Showers are a stylish, incredibly practical solution for people with small bathrooms. We propose to discuss in more detail the choice of a booth and the improvement of the bathroom.
So, in the West they have been using booths for a long time. Nevertheless, in our country they began to gain prevalence almost a decade ago. Of course, what could be expected during the Soviet Union, when everything of the same type was on the assembly line, and even in not too large quantities.
Naturally, there was not much to choose from. Although it is very strange that in our country, where there are a lot of small-sized apartments, of course, shower cubicles are not in demand. As in the West.
In addition, taking a bath, lying in it for a while is not to our liking. They relax perfectly, no questions asked. But, in the morning, for example, you need to cheer up! And the shower procedure has certain advantages over taking a bath. Namely:
- Saving. After all, taking a bath will require much more water than a shower. On average, the amount of water consumption per session is almost 4 times less than during the period of taking a bath.
- Efficiency. In fact, people take a shower much faster than they relax in a bath. There is no need to wait for the bathing container to fill up with water. Naturally, the procedure itself takes a minimum amount of time without any splashing.
- Compactness. Indeed, even if the booth is spacious enough, it will still take up less space than an overall bath.
- Hygiene guaranteed by running water. She regularly washes away bacteria with dirt, which do not really have time to accumulate, or, at least, in smaller quantities.
Choosing a shower cabin by type
Cabins can be closed / open.
Open
They are presented in the form of small pallets installed in the corner, together with two partitions that "connect" the walls.
The option is compact and inexpensive. When choosing an open type of booth, we recommend choosing options in which the partitions are high. Thanks to them, water will not flow through the top.
Closed type
They are presented in sealed capsules that close on each side, including the top. It does not matter at all in which part the booth will be located: in the corner / in the middle of the room. The entire room is protected from high humidity, since the structure is closed, and quite hermetically.
In addition, due to the closed structure, the bathroom is protected from condensation. Accordingly, walls and furniture do not lend themselves to temperature extremes, high levels of humidity.
An important advantage of the closed type is the supply of modern devices with gadgets. For example, these include the hydromassage function, FM receiver, TV, Wi-Fi, etc.
Choosing a booth model
Shower corner
It is the simplest among the open types, where there are no specific features. It happens:
- Frameless when the partitions are hinged. To install them, installation profiles are used as fasteners. Such designs look stylish, and they also do not visually burden the interior of the room at all.
- Frame, when the frame, with the help of which the partitions are attached, are placed along the perimeter of the shower room. As a rule, they have sliding doors, due to which they are very economical and functional in terms of saving space. This ensures their optimum when choosing cabins.
- Frame, in which there are internal types of partitions. Shower options like these are popular because they are incredibly durable.
In addition, showers can be rectangular, square, semicircular.
If the hygiene room is miniature, give preference to the option with a small size and rounded shape. It will need a minimum amount of space in order to place it in the room. At the same time, you will comfortably move around the bathroom with such a corner, thanks to the streamlined shape of the equipment.
As for showers with rectangular shapes, then it is better to choose them if you have a rather large and spacious bathroom.
If you are interested in the approximate dimensions of the booths, then the minimum among them are, in cm: 75 by 75, and the maximum 90 by 120.
Shower without roof
The option (the main thing is that the partitions in it are closed on each side) is an excellent compromise to the open / closed type. This option is not able to protect the bathroom from condensation, high levels of humidity and other things. Bathroom ceiling should be decorated with the most durable materials. Otherwise, its appearance will be lost in comparison with the original, after a short time interval.
Then for whom / what are these types of showers made for? In fact, everything is quite simple. They are chosen in case:
- The presence of low ceilings (less than 210 cm), since showers with rooftops need a higher room height.
- If someone from your family who will use the shower is very tall (from 1 m 95cm).
In both cases, you will not be able to choose a completely closed shower option. It will be completely inconvenient to use this option.
When installing closed booths with no roof, we recommend making special types of drains on the other side. Where are the walls. This is necessary to drain water and condensate with it, without flowing into the cracks. Otherwise, mold with mushrooms will be your constant problem.
Shower capsules
Absolutely closed types shower rooms, the benefits of which include:
- Absolute tightness.
- Protection of the interior from temperature extremes and high levels of humidity.
- Various add-ons as devices, gadgets.
- It is absolutely not necessary to be located in the corner of the bathroom.
