Is it time to create the bathroom of your dreams, complete with a custom glass shower enclosure? Once the project is complete, you should love your new (or newly updated) space and enjoy its beauty and convenience for years to come. The shower enclosure is a large and prominent part of any bathroom, so its design will impact the aesthetic of the whole space. We’ll go over dos and don’ts of shower design to help ensure a successful outcome for your endeavor.

 

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DO: Take your time when picking out the hardware.

Modern shower enclosures are built primarily of glass, so we can be tempted to spend most of our time and effort on this aspect of the project. However, hardware like clamps, glass-to-glass hinges, wall mount hinges, pull handles, and so forth are necessary components that will impact the fashion and function of the glass shower. Points to consider include:

• Design Details: Take note of the particular features of each piece and consider their impact. For example, an item with square edges like this will have a more modern character than an item with beveled edges like this.
• Ergonomics: It also makes sense to consider how user-friendly a piece like a door handle is, especially if you plan to age in place or are experiencing arthritis. For instance, a tubular pull handle (click to see an example) is easier to grab than a small knob such as this.

 

DON’T: Attempt a design for which you do not have adequate space.

Sometimes we fall in love with a design element that we see in a blog post or home decorating magazine and become determined to MAKE it work in our own space. However, this approach can lead to a faux pas such as:

• Putting a soaker tub inside a glass shower enclosure that is not big enough to house both, which leads to uncleanable spaces, insufficient room to conveniently shower, and even a possible trip hazard.
• Adding a privacy screen around the toilet in a small bathroom and overly dividing an already tight space.
• Devoting too much of the available floor space to the shower enclosure and making it difficult to use other fixtures.
• Installing a hinged door that bumps into or blocks access to another bathroom appliance when opened.

 

DO: Consider modern trends when choosing the hardware finish for the bathroom and shower.

Polished chrome and brushed nickel are classic finishes that remain a safe and appealing choice. Their cool, silvery tones are right for many bathroom designs, and these finishes seem to have staying power in the world of design. If you prefer a timeless look and have an eye to broad resale appeal, they are both attractive options.

 

However, 2025 design trends also favor bolder looks. Warm, gold-based finishes – like satin brass and brushed bronze – are trending. These provide a lovely contrast to the cool elements found in most bathrooms such as white porcelain tubs and commodes. Satin brass in particular also lends a touch of upscale elegance to a shower enclosure.

 

Even better, the mixed metals style has been trending for years and seems unlikely to fade from favor any time soon. This means that you can include two or even three different finishes inside the same space, which is ideal for some bathrooms. For example, matte black is another in-vogue finish. However, if matte black hardware is installed around the shower head or sink faucet in a bathroom with hard water, this dark finish will likely be marred by water spots. Thanks to the mixed metals approach, you can use something that camouflages water spot – like brushed nickel – in these vulnerable areas while loading up on matte black elsewhere.

 

DON’T: Choose a glass style without weighing its practical and aesthetic pros and cons.

Most homeowners and designers favor clear or ultra-clear glazing for a shower enclosure. It makes the shower and the overall bathroom look bigger, keeps the wall tiles visible, matches just about any décor style, and has a smooth surface that makes cleaning easier.

 

However, in some bathrooms, a more private stall is preferred. This can be the case in kids’ bathrooms and guest baths in particular. Obscure glass options include:

• Acid-Etched: Provides privacy, camouflages water spots, and matches many décor modes. Etched surface can be more challenging to clean.
• Patterned: Adds privacy and visual interest. Many patterns offered. Not as easy to clean as a smooth surface.
• Tinted: A more private enclosure than one built of clear glass, smooth surface. Not as popular.
• Cast: Gives privacy, very impressive in appearance. Hard to keep clean.

 

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Last but not least, we hope you DO shop the Glass Simple site for your frameless glass shower hardware needs. All products on our site are in stock, and we emphasize terrific customer care and timely turnaround of orders. Call us today at (571)707-7760 to create a B2B account and unlock lower prices across the site!