For many of us, starting or ending the day with a hot shower is not only a daily ritual but also a real pleasure. So it’s no surprise that bathroom renovations are often top of the list when it comes to home improvement projects.
But big renovations are expensive and incredibly messy! So if you're looking for a list of super-cheap and super-cheerful ways to give your shower room a makeover, you've come to the right place! Here we've rounded up some of the easiest and most eye-catching bathroom shower ideas to help you achieve the sanctuary you long for.
Bathroom shower ideas
If you want to give your bathroom or shower room a bit of a spritz, there are plenty of ways to do this. Little updates can make the world of difference and will turn your space from meh to marvellous in a matter of minutes in some cases. But let's start by changing up your shower for a luxurious drench you actually look forward to...
Find the right shower style for you
When it comes to shower styles and showerheads, consider whether you want single or dual spray (with two heads, one a separate hand shower), a rainfall head or an LED one that bathes you in coloured light as well as warm water… If you have a smaller shower, why not go for a concealed mixer valve or a mounted ceiling shower head, which sits flush just like a light fitting?
Consider your water pressure
When you’re thinking about buying a new shower, your attention is normally focused on cost, aesthetics and how easy it is to install. But the main factor to consider is actually the water pressure requirement, as not all showers will work with your home’s particular plumbing and hot water system.
If you have a gravity-fed system (with a hot-water cylinder and a cold-water header tank in your loft), you can choose a power shower, an electric shower, a mixer or a thermostatic shower – with or without a pump. If you have a combination boiler, or your cold water comes directly from the mains, you can’t fit a pump, so you’re limited to either an electric mixer or a thermostatic shower.
What's the best type of shower?
- A power shower combines hot and cold water supplies and increases the pressure via an internal pump – fantastic if you have low water pressure.
- An electric shower draws cold water before heating it internally to your desired temperature. They’re great if your hot water supply is unpredictable.
- A mixer shower combines hot and cold water supplies and mixes it in the unit before releasing it to the showerhead. They work best with combination boilers as they rely on readily available hot water.
- A thermostatic shower is like a mixer shower, but has a thermostat to keep the water temperature consistent – even when someone in the kitchen starts doing the washing up!
Cut your water consumption and save on your water bills
Did you know a shower uses around 30% of your household water consumption? So it’s worthwhile investing in one with an optimised flow rate, such as those in Methven’s Aio collection. Alternatively, you can also save water by fitting a shower flow reducer, which screws in either at the shower outlet or between the hose and handset. Croydex offers a Water Saving Shower Adaptor, which restricts the maximum flow rate to 8 litres per minute.
Small shower room ideas
Got a small bathroom that could do with a glow up but not sure how to go about it? Take a look at this list for inspo and mix and match some of these small shower room ideas to give your bathroom a blissful boost!
Add plenty of plants
Adding greenery is a surefire way to add a hit of zesty colour. Plants also create an instant atmosphere of tranquility and help to purify the air - win, win!
Choose varieties that thrive in humid conditions. The following plants are all good candidates for your bathroom – snake plant, zz plant, peace lily, Boston fern, spider plant, string of pearls and moth orchids.
Scent the air with bunches of dried herbs
Hanging dried herbs from your shower head is a good and budget way to fragrance your bathroom with a delicious natural aroma. The steam from the shower releases the scents from the herbs and wafts them into the air.
Eucalyptus has attractive bluey-tinged green leaves and the scent is said to help reduce stress and promote wellbeing. You can buy fresh bunches to dry at home yourself or buy them ready dried, such as this one pictured from Etsy
You can also try bundles of dried lavender and rosemary to add an aromatic scent to your bathroom. Just make sure the stems are long enough for you to tie string or ribbon around and hang from your shower head or shower riser.
Hang a jazzy shower curtain
It's amazing what a difference a pop of colour can make to a space. Mouldy, mildewy curtains are a no-no and can really bring the overall look of your bathroom right down.
There are so many brilliant designs to choose from – go for bold, graphic patterns if that's your vibe, or something classic such as this cheery, stripy number from La Redoute.
