12 Walk-In Shower Ideas and Design Concepts

12 Walk-In Shower Ideas and Design Concepts

by — Andra DelMonico
Published on June 14, 2021
Updated on March 21, 2025

“There’s no half-singing in the shower, you’re either a rock star or an opera diva.” – Josh Groban

If you are planning a bathroom remodel, then you need to consider turning your tub and shower combo into a walk in shower. Then place a separate tub somewhere else in the bathroom as a separate usable space. Walk-in showers have become overwhelmingly popular as more people appreciate the increased space and modern look.

These walk-in shower ideas will get you inspired to change up your bathroom’s design to include a walk-in shower.

1. Black and White Elegance

For a clean and bright bathroom design, use a black and white theme. It will have a slightly retro feel when done correctly.

Use white subway tile on the walls. Then a black geometric tile for the floor tile. Instead of having a frameless glass pane for the shower wall, add a thick black frame around the glass. Or you could create a window pane effect with vertical and horizontal lines.

Black and white walk-in shower with hexagonal tiles, glass partition, built-in niche, and a skylight for natural light — Source: @anothervictorianreno via Instagram

Bathroom with white subway tiles, black framed glass shower, overhead light, and a niche with colorful soap bottles — Source: @homesbyhaleigh via Instagram

Modern black and white walk-in shower with subway tiles, black-framed glass partition, built-in niche, and recessed lighting — Source: @insidepropertyinvesting via Instagram

Black and white walk-in shower with subway tiles, hexagonal floor tiles, black-framed glass enclosure, and a rainfall showerhead — Source: @ourwanderfulhome via Instagram

Luxury black and white bathroom with a sleek walk-in shower, black-framed glass panels, modern vanity, and elegant bathtub — Source: @studio.btdesigns via Instagram

Complete the look with black hardware for the shower head and water controls. You could also install a black floating shelf or towel bar.

2. Contemporary Shower Styles for Modern Homes

Contemporary bathrooms look like elegant spaces that are up to date on modern home trends. They aren’t as sleek or streamlined as a minimalist design. However, they will have clean lines, flowing curves, hard angles, and geometric shapes.

Elegant walk-in shower with marble tiles, gold accents, rainfall showerhead, built-in niche, and modern geometric lighting — Source: @hogan_matson33 via Instagram

Modern walk-in shower with wood-look tiles, rainfall showerhead, built-in niche, glass partition, and sleek white vanity — Source: @j.mastonplumbing via Instagram

Chic walk-in shower with herringbone tiles, black fixtures, hexagonal floor tiles, a pink vanity, and a glass partition — Source: @lollyrocket_mich via Instagram

A small bathroom with a glass shower enclosure, water heater above, and brown-tiled walls

Elegant walk-in shower with white subway tiles, a herringbone accent wall, hexagonal floor tiles, and a sleek glass door — Source: @mif_design via Instagram

Modern bathroom with glass shower, white bathtub under a window, and open walk-in closet; trees visible outside — Source: @rymarkhomes via Instagram

Modern walk-in shower with white tiles, black fixtures, a glass partition, hexagonal floor tiles, and a warm wood vanity — Source: @thirteenacres via Instagram

You can use a glass enclosed shower in your contemporary shower. Try adding spa-like elements. You could use teak planks to create a floor for the shower. Add soft light with hidden LED accent lighting. This creates a soothing and relaxing atmosphere.

3. Space-Saving Corner Shower Solutions

A corner shower is a perfect opportunity for building a walk in shower. It could have a shower seat in the corner and a door on the opposite side. For a modern look, keep the shape of the shower square or rectangle. Then add the door on one side.

