A corner shower offers an ideal solution for maximizing both space and functionality. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about corner showers, from the basics to installation costs.
What Is a Corner Shower?
A corner shower is a shower unit designed to fit snugly into the corner of a bathroom. This space-efficient design is perfect for smaller bathrooms or as a stylish feature in larger spaces. Unlike traditional showers that may require more wall space, corner showers utilize two walls, with the other sides typically consisting of glass panels or doors.
Corner Shower Dimensions
Corner showers come in a variety of dimensions to accommodate different bathroom sizes and layouts. Here’s a general overview of the sizes you can expect.
Average Size
The average size for a corner shower is typically around 36 inches x 36 inches. This size is spacious enough for a comfortable shower while still fitting well in most standard bathrooms.
Small Corner Shower
The smallest corner showers are often around 30 inches x 30 inches. These compact units are designed for very small spaces, such as tiny homes, apartments, or half-baths being converted to full baths.
Large Corner Shower
On the larger end, corner showers can measure up to 60 inches x 60 inches or more. These larger sizes are more akin to walk-in showers and are suitable for more spacious bathrooms.
Custom showers can be built to specific dimensions outside of these standard sizes to fit unique bathroom layouts or personal preferences.
It’s important to note that these dimensions refer to the footprint of the shower base. The actual interior space will be slightly smaller due to the thickness of the walls or enclosures.
You can learn more by reading our guide to standard shower sizes.
Custom Corner Shower vs. Corner Shower Kits
There are two main approaches to installing a corner shower: hiring a contractor for a custom shower or buying a kit with all the necessary components and then installing it yourself or hiring an installer. Here’s the difference between those two options.
Custom Corner Shower
Custom corner showers are tailored to fit your specific bathroom layout and design preferences. This option allows for a high degree of personalization in terms of size, materials, and features. However, it can be more expensive and may require a longer installation process.
Corner Shower Kits
Corner shower kits are pre-fabricated shower units that come with all the necessary components for installation. These kits are more budget-friendly and easier to install, making them a popular choice for DIY enthusiasts. The trade-off is less flexibility in design and size.
Corner Shower Installation Cost
The cost of corner showers can vary widely based on several factors, including the type of shower, materials used, size, brand, and additional features. You can use our shower cost calculator to find an estimate for your own project. Here’s a breakdown of what you might expect cost-wise for a corner shower.
Corner Shower Kit Costs
- Basic kits. These can range from $200 to $600. They typically include a simple shower stall and a basic door or curtain. These are often used in straightforward, DIY installations.
- Mid-range kits. Prices for these can range from $600 to $1,500. These might include better-quality materials and glass doors (either sliding or hinged.
Custom Corner Shower Costs
The cost for these can range from $1,500 to $5,000+. A contractor will come out to look at your space and recommend a design and size for your corner shower. You can include top-quality materials, frameless glass doors, or advanced features like built-in seats or multiple showerheads.
Factors Influencing Cost
- Materials. The type of materials used (acrylic, fiberglass, glass, tile, etc.) significantly affects the price.
- Shower door type. Frameless glass doors tend to be more expensive than framed or semi-frameless options.
- Size and design. Larger and more complex designs will cost more.
- Brand and quality. Premium brands or higher quality products generally come with a higher price tag.
- Labor. Professional installation can add significantly to the cost, especially for custom designs.
- Additional features. Extras like built-in benches, shelves, multiple showerheads, or special lighting and tiling will increase the overall cost.
- Plumbing requirements. If new plumbing or significant alterations are needed, this can also add to the expense.
Installation Costs
Installation costs can vary depending on the complexity of the job and local labor rates. On average, installation can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 or more. This includes labor, necessary plumbing adjustments, and any additional construction required.
It’s important to get a detailed quote from a contractor or retailer that includes all potential costs to avoid surprises. Be sure to consider the long-term value to your home and the durability of the materials and construction when evaluating different options.
Types of Corner Shower Enclosures
Like with any other type of shower, you can choose from three main enclosure types:
- Frameless. This corner shower will have no metal supports. Our guide to frameless showers covers this in more detail.
- Semi-frameless. A good middle-ground option, this enclosure has metal supports at the top and bottom but leaves the door frame-free. We cover all the info you need in our semi-frameless shower guide.
- Framed. Metal supports go around all parts of this shower type, including the door. Read our framed shower guide for more information.
However, corner showers have a few options beyond these three styles.
Walk-in Corner Showers
Walk-in showers in the corner setup are ideal for accessibility and offer a seamless look. They are often seen in modern bathroom designs. Though many homeowners tend to think of them as being only suitable for large bathrooms, there are plenty of small walk-in shower ideas that fit into the corner. Our walk-in shower guide can tell you more.
Corner Bathtub Shower Combo
For those who want the best of both worlds, a corner bathtub shower combo is an excellent choice. It’s perfect for larger bathrooms and offers the luxury of both a bath and a shower. You can read more about why they are so popular in our tub/shower combo guide.
Round Corner Showers
If you want something with a more unusual appearance, consider getting a corner shower with rounded glass instead of a traditional square enclosure. It adds to your bathroom’s aesthetic appeal while still fitting nicely into the corner.
Corner Shower Doors
You can always opt for a curtain rod and shower curtain, but if you’d like something built-in, here are the corner shower glass door options to consider.
Framed, Semi-Frameless, or Frameless Corner Shower Door
These are identical to the enclosure types, but instead of including walls, they only include the door, making them much more affordable. They are made for corner showers being built into an existing alcove or nook.
- Framed doors. These doors have metal supports all the way around and tend to be the cheapest of the glass door options.
- Semi-frameless doors. These doors combine the best of both worlds, offering a hint of framing for structural integrity with the elegance of frameless glass.
- Frameless doors. Frameless glass doors contribute to a sleek, modern look and are easy to maintain.
Corner Showers with Sliding Doors, Bi-fold Doors, and Neo-angle Doors
These door styles offer something a little different and may be best suited to bathrooms on either end of the size spectrum.
- Sliding doors. Perfect for saving space, as they don’t require additional room to open.
- Bi-fold doors. Best for the smallest spaces since they require very little clearance space to use.
- Neo-angle doors. This door style comes with a specific type of corner shower where two glass walls are set at angles from the corner and a glass door connects them. It creates a visually appealing glass-angled shower.
What Are Next Steps?
Now that you’ve learned all about corner showers, here are a few possible next steps:
- Learn more about everything involved in your project by reading our shower remodel guide.
- Check out the other types of showers to ensure you’re making the best choice for your home.
- Browse our contractor directory to find shower remodeling pros near you.
If you’d rather have Modernize do the research, simply click the button below and answer a few questions about your project. We will match you with up to three or four professionals so you can find the best price and the best pro for your renovation.
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