If you have a small bathroom, the amount of space available will obviously be one of the deciding factors when it comes to what type of shower enclosure you choose.  Corner shower enclosures are perfect for smaller bathrooms as they maximise the use of space.  Quadrant enclosures also work well in smaller bathrooms; they feature curved screens which trim off the corner normally filled by a square shower cabin, freeing up valuable floor space which can be used for bathroom furniture.

If space is not an issue, walk-in shower enclosures are popular, and will add a touch of contemporary elegance to any bathroom.  This more spacious and luxurious option allows room for a separate drying area which can be decked or tiled accordingly to create a contrast.  By fitting curved or angled screens, the spray from the showerhead is efficiently contained.

If the bathroom is your sanctuary and you want a luxury spa experience, a steam cabin may be the answer.  Steam cabins have been gaining in popularity in recent years as they come down in price, and smaller sizes are now available which don’t require a huge amount of space in the bathroom.  Steam offers many benefits to our wellbeing such as boosting metabolism, improving circulation, and providing relief to those suffering from allergies and asthma.  The inhalation of steam opens up the airways and reduces congestion and inflammation.  Alternatively, you could just use the steam cabin at the end of a long day as a way to relax.

Corner baths can be a good way of filling up the space. Alternatively a freestanding bath can make the bathroom look luxurious and add style; roll-top baths are a popular choice. Freestanding baths do not have to be fitted against a wall and as the pipe work can be hidden under the floor the bath can be made a central feature of the bathroom.

Bathroom storage is always important regardless of the size of the bathroom. In a small bathroom providing enough storage can be a problem, but with a large bathroom a homeowner has the space for a wide range of bathroom furniture and fitted units. Fitted units can also cover empty walls or even be used to create a feature.

A large bathroom means that the homeowner does not have to choose between fitting a bath or a shower as there should be room for both. With a separate shower the bigger the cubicle the better the shower, so a homeowner should always choose the largest luxury shower enclosure that will fit comfortably in the space provided.

If a new bathroom is being installed it is worth consulting a professional bathroom designer or using a bathroom planner to check if there is enough room for a separate shower enclosure. Over-the-bath showers are popular but a shower cubicle will enhance the showering experience. Corner or Quadrant shower enclosures can maximise the space available.

It is often the case that there is simply not room for a separate enclosure unless the homeowner is willing to do without a bath. This can be an acceptable solution, but many UK home buyers expect a bathroom to include a bath and so it may be better to opt for a shower over the bath. Fitting a glass panel or one that folds away when not in use can create a feeling of more space.

If a homeowner has a large bathroom then wet rooms are the ultimate in luxury and they offer the freedom of choosing some of the most powerful showers on the market. They are not cheap so if budget is a constraining factor an alternative could be to create a wet room feel by choosing a transparent room divider with a plain glass shower panel that is sunk into the floor tiling.

Wet rooms are very popular on the continent and are considered stylish and very easy to keep clean.

However, for the design conscious homeowner the classic cubicle does not always cut the mustard.  So what are some exciting alternatives to shower enclosures?

One popular choice in modern shower designs is the wet room.  The wet room removes the need for shower enclosures entirely since the whole bathroom is designed to be used as an open plan shower space.  Partial enclosures in a wet room can be created using partitions, or even innovative beaded curtains to create an element of privacy in this open area.

For those who prefer to keep their shower corralled, there are a range of alternative shower enclosures.  Why not consider building a cubicle from glass brick – allowing for the free passage of light while at the same time denoting the permanence of the unit in a way that prefabricated cubicles simply cannot achieve.

If you like the idea of an industrial inspired space then the ultra modern finish of a steel shower enclosure could be the right choice for you.

Whatever your taste, it is possible to create a unique shower space that suits your style.

Whether you are looking for a shower to be fitted in a dedicated shower room, en suite or family bathroom, a little careful research will help you to find which shower cubicle will best fit your needs.

There are a number of things to consider when choosing shower cubicles.  The first of these is the size and shape.  For large bathrooms there will be a number of exciting designs available, while smaller homes can benefit from one of the many space saving options on offer.

The most popular style of shower cubicle is the quadrant – a square shower that can be easily placed into the corner of a room.  Quadrant shower cubicles come in a range of finishes, from clear and smoked fixed glass designs to hardwearing plasticised finishes.

Homeowners can choose from a selection of door styles for their shower cubicles – from sliders which work well in smaller spaces to traditional outward opening styles.