Stylish corner walk-in shower with pink herringbone tiles, black fixtures, a glass partition, and dark green floor tiles — Source: @ditteblog via Instagram

Cozy attic walk-in shower with pink hexagonal tiles, black-framed glass partition, dark hexagonal floor tiles, and modern decor — Source: @house_of_maari_interiors via Instagram

Modern bathroom with gray subway tile walls, glass walk-in-shower, wall-mounted sink, and toilet on herringbone wood floor — Source: @mamofboys via Instagram

Elegant bathroom with a black-framed walk-in shower, white subway tiles, deep green walls, patterned floor tiles, and a clawfoot bathtub — Source: @milestone_cottage via Instagram

Aerial view of a bathroom with a pedestal tub, walk-in shower, patterned floor tiles, sink, toilet, and a plant by the shower — Source: @renovatingviewlands via Instagram

Rustic walk-in shower with wood-look tiles, pebble flooring, black fixtures, a built-in niche, and a corner bench — Source: @superiortilenstone via Instagram

Other corner designs use an angled design. Instead of having a crisp corner opposite the wall’s corner, it will be angled. This new flat surface will be where the door is located. If you don’t want a door and prefer an open shower, you can build two half walls with space in between.

4. Dark and Dramatic Shower Themes

Not all showers have to be bright white. Choose a dark motif for your shower design and give your bathroom a sophisticated and slightly moody feel. This shower idea is trending with younger homeowners as they look for ways to freshen their showers.

Modern walk-in shower with bold dark hexagonal tiles, gold fixtures, a rainfall showerhead, and lush greenery for a spa-like feel — Source: @home.at.11 via Instagram

Sleek walk-in shower with dark tiles, a large ceiling-mounted rainfall showerhead, and a built-in niche for a minimalist, spa-like feel — Source: @produktedschungel via Instagram

Choose a dark grey or black shower tile. You could use black subway tile or large stone slate tiles for the shower enclosure. To keep your shower from looking like a black hole, you should use more than one type of tile with varying shades. You could also ensure there’s plenty of light.

5. Doorless Shower Designs: Open and Airy Concepts

Not all walk-in showers have doors. If you want to have a doorless walk-in shower, it needs to be designed so that the water doesn’t splash or pour out of the opening. Otherwise, every time you shower, you’ll get water everywhere in the bathroom.

Modern bathroom with gray tiles, glass shower partition, white bathtub, towel on rail, potted plants, and window with curtains — Source: @blackcatsaremagic via Instagram

Modern doorless walk-in shower with gray and white subway tiles, dual rainfall showerheads, a built-in bench, and a rustic wood mirror — Source: @champagnebronzepapi via Instagram

Elegant doorless walk-in shower with beige stone tiles, black trim accents, a glass partition, and a pedestal sink for a classic touch — Source: @jessicaslittleterrace via Instagram

Modern doorless walk-in shower with sage green subway tiles, built-in niche, recessed lighting, and a minimalist white shower base — Source: @kc_bathroomremodeling via Instagram

Modern bathroom with walk-in shower, dark tiles, wooden vanity, round mirror, and gray rugs on light tiled floor — Source: @nhdconstructiondesign via Instagram

Minimalist bathroom with a walk-in shower, skylight, built-in shelf holding bottles, and a wooden stool with a small container on top — Source: @susieshomedesigns via Instagram

Stylish doorless walk-in shower with geometric accent wall, wood vanity with gold hardware, hexagonal floor tiles, and modern black fixtures — Source: @triciavaughndesign via Instagram

There was a time when this style of bathroom shower used glass blocks. The blocks would get stacked to create a wall. It would obscure the view while allowing light through.

Modern homes replace the block with a single sheet of glass. It’s significantly thinner, completely transparent, and gives your home a fresh feel.

6. Large Shower Spaces: Luxurious and Spacious

When you have a large master bathroom, you can take advantage of the space by building a large walk in shower. Center your bathroom design around your new shower.

This will help you make the most of your available space. Try having a rain shower head in the middle and a shower panel on either side. This gives you more flexibility in how you use your shower.

Modern bathroom with freestanding tub, glass shower enclosure, dark wood vanity, and ornate wall decor — Source: @cherrycreekinc via Instagram

Luxurious bathroom with a glass-enclosed walk-in shower, marble tiles, dual showerheads, and a bench — Source: @don_gardner_architects via Instagram

A bright bathroom with white subway tiles, a large window, a potted plant, and a walk-in shower with multiple showerheads — Source: @houseonthirteenoaks via Instagram

Luxurious walk-in shower with marble walls, glass partition, built-in niche, black cabinetry, and elegant monochrome decor — Source: @johnstonparkeinteriors via Instagram

Luxurious marble bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower, modern fixtures, and wall-mounted light — Source: @kutchenhaus_stamford via Instagram

Some large showers turn this area into what feels more like a room. Make it large enough to install the tub in the shower. Instead of having a small floating shower bench, you could build a large roman style bench that extends the length of the shower.

