Features by Diane Larner, founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review.
Diane Larner launched both titles over 15 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industries ever since, publishing regular features across both sectors.
Shower design is moving beyond the purely functional to a space where materiality and aesthetics work in harmony with environmental and accessible considerations. The tactile appeal of carefully selected finishes balances safety and durability, reflecting a broader shift towards more inclusive spaces. The result is an increasingly nuanced approach to showering, prioritising comfort and usability without compromising visual impact.
In this feature, we showcase the latest products shaping shower design from the latest easy-to-install designs to an ever-expanding choice in shower tray sizes, materials and style.
Designing for durability & style
Today’s shower floors are expected to do more than perform; they must reflect the wider design narrative, exuding style, luxury and understated sophistication, whether for traditional design schemes or for modern, contemporary hotel design. At the same time, material selection has never been more important, with specifiers and designers placing greater scrutiny on provenance, performance and environmental responsibility.
Adam Teal, country manager at Kaldewei, comments: “Within the arena of bathroom design, showering is a daily ritual and as such a focal point, for interior design as such a shower tray should feel intentional, not purely practical. Low-profile trays create a sleek, hotel-like look and visually enlarge the floor, while raised options can suit traditional schemes and simplify installation. Finishes and colours are selected to complement or contrast with brassware and tiles, whilst anti-slip options provide a safer feel with a refined finish.”
Kaldewei’s new generation of shower surfaces, built around its Solidlite™ material technology, promises to make the shower surface easier to specify and to install – particularly in refurb projects. Solidlite™ delivers a shower tray that is notably lightweight yet impressively rigid, with high resistance to warping, cracking and day-to-day wear.
Sustainable shower trays for all shapes and sizes
Since shower trays can often be the defining feature of the overall design, demand for tailored, space-conscious solutions has increased. This is notable in high-end residential and hospitality projects, and sees manufacturers responding with greater flexibility in form, dimension and finish. Alongside this, sustainability remains an ever-present factor at the specification stage, as architects and designers face growing pressure to make choices that balance aesthetics with environmental responsibility.
Sven Rensinghoff, head of marketing and product management at Bette, agrees: “Sustainability is becoming a more practical consideration in shower specification, especially when products are expected to perform reliably over a long period of time. Durability, ease of cleaning and recyclability are therefore increasingly part of the conversation, alongside installation and design.”
The Bette Ultra Space shower tray range sets a clear example when it comes to sustainability. The material is based on natural raw materials of glass, water and steel, and stands for durability and recyclability. The Ultra Space shower tray is also now available in 20 additional sizes. This further increases the scope for customised bathroom planning, in both new builds and refurbishments. From compact layouts to spacious walk-in solutions, BetteUltra Space can now be tailored even more precisely to different room concepts.
Easy installation for showers & wetrooms
Time is money when it comes to building and installation. Helpfully, manufacturers are prioritising faster, simpler integration as a core aspect of product development. The benefit to bathroom professionals is a reduction in time spent on-site – thanks to pre-engineered components, tool-free assembly, and integrated waterproofing solutions, which are among the innovations reshaping the specification landscape.
The Aqua4Ma from Kudos is a unique system that doesn’t require tanking prior to installation. The old-style membranes have been replaced with CNC-machined panels of extruded PVC, a material that’s fully waterproof and quick to install.
Walk-in shower design caters for ease of use
The walk-in shower is a popular choice across a broad range of projects, from residential design to high-volume hospitality schemes. Its appeal lies in a combination of factors that were once difficult to achieve, including seamless aesthetics and multi-generational practicality. As the market has matured, design quality means exceptional looks are now an expectation rather than a differentiator. What separates the best products today is what lies beyond the visual – ease of installation, long-term performance and the confidence that comes from strong manufacturer support.
As Amanda Mills, marketing manager at SFA Saniflo and Kinedo, explains: “Walk-in showers combine practicality with aesthetics. Ease of installation, ease of access and ease of cleaning are must-haves for customers, but this also has to be paired with great looks. Shower designs across the board have improved so much and looks are now, pretty much, a given. It is often practical considerations, plus outstanding customer service and after care, that makes a product stand out from the crowd. European manufacture is also a real benefit for us.”
Creating a bathroom that feels both stylish and personal has never been easier, thanks to Kinedo’s latest product range. The new Solo Design + walk-in shower range brings together sleek design, customisation, and everyday practicality – perfect for modern living.
Accessible design for every generation
Accessibility in shower design has moved on considerably. Where it was once treated as a compliance consideration – addressed late in the specification process and often at the expense of aesthetics – it is now being introduced to the design agenda from the outset. The result is a new generation of shower spaces that are intuitive, visually cohesive and genuinely inclusive, without any of the clinical associations that once defined the category.
As Bradley Culmer, business development director at Fitzroy of London, observes: “Accessible shower design is shifting towards a more integrated and design-led approach. Rather than treating accessibility as an add-on, it’s now being considered from the outset, influencing layout, specification and user experience. There’s a growing emphasis on intuitive controls, flexibility and visual cohesion, ensuring spaces work for a wide range of users without feeling clinical. As expectations rise, accessible design is becoming synonymous with good design – balancing performance, safety and aesthetics in equal measure.”
Fitzroy of London’s Gosfield Collection responds to this demand with a coordinated range of shower and water controls designed to support accessible environments without compromising aesthetics. The collection includes handheld and overhead shower options, alongside precisely engineered mixers and controls, allowing for a flexible and user-focused approach to showering.
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