Shower Upgrades to Add to Your Bathroom in 2024
Shower upgrades are one of the most popular renovations for transforming bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries. Think expanding the shower area, adding built-in nooks and seating, and installing multiple shower heads with body sprays.
Homeowners are also incorporating natural materials and earth tones into their bathroom designs. Other popular choices include terrazzo, reclaimed wood and concrete.
Walk-In Showers
A walk-in shower can create a spa-like environment in an en suite bathroom or make a spacious primary bath feel more updated and luxurious. They can be expanded to include a built-in nook or seating area, outfitted with stunning tiles and multiple shower heads, and even adapted for accessibility needs such as slip-resistant flooring and grab bars.
While showers can be prone to splashback, they can minimize water damage by using a wall or glass partition to enclose the space, opting for a rainfall showerhead so the water falls straight down, and installing slip-resistant floors. For a modern industrial design, frame the walls of your walk-in shower with aluminum piping to add a touch of roughness and a visual contrast to the polished decorative finishes.
Pretty floor tile arrangements on shower floors are also trending, with patterns like hex and chevron replacing large-format tile and pebbles. App-controlled heating options are becoming available to elevate the experience even further.
As more homeowners plan to stay in their homes into retirement, there’s a growing interest in universal design that prioritizes beauty as well as accessibility. This could mean features like nonslip flooring, curbless showers, wider doorways, lower vanity heights and grab bars are seen more often in bathrooms. This aging-in-place element helps to reduce the risk of injury and can be implemented into any shower type or style.
Frameless Glass Showers
Showers are a focal point in most bathrooms, so upgrading the look of your shower will make a significant impact. This year, many homeowners are incorporating beautiful frameless glass doors into their bathroom remodels. These stylish doors are easy to clean and offer a modern aesthetic.
Frameless glass showers have several advantages over framed glass doors. Frameless doors are easier to clean because there is no frame to trap dirt or soap scum, and they have a smooth surface that wipes down easily. They also don’t require regular sealing or painting, which makes them a long-lasting option for your shower. Frameless doors can be more expensive than framed doors because they require thicker and stronger tempered glass and stronger hardware, but they’re worth the investment if you’re looking to upgrade your bathroom.
Another bathroom remodeling trend for 2024 is universal design, which aims to create spaces that are accessible and functional for people of all ages and abilities. This is reflected in new trends like curbless showers, adjustable height fixtures, wider doorways, and grab bars. This is a smart way to future-proof your bathroom and add value to your home, as it will appeal to more potential buyers in the future. Additionally, these upgrades can be implemented at a budget-friendly price.
Multiple Shower Heads
Showers are one of our most frequent self-care activities. Whether you need to wash off the day or soothe tense muscles, a new shower head can make your bathroom feel like a spa. But not all shower heads are created equal. There are plenty of options that offer the best in functionality and luxury—including some advanced features that help you tailor your experience for a perfect fit.
For example, some shower heads allow you to control the temperature of the water, meaning that you can adjust it for a relaxing or invigorating experience. Others also come with a programmable spray pattern or thermostatic mixer that lets you adjust the flow of the water to match your preferences for both comfort and efficiency. And for a truly customized experience, you can opt for a dual showerhead that offers both stationary and handheld wand heads with various spray settings to match your mood.
Regardless of your preference, you can find an array of showerheads in modern finishes to suit your style. Consider the classic Pottery Barn model, which includes a stationary head and a handheld wand for versatility, and is available in seven finishes to match your other bathroom fixtures. It also has a convenient diverter switch that lets you easily swap between the two heads and choose from different spray patterns to suit your needs.
Soaking Tubs
If you want to turn your bathroom into a luxurious spa, a soaking tub may be the perfect upgrade. Soaking tubs are comfortable, graceful, and equipped with many different systems and add-ons to enhance your bathing experience.
They are typically deeper than standard bathtubs, allowing for almost full immersion to help you unwind and relax your entire body. They’re also available in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find the perfect option for your bathroom space.
Like walk-in showers, soaking tubs don’t require any special plumbing, making them a more cost-effective and accessible upgrade. However, the deep nature of soaking tubs can make them harder to get into and out of, so you’ll want to choose one that’s easy for anyone in your household to use.
In contrast to the minimalist trends of 2023, soaking tubs often come with lots of design options for visual interest. They can be decked out with pillows, shelves, armrests, mood lighting (or chromatherapy), aromatherapy, and more to create an experience that will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. They’re also available in a range of finishes, so you can find the perfect look for your space. They’re also a great choice for larger bathrooms where a traditional long tub would not fit. However, you’ll need to make sure your flooring can handle the weight of a fully-filled soaking tub.