For those seeking to deviate from the ordinary a little in their shower cubicle selection, it is possible to create a sleeker shower area using a curved design.  And even the popular modern wet rooms can benefit from partial cubicles to control the spray area.

Shower cubicles can house anything from the simplest of shower units to more extravagant power showers and even saunas.

Clean, crisp and modern lines in a bathroom are important and help create the feel of a larger space.  Don’t buy gaudy, ornate fixtures and fittings, and try to stay away from anything that will attract a lot of dust.  Small fixtures, sleek lines and light colours will help add the illusion of space in an otherwise small bathroom, while creating a look that is clean and warm.

If you are lucky enough to have the piping in the right places or have the means to re-fit the bathroom with new piping, then it is worth your while to look for corner-fitting pottery, such as sinks, shower enclosures and shower cubicles, and toilets. Limited space can be easily overcome with these space-saving options. Combine the bath with the shower, or choose one or the other to create a luxurious but practical space.  Add a beautiful, contemporary bathroom mirror to the wall. This will make the space seem more open and larger than it really is.

With a few clever space-saving choices for your design, you will be surprised at the difference!

Shower seats are convenient, add safety to your shower enclosure, and provide comfort.  Shower seats are made of water-repellent materials to discourage the growth of mould and mildew.  Once you have decided to purchase a shower seat, there are many options to choose from.

There are four types of shower seat: freestanding, permanent, retractable, and wheeled.  A freestanding shower seat is a portable chair or stool that can be moved in or out of your shower cubicle. It might have arms or a back, and should be lightweight.

A permanent shower seat is built into the shower and may have a granite, marble, or ceramic seat.  The retractable seat is also built into your shower, with a hinged foldaway option to allow more space when it’s not being used. Wheeled shower seats, or commode chairs, are specially designed for the disabled to wheel in and out of the shower enclosure.

Whatever style you choose, a shower seat could be a needed accessory in your new shower cubicle.

A prefabricated shower enclosure, including shower accessories and a pre-made shower tray, can all be bought together.  Minimal installation is usually required for such models.  These overlay existing walls and can be more costly than a do-it-yourself version.

To customize your new shower cubicle, you can opt to build the walls into your bathroom.  More labour is involved, and a professional contractor might need to be hired, but you’ll retain the flexibility of the final outcome.  Custom designs are also a good idea for odd-shaped spaces or corner shower enclosures.

Shower cubicles have different drainage and waterproofing requirements than a traditional shower and bath unit.  A fitted shower tray and proper sealing will eliminate leakage.  A drainage system needs to be run beneath the floor to lead shower waste toward the pipes and out of the plumbing system.  Professionals can easily make these changes to your existing bathroom and help you prepare for your new installation.

Once the walls, showerhead, valves, drain, and shower door are ready to go, other items can be added and customized.  Seating and hand grips are available for those who need extra support.  Slip-proof flooring can also be added for safety.  With these shower accessories, it is easy to see why a shower cubicle makes sense for many individuals.

A bi-fold shower door is essentially a shower door with two panels that can be moved independently.  The panels hang from overhead attachments, allowing them to fold on a hinge when pulled open.  The foldaway door panels leave more space for you to walk in and out of the shower.

Bi-fold shower doors are available framed or frameless.  The framed varieties have metal supports around each panel and are very sturdy and durable.  The frameless version is made of thick glass, for a more modern look.  Both are practical alternatives to a single-panel door under the right circumstances.

To install bi-fold shower doors in your bathroom, you need only have a track.  The doors hang from the upper portion of the track, so that they can glide easily along the bottom portion of the track.  Once the track is in place, bi-fold shower doors are very easy to install.  You can choose whether your bi-fold door opens inward, outward, or in both directions when you install it.

The glass panels are also easy to clean and maintain.  The tracks can be wiped clean, and the panels require only a basic household cleaner.  With the extra saved space, it is also very easy to manoeuvre around them.

Some of these shower cubicles are more ornate than others and they often have a sweeping design to the entrance, which makes the whole thing look like a teardrop.

One thing you need to think about with these shower cubicles is whether you want a left or a right handed one. Decide which would fit in better given the space you have in your bathroom? Think about where the cubicle will be and then consider which end the door should be to give you the best and the easiest access. Be sure you measure up properly before you commit to buying anything, as you don’t want to find that the unit will not fit in the space available.

Normally, when you buy a shower cubicle, you will be supplied with a complete package, which will include your choice of tray as well as the shower itself. This simplifies the entire process, as you don’t have to remember to add any optional extras.