Bathrooms With Glass Shower Enclosures

Sep 20, 2023

Goodbye, curtains!

Whether you're embarking on a bathroom renovation and want some shower design inspiration before you begin the process or you've inherited a space you have to make the best of as-is, might we suggest a glass shower enclosure? While we have nothing against a good shower curtain, there's something about this treatment that really elevates a space—as you'll see in the following examples. But before we begin the glass shower enclosure tour de force, it's worth mentioning a few of their general perks: They're ideal for smaller shower stalls and wet rooms, they enhance every bit of natural light available, and they look polished and modern. we'll let the designer spaces ahead do the rest of the proverbial talking.

In this bathroom designed by Heidi Caillier, the archway asserts a touch of drama and frames the shower beautifully while also making it feel separate from the toilet area.

Textural and semi-opaque, these striking glass doors in a bathroom by AP Design House make the shower feel like a room of its own.

Don't let tricky roof lines stop you from installing glass shower enclosures. Simply follow the shape of the ceiling and then use a material that plays up the irregular curves. Here, Sarah Richardson spotlights a slab of swirling marble that serpentines like the angle of the ceiling.

Depending on the plumbing and draining situations in your bathroom, you may or may not need to have a ledge that projects the surrounding pace from potential flooding. In this bathroom by designer Kureck Jones, the bubblegum pink subway tiles on the wall and ledge create cohesion while the diamond, almost leaf-like motif on the floors add just the right amount of contrast.

Allow a formal floating tub to take the design spotlight and minimize your shower's visual footprint with a barely-there glass enclosure, as Nicole Hollis Studio did here.

Okay, so, the same tip applies here, but a little different: Instead of making it blend in with neutrals, cover the whole bathroom in dazzling variations of your favorite color with zellige tiles. It will make a small space feel more special and the shower will "disappear" but not because it's plain. Tile wraps all the way around this Anna Spiro-designed bathroom and the glass enclosure separates the shower from the rest of the room to keep it out of the splash zone functionally but still connecting visually.

Both classic and cutting-edge, this shower-tub combo by Tamsin Johnson is the perfect place to unwind and relax. The Art Deco-style glass sconces reflect the slight green tinge of the fluted glass enclosure, which only extends halfway as to not totally block the beautiful marble details of the tub.

As we mentioned previously, glass showers can work well against any style backdrop. This modern marble and glass shower is a welcome modern surprise in the rustic 1770s Charleston residence designed by Cameron Schwabenton. The overall eclectic approach honors the integrity of the home's history with rustic wood foundations. But by incorporating more modern materials, like the marble and glass used in the shower, it also feels contemporary and polished.

A glass door that's actually, well, a real door to the exterior of your home, is the ultimate indoor/outdoor shower dream. Designed by Nick Olsen, the space has an additional rain showerhead that elevates it without making it feel cramped.

If you're worried that a glass enclosure will make your bathroom feel too cold, don't worry—there are other ways to warm it up, aside from a shower curtain. For example, Jae Joo opted for a bronze farmhouse sink and a casual catch-all for plenty of towels and textiles.

Add iron separators to give the bathroom a more geometric punch. The sharp black frame of the glass enclosure in this bathroom by Nicole Hollis Studio is emphasized further by the black ceiling and flooring while the handmade wall tiles tone it down.

Lean into the angular lines of a boxy shower frame with fluted glass, steel frames, and a sharp, high-contrast tile pattern as Reath Design did in this narrow but light-filled bathroom.

Vertical fluted glass elongates this texture-rich and natural bathroom designed by Tamsin Johnson Interiors. It might feel too crowded if the glass enclosure stretched to both ends, plus not having to swing anything open saves room.

If you haven't already picked up on this, glass shower enclosures are perfect for tinier bathrooms. Studio DIAA built in a shelf and chose a simple scheme to bounce light and maintain a bright, open atmosphere despite a small footprint. The Crystalite skylight is a great call, too, since it floods the space with natural light but also maintains privacy.

One seemingly small but important way to make your glass shower enclosure pop? Hardware and hinges. This striking shower by Elizabeth Roberts Architecture and Design is like stepping into a magical cotton candy heaven (one that isn't sticky of course, as that wouldn't be of much use in a shower). So the pink marble is obviously a highlight here, but the hardware helps polish off the look.

Float the glass shower enclosure for a more interesting and unique facade. Hecker Guthrie put it front and center for an eye-catching effect.

In a shower stall, if sliding/ pocket glass doors aren't an option, really think hard about how you'll function in the space and then design your glass door accordingly. In this bathroom by Heidi Caillier, the door opens out, which can make it easier when exiting the shower, but it just misses the door that opens into the room. Lesson? Measure carefully.

Skip the foggy glass or dark curtain in a wet room but still allow for splash-safe zones with glass doors. It'll make the shower feel like livable square footage and makes cleanup that much easier. Emil Dervish kept this industrial space clean with white graphic square tiles but added some funk with color on the upper half of the walls and ceiling.

Interior designer Elizabeth Cooper brought out the rich blue veining in the marble surfaces with an icy pale blue paint color on the cabinet doors. Keeping some of the wall unfinished creates a calming effect that helps keep pattern-pushing small spaces from feeling overwhelming. And now, thanks to the elevated materials and perfect proportions, washing up in the tiny shower stall will be more than comfortabe.

Use the same shape of tiles throughout the bathroom but break it up by color blocking. Here, GRT Architects chose periwinkle for the sink and vanity area and then a pale peach pink penny tile for the shower region. The navy paint and black fixtures blend in surprisingly well and a half glass enclosure makes it easier to help little ones bathe.

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