The Importance Of The Shower Enclosure In Bathroom Design

The majority of property experts will agree that the bathroom is the second most important room in a house or flat after the kitchen, this is why improvements to a bathroom can be deemed a great investment of both time and money. A great way to bring new life to a bathroom is to install a new shower enclosure. In contemporary design circles the shower seems to have taken importance from the bath as the most hotly desired commodity in the bathroom, this is why the shower enclosure can be viewed as being extremely important. Although getting rid of the bath completely is rarely advisable, in an ideal world a bathroom that has a separate bath and shower is highly desirable.

Choosing the right shower enclosure can make or break a bathroom, it is irrelevant whether it is modern of traditional, all that is important is that it should match the rest of the room and not look completely out of place. For instance, there is little point in putting a space age shower into a bathroom that is old fashioned. Thankfully, with so many different styles of shower enclosure on the market today, all homeowners are likely to find one that matches the style of their bathroom perfectly.

As well as the different styles of shower enclosure available there are also a large number of shapes and sizes. This is probably the most important factor after style as an enclosure that is too large can look out of place and overpowering in a small bathroom; in the same respect a huge bathroom with a tiny shower will look equally strange. Deciding on the size will require careful measurement and consideration to ensure that it fits correctly and does not look out of place. As previously stated there are variances in both size and shape, of the shapes available today square shower enclosures are the most popular but in many designers’ eyes, the most uninteresting. With half moon, quadrant and pentagonal enclosures out there homeowners should consider which of these shapes are most suited to the layout of their bathroom. The right choice can truly make a bathroom luxuriant and opulent, while getting the decision wrong can mean a cramped and unsightly room.

As previously mentioned, careful planning how the shower enclosure will fit into the bathroom is an essential consideration. Decide whether your shower will sit in the corner, or against a wall in the middle of the room, there are even enclosures out there today that can stand alone. Most designers agree that if using a corner situated enclosure it is advisable to go for quarter moon or square variants as these will save the most space. For those who have the room for a large centrally located shower, choosing a pentagonal design can be extremely worthwhile and a design feature in its own right.

As part of selecting an enclosure, attention should be paid to the type of glass that will be fitted in the door and panels. Frosted glass is obviously a popular option for privacy reasons although increasingly etched designs are being used as an attractive component that compliments the design of the bathroom. As well as the glass, some may consider installing a wet room in smaller bathrooms as this will allow the shower to be free from restraint. The process is simple enough although professionals should be used as a poorly installed wet room can be devastating to the integrity of a property.

With so many options out there for homeowners the choices in bathroom design are vast. As an important room that adds to both value and way of life these decisions are vitally important. The shower is only a small part of the bathroom equation although through careful selection it can achieve a great effect.

By:Thomas Pretty
About the Author:Interior design expert Thomas Pretty looks into the importance of the shower enclosure in modern bathrooms.