8 Walk-In Shower Ideas for a Splash of Inspiration

The concept of walk-in showers has revolutionised modern bathroom design. Their layout echoes a love of seamless minimalism — omitting entry ledges, shower curtains, and doors. Open shower design is a given in most new builds, with homeowners desiring the clean aesthetic of open-plan rooms, equalling fewer crannies to clean, heightened accessibility, and space efficiency. 

As this style advocates for ultimate freedom, the configuration and colour options are essentially endless. We’ve brainstormed 8 walk-in shower ideas to help get you started with your design, focusing on elements that can make this space a standout.

Stepping into an arched walk-in shower is a cocooning experience. The graceful organic shapes nod to historical architectural motifs and provide your daily routine with a touch of relaxation and elegance. Whether you opt for an arched entrance for your doorless shower or an arched ceiling, this is one of those walk-in shower ideas that will ensure your oasis feels grand.

Walk-in showers may omit doors and ledges, but you can create a new sense of comfort by including a built-in bench. This addition is the epitome of luxury, accessibility, and enhanced safety. It makes your shower feel like a spa and also provides a ledge for those with mobility challenges to bathe more comfortability.

Bring boldness and sophistication to your open shower design with a black palette. The fashionable tone has an absence of light, which can feel extremely relaxing on the eyes — complementing your wind-down time wonderfully. Black walk-in shower tile ideas include glossy black subway tiles with brushed brass fixtures for a classic scheme, or matte large-format tiles with brushed gunmetal for a mix of textures.

Emphasising your doorless shower can be simplified by showcasing what’s already required — your fixtures. Transform a small space into a standout and choose a shower dropper with a rain shower head. It draws attention to the ceiling by descending down and directing the eye around the full scope of your open shower. If you have a lighter scheme, try matte black fixtures for full contrast and white fixtures for the reverse.

Double shower fixtures are the ultimate couple’s retreat. It enhances an air of luxury and convenience in your walk-in shower, as you can drift effortlessly under your own shower head. For a minimal visual look, choose your fixtures separately, such as the shower head, arm, and mixer, and place them where you like. To simplify your selections, opt for an all-in-one shower rail set.

Let your walk-in shower take centre stage by harnessing mother nature’s best spotlight — the sun. Place a large skylight right above your open shower to bring the benefits of natural light straight into your bathroom. Not only can you cloud or star watch, the panes of sunshine that chop and change throughout the day create transient geometric shapes in your space — adding an exceptionally unique design element.

Keep your space open and retain an element of seclusion with a strategically placed privacy wall. This is a barrier that doesn’t entirely shut off an area but blocks a specific part of your shower from immediate view. Install your privacy wall in front of your shower fixtures to give yourself privacy, and in a material that matches the rest of your design, such as rendered concrete, tiles, or in a cohesive colour. If you want transparency but need to prevent water splashes from entering other parts of your bathroom, choose glass instead.

Express your wildest creative dreams with this doorless walk-in shower idea. Accent tiles can be as eccentric or uniform as you like, allowing you to introduce patterns and colours to emphasise your open shower as a deserved focal point. If you want to adorn your walls, you can place tiles on one wall, all around the shower, halfway up or down the wall, or framing lines around a certain section. To give your eyes something to look down upon when showering, transform your floor space into a visual hub of energy and place your accents there. 

Walk-in showers allow you to design in line with your wants and needs in a very particular way. They are more readily customisable, space-efficient, and accessible, so you can upgrade your daily routine to promote either end of the style and practicality spectrum — in tandem. See how our 8 walk-in shower ideas can give your next shower project renewed direction or inspiration, and share your designs with us on Instagram!

Looking for more bathroom design ideas? Head to our archive of bathroom articles to find more inspiration for your next project.