But, they also have disadvantages, which include:
- High price level
- The need for space to place it
- For people with tall stature, a completely unsuitable option
Combined type
They are called shower boxes, hydroboxes. A bathtub is attached to the booth, it is very interesting and popular, especially in families with babies who cannot be bathed in the shower. It is also a great way to organize a romantic setting by relaxing in the bubble bath.
As for the hydrobox, it is also a compromise for families of a large number of people, where a single decision cannot be made regarding the choice of a shower stall / bath.
The only disadvantages are that the location of such a booth will require space, and their prices are rather big.
Pallet material
One of the common ones used for making shower trays. There are many reasons:
- Acrylic is quite malleable, as a result of which it can be given any shape. Thanks to this, the shape of the product can be any, at the same time very beautiful and stylish. You can also form a variety of add-ons. And this pallet option will last about twenty years!
- Taking care of acrylic is easy enough. It is easy to clean, no special products are needed, and the appearance remains for a fairly long period of time.
- By applying a special paste, any mechanical defects can be corrected during operation, so that the pallet can be used even longer.
However, acrylic pallets will bend and break as a result. If during production the pallet is not reinforced with metal plates, you will need to buy an additional frame.
Such options are the most durable and not killed. If operated correctly, they will last for many decades. They are able to quickly heat up, but also cool down just as quickly, and give off heat very slowly. In addition, these pallet options are quite inexpensive and belong to the category of budget models.
Their lack of weight, as well as the limited form. After all, they are only available in a few specific models.
Steel pallets
They are opened with enamel. In comparison with cast iron, they are more beautiful. Although, they will also heat very slowly. And also they have a fairly low soundproofing threshold. Depending on what kind of enamel is used in the manufacture of the pallet, the period of its operation depends.
Ceramic products
They are beautiful and easy to care for. Warmer than steel / cast iron, although very brittle.
Stone shower trays for bathroom
Durable, stylish, and importantly, they warm up in a short period of time. For the bases, choose marble, or other types of stone. The disadvantage is its high cost, which is why materials that are somewhat cheaper are used. For example, porcelain stoneware, which has a high degree of strength and is similar to natural types of stone, is perfect. Thereby this material popular enough for making shower trays.
Natural wood pallets are more suitable for summer cottages. In addition, if the material does not produce the required correct processing, it will be able to last for a very short period of time.
However, in showers only some decorative elements, for example, to decorate the bottom, which people stand on during hygiene procedures. This method will make you feel comfortable, since wood is a natural material.
The choice of material for partitions
The use of curtains in shower rooms means using banal partitions that are made with your own hands. In general, they are echoes in the use of the most ordinary baths, where it is unthinkable to take a shower without curtains, otherwise the whole bathroom is flooded with water.
Another nuance should be taken into account that the curtains must be fixed both above and below, if you do not want all the water from the booth to pour out onto the bathroom floor.
As for PMAA, plexiglass, acrylic, such materials are in high demand and of high quality to make partitions. The material is easy to clean and looks pretty stylish.
Plastic
Lightweight and cheap, it is very easy to organize partitions. A booth from it is assembled very easily with your own hands. Using plastic for the bathroom is not very comfortable. With it, the room can resemble a hospital environment, or like a cheap recreation center.
Tempered glass type
Compared to ordinary glass, the tempered version is very simple and almost impossible to break. The tempered type of glass is stylish, it makes the room look lighter and with a certain charm.
At the same time, lime deposits will remain on the glass, which is why, after taking a shower, the glass should be thoroughly wiped dry. Alternatively, a matte version of the glass can be used, on which virtually no streaks are visible.
Choice of equipment
Mixer selection
The mixer must be of high quality. It shouldn't rust after a few months, or fall off. To choose a really high-quality option, you should contact an experienced specialist. Which will help you choose the most suitable option for a shower stall in each individual case. The expert will tell you what types of products are stable in relation to trace elements in water, which manufacturers have better products and other points.
Nevertheless, it is worth remembering these nuances:
- Compared to levers, valves will break less frequently.
- Adjust the temperature with separate taps - exactly, but much more slowly.
- The taps should have a minimum shell not made of metal, since the "hot" faucet after heating will simply be impossible to turn off.
- It is practical for taps to open with one turn, rather than multiple twists.
Shower Heads
- How often the holes in the watering can are located determines the density with which the water will flow. For example, it is quite difficult for owners of long hair to wash their hair if the water begins to fly in all directions.
