install a Shower Half-Wall

    Add privacy to your bathroom while retaining an open feel with a half-wall shower. Jessica Nelson Design decorated this primary bathroom with a sage green beadboard half-wall that matches the wainscoting for a cohesive feel.

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  • 09 of 35

    Try Frameless Readed Glass

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    Create a sleek look in a large walk-in shower with a frameless reeded glass splash guard instead of a door. The semi-opaque glass looks chic and will provide a bit of privacy, like this space from Desiree Burns Interiors.

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    Match Shower and Floor Tile

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    To make a step-up shower in a tiny bathroom feel more integrated, use the same tile on the shower and main floor. Michelle Berwick Design chose a bright blue patterned tile to make a statement in the tiny space.

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    Tile the Ceiling

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    Tile the ceiling and walls to give a large open shower a finished feel. Desiree Burns Interiors leaned a floor mirror in the corner by the tub to reflect light and views from the adjacent window.

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    Refresh the Fixtures

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    Classic metals like brushed nickel and chrome always seem to be in style. However, bold metal choices like gold accents, flat black, and oil-rubbed bronze are wowing bathroom remodel projects and can make a dramatic statement.

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  • 13 of 35

    Embrace Pattern

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    The floor tile or bath mat doesn't have to be the only place for a pattern in your bathroom. You can mix up patterns in interesting ways in a bathroom via wallpaper, tile designs, and shower curtains. The best part about pattern mixing in the bathroom is that it is one room where you can often get away with layering several patterns.

    If you are thinking about changing the tile in the shower, think about ways to add patterns to it. You can even lay out the slate, subway tiles, or stone mosaic pieces in interesting ways to give the shower a graphic look.

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  • 14 of 35

    Go Monochrome

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    If you are planning to redesign your shower, you can think about changing up the color scheme of the rest of your bathroom too. A timeless classic for the bathroom is a monochromatic white, gray, and black array.

    It's simple, it's elegant, and the color scheme lends itself beautifully to unique fixture designs, patterns, and geometric tile layouts. It affords you the liberty to experiment with changing out the design style and accent colors in the coming years, too.

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    Add a Shower Towel Rack

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    A heated built-in towel rack can make your walk-in shower feel extra luxurious—giving you that ritzy, hotel feeling. The steam softens the towels a tad, making them feel nice and cozy.

    Even better, you don't have to step out of the shower to dry off. To pull this off, you need to make sure that your shower dimensions are large enough that water won't splash on the towels.

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    Think Minimalist

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    If you want to craft a simple, modern bathroom shower, be minimalist. Pick up sleek fixtures that are free of excessive embellishments. Think modular with your design by erasing curves and patterns, then limiting your decor to one or two simple pieces.

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    Splurge for Heated Floors

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    On a bitter winter morning, a heated shower floor is the ultimate in luxury and convenience. Using a dedicated heating cable and carefully waterproofing the shower area, you can warm the shower floor like any other tiled floor.

    This option is pretty energy efficient, using about 300 watts less than an average space heater.

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  • 18 of 35

    Welcome Dramatic Contrast

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    Here's your permission to be bold: dramatic choices in your shower area will make a striking impact on your whole bathroom. Get bold with your tile selection and harmonize your choice with a bold wallpaper pick.

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    Run With a Theme

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    Many years ago, picking a theme for your bathroom involved buying a few matching elements, like a shower curtain, bath rug, trash can, and soap dispenser that were part of a set.

    A theme or inspired design doesn't mean getting matchy-matchy; it's more about evoking a feeling. There are so many ways to go: coastal, vintage, industrial, farmhouse—the sky's the limit.

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  • 20 of 35

    Focus on Color

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    A vibrant wall color or tile color choice may be all your bathroom needs to bring it back to life. A bold blue, jet black, or rich plum color might kick your remodel into high gear.

    Take this pretty pink bathroom as inspiration. You can draw this into your shower area with a tub, tile, or curtain pick.

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    Go White for Spaciousness

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    All-white everything—paint, tub, towels, everything—guarantees to make your entire bathroom look brighter and airier.

    Consider making crisp white your primary color, like this bathroom designed by Britt Design Studio. Add dimension by introducing some light gray or another muted color choice.

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    Install a Freestanding Tub

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    If you have a lot of space in your bathroom (lucky you), make your tub or shower a bathroom focal point by installing a freestanding tub right in the center of the space.

    Whether you get a clawfoot or a deep soaking basin, they're all elegant, modern, and jaw-dropping.

    Tip

    You can still have a separate shower or fixture above your tub by using a curtain or build out an extra-large shower area by including a freestanding tub inside your shower enclosure.

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    Move the Tub/Shower Area

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    Although relocating the shower/tub area is a pricier option, it can sometimes be the best move. With the help of an architect or contractor, you might find out that moving the placement of the tub and/or shower buys you extra space.

