There’s nothing like an invigorating shower to get the day off to a great start. But if bathroom space is tight, then coming up with clever and innovative small bathroom shower ideas is a must. And while fitting in a shower above a bath is the obvious solution in a small bathroom, that isn’t the only option available.

Space-saving shower cubicles, compact baths, sliding doors and invisible shower screens can all help to streamline the layout in a small bathroom to enable more to be squeezed in. While clever tricks with bright colours, wall tile treatments and seamless flooring ideas can all create the effect of opening up a bathroom and making a small space feel less crowded.

Small bathroom shower ideas

‘In a small bathroom, every centimetre counts; everything needs to fit in correctly, so use a bathroom designer,’ suggests Richard Fox, Senior Designer at Ripples. ‘Go for a wall-hung basin and WC and, even in a small bathroom, you can still have a walk-in shower,’ he adds, ‘but it is best to have glass panels. Fit the showerhead at the end of the showering space and make sure the floor has a suitable fall to allow water to drain away easily.’

1. Open up the space with a wet room

Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme

Forgo the traditional shower tray and bulky enclosure in a small bathroom and open the space up fully by creating a walk-in wet room idea. The flooring area needs to be fully waterproofed and should be laid on a gradient so that water drains away completely.

With any wet room, you’ll need to decide whether the showering space is to be fully open, where the whole of the bathroom is designed to get wet, or semi-open (like this one) with a half wall and screen so that water splashes are confined to the immediate shower area.

2. Go big with bright colours

Image credit: Crosswater

Bright colours and light-reflective surfaces are a brilliant way of making small bathrooms feel more spacious and airy. But instead of matching tiles wall-to-wall, try using tiles in a combination of colours, shapes and patterns to break up the space and make it more visually appealing.

Using large format tiles and light-coloured grout lines is a great way of increasing the sense of space in a small bathroom or en-suite idea. Fewer lines creates less of a visual distraction and gives a clean, uninterrupted look that helps open up the space.

3. Opt for a shower over the bath

Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles

A refreshing shower makes a brilliant start to the morning, but if a long, leisurely soak is a must-have too, then try combining both and opt for an over-bath shower. Finding space for both a separate bath and shower cubicle can be a squeeze in a small bathroom, but using the same footprint for both is a much better use of space.

Make the bath and shower area the centrepiece of the bathroom by opting for a standout tile treatment. While white tiles can help increase the feeling of space in a small bathroom, adding a contrast panel of colour above the bath adds punch to the room and helps an all-white scheme feel less stark and clinical.

4. Save space with sliding doors

Image credit: Bathroom Mountain

Outward-opening shower doors can eat into valuable floor space in a small bathroom, so opt for neat, space-saving sliding shower doors instead. These feature one fixed panel with a second panel that slides back behind it, so require no extra opening space and allow other fixtures and fittings to be positioned nearer to the shower area.

Alternatively, opt for bi-fold shower doors that fold back on themselves, with no extra room needed to allow the doors to open fully.

5. Make storage a priority

Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles

Storage is key in a small bathroom and can be the difference between a comfortable bathroom space and one that feels cluttered and crowded. Factoring in shower storage at the build stage is a sensible idea. Recessed alcoves, niches and shelves can be built into a stud wall and then tiled to give a waterproof finish and will provide handy storage for shampoo and shower gel.

Wall-hung storage is another option that can help save space in a small bathroom. Off-the-floor storage frees up floor space and will make a small bathroom feel less crowded . A wall-hung vanity unit is neat and compact and will come in super-useful for storing towels, toiletries, loo rolls and cleaning kit.

6. Make use of corner space

Image credit: Victorian Plumbing

Free up extra floor space by considering a corner-shaped shower in a small bathroom. Much neater than a standard square or rectangular design, the neat triangular-shaped tray will slot into a corner, while the curved sides are less obtrusive than harshly-angled corners.

Curved doors slide back across the side panels, rather than opening outwards, so that no extra opening space is needed.

7. Slot in a shower under the eaves

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

Be space-smart by turning an empty loft area into an extra shower room. Creating a second bathroom or small en-suite is a great way of utilising wasted loft space and installing a shower in the area underneath a pitched roof makes a clever use of this awkwardly-shaped space.

As long as there is enough upright space to stand comfortably beneath the shower head, then installing a shower under a sloping ceiling should be fairly simple. The shower screen or enclosure may need to be angled to suit the space, but there are plenty of companies that can create a bespoke design that’s tailored to fit. As with any loft conversion work, always check building regulations before proceeding.

