The Standard Shower Size for Your Bathroom Shape
Author: Omar Alonso | Editor: Omar Alonso
Review & Research: Jen Worst & Chris Miller
Are you thinking about remodeling and want to know the best standard shower size for the dimensions of your bathroom? Are you looking for a space-saving option to fit your small bathroom?
You don't want an overly large or extremely small shower stall that doesn't best take advantage of your floor space. So let's review how much space you need based on what type of shower you're building or renovating. We'll start by answering "what are the standard shower sizes?"
Shower Sizes Vary Based on the Type of Shower
The standard shower comprises enclosed panels with a shower door. Many different showers are available for installation in a home, including prefabricated showers, enclosed panel kits, or built-in enclosures.
Shower sizes depend on the space you have in your home and where it will be located. When choosing the size of your shower, it's also important to consider how you will use it and how many people will use it.
A Standard Shower Size is 60" x 30" Wide
The typical shower size is 60 inches and 30 inches wide. This size accommodates a shower plus tub, with the height ranging from 70-87 inches.
To determine the size, measure the distance between two bathroom walls and the distance from the floor to the ceiling. Take these measurements and consult a local contractor to help you choose an appropriate model for your space.
Small Shower Sizes
If you're looking to save space and money, installing a small shower is one of the most obvious solutions. While smaller shower dimensions will be less luxurious, they can still provide comfort and convenience. However, space-saving designs shouldn't compromise safety or functionality.
32" x 32" Is the Smallest Shower Size
The smallest shower size is 32 inches x 32 inches. The width of your shower will need to be at least as big as your door opening. Despite the small size, it should be easy to get in and out of the shower easily without bumping into walls or other obstacles.
If you don't plan on having a tub in your bathroom, this standard size may work perfectly. It's all contingent on your toilet room dimensions in general.
34" x 34" Is a Popular Space-Saving Design
Another popular and space-saving design for a small shower stall is 34 inches x 34 inches. These are your standard shower pan sizes, along with 36" x 36". This shower size will allow you to step into the shower but won't leave much room for movement.
It leaves out the tub so you can use that area for movement. The height of your shower will depend on how tall your ceiling is in your home.
Medium Shower Sizes
The standard medium shower is the most common size of shower in a home. Under this category, shower sizes leave enough room to bathe comfortably and improve ventilation. You shouldn't be thinking about things like a floating shower bench without at least a medium sized shower.
Medium showers also conserve space and water by minimizing the surface area that water will cover. If you're on a budget and space is limited, installing a standard medium shower can be just what you need.
36" x 36" Is Good for Corner Showers
A corner shower and its dimensions are a perfect option for small bathrooms. This is probably "the" standard shower size for square shower pan styles. It allows you to save space and make the room feel bigger at the same time. Corner showers are also great for making a small bathroom feel more spacious and modern.
42" x 36" Is a Less Common Large Shower Size
42 inches x 36 inches is a large shower size. With this size, you have lots of flexibility regarding door location. You could locate the door on the side of the tub and use it as a walk-in shower. Or you might want to install a sliding door for easier entry and exit and improved privacy.
Large & Built-In Shower Sizes
Built-in showers are a type of shower installed directly into the wall for use as part of a bathroom. You can find these showers in many homes, hotels, and other places where large groups must use the same facilities at once.
Standard bathroom size facilities with these shower dimensions are usually built with reinforced concrete and made to last for many years, although some do show signs of wear after 10 or 20 years.
48" x 36" Is One of the Large Shower Designs
48 inches x 36 inches is one of the popular built-in shower designs. This shower size offers enough room to move around but takes up a reasonable amount of space. This shower design will also allow you more space for your bathtub or even a separate tub to help you relax after a hard day at work.
48" x 48" Is a Rare Square Shower
While it is a rare size, the square shower is a good choice if you have a small bathroom. It also works well in larger bathrooms where you want to make use of all the space that is available.
This option has been around for decades and remains popular because of how well it works in most situations. Here you won't be worried about the standard shower head height but several of them engulfing you in a flow of water.
Shower Stall Size
The 60" x 30" shower is the most common shower stall size, and it's been the standard for decades. It suits most people, families or not. This dimension allows enough room to accommodate a full-size bathtub (if desired) while leaving sufficient space for multiple people to be comfortably inside.
The possibilities are diverse when it comes to configurations and accessorization. You can install a single shower stall with bench seats on either side of standard or even larger shower bench dimensions—this is ideal if you want an unobstructed walkway from one side of your bathroom to another. Or, you can opt for two separate shower stalls on each end of your bathroom.
How to Choose the Best Shower Size for Your Home
There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right shower size for your home beyond the available standard shower sizes. It's not just a matter of how big or small you want it to be. Considerations include:
Consider Your Budget
The first step in choosing the right shower size is determining how much money you have to spend on it. You can choose almost any size shower you like if you have an unlimited budget. But if you're on a budget, you'll need to consider whether it makes sense to buy a smaller shower now and upgrade later as your needs change.
Remember- you can always renovate your bathroom over time, so there’s no need to fully commit to a shower style for the lifetime of your home.
Look at Your Available Space
Another critical factor is whether your bathroom has enough space for a large shower. If your bathroom is already cramped with other fixtures, installing an oversized shower that will take up even more space may not make sense.
It's better to stick with a standard-sized model that fits comfortably into the room without taking up so much extra space that it compromises accessibility for other occupants — especially if you intend for multiple people to use the same shower at once.
Usage Capacity
Think about how much you and your family members will use the shower. Suppose you have children or pets who will be using the shower frequently. In that case, you may want to choose one that accommodates more than one sprayer jet so they can all get clean.
If your household's usage capacity is not an issue, you can pick any style that catches your eye. Consider the tallest member of your family and if the standard height for shower doors will be high enough to keep water from splashing out off of their head and shoulders.
Shower Shape
The most common shower shapes are square, rectangular, and oval. Square showers are great for small bathrooms because they take up less space than other shapes, allowing you to save room for other necessities.
Rectangular showers are good choices for larger bathrooms or those with limited space on either side of the drain or faucet handles. You’ll have plenty of room to shower while making the most of your bathroom’s available space.
Oval showers offer more room than square but less room than rectangular ones — however, they can be challenging to design because they lack symmetry. Depending on the side of your bathroom and the design you want to go with, this may be a perfect shower for you.
So Many Standard Shower Sizes, So Many Choices!
Typical shower sizes measure in at 60 inches x 30 inches. The best shower size for your home depends on your desired space, expected usage level, and preferred shape. By choosing the right size shower, you can ensure that it's comfortable enough for everyone in your family. The standard shower size, however, is 60" by 30", but you can increase it accordingly!