An overview of the different types of showers

In recent years, the bathtub has been in the spotlight. Freestanding tubs are part of a trend that harkens back to the past, when long soaking baths were the norm. However, with the busy lives of the average American, showers are still an important feature.

When it’s time to upgrade your unit, you may not be sure where to start, with the numerous options on the market. Here is an overview of the contemporary world of showers to help you weed through the details and find the perfect one:

Walk-in
With the popularity of freestanding clawfoot tubs, it’s no wonder why showers are often installed as a stand-alone unit. Walk-in models are commonly outfitted with glass doors. This creates a sleek design to match modern fixtures. Additionally, they have the space to fit a variety of shower head options. From overhead, rain pours to body jets, showers can be just as luxurious as a bath.

Some units have a built-in platform to collect water and soap. Others feature no thresholds to provide easy entry for people of all accessibility levels. To control the flow of the water, designers often dedicate one side of the room as the wet area. Ask your contractor to add a gradual slope to the floor so water can flow into your drain without the need of a barrier.

Don’t feel limited by the space or placement of the unit. If you would like an organic flow to the room, choose a curved model. Another design style is to make the shower a focal point by installing it in the center of the room.

Seating – Some showers have built-in seating. This is perfect for elderly users or the person that simply wants to sit back and relax. Highly-stylized options are covered in mosaic tile work, while others have a simpler approach.

Slide bar – A fun amenity is a slide bar. This is perfect if the shower is used by the entire family. With the twist of a lever, the shower head can be lowered to the optimal height.

Body sprays – These powerful jets spray soothing streams of water to make every shower feel like a trip to the spa. Either place them all on one side or multiple walls for an all encompassing experience.

Combined
Combined shower tubs are still popular and can be incorporated into freestanding vintage tubs as well as the standard built-in models. They add more style to the bathroom, with their circular shower rods that are hung from the ceiling. Often times plumbing is exposed, which is a nice aesthetic in vintage design.

Continue to explore the seemingly endless styles of showers. If you’re still not exactly sure which type is for you, browse through lookbooks from design magazines to find your preferred bathroom aesthetic. However, if you settle on a vintage style bathroom, begin by choosing the perfect clawfoot tub and continue from there.