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Choosing the right shower enclosure isn’t easy: it’s not just a question of taste, but requires careful consideration to ensure the result is functional, comfortable and fits with the rest of the bathroom interiors.
These days, the shower is a very important space in the home. It has become more than just a quick and practical solution for our daily lives, giving us a little dose of wellbeing, a relaxing ritual on a par with the experience of a nice relaxing bath. This is why it deserves careful consideration, design and attention to detail.
A rushed or inappropriate choice can lead to issues, such as difficulty cleaning the shower enclosure, impractical access or even a shower that clashes with other furnishings. Finding the right shower enclosure for your requirements, in terms of space, style and use, enables you to create a functional and welcoming environment in any bathroom.
In this brief guide, we explore all of the different aspects to consider before purchasing, from the different types of enclosures available to opening solutions, technical features, design and finishes, as well as integration with other bathroom interiors, helping you to identify a fully personalised, lasting solution.
When choosing a shower enclosure, the first thing to consider is which type you want.
Each configuration has specific characteristics, and understanding them helps you to identify the best solution for your bathroom. Arcom’s AKS range offers a full spectrum of solutions, designed to be flexible and suitable for many different settings, styles and requirements.
Corner shower enclosures, for example, are one of the most versatile formats. They are installed between two adjacent walls and enable optimal use of corner space in the bathroom, even in small rooms. If the space for the shower is enclosed by walls on three sides, on the other hand, an alcove shower enclosure could be worth considering. This is a smart choice for narrow or irregular rooms, which maintains a clean aesthetic.
Walk-in shower enclosures, without doors, are an increasingly popular choice for their contemporary style. With one or more glass sides, they offer easy, open and immediate access. Their understated design enhances the bathroom, creating a sense of lightness and open space. They can also be designed as a walk-through solution, becoming an integral part of a larger, functional shower area, and making optimal use of long and narrow rooms.
One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a shower enclosure is the type of doors. Each shower-enclosure door mechanism has its own functional benefits, influencing its practicality, maintenance and the optimisation of space.
Let’s take a detailed look at some examples of different doors.
Sliding doors, for example, are ideal for tighter spaces. The sliding action on runners avoids the need for outwards clearance, making it easy to fit a shower enclosure into even the narrowest of bathrooms. Arcom’s sliding-door models also feature a quick-release system, making it easier to clean the door. There are also models equipped with magnetic mechanisms and tight seals, ensuring no water can escape.
A more traditional solution with a stronger aesthetic impact is achieved with hinged doors: these open outwards and, again, guarantee an excellent seal. The important thing to remember during design is that these doors require free space in front of the enclosure for clearance of the single or double doors.
Smart, hybrid solutions are also available, such as the pivot system, where the door can be opened inwards or outwards. This extremely versatile format is also suitable for bathrooms with limited space. Another option is saloon doors, which move freely in both directions. This is a dynamic and practical choice that reduces the risk of those irritating drips on the floor when you leave the shower.
For bathrooms that are very small or those with an irregular shape, a folding system could be an effective space-saving solution. The door smoothly folds up on itself with minimal pressure, enabling easy access even in rather challenging structural contexts.
Finally, there are walk-in shower enclosures with no doors at all; the pinnacle of contemporary minimalism. As well as offering easier access to the shower, this solution blends organically into modern bathroom designs thanks to clean lines and the absence of any visible mechanisms, with the exception of discreet technical components such as support arms on glass panels.
Walk-in showers are a very popular choice in spas, wellness centres and boutique hotels, where an understated aesthetic is desired to create a sense of openness and visual continuity from one space to another.
In the case of more compact configurations, it can be helpful to instal a fixed deflector panel. This is a glass panel positioned side-on to contain splashes inside the shower whilst keeping an open, walk-in feel. This is a handy technical feature, improving function without compromising on looks.
One of the most common questions when choosing a shower enclosure regards the type of opening. A sliding or hinged solution: which is better? We can confirm that there is no universal answer, because the choice depends on a range of factors, such as how the space is organised, usage preferences and, naturally, personal taste.