8. Squeeze in a shower and a bath

Image credit: Drench

Combine the luxury of a bath with the practicalities of a shower by opting for a combination shower/bath. A savvy option when bathroom space is tight, an L-shaped design like this offers a full-sized bath, plus a dedicated shower cubicle at one end, all in a single space-saving unit.

Rather than fussy shower curtains, an integrated shower screen gives a sleek, streamlined look and is super-easy to clean around. Taps can be positioned either at one end or centrally to give optimum comfort when enjoying a soak in the tub.

9. Blur the lines with a frameless screen

Image credit: Tile Mountain

A walk-in shower is the ultimate in luxury, but you don’t necessarily need a huge bathroom to make it work. Dispensing with the shower door will make a small walk-in shower feel altogether more spacious. A fixed panel can be used to separate the shower from the rest of the bathroom and opting for a frameless screen will create a better sense of flow with no harsh lines to interrupt the view.

10. Give a small space a focal point

Image credit: Matki

Turning a small bathroom into a wet room can be a better use of space if you don’t mind giving up the bath. Water-proofing the whole space will give a generously-sized showering area and makes a great option for a family bathroom, where splashes by little ones won’t be a worry.

Plain walls throughout can look a little bland, so why not consider adding a pop of pattern or colour to give the space more focus. Eye-catching monochrome wall panels like these make the shower area and end wall the focal point and help stretch the space so it doesn’t feel too enclosed.

11. Add storage on the end

Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles

Lack of storage can be a problem in any bathroom, but never more than with a small bathroom. Work in extra storage where you can, making use of boxed-in pipework to create ledges and handy shelving or building cupboard storage into empty alcoves and awkward corners.

Use the area behind a shower or bath where water pipes or a tank might be sited to construct built-in storage. Building bespoke cupboards is a great way of disguising unsightly plumbing work and can be used to create an airing cupboard for towels and linens, as well as giving extra space to stash toiletries, loo rolls and cleaning supplies.

12. Stretch space with streamlined fittings

Image credit: Matki

Opting for compact sanitaryware and space-saving fittings will allow you to squeeze the maximum amount into a small bathroom shower idea. Slimline loos and basins and wall-hung fixtures and fittings will save on floor space, while opting for a compact bath that’s narrower and shorter than a standard size can save valuable inches too.

Consider a walk-in shower with frameless enclosure to increase the sense of space in a smaller bathroom. An all-glass design like this has strategically-positioned screens instead of outward-opening doors, which keep water in while allowing maximum light to flow through.

What is the smallest shower enclosure?

When it comes to shower enclosures for small bathrooms, opt for a corner-shaped or quadrant shower enclosure if you’re after a design that will take up minimum floor space. They are called quadrant because they are effectively one quarter of a full circle, with two straight edges at a 90 degree angle and a curved front. Designs range from enclosures with space-saving sliding doors, hinged doors, or sleek frameless enclosures for a more modern look.

Taking up slightly more floor space than a quadrant enclosure, an ‘offset quadrant’ enclosure will still sit flush in the corner of a bathroom, but is slightly lengthier in shape, so gives a little more space inside for a comfier shower experience.

Can you put a walk-in shower in a small bathroom?

With smart small bathroom shower ideas anything is possible. While walk-in showers are perfect for larger bathrooms, don’t rule one out if your bathroom is on the smaller side. Walk-in shower enclosures are available in smaller sizes, going from 1200mm in length upwards, so can be worked into a small bathroom if you are savvy with the layout. Opting for an all-glass walk-in shower enclosure is a clever way of making bathroom space feel less crowded. With no frame to obstruct the sightline, it will let more light flow through and help make the bathroom feel less busy.

Dispensing with the door is another way of making a walk-in shower work in a small bathroom. A single fixed panel instead of a shower enclosure will take up less space, while still separating the shower area from the rest of the bathroom. Waterproofing the floor and surrounding area might be necessary, but is a small compromise for the luxury of a walk-in.

The post Small bathroom shower ideas – clever ways to work in a shower when space is limited appeared first on Ideal Home.

In April the energy price cap increase comes into force. If you’re concerned about your energy bill increasing Martin Lewis has shared a smart water tip that could cut your energy bills.