- Also, a watering can can be installed in the ceiling, bathroom wall, shower wall. Then, while taking a shower, you will need to put on a special hat on your head, or wash it every time. The best option is a hose with a fastener, thanks to which the watering can can be removed at any time, while the height and direction of the water jet you can adjust yourself.
- We recommend choosing a hose from silicone or rubber, since ordinary spiral ones fail very quickly.
Photos of the best shower cabins for the bathroom
Not many can boast of large bathrooms. Therefore, planning renovation work indoors, you need to equip it so that the shower cabin in a small bathroom does not take up much space. Of course, some equipment will have to be abandoned in order to improve the ergonomics of the bathroom.
Space optimization methods
A compact room should fit not only plumbing equipment, but also furniture with bath accessories, so it is worth considering possible options for saving space:
1. The bathtub eats up too much space, so a compact room will be a good alternative to bulky plumbing;
This option has many advantages:
- taking a shower will take less time than taking a bath;
- saving water consumption;
- free space for a washing machine or bedside table.
But in this case, you will also face some problems. Of course, Khrushchev is not particularly happy with the size of the bathrooms, but dismantling the bathtub will take you a lot of effort and money, so everyone needs to decide for themselves: is it worth doing the redevelopment or not.
Tip: If you are still determined, the type with rounded sides will allow you to save even more valuable meters in the bathroom.
2. Small ones will delight consumers who want to have both types of plumbing in their bathroom. This option has several advantages:
- you don't have to choose between;
- the combined device will take up less space than a standard-sized hot tub;
- free space for additional equipment indoors (cabinet, cabinet, washing machine, laundry basket).
3. But if for some reason this option does not suit you, a shower enclosure for a small bathroom will be an alternative. The corner is practically the same as the booth, but without the back wall. therefore given view equipment must be installed in the corner of the bathroom. They are quite simple to install, but the joints between the walls and the equipment must be sealed so that water does not seep through the cracks into the room. Of course, such a shower in a small bathroom has its advantages:
- affordable price of a shower enclosure;
- ease of equipment installation;
- compactness of the device;
- economy of materials.
4. If even a small shower room does not allow you to put a washing machine in the room, do not be discouraged. The way out is to install the machine in a niche under a bedside table or a common decorative stand under the sink.
5. Another version of space saving is a small bathroom with a corner cabinet. In principle, this option is similar to a nook, but if you need a container in order to wash large items, purchase such equipment. Standard models of corner cabins can be equipped with deep palletswhere you can even bathe children.
Ideas for small spaces
A compact bathroom is not yet a verdict, if you equip it correctly, it would never occur to anyone to call your bathroom too small.
- If you have planned a grandiose renovation, use light-colored tiles to decorate the walls in the bathroom, so you will be able to visually expand the space in the room;
- The standard door can be replaced with a sliding door;
- The shower must be made of transparent materials;
- If the ceilings in the room are low, use tiles with a vertical pattern.
In fact, not many apartments, even in new buildings, can boast large bathrooms. If you've recently moved to a small home or just planned to renovate your bathroom, opt for compact sanitary ware. A shower box in a small bathroom or a miniature bathtub will free up enough space in the bathroom, which can then be used with benefit.
Shower cubicles for the bathroom are a trend today in different interior styles. And in small bathrooms this solution is also the best way to save space. They come in different shapes, can be installed at different points in the room, and are equipped with dozens of modern features. Now I'll tell you more about all this.
Types of shower cubicles
A small shower stall may not solve the problem of lack of space if you choose a large solution. It is equally important to decide how to install it so that there is room in the room for other plumbing.
The form
It is not easy to choose shower cabins in small bathtubs, since you are limited not only in size, but also in shape. The suitable option is selected depending on the amount of free space, because in a very small room, a rectangular or semicircular structure is unlikely to fit. But with a certain layout, both rectangular and square models are suitable.
What options are and are not suitable for a small bath:
- Rectangular... In compact bathrooms, this shape is almost never found. But sometimes it is advisable to choose such a shower box, for example, if the entrance to the bath is built into one of the long walls, and the booth needs to be installed near the opposite wall.
- Quarter circle... It is these solutions that are easiest to install in the corner of the room, and they are chosen for very small bathtubs, since other forms simply will not fit.
- Square... They can also be installed in a corner or near. This shape is considered to be somewhere between the two previous options, and is installed in bathrooms with an area slightly less than average.
