Shower cabin in a small bathroom: choice and design options

It's no secret that apartments in typical high-rise buildings often have cramped bathrooms. It happens that the square meters are so small that it seems unrealistic to put all the basic plumbing and engineering connections there. An ergonomic shower cabin can be a good solution for a cramped bathroom.

The shower stall has both pros and cons.

Let's start with the merits.

• When using such a design, significant water savings can be achieved, which will largely reduce the amount for payment of housing and communal services.
• The bathroom will always remain dry, since the doors of the cabins are hermetically closed.
• Nowadays on sale there is a large assortment of all kinds of modifications of shower cabins, equipped with additional options - if you wish, you can always buy a structure with a hydromassage, as well as a "rain shower" function or aromatherapy.
• If there are children in the apartment, then a shower cubicle with an inflated pallet will become a very practical solution - the child can not only wash there, but also swim and play with his favorite toys.
• In the pallet, you can always wash those items that do not fit into the drum of the washing machine due to too large a volume.

Not without drawbacks:

• in the cockpit, you will hardly be able to stretch out to your full height and completely relax;
• if the water pressure is too weak, then the functionality of the cabin will be significantly reduced;
• the shower stall needs to be washed frequently to get rid of surface deposits.

Cabins are open and closed.

• Open structures are the most common blocks without any "bells and whistles", they include only the pallet and partitions. The main advantage of such models is their compactness, ergonomics and low cost.

• Closed models represent a sealed design. In addition to the pallet and walls, it also has a cover that not only prevents water from splashing outside the booth, but also protects the bathroom from steam and condensation.

As a rule, such models are preferred by those who like to swim in a recumbent position. Hydrobox has the same advantages as a closed capsule. In addition, here you can place a telephone, a radio, and even a small TV, equip the wall with small shelves for household utensils.

A wide variety of materials are used for the production of pallets.

Acrylic is a fairly popular material. These pallets heat up quickly and stay warm for a long time. They do not slip, therefore they are safe for users. In addition, they do not emit harsh sounds under running water, which makes taking hygiene procedures doubly comfortable. The surface of acrylic pallets is very easy and quick to clean and retains its fresh appearance for 15-20 years.

There is only one drawback of such pallets - they must be reinforced with plates, otherwise they begin to bend, and then completely break.

Cast iron is one of the most durable and practical materials... In order to deform it and render it unusable, you will have to seriously "try". The main advantages of cast iron:

• long term of use - pallets can serve for several decades;
• cast iron retains heat well;
• the cost of such pallets is quite democratic.

The disadvantages of the models include:

• long time to warm up;
• a cast iron pallet weighs a lot;
• the model range has practically no variety in the choice of configuration, only a few standard products can be found on sale;
• cast iron reflects water shocks quite noisily;
• If the pallet is covered with enamel, it may chip over time, so users will have to renew the coating from time to time.

Steel is much stronger and more durable than acrylic. Other advantages of steel products include low weight and low price. However, there are also disadvantages here:

• steel shower trays are quite slippery - if you intend to stay on such a model, then it is better to give preference to products with a corrugated bottom or additionally purchase a rubber mat;
• steel retains heat very poorly and heats up rather slowly;
• the sound insulation of the material is much worse than that of cast iron.

Ceramics also deserves attention. The main advantages of ceramic trays:

• aesthetic appeal;
• long term of use;
• ease of care;
• increased sound insulation;
• ceramics heats up quickly and keeps heat much longer than cast iron and steel.

The disadvantages of ceramic trays include:

• massiveness, impressive weight;
• rather high cost;
• fragility.

Stone pallets usually pallets are made of marble. Such products have their own undoubted advantages:

• they look stylish;
• warm up quickly and retain heat well; the surface of the stone pallet is rough, it is more comfortable and safer for users.

Wherein natural stone is very expensive. However, you can always pick up a pallet made of synthetic materials.For example, porcelain stoneware in terms of its quality characteristics is similar to marble, but at the same time it costs an order of magnitude cheaper.

There are the following types of shower partitions.

