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Standard Shower Dimensions

Who doesn’t like a good shower? Showers are a good place to not only get clean, but to relax and get yourself prepared for either the start or end of your day. Whether you are designing your bathroom or doing renovations, there are two things to keep in mind when installing a shower; comfort and practicality.

Standard Shower Dimensions

Imagine taking a shower and you are constantly bumping into the walls and knocking shampoo bottles over or struggling to shave. It is important to give yourself some room to perform your necessary tasks and rituals, as well as relax.

To give you a basic idea of the minimum amount of room you might need for a comfortable shower, spread your arms and rotate in place without knocking into anything. This is roughly the smallest space for your shower to be functional as well as comfortable. Don’t worry, below we will go into great detail about different shower dimensions as well as styles to give you some inspiration!

Shower Sizes and Dimensions

No matter what size shower you might want, you are beholden to the size of your bathroom. The average size of a shower is about 36 x 36 inches, which measures out to 9 square feet. These dimensions are only for a square space that is showe only, but below we have more measurements to help you find the right amount of space for the right shower for you.

Basic Enclosure

A basic shower enclosure is basically a closed off area that houses your showerhead and the drain. The interior space of this should be at least 36 x 36 inches to give you enough room to turn around and clean yourself.

Bathtub/Shower Combination

A bathtub and shower combo is a very popular option throughout the world giving you the option to either rinse or soak. The minimum amount of space for this to not only be functional, but also comfortable is 36 x 48 inches.

Walk-In Shower

A walk-in shower is a spacious and luxurious design that is a great option for larger bathrooms that are typically surrounded on three sides by walls or glass. As the name implies, there needs to be room to walk in and walk out of, so these should measure at least 48 x 48 inches.

Keep in mind that the provided measurements for the above mentioned designs and styles refer to the amount of space inside of the showering area. Installing the glass, the curb, or the bathtub will take up a little bit of extra space.

Standard Shower Measurements

When installing a standard shower set up you can go as small as 30 x 30, but it is recommended to go at least 48 x 36 inches for comfort. A basic enclosed shower is installed against at least one tiled wall with three glass sides. The floor is pitched slightly and can be tile or any other type of material that will withstand water and moisture.

It’s possible to buy premade shower kits from a local hardware store that will be measured out to the proper dimensions for your bathroom. These come in a wide range of sizes with the smallest starting at 30 x 30 and going up from there. Buying one of these kits is affordable, but installation for everything will add up very quickly.
Corner Walk-In Shower Measurements

Corner showers are the perfect solution when trying to fit a shower into a compact space. By putting the stall in the corner with the door being facing the middle of the bathroom. When considering putting in a corner shower, make sure there is a minimum of 36 inches on each wall to give yourself some room to be comfortable in this small space.

Master Bathroom Shower Measurements

It is customary for the master bedroom of a house to have a larger bathroom attached to it. Because this room is normally reserved for a couple cohabiting together, the shower is normally large enough for two people.

When installing a two-person shower it is a good idea to take into consideration how much room a person will need if they are to shower together comfortably. The minimum space between two people in a shower is two feet, but it is recommended to go a bit larger; 30 to 36 inches is much more comfortable. If you have the room for it, you could go for a spacious 48 inches for each person!

On average, a shower for two people is about 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 feet. These showers also feature either two separate showerheads or one large one that dispenses enough water for each person to wash themselves. If you choose to go for the two head option, it is recommended to put them on opposite walls for maximum comfort and space. It is, however, possible to place them both on the same wall, but be sure to put about three feet of space between them to give both people enough space.

Shower Door Installation

If you are opting for a shower setup with a door, there are some important measurements to take into account. The above measurements are for the interior space and do not include the amount of space that you will need in order to properly install a door. Panels for the door to be put in place need to be a minimum of 5.5 inches and the doors are typically 22 to 36 inches in width and 72 inches tall. Any wider than this and you will need to add on a second door.

Adding a Shower Bench

Shower benches are becoming more popular in larger showers. These normally sit about 19 inches from the ground and have a depth of 15 inches to sit comfortably. If you have limited space but still want to be able to sit down, there is the option of installing it in a corner or a fold-down bench!

Shower and Bathtub Measurements

One of the most common shower setups in bathrooms is the tub and shower combination. These give you the option and flexibility of choosing either a shower or a bath when you feel like it. Ordinarily a tub is about 60 x 32 inches, but they can vary in dimension from 32 x 48 all the way to 36 x 60.

When installing a shower and tub combo, you normally don’t need to worry about the additional space needed to install a sliding door or a glass barrier. Shower and tub combos use a shower curtain to protect the rest of the bathroom from stray water droplets.

Wet Room Shower Measurements

If you’ve ever had a day spa treatment, then you likely have had the pleasure of enjoying a wet room shower. These are as spacious as they are luxurious. In order to have a comfortable wet room shower, make sure that it is at the very least 36 x 48 inches to make sure it can properly contain all the water.

Steam Shower Measurements

Steam showers, like wet room showers, are the deluxe version of a regular shower. These large enclosures are meant to run hot water and produce lots of steam like a sauna, but in your bathroom. Steam showers start at 36 x 36 inches and can go larger so they could house multiple people.

Steam showers need careful consideration when installing them. To prevent these from damaging or causing mold growth due to the moisture and heat they generate, they need to have a ceiling that moisture will not be able to permeate. The ceilings also need to be sloped to allow them to dry properly. Most are no taller than eight feet high.

Installing a shower in your home properly is very important for sevaral reasons. First, the amount of space and measurements needs to be correct to properly ensure comfort and so that it will fit in the alotted space. The second is so that it won’t cause damage to your house. Improper installation ruin your ceilings, floors, and walls that will cost you thousands and thousands more to repair. Be sure to do your due dilligence so that your dream shower doesn’t become a nightmare!

About the author

Hi I’m Alex, founder of HouseholdMe.com and I’d like to say thank you for dropping by. Like most of you, the first thing I look at before buying something online is reviews or buying guides. By reading what other people say will help me gauge whether or not a product is good or not.  I am trying to help people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired.

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