Speaking at the Ideal Home Show, Martin Lewis revealed one of his top energy-saving tips is using less water to help save on energy bills. ‘Bizarrely, one way to save on your energy bills is to use less water, because much of the water we use in our home has been heated, so we pay for it to be heated,’ he explains.

Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles

Instead of simply cutting a shower short you can invest in an aerated showerhead. They are one of the best energy-saving products because while they use less water, they give the same shower pressure as a standard showerhead. They can use up to 50 per cent less water, but blend water with air to create larger drops of water that give that luxury shower feeling.

Earlier this year Kohler launched a new luxury aerated showerhead that can cut water usage by 40 per cent, however, you can pick other more affordable versions up for as little as £11 on Amazon. Alternatively, Martin Lewis pointed out that you could snag one for free if you shop around a little.

Image credit: Bathroom Mountain

‘There’s a website called savemoneysavewater.co.uk which collates all the freebies available from the water companies around the country, such as £30 aerated showerheads, which you can get for free.’

‘It’s worth checking out, go grab yourself a freebie, save on your water – good if you’re on a water meter – and save on your energy because you’re paying to heat less water,’ he adds.

To give you an idea of how much using less water in the shower could be saving you, last month the Energy Saving Trust calculated that taking a shorter shower that lasts just 4 minutes could save a typical household £65 a year on energy bills. While you could easily simply cut your time in the shower to save money, an aerated showerhead is a great way to reap the benefits with minimal sacrifice.

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

Alternatively, it could be worth checking on the temperature your water is being heated to, you could be wasting energy by overheating it. ’60°C is the optimum temperature for hot water, so if you notice that you’re running water that’s hotter than that, you could be wasting energy,’ points out Ed Whitworth, Head of Energy Performance at Bionic.

The cost of living is going up across the board not just with energy bills, so make sure you’re prepared for the April price hike.

The post Martin Lewis shares a smart water tip that could save £65 on energy bills appeared first on Ideal Home.

Finding the best boiler cover can help avoid that sinking feeling when you wake on a cold morning to discover you have no hot water or heating. Boiler cover is a type of insurance that pays for the cost of repairs in exchange for paying a monthly or annual premium, although it might not be worth it for everyone. You may find that boiler cover is included as part of an add on to your home insurance policy.

‘Primarily these products cover the cost of any repairs to a boiler to get it up and running again but will not necessarily replace it if it is broken,’ says Anna-Marie Duthie, insight consultant at Defaqto, which analyses financial products, including boiler cover, and gives them star ratings up to five.

You can get boiler-only cover, which is generally the cheapest type and usually just covers repairs to your boiler and heating controls if your boiler breaks down and leaves you with no heating or hot water. There are also policies that cover your central heating system as well and others that also cover your plumbing, drainage and electrics.

As with all insurance you usually have to pay an excess – also called a callout fee in the case of boiler cover. This is the amount you have to pay towards each claim yourself. The higher the excess you agree to the pay the less you’ll normally pay for a policy.

Best boiler cover policies

Below are some of the cheapest policies available for boiler-only cover on 8 March 2022. You may get a cheaper deal in the first year, with the price then increasing in subsequent years, so before you renew a policy shop around to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere.

Hometree – Your Boiler Essentials, £1.48 per month (exclusive to MoneySuperMarket)

• £95 callout fee
• Unlimited callouts
• £500 repair limit
• 24/7 helpline

This policy covers parts and labour to repair your boiler, flue, controls and gas supply pipe if you lose your heating or hot water or both, or if there’s an uncontrollable water leak coming from your boiler. You’ll have to pay £95 per fault to call an engineer out and you can claim up to £500 to repair each fault.
Fixed-price repairs are available for non-emergencies at £150. If your existing boiler is beyond economical repair and less than seven years old your boiler will be replaced.

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24/7 Home Rescue – Boiler Care, £1.53 per month (exclusive to MoneySuperMarket)

• £95 excess per claim
• Unlimited callouts
• £1,000 limit per claim
• 24-hour callouts

You can claim for the parts and labour needed to repair your boiler if it breaks down and causes you to lose your heating, hot water or both. There’s a limit of £1,000 per claim and you’ll have to pay an excess of £95 towards each one.
This policy is unusual in that it includes cover for accidental damage. You’ll get £250 towards a new boiler from boiler supply and installation specialist StayWarm if your existing boiler is beyond economical repair.

