13 Shower Remodeling Ideas for an Instant Upgrade

A refreshing shower can be a total mood-changer. If you’re still cleaning up in a pastel-colored tub circa 1950, it might be time for modernization. Whether you like a tub-shower combo, a shower alongside a jetted tub, or a luxurious walk-in shower, you can spruce up your space and tailor it to your preferences and design tastes with the latest features and styles. Check out these shower and bathroom remodel ideas as you plan your updates.

1. Tub and Shower Combo

The classic tub-and-shower combo provides an opportunity to add personal touches. Start with a bathroom tile pattern you love, then choose a shower door or curtain to match your style. 

Many of the door trends available for shower stalls are also available for tubs. Install sleek, frameless shower slider doors at tub height. You can also go for a half wall for an always-open shower entry that still keeps the water where it belongs. 

Families with small kids might prefer a fun shower curtain that opens easily to bathe wiggly kids and closes to hide their always-growing bath toy collection.

Regardless of what you choose, this is a smart remodeling project that offers benefits that go well beyond aesthetics.

“Installing a new bathtub or shower will boost the appeal of your bathroom and, consequently, the value of your home,” says Zach Reece, owner and chief operating officer at Colony Roofers in Atlanta, GA. “This project also has the highest ROI renovation because your shower and tub are used frequently and go through the most wear and tear over time."

2. Ditch the Door

Skipping a door on your shower stall can give your bathroom a luxurious, spa-like feel. To further reduce the barriers to entry, skip the shower pan and instead slightly slope the floor toward the drain.

These “curbless” showers make your space look bigger, increase accessibility, and give you one less thing to clean. Properly installed, you won’t have to think twice about water splashing outside of the designated area.

Doorless showers usually have three walls around them. If your space is bigger, you might opt for a doorway-size entrance and a half wall to keep your water in and cool air out.

3. Find Your Niche

Start the day with everything in its place. A built-in shower niche provides a spot for the bottles and bars you need in the shower. Get creative with a different tile pattern for your niche to separate it from the rest of the shower.

Depending on your shower size, you can include a small ledge storage niche or go big with a built-in floor-to-ceiling tile shelf. Either way, your niche is a practical enhancement that replaces bottles lining the wall and caddies hanging from the showerhead. 

4. Steam It Up

A steam shower can feel like a fancy upgrade to add to your list of shower remodel ideas. With the push of a button on the wall-mounted control panel, your normal shower stall turns into a steam shower. After you’ve relaxed your muscles and warmed your body, you can always take the temperature down again by switching back to shower mode for a rinse. 

It’s easiest to add a steam shower when remodeling your bathroom, so you can accommodate the steam generator and the necessary components without cutting into your finished tile or walls.

5. Upgrade Your Showerhead

One of the quickest ways to refresh your shower is with a showerhead upgrade. Rain showerheads are a popular choice because they distribute the same amount of water as a standard showerhead over a larger area, so you’ll feel like you’re enjoying fresh rainfall. 

The design reduces the pressure of the flow. For even more luxury, install two showerheads for multiple water streams.

But showerhead options don’t end there. Choose the one that best fits your shower preferences. Handhelds offer flexibility and directed spray. Sliding bars adjust the height to accommodate the tallest and the shortest in the household. 

6. Take a Seat

A shower seat can serve multiple purposes. If you’re installing a steam shower during your bathroom remodel, you might particularly enjoy a place to sit while the vapor does its thing. 

Otherwise, a seat can help prevent shower falls. It’s also an ideal spot to prop your leg when shaving. Of course, it can also serve as a ledge for bottles or a plant.

7. Go Frameless

Frameless shower doors give you a minimal, seamless look that eliminates the metal and rubber frame. Bonus: There’s a lower risk of mold growth.

This can be a great pick for a smaller or darker bathroom. A clear glass door lets more light in. Choose a curved door for a little more space in the shower. There are some downsides to a frameless shower door though, like the possibility of leaks. 

8. Add Some Plants

Plant parents, take it up a notch with your own personal rainforest. Look for plants that thrive in humid environments. Unless you have a sun-drenched bathroom, you’ll need a plant that doesn’t require direct sunlight. Finally, consider size. Unless you have a good-sized ledge, you’ll need to keep your greenery small. Consider Earth stars, lucky bamboo, and ferns. 

9. Play With Tile Patterns

Whether you’re fond of florals or looking to get creative with subway rectangles, you can express yourself through tile. 

These shower remodel ideas will help you express your personality through tile: 

Modernize Subway 

To make subway tiles all your own, lay them in a new way. Consider a crosshatch or herringbone pattern or lay them vertically. You can also update the classic tile with textured or colored tiles. If you stick with classic white, black grout can bring a fresh look.

Art Deco Designs

Rounded fan-shaped tile is stylish and eye-catching and can make your space feel bigger. Scalloped tiles look great in an earthy green, sea-inspired blue, classic gray, or a combo. 

Bring on the Drama

Dark colors, rich marbling, and large tiles bring decadence to a shower stall. Combine all three for a truly striking look. The large tile size minimizes grout lines for a seamless look that makes the shower feel bigger. 

Inspired by Nature

Take a look at lush green lawns, bright autumn leaves, and deserts for color inspiration. A sea-inspired blue tile with a pebble floor can bring back memories of that relaxing beach vacation. Then layer on bamboo, sisal, and natural wood bathroom accessories for a natural look. 

You can also lay tiles with a flower or plant design if that’s more your style. Porcelain tiles are available with a wood-like look with none of the water damage that comes with a wood floor in a bathroom. 

10. Arched Entrance Walk-In Shower

An arched entrance walk-in shower is a showstopper and a nod to Roman architecture with a twist of modern finishes. It’s also the perfect canvas for playing with texture. For example, you can put larger tiles on the walls and smaller mosaic tiles in the arch for a luxury feel. 

This is where tile can really shine, but keep in mind that penny tiles or mosaic tiles will add to your shower remodel costs since they require more labor to install. Choose the placement wisely and use larger tiles on the walls to keep things more wallet-friendly. Talk to a local shower installer to discuss your best options.

11. Add Lighting in Your Shower 

If your bathroom lacks natural light, install additional lighting inside your shower. Recessed lighting is the most practical. It provides ambiance in the space, adds functionality to a shower, and makes it easier to see. 

A dimmable fixture is the perfect blend of form and function. You can switch it to low for spa-like relaxation or high if you need better visibility when cleaning the shower.

12. Add a Shower Towel Rack

If you’re looking to take on a DIYable shower idea for your bathroom remodel, think about accessories. A well-placed towel rack will prevent you from having to walk across the bathroom with a soaking wet towel. 

Put it just out of reach of your showerhead (you don’t want to risk a wet towel, either). The opposite wall from the showerhead is ideal for rectangular showers, but it depends on the layout. 

13. Let in Natural Light 

Never underestimate the power of natural light to make a small space feel airy and open. Adding a shower window is one of the most underrated bathroom remodel ideas because it can sacrifice privacy. Luckily, there are some workarounds. 

If you want to install a shower window, keep it above shoulder height and use frosted glass for privacy. A skylight is another option—skylight installation costs an average of $2,000 and will set your bathroom apart. As a bonus, a window can add extra ventilation, helping prevent mold and moisture damage.