To help you decide, we can tell you, for example, that a sliding system is ideal in bathrooms with small dimensions or when a sleeker solution is desired, without doors opening outwards. Modern runners guarantee a smooth and silent sliding action, with quick-release mechanisms designed for easy cleaning of the doors.
Hinged doors, on the other hand, are ideal where there is plenty of free space in front of the shower enclosure. A more traditional opening solution, hinged doors are often associated with an elegant and linear interior aesthetic. This type of opening also guarantees a tight seal, keeping water in, particularly with higher-quality models.
In addition to the space available in the room, when choosing openings, there are other practical aspects to consider: frequency of use, the presence of people with reduced mobility or the need for particularly easy cleaning inside glass panels. And bathroom style choices must not be overlooked. Modern interiors could be most compatible with a sliding door, while a more classic aesthetic may benefit from the stronger visual presence of a hinged door.
Having explored the different types of doors, it is helpful to return to more technical and structural aspects that can have a big impact on the overall quality of a shower enclosure. When faced with a great variety of models, aesthetics can seem like the only consideration. In reality, it is the technical details that make a difference to your daily life.
One of the most important: the glass. Its thickness is a variable that should not be overlooked. Arcom’s AKS collections offer models from 6 mm (such as the S6 and A6 series) up to 8 mm with the S8 line, providing more resistant glass panels with a bolder visual impact. It is a question of safety and stability.
Another important aspect linked to the glass panels of a shower enclosure is the treatment used.
It is becoming more and more common to find glass surfaces treated with anti-limescale or easy-clean technology, making cleaning easier and slowing the build-up of limescale and soap residue (arch enemies of any shower enclosure!). This provides a practical solution that looks great and is also easy to maintain.
For more information on the best methods for cleaning shower enclosures, read our article on the topic.
Other technical considerations include the seals and closure systems, which represent the “invisible” components of a shower. These details are often only noted when they fail to do their job. A good shower enclosure must guarantee a complete seal to avoid drips and water seepage. Additionally, some of Arcom’s shower enclosures are designed for installation on shower trays or flush against the floor, thanks to precision assembly systems. This versatility enables maximum personalisation of the user experience without technical issues.
Finally, there are the profiles of the shower enclosure. These are important elements that dictate the style of the product and its durability with use. They are available in aluminium, steel or with special finishes, meeting an array of different interior-design needs. Arcom’s collections, for example, provide a wide range of finishes, ideal to coordinate your shower enclosure with other bathroom furnishings.
If we consider the shower not only as a functional element in the bathroom but as an aesthetic element, personalisation becomes essential. Some shower components, such as profiles, can help to bring this space into complete harmony with the style of other bathroom furnishings.
This is the principle behind Arcom’s solutions, with a wide range of colours and finishes available to ensure successful personalisation.
Below, we introduce four pairing ideas, offering inspiration and coherence in any bathroom design.
Black is the ideal colour to highlight the outlines of furnishings and accessories, and this applies in the bathroom, too. Black profiles on the shower enclosure, for example, frame and highlight the transparent glass panels.
Additionally, with this solution, there is an interplay between profiles and taps and, paired with coloured bathroom interiors, the effect is truly eye-catching. Minimalist design details with a big impact. A chromatic contrast offering the perfect solution for a bathroom with a bold, graphic style.
Different greys can be perfect for those seeking a modern style with an industrial feel. The composition in the next photo features grey shower profiles that match the tones of the Ecomalta finish, which defines the character of the furnishings with its textured quality. The shower profiles and bathroom furnishings are also in perfect chromatic harmony with the grey shower tray.
A touch of gold is just the thing to embellish a bathroom with classic lines and establish an atmosphere of pure elegance. Here is an example.
Minimal gold shower profiles are elegantly paired with the warm tones of wood-grain on bathroom furnishings in Walnut and the gold taps on the sink. These details illuminate the bathroom with pure elegance.