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YourRepair – Boiler Cover, £1.54 per month (exclusive to MoneySuperMarket)

• £120 callout fee
• Unlimited callouts
• No claims limit
• 24/7 helpline

A policy that covers parts and labour to repair your boiler and heating controls if they break down, with no upper limit on the amount you can claim for each repair. There’s a £120 fee to call out an engineer for each repair.
Your existing boiler will be replaced if it’s beyond economical repair and less than seven years old. You may still get a contribution towards a new boiler if it’s older than this.
You get a free annual boiler service, which includes checking that your boiler is safe and making sure it’s running efficiently.

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British Gas – Boiler and Controls Breakdown Cover, £2.50 per month

• £99 excess per callout
• Unlimited callouts
• Unlimited repairs
• 24/7 helpline

This covers parts and labour to repair your boiler and controls in both emergencies and non-emergencies.
There’s no limit to the number of callouts you can make or the amount you can claim for each repair but a £99 excess applies. There’s also cover of up to £1,000 for each repair to gain access to whatever needs fixing and make good any damage afterwards.
Your boiler will be replaced if it’s beyond economical repair and less than seven years old or less than 10 years old if British Gas installed it and has covered it since then.

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24/7 Home Rescue – Boiler Care with Annual Service, £4.49 per month

• £95 excess per claim
• Unlimited callouts
• £1,000 limit per claim
• 24-hour callouts

This is the same as 24/7 Home Rescue’s Boiler Care policy above but it also includes a free annual boiler service.
It covers emergency repairs to your boiler, including in the case of accidental damage, and gives you a contribution to a new boiler if yours can’t be repaired.
As with most boiler cover policies, it won’t cover you if your boiler was damaged deliberately or by someone else doing repairs, or if limescale, sludge or debris needs to be removed.

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How to find the best boiler cover

Two good features to look out for when you’re comparing policies are a free annual boiler service – almost half of policies include this as standard according to Defaqto – and boiler replacement if yours can’t be repaired, which a third of policies include with no limit on cost. Other policies will give you a contribution towards a new boiler of £250 or more.

British Gas’s HomeCare One policy, which is rated five stars by Defaqto, includes an annual boiler service and replacement of any boiler less than seven years old if it can’t be repaired as well as cover for accidental damage. But this is significantly more expensive (£14 a month with a £60 excess for a greater London postcode) than the British Gas policy featured above, which doesn’t include a service or accidental damage cover and has a higher excess.

As you can see in the policies we’ve featured it’s possible to get a relatively cheap policy that includes an annual service so it pays to shop around, although always compare excesses and the other features included, and check that the policy is right for you.

Exclusions to be aware of

The majority of policies have an initial exclusion period. ‘This is a defined number of days following the policy being purchased within which you are unable to make a claim,’ says Anna-Marie Duthie. ‘It’s therefore important when you take out cover to be aware of when you would be eligible to make a claim.’

Exclusion periods can be anywhere between 7 and 90 days. Although 14 days is the most common, as is the case with all the policies above.

Before you take out a policy make sure it would cover the boiler you have. ‘Some policies have a maximum age in terms of the boilers they will cover,’ says Sunny Solanki, service and repair engineer at British Gas.

You may find you won’t be covered if your boiler is more than 14 years old, or less in some cases, depending on the policy and boiler brand. The age of your boiler may also affect whether you can get a replacement or a contribution towards one.

Some companies won’t cover certain types of boiler, such as oil or solid-fuel-powered boilers, and most won’t cover boilers with more than a certain output.

You can search for boiler cover deals on comparison sites – such as our sister brand GoCompare, MoneySuperMarket or Uswitch – use more than one to get the full picture. Bear in mind that in some cases, such as with British Gas’s HomeCare, the actual price you end up paying may depend on your circumstances. ‘We base your HomeCare price on a combination of things, which may include where you live, your claims history and more,’ says Sunny Solanki.

Bear in mind that if you take out boiler breakdown cover with a boiler supplier it will be a service agreement rather than insurance. So you won’t be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the company can’t deliver on it.

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

Do you need boiler cover?

Before you decide to take out boiler cover make sure you’re not already covered by your home insurance policy. Or even your bank account if you pay a fee for it. You can also take out boiler cover as part of a wider home emergency policy, which could be better value if you want to be covered for other emergencies.

You should think carefully about whether the benefits of the policy are worth the cost before taking one out. Research by the consumer organisation Which? in June 2021 found that most people would be better off paying for repairs and annual services when they need them. The newer your boiler the more likely this is to be the case.

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