20 Doorless Walk-In Shower Ideas for a Modern Retreat

Doorless showers are finished with tile, compatible with many shower heads, and work well in different home styles.

Along with their modern style, doorless walk-in showers are easier to clean and feature an accessible universal design. True walk-in showers are curbless to eliminate the need to step over a rim. This design is child-friendly and wheelchair accessible as long as there is enough clearance.

Depending on the bathroom's layout, a doorless walk-in shower may include a center, corner, or side drain. Choose a complete open-plan bathroom or install a glass panel splash guard to separate the shower. A walk-in shower also increases your home's value.

Read on for inspirational doorless shower ideas to make your bathroom feel open, updated, spacious, and accessible.

01 of 20

Design a Corner Doorless Shower

The Home Consultant

The Home Consultant added this doorless corner walk-in shower in a Los Angeles bathroom to maximize the layout. A glass shower panel splash guard separates the shower from the sink. This style works in a small shower, where the look helps create a light, airy space. The neutral palette adds to the spacious feel.
02 of 20

Preserve Natural Light With a Window

White Sands

This spacious doorless walk-in shower occupies the far wall of a long and narrow bathroom from White Sands. A glass panel protects the adjacent toilet from splashes without compromising the transparent open feel of the layout or blocking natural light from the large window. The large scale of the tile within the shower makes this bathroom feel open and tricks the eye into thinking the space is wider than it is.
03 of 20

Try a Side Drain in a Doorless Shower

The Home Consultant

In this sleek white bathroom from The Home Consultant, a doorless walk-in shower has a side drain to accommodate the room's long, narrow layout. This prevents a drain in the middle of the shower from breaking up the seamless look. A large rain shower head in shiny brass matches the plumbing hardware of the soaking tub opposite. The result is a streamlined spa-like retreat without extra doors.
04 of 20

Add a Privacy Half-Wall

Jenni Leasia Design

If you love the idea of a doorless shower but want to preserve a sense of modesty when showering, opt for a solid tiled half-wall like this marble one from Jenni Leasia Design. It also gives you a space to hide a functional niche accessible within the shower but isn't an eyesore. Continuing the tile from the shower to the half-wall keeps the space sleek and seamless.

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05 of 20

Fit a Doorless Walk-In Shower In a Tight Space

Kelly Stoneburgh Interiors

Fit a doorless shower in even the tightest space to rinse off after a dip in the tub. Here, a doorless walk-in shower is wedged between the built-in bathtub and sink vanity which maximizes space and essentially disappears behind a travertine tile half-wall when not in use.
06 of 20

Use Black Accents on a Doorless Shower

The Home Consultant

The Home Consultant used graphic black-and-white floor tile throughout the bathroom to create a bold, unified look. A simple pane of glass with black hardware separates the doorless walk-in shower and offers a seamless look with the black hardware on the vanity. The touches of black tie everything together, including the floor.
07 of 20

Add Multiple Spray Heads

Rock Paper Hammer

Walk into this doorless shower and feel as if you've been transported to your favorite hotel spa. Shower from every angle with this walk-through design from Rock Paper Hammer. The marble tile makes the design classic and timeless, while glass walls on all but the exterior side wall keep the shower bright and airy.
08 of 20

Install a Double Doorless Primary Bathroom Walk-In Shower

GNB Builders

In this custom home by GNB Builders, a double doorless walk-in shower punctuated by a large soaking bathtub maximizes the floor plan and increases functionality. The two shower stalls aren't large but the overall bathroom feels spacious and cohesive. Soak in the sub, then rinse off in the serene spa-like stone shower.

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09 of 20

Add Storage With a Shower Ladder

Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

Cathie Hong Interiors added a glass splash panel that stops short of the ceiling but extends into the middle of this large bathroom with plenty of room to maneuver. A leaning ladder adds towel storage while preserving the light and minimalist feel. Windows bring in natural light and the white tile keeps the space bright. The look is modern, clean, and elegant.
10 of 20

Try a Small Space Doorless Shower

@sarahbartholomewdesign / Instagram

This white marble tiled doorless walk-in shower comes from Sarah Bartholomew Design. The matching shower niche blends into the shower wall, emphasizing the streamlined minimalist design. Keeping it all cohesive, even with shower storage, makes the space feel larger, sophisticated, and timeless.
11 of 20

Use Contrasting Tile Accents

Fox Group Construction

This walk-in shower by Fox Group Construction is finished with simple white subway tiles accented by dark marble wrap-around stripes that mirror the material used on the hexagon shower floor tiles. A partial glass wall helps bring in light to the shower while the solid part of the wall adds privacy. This bathroom marries a unique tile design and classic styling.
12 of 20

Go Retro

Design by Shasta Smith / Photo by Dave Adams

Glass block walls may be retro but they are making a comeback because they can light in while adding a hint of privacy. Glass block makes an effective walk-in shower wall, even in a small space. In this contemporary bathroom from Shasta Smith, the muted neutral palette brings this design staple from the 1980s into the 21st century.