Decoration of cabins with shower
Another useful tip for efficiently distributing space in the bathroom is to use designs with sliding doors. Swing counterparts in the open form will take up a lot of space, so it will be problematic to place towel warmers and other accessories next to the booth.
- Clear glass. Models made of transparent glass practically do not “eat up” space. That is why they are often installed in compact bathrooms. Due to the transparency, the doors look easier, therefore, they are ergonomic.
- Matte. If you are not an adherent of transparent doors, then pay attention to matte light doors. Visually, they take up more space than transparent models, but they are also often used in small bathrooms. In this case, it is better to refuse from rectangular and square non-angular models, optimal solution will become a plumbing in the shape of a quarter circle.
- Other types of decoration. The shower room may not even have doors, but simply be separated from the rest of the room by a partition. It is important here to choose the right finish for such a zone.
Suitable, for example, ceramic tile... It can have both a standard look and imitate stone or wood. Another popular type of decoration is mosaic; it is often used to decorate booths with glass doors, in which the original mosaic pattern will be clearly visible.
Remember that the space of the shower room and near it needs special finishing, as it will constantly be exposed to moisture and steam. This rule does not apply only to ready-made shower boxes with a tray, which already have a suitable bottom and tightly closing doors.
Installation method
Corner models in small rooms are especially popular, because they can save a lot of valuable centimeters. But it is important to decide how to put the shower box so that it does not take up almost all the free space.
Having chosen the correct shape and installation method, you can even in a room with an area of \u200b\u200b3-4 sq. m. knead and washstand, and washing machine, and other plumbing.
The standard corner model consists of a pallet, rear and side panels, roof and doors, as well as uprights and a screen (apron + skirt).
To install all these elements you will need:
- level;
- set of screwdrivers;
- construction gun;
- electric drill;
- silicone sealant and other tools.
It is advisable to get all the necessary nuts, self-tapping screws, as well as a sharp knife in advance, so as not to waste time searching during work.
Corner cabin installation instructions:
- Install the water drainage system using flexible hoses. It is optimal if the sewer hole is directly drainage, but this is not necessary.
- Place the pallet on its feet and level it by tightening the adjusting screws. If the model does not have feet for the pallet, you must first level the floor using cement screed.
- After that, the pallet is lined. If the cladding material is acrylic, it is better to place the pallet on crossed beams for better support, and place an additional 5 leg.
- Before installing the rest of the booth, you need to check if you have tightly connected the pallet to the drain.
- Place the glass of the booth in the grooves of the guides, all joints must be lubricated with sealant. Then tighten the screw on the presser foot.
- Using self-tapping screws, you need to connect all the guides to the rack. Only then are the seals mounted on the glass.
- It remains only to apply sealant under the lower pallet guide and install the glass.
To put both a booth and a bath in one room, you need to take permission for redevelopment from the BTI.
Not all compact bathtubs have exactly corner structures; you can choose another installation method based on the layout of the room. Sometimes it is wiser to put a square or rectangular model along a narrow wall, or to occupy only part of a wider wall with a shower box, and place other necessary plumbing nearby.
As you understand, shower stalls in small bathrooms require competent installation: sometimes you need to carry out work on moving the drain in order to fit the plumbing exactly where you would like to see it.
Plus, the installation of doors, partitions, pallets and other accessories also takes a lot of time. But simple instructions for installing ready-made models will allow you to cope with the installation even for those who have little experience.
Such plumbing is immediately ready for trouble-free installation and further use, since it already has doors, shower accessories installed, and a tray. In addition, such boxes are often equipped with many additional functions such as an mp3 player, hydromassage, radio, etc.
Therefore, I recommend that you install a ready-made shower box, which can be found in construction supermarkets, its price is more affordable. You can choose wood finishes or solutions with original colors, as well as bathroom fixtures with built-in chairs and steam generators. Believe me, even a mini-sauna can be accommodated in a small room.
Shower boxes are presented in different sizes, and it will not be difficult to find a model suitable for the area.
conclusions
Tell me, do you use a shower stall, and what model would you like for your bathroom? For even more cool ideas, watch the video in this »width \u003d» 640 ″ height \u003d ”360 ″ frameborder \u003d” 0 ″ allowfullscreen \u003d ”allowfullscreen”\u003e
conclusions
In the article, I told you which shower stalls are best installed in a small bathroom, and also showed examples of models of different shapes and styles that fit perfectly into a compact room.
Tell me, do you use a shower stall, and what model would you like for your bathroom? For even more cool ideas, watch the video in this article.