Top tip for keeping your new shower curtain fresh and mould free – make sure it doesn't sit all bunched up and soaking wet. Close the curtain and dry it down with a towel after every shower. It's really important that your bathroom is well ventilated to allow fresh air to circulate and dry everything out.
Fix a shower screen
If you can afford a little bit more, a shower screen is another alternative to a shower curtain that is easier to keep clean and will really help to smarten up your bathroom. Crittall-style screens are very on trend right now – they look like windows with their individual panes of glass and work particularly well in more monochrome spaces. You can get shower screens that fit onto your bathtub, as shown here from Victoria Plum. Or full-size versions for a standalone shower.
Upgrade your towels & bath mat
A really easy way to add oomph to your bathroom is to switch up your towels for fresh new fluffy ones. Buy a matching set in a vibrant colour if your shower room is minimal and white, or stick to plain neutrals if you already have a lot going on in your space.
Adding a spot of tongue-in-cheek humour is always welcome in a bathroom too – a quirky bath mat like this one from Urban Outfitters will lift your space while giving you a soft landing when you step out of the shower.
Get the right mirror for your space
One of the key ingredients in this list of small shower room ideas is a mirror. Choose as large a mirror as possible to bounce light around the room, creating as much light as possible. A fog-free model like this one from Wayfair will ensure the surface stays clear, even after a steam-tastic shower.
Pretty up your walls with art
As long as your bathroom is well ventilated with windows that open, and equipped with a powerful extractor fan, you can display artworks in this room quite happily. Choose designs that make a statement or add some humour like this 'Wash Your Paws' print from Etsy.
If you treat your bathroom like other rooms in your home that you want to spend time in, with artworks, soft furnishings and plants, you'll create a space that's always inviting and feels good.
Dial up your bathroom lighting
We couldn't compile a list of small shower room ideas without mentioning the lighting! This is crucial for any room, but perhaps especially important in a bathroom where you'll be needing precision for activities like shaving or brushing your teeth.
Wall lights above a basin and either side of a mirror add elegance and practicality. This simple, classic wall light from Dunelm adds a touch of glamour to your small shower room and will help to create the right ambience.
Make sure you choose lighting that's specifically suitable for bathrooms and get a qualified electrician to wire in any new lights.
Fake a tile splashback
Tiling is fiddly and can be spendy if you call in a professional. So why not fake a tile effect instead with peel-and-stick wallpaper? It's quick, inexpensive, and looks like the real thing. Just make sure you wipe the area down regularly and apply sealant to stop any water getting behind the paper.
To learn the difference between caulk and sealant take a look at our handy guide!
Already have tiles but don't like them?
Try painting them and give your bathroom a whole new look! Follow our guide to painting tiles and see all the amazing effects you can create.
Create a fragrant ambience with candles
The soft flicker of candles adds a romantic air to your bathroom and if you pick the right fragrance it will help to create a blissful scene. Choose from uplifting, happy scents that are energising, or soothing and relaxing aromas to help you sleep later in the evening. The shell shape of this candle from Dunelm works especially well in a bathroom – it's almost more ornament than candle!
Try a bit of shower karaoke!
There's no excuse not to sing in the shower with this portable and waterproof bluetooth speaker from Rex London. It has a suction pad at the back so you can move it around and position it with ease. So turn up the volume and belt out some banging tunes!
Alternatively, if you just want to listen to the radio, why not invest in a rechargeable, waterproof number so you can catch the latest news, shows and music even while soaking in the bath?
Say no to bland and boring with a few of these small shower room ideas
If you feel your bathroom is a little on the dull side and could do with a freshen up, then even incorporating just a handful of these small shower room ideas will give it a perk up. From simple things like buying a new set of towels and faking a tiled splashback, to fixing a shower screen and upgrading your lighting, you can make a huge difference to the atmosphere your bathroom exudes.
Level up your crafting skills and make a soap dish
We've focused on the shower and the rest of the bathroom but what about the basin? Make sure your bathroom basin is kept clean and tidy with a soap dish, made by you! Take a look at this step-by-step for making your own DIY soap dish, using all sorts of things you'll no doubt have at home already. Using a soap dish helps to keep your basin slime-free and also lengthens the life of the soap. Learn a new skill today with Gathered!
