The most important factor when searching for a new shower stall is the amount of space that you have for it to fit into.  If you are changing from a combo bathtub/shower to a bathtub and a standalone shower, you may not have a lot of space to work with.  If that’s so, your options may be somewhat limited. On the other hand, if you are completely gutting and remodeling the whole room, you may be able to adjust the space available to fit the shower stall you’ve set your heart on.

Once you’ve made the decision that you need to buy a new shower stall, as well as deciding on the appropriate size, you’ll need to start shopping for your shower. You might expect to find all the parts you need all in the same place, but that may be more difficult than you expect. Although there are plenty of retailers, especially large home improvement centers, that sell standalone shower kits, many do not, and you may not be looking for an all-in-one kit. The required parts may include, but aren’t necessarily limited to:

• materials for building niche for shower
• shower pan or floor
• drain fittings
• shower wall materials (panels, tiles, mortar etc)
• shower door or curtain and rod
• shower controls and head

Each of these items has many choices available and you’ll need to make decisions about each one, first the type of item needed, then the specific item you want to use.

Once extremely important practical point, especially where you’re replacing an existing shower stall, is the location of the drain piping in relation to the drain hole in the new shower pan. It’s essential that these match up!

Once the buying process starts, many homeowners go searching for the nicest looking standalone shower but may be disappointed that it doesn’t fall within their budget. Perhaps you may be looking for the best, but you might be remodeling your bathroom on a tight budget.  If so, you’ll be happy to learn that standalone showers and otehr shower components come in many different sizes, shapes, colors and styles.  Whether you’re considering an expensive trendy looking shower, a traditionally styled one, something with dozens of nozzles for water, steam and who knows what else, or simply the most affordable one that does what you need, there’s a strong chance that you can find exactly what you are looking for.

Most home improvement stores, online and offline, carry a selection of shower components and supplies, including some that are grouped into kits and which can be cheaper than buying all the parts separately.On the other hand, if you have the time and patience to watch for bargains, you can get great deals on separate components and match them together yourself.

Offline “real world” stores have the advantage that you can see the actual shower stall you’re planning to buy, step into it, and try it out for size and comfort. Large stores sometimes have quite extensive displays of stalls and pans, and even more plumbing fixtures so you can see all the choices of faucets, valves, controls and shower heads. Modern bathroom shower designs have changed a lot since our parents “two separate faucets on the wall, and a shower head”.

Many kit showers, or pans and wall panels made from acrylic or fiberglass, are simple for a moderately experienced DIY-er to install him or herself. The most important thing to remember is “measure twice, cut once”: especially for cutting holes for plumbing pipes, consider making a full-size template of the layout and transferring it to your wall panels.

Functionally, there are many things to take into account. When choosing tiles, make sure the tile you pick is suitable for the area you plan to use it – waterproof enough for the bath or shower, and textured and tough enough for the floor.

Here are some pictures of tile use in bathrooms to help you come up with your own bathroom tile design ideas.

Large wall tiles broken up with narrow contrast stripes behind a white vessel sink

The large pale mottled/marbled effect tiles have a quiet, soothing effect, while the contrast stripes are made up of multiple small stone tiles in different colors, and break up the expanse to a more human scale.

Pale blue/grey/silver mosaic tiles behind a white vessel sink

The subtle damask-type pattern in these pale blue-grey tiles sweeps over all the bathroom walls. It gives the walls lots of interest while not being obtrusive, and makes a great background for the natural wood, metal and stone finishes.

Shades of black, grey, white and silver mosaic tiles

This is quite a busy mosaic tile pattern. It might make a good shower or bathtub surround for a morning-use bathroom when you want to be woken up! Alternatively, panels of this pattern surrounded by white would pop out and make a statement without being overwhelming.

Large pale diagonal tiles with narrow striped accent

These are the same pale marbled tiles in the first picture above, with the same small rectangular stone accent tiles, but here the large tiles are set on the diagonal. The swoopy towel ring makes a nice contrast with the straight lines of the tiles.

Of course, you don’t have to copy all the ideas from one bathroom picture – you can mix and match compatible ideas to come up with your own unique bathroom decor style. The textured metal in the first picture, for example, gives a very sparkly look which could be paired with blue granite counters and deep colored walls instead of the natural wood and pale walls shown. The more of your own imagination you can include in your bathroom designs, the better!

Modern bathroom with lots of sparkly textured stainless steel and natural wood.

Antique-style natural wood vanity with white solid-surfacing top, integral sink and gold-finish faucet

Traditional-style bathroom with wallpaper, beige fixtures, bathtub in alcove, light wood double vanity.

Wall-to-wall double bathroom vanity with white vessel sinks, tiled walls and granite counter

A romantic bathroom scene with candles, roses and wine carefully placed on the rim of the set-in tub.

Updated bathroom using old and new materials: natural stone window seat, elaborate but subtly-colored tile mosaic walls, and white vessel sink.

Glass tiles with wide grout lines in many shades of blue

Old but still attractive bathroom in shades of green with white pedestal sink

Romantic-style bathroom vanity with ornate wood mirror, boudoir lamp, granite counter and waterfall faucet

Modern toilet alcove, completely tiled, with built in hand-held shower plus a telephone

Inset tub with columns, swagged curtains, candle-holders; all ready for your romantic evening

Modern toilet alcove with hidden tank, completely tiled walls and floor, stainless steel accessories

Fancy white and gold bathtub faucet, dark blue marble walls, white tub

Grey and green marble and tile, plus natural wood finishes; unusual toilet shape.