Bronze tones fit well in bathrooms with a classic feel or more modern-styled spaces. Here, bronze is paired with bathroom furnishings featuring warm tones and wood-grain finishes.
The shower becomes the focal point of the bathroom, drawing the eye with its bronze allure and creating a truly glamorous place to relax.
White is always on trend and dominates the bathroom-interior space with bright and simple style, generating a sense of order, hygiene and spaciousness. This trend goes beyond furniture and sanitary fittings, with white also a popular choice for details on shower enclosures such as profiles.
Choosing profiles with a white finish enables a total white effect to be achieved. This is particularly popular in modern bathrooms and spaces with lots of natural light, such as Nordic-style bathrooms. In addition, the neutral nature of white makes it easy to combine accessories and taps with different finishes to create captivating contrasts.
After these stylistic considerations, we return to focus on more technical aspects.
A good design begins with correct measurement of the dimensions. This may seem obvious, but this is the phase in which we can avoid (or make) the most common mistakes in choosing a shower enclosure. The dimensions of the available space, the position of drains, any non-uniformity in the angle of walls and flooring, or the presence of low walls, could all have a huge impact on the ideal configuration of the shower.
The first thing to do is precisely measure the width, depth and height of the area where it will be installed. If the bathroom is being renovated, it is best to also check the state of the walls and floor, to identify any uneven surfaces or irregularities that it may be necessary to work around.
Regarding the shower enclosure, there are standard dimensions (e.g. 70×90 cm and 80×120 cm), but at Arcom, the AKS division also provides the option to create custom solutions. This is ideal for “difficult” spaces, such as a bathroom with a sloping ceiling, long and narrow bathrooms or to make the most of alcoves, corners and recessed spaces that are often a challenge to furnish.
In small bathrooms, where every centimetre counts, a good solution may be a space-saving shower enclosure with a sliding or folding door, or a walk-in model with a fixed panel, paired perhaps with a flush shower tray, to minimise the use of space and create a sense of visual continuity.
Another detail that shouldn’t be overlooked is the height of the shower enclosure. This may vary from model to model, but it is always best to consider the distance from the ceiling, particularly if the room has a false ceiling, piping or particular architectural structures. A useful tip: before making a purchase, it is always a good idea to draw a plan, even just a rough outline, with all the measurements and surrounding elements, or to use the services of a designer. A drawing helps you to visualise and understand the actual space taken up by the shower enclosure and how it will fit into the bathroom as a whole, avoiding unpleasant surprises.
This is a tricky question, but an important one. It is natural to wonder about price when choosing a shower enclosure, but we understand that it can be difficult when faced with the endless options in the market. Many different variables come together to determine the price, including the type of enclosure, materials, thickness of glass panels, finishes, opening systems, surface treatments, design and innovative built-in technology… to name just a few!
Rather than fixating on a certain price, we believe it is useful to think in terms of overall value, taking quality and durability into account.
An entry-level model, for example, may seem like a good buy at first, but if it requires frequent maintenance or starts to break after just a few years, the initial saving could become a cost in the long-term. Investing in a well-designed shower enclosure, on the other hand, with certified high-quality materials and advanced technical solutions, lets you enjoy a durable and safe product that suits the style of your bathroom.
When designing modern interiors, the shower enclosure is no longer an isolated element, but an integral part of a coordinate system of furnishings: shower tray, walls, taps and furniture work together in stylistic and functional harmony. Considering quality and price is the key to identifying your perfect solution.
In conclusion, choosing the right shower enclosure means a lot more than just finding a size that fits the available space. It requires consideration of function, form, maintenance and harmony with other bathroom furnishings. Understanding the different types of opening system, being able to evaluate materials, considering your usage requirements and the style of the bathroom interiors, are all essential steps to achieve a satisfying and lasting result.
A well-designed shower enclosure not only increases the practicality of the space but enhances its design, becoming an integral part of a balanced interior concept with attention to every detail.
From the versatility of walk-in solutions to the elegance of hinged doors, and from the simplicity of sliding systems to customised finishes, Arcom’s AKS range provides a world of possibilities.
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