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The alarm clock rings way too early again. You go into the bathroom, still sleepy. You turn on the shower tap and slowly wake up. Showering not only gives you cleanliness and a fresh kick in the morning, it also helps you regenerate after a stressful day. The multifunctional fittings with their various settings, such as the massage jet, contribute to this. In the following guide, you can read how a shower is constructed, which model variants there are and how you can find the right equipment for your bathroom.

Relaxing body care with low water consumption

Showering is a quick, energy-saving and pleasant way to wash and care for yourself. You don’t need to fill the bathtub first, you just stand under the running water that comes out of the showerhead. Apart from the efficient cleaning effect, showering is also very relaxing because the running warm water increases your well-being.

It’s no wonder then that showers are part of the classic bathroom and sanitary equipment. They are available in different colors and shapes, as complete cabins or as individually assembled models. The shower is a good alternative to the bathtub, especially in apartments with small bathrooms, as it takes up much less space. In larger sanitary rooms, it complements the bathtub and allows you to shower or bathe as needed.

The base on the floor: trays or gutters

A shower essentially consists of four components: a surface on which you stand or sit, side panels to stop splashes, and faucets and shower heads to control the supply and temperature of the water. There are two options for the floor, which forms the base:

Bathtubs – low basins for showering purposes

A shower tray is basically a very low bathtub with a side height of at least 3.5 cm. The higher the side walls, the greater the splash protection. Most tubs are made of sanitary acrylic or steel, are square and have a side length of 80 to 100 cm. Many manufacturers also offer rectangular versions with a longer edge measuring 100 to 180 cm. Semi-circular or hexagonal models are available as special shapes, giving you additional options for individual bathroom design.

Gutters for ground-level entrances

In this variant, the bathroom floor extends seamlessly into the shower area. A shower channel is installed in this area so that the water can drain away . It consists of rectangular steel elements, some of which can be tiled. Depending on the model, they are 70 to 140 cm long and have a long slot, several small recesses or a grid for water drainage.

Tip: To ensure that you stand safely in the shower – or in the bathtub – you can use bath mats that you place on the floor and that stick to the floor thanks to the nubs so that they don’t slip.

Side panels against splashes: curtains, walls and doors

When you shower, water splashes. To catch these splashes and keep the floor around the shower dry, side panels are installed, which are available in different designs.

Shower curtains made of flexible material

Similar to curtains and drapes on windows, shower curtains can be easily pulled open when needed. As soon as you’re finished showering, you push the fabric to the side and can easily get out. Thanks to their flexible material such as PVC or polyester fabric, curtains are particularly versatile. With the help of a rod or rail, they can be mounted straight, in a semicircle or as a round arch. You can also put them in the washing machine to clean them, saving you the trouble of using a sponge and cleaning products. Many curtains also have a waterproof impregnation or an antibacterial coating, which makes cleaning even easier.

Tip: Choose the width of your shower curtain so that it extends about 20% beyond the side length of the shower so that it can have slight folds and does not hang too tightly. It is also advisable to leave a gap of 15 to 20 cm from the ceiling for good air circulation.

Shower walls made of solid plastic or glass

A stable alternative to shower curtains and blinds are shower walls, which are usually made of clear, frosted or satin glass or plastic. A practical option, especially for small bathrooms, is a foldable model that consists of two or three parts and can be folded up after showering. Apart from the material, these models also differ in their design: there are frameless walls as well as partially or fully framed versions. Some models are also equipped with a handle or a bar that can be used as a towel holder.

Shower doors for an elegant entry

In addition to foldable side walls that make it easier for you to get in and out, shower doors provide easy access to the shower. Different variants are available, such as swing or sliding doors, which can be installed depending on the space required or the design of the shower. Sliding doors usually consist of one fixed part and one or two movable parts, while folding doors consist of several plastic slats. One-part swing and two-part swing doors can be swung both inwards and outwards.