• Water repellent curtains... You cannot swim in an open cockpit, as the spray will scatter in all directions. A good solution would be a waterproof curtain, which will protect the bathroom from flooding. Usually, such accessories are made of plastic wrap, oilcloth or dense rubberized fabric.

• Partitions made of polymer. For shower cabins, polymer composites such as plexiglass, acrylic or PMMA are used. Such materials are in great demand due to their ease of maintenance and increased aesthetic characteristics. Outwardly, such partitions resemble glass, but weigh much less.

• Plastic screens. This is a fairly cheap material for arranging partitions, which is subject to any processing methods, therefore, it allows you to equip a box of any configuration.

• Strained glass. It is almost impossible to damage the shower cabin doors made of tempered glass - due to a special heat treatment, the material acquires extremely high strength characteristics, so the structure can be safely used in rooms with high humidity.

Modern hydroboxes are complemented by a set of useful options.

• Hydromassage, which allows the user to relax in the evening, and in the morning, on the contrary, to cheer up.

• Steam generator. Owners of such a function can always create the effect of a Turkish bath in the booth.

• Aromatherapy. In this case, you can arrange spa treatments without leaving your home. Aromatic oil not only has a pleasant scent, but also has a general healing effect.

• Ozonation. Ozone is able to neutralize mold, bacteria and other pathogenic microflora. Such designs are ideal for people struggling with allergic diseases, chronic asthma and respiratory pathologies.

• Infrared radiation. This option allows you to warm up the box, which significantly increases the degree of convenience during washing procedures. Infrared rays have the most beneficial effect on human health: they accelerate metabolism, promote the elimination of harmful substances from the body, and promote increased blood circulation.

Choosing showers for bathrooms with a footage of 2.4 and 3 sq. m, most users believe that they can significantly save the usable area of ​​the bathrooms.

However, often the bathtub has the same dimensions as the booth, while the latter, due to its high height, may look too massive and too bulky, therefore when buying a shower stall, you need to be guided by the following recommendations.

• When installing the booth, it is necessary to take into account the amount of free space for performing hygienic manipulations before or after washing (removing clothes and wiping off with a towel). There must be a space of 70-75 cm unoccupied with furniture and other equipment near the booth.

• The most affordable solution would be to install a wall-mounted shower stall, however, this model is not suitable for elongated and narrow bathrooms. The optimal way out for such premises would be the installation of a corner cabin.

• Designs with sliding doors and rounded edges will help to significantly save usable space.

• When buying a shower stall for a small room, it is best to choose a product with light or transparent doors - such models will visually increase the free space.

• If you plan to achieve a sense of isolation (this is especially important in combined bathrooms), you should use options with "frosty" glass, which involves a light tint.

It is very important to test the model you like before making a purchase. To do this, you need to go into it and perform several actions: raise both hands, then turn around, bend over and pick something up from the floor. During the execution of the listed manipulations, the movements should be as comfortable and familiar as possible, you should not bump into anything. This simple test will protect you from wrong choices and related discomfort when taking hygiene procedures.

It should be noted that there are not so many ways to place shower cabins in small bathrooms. The most popular option is the installation of equipment in the corner of the bathroom. This method is good for rooms of the correct shape, as close to square as possible.

The shower stall should not block users' access to the washing machine; it should not interfere with the opening of cabinets and cabinets.

When planning the location of the shower stall, you must take into account the layout of the bathroom and the location of the door:

• if the door is located in the center of the bathroom - the cabin can be placed in any corner of the bathroom;
• if the room has a rectangular configuration - it is best to install the shower near one of the long walls;
• if the door is located in the corner of the bathroom - it makes sense to install the hydrobox in the opposite corner;
• if the door in the bathroom is slightly pushed sideways from the center - Placed near the far wall of the booth will look best.

When arranging a bathroom, attention should be paid to the color palette, since it directly affects the creation of a comfortable space. Most often, users prefer designs in white or milky colors, ivory or light blue - they visually expand the boundaries of the room, especially if all other equipment is selected in the same color.

When choosing a bathroom interior design, it is best to use minimalism. We invite you to get acquainted with a small selection of photographs that will allow you to make the room ergonomic, comfortable and aesthetic.

In the next video, you will learn how to choose the right shower stall.