Haute showers

The curtain is coming down on trad showers statement designs that tap into the wellness movement are in full flow

- KEITH FLANAGAN

There’s no denying that freestanding or designer built-in tubs have a knack for stealing the spotlight in bathroom design. But as homeowners continue to seek a daily spa-like experience at home, the shower is coming to the fore – often bolder and bigger than ever before and with no shower curtain in sight.

‘Most of our clients shower more frequently than they take a bath, so it feels only natural that we design a shower that can accomplish the experience that was previously the responsibility of the tub: imparting a feeling of zen, and being a real design moment within the larger bathroom,’ says Susannah Holmberg, an interior designer based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

We’re seeing showers now as bespoke environments, with dramatic features that make walk-ins a standout feature. Anything from double doors and epic layouts to sculptural enclosures and eye-catching materials give tubs a run for their money – the point is to create an escape with every excuse to rinse, linger and repeat.

And on the luxury end, over-the-top designs command more floor space, creating open atmospheres (more akin to wetrooms) with no signs of the cramped cubicles typical of smaller footprints. ‘Owners request and respond to large and luxe bathrooms,’ says interior designer Jamie Drake, co-founder of NYC’s Drake/ Anderson. ‘Shower size is especially on their radar, the bigger the better – room to stretch and wash away the stresses of life.’

Well beyond rainfall shower heads and fancy soaps, these architectural ideas can transform your shower into a daily wellness retreat – here are a few upgrades guaranteed to make a splash.