7. Indulge in Luxury Shower Experiences

When doing a bathroom renovation on your master bathroom, add upscale materials to give yourself a luxury shower space. One smart place to invest is in the shower head. There are ones with lights, audio, Bluetooth, aromatherapy, and multiple pressure and jet settings.

Luxurious walk-in shower with rainfall showerhead, multi-jet system, textured accent wall, built-in bench, and warm-toned tiles — Source: @mandevillecanyondesignsnh via Instagram

Outdoor shower with glass doors, surrounded by lush green plants and a tiled wall — Source: @rocksinstock via Instagram

Modern bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower, freestanding bathtub, and white shiplap walls — Source: @squiresfarmhouseliving via Instagram

A hallmark feature of luxury walk-in showers is that they are massive. Multiple people could easily enter and use the shower at the same time. They could have more than one door. There are typically multiple shower heads.

8. Minimalist Shower Ideas: Clean and Simple

If you want to have a minimalist walk in shower, then you’ll have to prepare yourself for building a custom designed shower. A prefabricated shower won’t work for this design.

Many minimalist walk-in showers do not have a shower door. Instead, they will have a large glass wall that stretches from the floor to the ceiling. Then where the glass door would be, there is just an opening.

A modern bathroom with a glass shower, white sink on a floating countertop, patterned tile floor, and plants on a shelf — Source: @clairemurrayinteriors via Instagram

Modern bathroom with a large mirror, white sink, glass-enclosed shower, and marble tiles, ceiling lights illuminate the space — Source: @cyana.ae via Instagram

Minimalist walk-in shower with white brick walls, black-framed glass panel, brass fixtures, and vintage-inspired mosaic floor tiles — Source: @housenumberone_1930s via Instagram

Minimalist attic bathroom with a glass shower, skylight, hanging robe, bathtub, and toilet in neutral tones and modern design — Source: @maddestudio via Instagram

Spacious walk-in shower with wood-look tiles, hexagonal mosaic accents, built-in bench, glass partition, and a sleek marble vanity — Source: @stellarosehomes via Instagram

Minimalist walk-in shower with white vertical tiles, built-in niche, gold fixtures, glass partition, and a freestanding bathtub — Source: @the.sullyhouse via Instagram

Spacious walk-in shower with a glass enclosure, built-in bench, white subway tiles, marble vanity, and gold-accented mirrors — Source: @victoryhomeslubbock via Instagram

Consider using a single type of tile for both the walls and floor. This creates a single uniform look throughout the entire shower. The shower head and other hardware should be simple and streamlined.

9. Modern Shower Trends

Modern showers embrace lots of bright light. They will use neutral colors and lots of white and charcoal grey. Replace the single showerhead and install a complete shower system. This includes a rain shower overhead and a wall panel with several more jets.

Modern walk-in shower with large marble-look tiles, built-in bench, rainfall showerhead, glass partition, and a navy blue vanity — Source: @instildesign via Instagram

Modern bathroom with marble walls, herringbone wood floor, walk-in shower, green vanity, and large window with a lush view outside — Source: @saneuxbathrooms via Instagram

Add innovative details to your walk in shower. Add hidden LED strip lighting to the ceiling or along the bottom of the wall. Install a skylight in the ceiling for more natural light. Build a floating bench for a place to sit while showering.

10. Rustic Shower Ambiance: Cozy and Charming

Create a cabin feel in your walk in shower by using materials that look rustic. You could use rough-cut stones instead of tile for the shower walls. Then use stone tiles for the shower floor for a smooth yet non-slip walking surface. Another modern option is to use tile that looks and feels like wood. This gives you a rustic look with modern materials.