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13 of 20

Try Glass Tile in a Doorless Shower

RW Anderson Homes

RW Anderson Homes used reflective glass shower tile in this doorless walk-in shower to bring more light into this blingy bathroom. Glass tile requires regular polishing to maintain its shine and prevent water spots and mineral deposits from forming. It's worth the effort for this gleaming, chic, boutique hotel-style look.
14 of 20

Add a Doorless Shower Bench

PLD Homes

This doorless walk-in corner shower from PLD Custom Homes is covered from floor to ceiling in white-and-gray marble tiles for a streamlined, luxurious look. A shower niche and built-in corner bench add functionality so you can sit and bask in the steam.
15 of 20

Try Some Terrazzo

Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

There's no reason to skimp on style just because you have a small space. With a doorless shower, you can make a statement with the tile since it's visible as soon as you walk into the bathroom. This small walk-in shower idea from Cathie Hong Interiors mixes white subway tiles installed in two directions to add dimension. The punchy terrazzo floor tiles add movement and personality to the compact space.
16 of 20

Use a Budget-Friendly Shower Curb

Jackson Paige Interiors

This walk-in shower and tub from Jackson Paige Interiors is doorless but not curbless. It's a budget-friendly option for a bathroom with plumbing restrictions. Here, the shower appears as a stage and draws attention. The gorgeous marble tile stands out against the wood flooring.

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17 of 20

Install a Large Bench

Design by Living with Lolo / Photo by Life Created

A large shower bench on the far end of this all-white bathroom from Living with Lolo makes the somewhat narrow space feel more spacious and luxurious. The space holds in-shower beauty treatments and offers an at-home spa-like appeal. The tiled ceiling adds elegance, echoes the pattern on the floor, and protects the surface from the steam. This partitioned-off design eliminates the need for doors and glass walls since it is nestled between two stone walls.
18 of 20

Add a Contemporary Edge to a Doorless Shower

Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

This contemporary bathroom from Cathie Hong Interiors exudes an industrial vibe with its large glass panels and windows edged in black metal. As soon as you step into this bathroom, you're transported into an immersive indoor-outdoor bathing experience with the tub and the shower in one space.
19 of 20

Include a Skylight

The Home Consultant

This large minimalist Southern California wet room from The Home Consultant includes a roomy doorless walk-in shower, a large soaking garden tub, and a central skylight that brings in natural light. A glass splash panel separates the shower from the sink area without interrupting the flow. The same wall tile throughout the room makes the space feel endless.
20 of 20

Try Opaque Glass

House of One

House of One swapped a shower door for an opaque glass splash guard that doubles as a privacy screen. The glass still allows light to flow throughout the room but with an added mystery. The same tile is used on the walls and floor throughout the bathroom for a sleek, modern shower look.

Design Tips for Doorless Showers

A walk-in shower generally needs to be customized for each bathroom. Use a shower kit, typically available at your local home hardware store.
The best tiles for doorless showers are durable (like porcelain), moisture-resistant, and cohesive with the design of your bathroom. Larger tiles have a cleaner, more minimalist look that won't be hidden behind shower doors or curtains.
Curbless styles must be carefully sloped to ensure water empties down the drain, not out into the bathroom. A skilled craftsperson should be hired for the job.
The standard minimum size for doorless walk-in showers is 36 inches by 36 inches, larger than a regular shower. This size offers enough space to turn around without allowing the water to splash across your bathroom. Typically, these will be at least 60 inches by 30 inches, though a 60-inch by 48-inch shower is ideal in a larger space.
Be prepared to spend more on a doorless shower than a regular shower. The typical walk-in shower costs about $6,700 on average because it requires specialized labor and customization.
Doorless shower pans are generally built from ceramic tile, and maintenance and repair can be more involved than a standard shower. The tile will need to be periodically regrouted and sealed.

FAQ

Is a doorless walk-in shower a good idea?

If you have enough space and a higher budget for a shower, a doorless walk-in design could be a good idea. They look attractive and modern and typically yield less mildew than enclosed showers since moisture can dissipate quicker post-rinse without additional ventilation. It is also ideal for wheelchair access or those with limited mobility.
How do you keep water in a doorless shower?

To help prevent water from splashing all over the bathroom and floor in a doorless shower, consider installing splash guards, a trough drain, or another low-profile drainage system in the shower doorway. This will stop water in its tracks.
How far does water splash in an open shower?

Water will typically splash no further than 6 feet from the shower entry. While a drain in the shower's doorway will catch most excess water, there will inevitably be a splash zone.
How much does it cost to install a doorless walk-in shower?

The normal cost for installing a doorless walk-in shower is between $1,150 and $8,000, with an average of about $6,700.

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