Shower cubicles – walls and doors in one

A combination of one to three walls including an entrance – often in the form of a sliding or revolving door – offers shower cubicles in which the individual parts are coordinated in terms of color and function . As with the individual components, there are various designs made of glass or plastic, with corner, front or open entrance. There are also several designs available:

• Round and corner showers are ideal for installation in the corner of a room, with round showers being particularly space-saving thanks to their curved front.
• Walk-in showers can be integrated very harmoniously visually, as they usually use part of the bathroom floor as a shower area and are only separated from the rest of the room by the cabin.
• While shower cubicles include walls and doors, complete showers also come with a shower tray, which is also included in the package.

Bathtub attachment

In some bathrooms, the installation of a shower is not planned. With a bathtub attachment, you can quickly convert your bathtub into a shower. There are various versions made of different materials, permanently installed or foldable walls with and without sliding or sliding doors.

Tip: To keep your shower looking good, we recommend removing water and soap residue immediately after showering. This prevents signs of wear and tear such as limescale deposits. Our UPDATED guide on cleaning shower cubicles explains what else you can do to maintain it .

Let the water flow – with fittings, showers and shower systems

In order for water to get into the shower, you need a mixer tap, a hose and a shower head. Alternatively, there are shower systems available that offer these individual parts in a package.

Fittings – water regulation for well-being

Shower fittings are often also referred to as mixer taps because they regulate the mixing ratio between cold and warm water. For this purpose, they are equipped with two rotary heads or a tilting lever with which you can regulate the strength of the water jet and the temperature . Fittings are usually made of stainless steel or chrome-plated brass and are mounted on the water connection in the wall.

Tip: If your apartment does not have a hot water connection, you can use a hot water device such as an instantaneous water heater or boiler to efficiently and easily heat the cold water from the tap before it flows into the bathroom fittings.

Shower for a strong jet or shower

There are two main types of shower heads:

• Hand showers have a handle and can be moved freely with a flexible hose so that you can shower different parts of your body directly. The shower head of such a hand shower often offers different setting options such as rain, mono and massage jet.
• Shower heads are designed for watering from above and are mounted above head height. There are also many models of these devices that allow up to five different types of watering.

Shower systems – regulation and shower in one

Shower systems offer a combination of hand shower and shower head . Some models, which usually consist of a column several centimeters wide, have additional nozzles installed at different heights. This means you can, for example, have your back massaged while enjoying a shower from above at the same time.

The right shower model for your needs

Which model is suitable for your bathroom depends on the structural requirements and your personal preferences. The following recommendations should help you with your selection.

For bathtub owners

If you have a bathtub in your bathroom but no room for an additional shower, you can convert the bathtub into a shower. To do this, simply use the existing fittings and a bathtub attachment, which ensures that the bathroom stays dry while you shower.

For passionate shower users

If you like to spend a long time in the shower, a classic shower cubicle is ideal for you. Corner showers or round models fit into the corner of your bathroom, while complete showers are a good option if you want to set them up in the middle of the room.

For shower fans with limited mobility

If getting into a shower tray is too difficult or even impossible for you, you are well advised to go for a version without a floor tray. With walk-in showers like this, the bathroom floor simply merges into the shower area.

Tip: Showering is even more pleasant with the right shower accessories. In addition to non-slip mats, these include a shower stool on which you can shower comfortably while sitting, or shower baskets for shampoo and shower gel bottles as well as brushes.

Conclusion: Showers – cornerstones of bathroom furnishings

A floor, tiled or with a tub, plus side panels or doors, fittings and a shower head – the shower is ready. Depending on your needs, different variants are recommended:

• If you want to shower in your bathtub, we recommend installing a folding or sliding shower screen. This way the water stays in the tub and you can stand relaxed under the shower.
• If you like to spend a long time in the shower, we recommend a separate shower tray, which you can get from €80. If you want your showerhead to stand freely in the room, you can go for a complete shower.
• If you cannot or do not want to get into a shower tray, a system without a floor tray is recommended. For example, you can choose a walk-in shower, which can be integrated very harmoniously into a bathroom.