Rustic walk-in shower with arched entry, warm-toned stone tiles, pebble flooring, built-in niche, and dual rainfall showerheads — Source: @alonso.83 via Instagram

Luxurious rustic walk-in shower with dark textured tiles, glass enclosure, floating vanity, warm lighting, and natural stone flooring — Source: @design_by_arifli via Instagram

Cozy rustic walk-in shower with wood-look tiles, black fixtures, exposed beams, dark walls, and a vintage-style sink — Source: @littlerivertinyhouse via Instagram

Shower with brown tile walls, metal grab bars, handheld showerhead, and built-in bench — Source: @louisville_tile via Instagram

Rustic walk-in shower with large neutral tiles, rainfall showerhead, glass partition, wood-look flooring, and exposed wooden beams — Source: @ribblevalleybathrooms via Instagram

Stone shower with waterfall-style faucet, built-in shelf with toiletries, and small wooden bench with folded towels — Source: @tynerconstructionco via Instagram

Skip the shower door entirely or build a half wall. If you must have a door, then use a glass door. The clear door will “disappear” into the surroundings and won’t take away from the rustic feel of your shower.

Related read: 46 Rustic Bathroom Ideas

11. Small Shower Optimization for Compact Bathrooms

You don’t have to give up on your dream of having a walk in shower if you have a small bathroom. Instead of building out a shower stall, you can turn the entire bathroom space into a shower room. This is called a wet room. Instead of creating a separate shower area, the whole bathroom becomes the shower.

Elegant small walk-in shower with white subway tiles, built-in shelf, glass partition, rainfall showerhead, and a rich wood vanity — Source: @erinwestdesign via Instagram

Compact shower with black and white geometric tiles, black fixtures, and a potted plant; a black towel rack is on the left — Source: @houseinthemiddle via Instagram

Charming small walk-in shower with white subway tiles, black fixtures, glass partition, and patterned floor tiles for a vintage touch — Source: @jade.doutch via Instagram

Modern small walk-in shower with white subway tiles, black hexagonal flooring, glass enclosure, rainfall showerhead, and a wooden vanity — Source: @quickdrainusa via Instagram

Chic small walk-in shower with white subway tiles, glass sliding door, patterned black-and-white floor tiles, and modern decor accents — Source: @victorianhomebythesea via Instagram

Modern small walk-in shower with large gray tiles, glass partition, built-in niche, towel warmer, and wooden bath mat for a spa-like touch — Source: @victorianhouse1896 via Instagram

Charming small walk-in shower with glossy green subway tiles, glass enclosure, vintage pedestal sink, and lush greenery for a fresh touch — Source: @we_live_at_no.21 via Instagram

Build a shower wall where you have the controls and shower head. Then tile the entire bathroom floor and up the walls. The shower drain will be in the floor, and the whole bathroom floor will have a gentle slope to ensure the entire bathroom drains.

Related read: 44 Small Bathroom Ideas

12. Creative Tile Patterns for Your Shower

Tile is a must in your bathroom. It is durable and impervious to water. You’ll want to choose one type of floor tile and another for the wall tile. The floor tile should not get slippery when it’s wet. This will keep the bathroom safe.

Modern walk-in shower with wood-look tiles, black-framed glass partition, built-in niche, and sleek black fixtures for a contemporary touch — Source: @andenbath via Instagram

Stylish walk-in shower with bold terracotta tiles, black fixtures, a glass partition, and a modern minimalist aesthetic — Source: @dbtile via Instagram

Marble tile is a good choice if you want to give your bathroom a modern or luxury feel. Porcelain tile is dense, making it durable and less susceptible to wear and tear.

Ceramic tile is better for the wall because it will take less of a beating. If you want to create a unique look, you could use mosaic tile. These are several tiles, each with a different design.

How much does it cost to put in a walk-in shower?

The cost of your walk-in shower will depend on the size and type of shower you have installed. You could opt for a prefab option that you simply place into your shower. These typically cost around $1,000 to $3,000. If you want a fully customized shower, this will cost much more. Your new shower could cost $10,000 to $20,000.

Is a walk-in shower worth it?

What’s nice about a walk in shower is that you design the shower to fit the bathroom. This makes for a better-designed shower, which improves the appeal and value of your bathroom. You’ll appreciate the improved design because it will make your bathroom more functional and pleasant to be in.

Does a walk-in shower need a door?

You don’t have to put a door on your walk in shower. However, if you choose not to have a door, you’ll likely need to have your shower custom designed. A doorless walk-in shower can be built in a corner or in place of an existing bathtub and shower combo. Your doorless shower needs to be designed to prevent water from pouring into the rest of your shower.