    With a simple shift in the tub and toilet area, designer Emily Henderson freed up space for a double vanity and extra storage. It got a facelift, making it feel brighter, bigger, and airier, too.

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    Think About Paneling

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    Shiplap wall paneling is a signature of country, cottage, and farmhouse designs. It immediately makes a space feel casual, cozy, and quaint and is a unique alternative to painting, tiling, or wallpapering your bathroom walls.

    Although you should not use wood paneling in a shower or as a tub surround that comes into direct contact with water, there are many less expensive alternatives, such as high gloss acrylic or laminate panels, marble-patterned PVC composite, or textured laminate wall panels that look similar to wood.

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    Start With a Quick Upgrade

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    Probably one of the fastest and most impactful changes you can make for your shower experience is changing the showerhead and giving yourself a rain shower experience, adding varying settings, or getting a showerhead with an extra handheld head.

    This small change can make all the difference in the short term as you make bigger plans for a bathroom redo.

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  • 26 of 35

    Hang a Bold Shower Curtain

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    If you're looking for a big, impactful change on a super-tight budget, something as simple as changing the shower curtain can make a big change without making a big dent in your budget.

    Even if you have sliding doors (or are looking to remove them), look at a nice fabric curtain to elevate the room's mood by adding a splash of personality or tie in a theme for your bathroom space.

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    Upgrade Bathroom Lighting

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    A drab shower is often one that has low light because it's blocked by a curtain or has no overhead lighting.

    When planning a bathroom remodel, don't overlook the detail of having extra lighting in the shower. If you have a large shower area, you can install recessed lighting or be more inventive with sconces.

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    Include a Shower Bench

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    A shower bench is great for many reasons. For people who spend time exfoliating or shaving, they're a great benefit to have. Others shy away from a walk-in shower because they prefer a place to sit and relax. A shower seat gives you a spot to rest in a steamy shower.

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    Incorporate Arches

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    Showers often feel like squared-in stalls. To soften the lines, add some curves with an arched entrance. It ensures your shower makes a statement and can tie together other design details or motifs in the rest of the bathroom.

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    Get Graphic With Tiles

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    The Lafayette Hotel and Club in San Diego wasn't shy with their graphic use of tile in this shower—and you shouldn't be either. Pack a punch in a small space with black and white tile, whether formed in stripes, checkers, or both. Brass fixtures make the tile patterns pop all the more, creating a timeless look you'll never tire of.

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    Carve Out a Shower Niche

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    Don't make the classic mistake of forgetting about shower storage as an afterthought; plan out where you will store your bath products so they don't end up in an unorganized mess on your shower floor.

    A built-in shower niche is a lovely idea if you plan on doing a grand remodel. If that's not doable now, and if your shower is large enough, add floating shelves or a freestanding shelving unit instead.

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  • 32 of 35

    Blend a Tub and Shower

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    When you have a full-size tub and shower in the same room, you risk visual chaos. For example, a smooth acrylic bathtub surround may clash with a shower's tiles. Try matching materials for a harmonious look.

    This pretty bathroom project by Reena Sotropa nicely pairs up a generously sized bathtub with an adjacent shower enclosure.By using white tile for both the shower and thetub surrounds, Sotropa deftly ties the two together.

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    Create a Place for Zen

    35 Beautiful Shower Ideas to Inspire Your Bathroom Remodel (35)

    The ultimate shower experience elevates a simple shower stall to a place of relaxation and rejuvenation. Create a spa-like atmosphere with multiple showerheads, including a rainfall style that pours water from the ceiling, mimicking a relaxing rainfall.

    A ceiling-mounted showerhead and several more along the wall offer a completely personalized experience. A shower seat allows you to take the load off your legs as you give your pores a luxurious steam treatment.

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    Try an Industrial Look

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    Industrial, imaginative, and indulgent—any (and all) of those words could be used to describe this bathroom's wall-to-wall polished concrete floating vanity and matching ceiling.

    The Home Consultant took advantage of the skylight, which lets sunshine pour in over the minimalist, yet far from boring, bathroom.

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    Go Glam

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    No one is stopping you from designing the most glamorous bathroom of all. Use this Carrie Livingston-designed bathroom as inspiration. The ingredients: petite pink tile, a freestanding tub, and a glistening grand chandelier. It's a vibe, and maybe it's your vibe. If so, lean into it.

52 Bathroom Remodel Ideas to Transform Your Space

Originally written by

Lee Wallender

35 Beautiful Shower Ideas to Inspire Your Bathroom Remodel (38)

Lee Wallender

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for years.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

35 Beautiful Shower Ideas to Inspire Your Bathroom Remodel (2024)
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