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Bathroom Design Essentials: Shower Enclosure Layout & Cabinet Selection

Bathroom Design Essentials: Shower Enclosure Layout & Cabinet Selection

2025-12-23

I. Optimal Location for Shower Enclosure

The bathroom typically serves three core functions: hand washing, toileting, and showering. Considering usage frequency and waterproofing needs, the shower enclosure is best placed at the innermost part of the bathroom.
Rationale: Showering is a daily one-time activity, so placing it at the end of the movement line is logical. If placed externally, post-shower wet floors would force frequent passage (for toileting or hand washing) through the wet area, causing inconvenience.
Layout recommendations:
  • Long and narrow bathroom: Arrange sink, toilet, and shower enclosure in sequence from the entrance.
  • Square bathroom: Adopt a triangular distribution – sink on the left, toilet on the right, and shower enclosure in the corner.

II. Dry-Wet Separation for Shower Enclosure

Dry-wet separation is mandatory to avoid water splashing across the entire bathroom. Two common methods:
  • Glass shower enclosure: Recommended for spacious bathrooms. It is convenient to use, modern, and stylish.
  • Shower curtain: Only suitable for small bathrooms where a glass enclosure cannot fit.

III. Common Types & Dimensions of Shower Enclosures

  1. Linear shower enclosure: Standard width 900mm; minimum recommended width ≥800mm.
  2. Square shower enclosure: Suitable for large corner spaces, formed by two glass panels and walls. However, its external sharp corners pose collision risks in small spaces. Standard size: 900mm×900mm; minimum recommended size ≥800mm×800mm.
  3. Diamond-shaped shower enclosure: Ideal for small square bathrooms (formed by cutting a corner of a square enclosure). The cut corner serves as a door opening, saving space. Sink and toilet can be placed on both sides. Standard width 900mm; minimum recommended width ≥800mm.
  4. Arc-shaped shower enclosure: A substitute for diamond-shaped enclosures when there is insufficient space for outward-swinging doors. Equipped with sliding doors. Standard width 900mm; minimum recommended width ≥800mm.

IV. Key Details for Shower Enclosure Design

  • Toiletries storage: Plan convenient placement (e.g., beside the showerhead) or install niches for shampoos, body washes, etc.
  • Floor tile slope: Tiles should slope toward the floor drain to prevent water accumulation.
  • Baby bathtub consideration: For families with babies, use a floor drain flush with the ground and place the bathtub across dry and wet areas.

V. Bathroom Cabinet Selection Guide

1. Common Materials & Their Pros & Cons

  • Solid wood: Suitable for high-budget, high-end, eco-friendly decoration. Advantages: Stable (e.g., oak), natural texture, customizable styles. Disadvantages: Susceptible to cracking/deformation in humidity, requires maintenance, expensive.
  • Man-made boards:
    • Particleboard: Good stability and nail-holding capacity (for dry storage). Poor water resistance, not for bathrooms.
    • Plywood (multilayer board): Balances quality and appearance. Advantages: Strong structure, moisture-proof, eco-friendly, suitable for wet areas. Disadvantages: Needs edge banding, may have color variations/knots.
    • MDF: Uniform structure, no decay/insects, easy to process. Prone to cracking under impact.
  • PVC board: Suitable for trend-conscious, budget-friendly users. Advantages: Waterproof, mold-resistant, durable, affordable. Disadvantages: Scratch-prone (irreparable), poor load-bearing, heat/light-sensitive (yellowing over time).
  • Stainless steel: Recommended for non-appearance-focused, non-dry-wet-separated bathrooms. Advantages: Wear-resistant, moisture-proof. Disadvantages: Thin cabinet body, simple styles, scratch/corrosion-prone; 304 stainless steel is preferred.

2. Installation Methods

  • Wall-mounted: Advantages: Aesthetic, no dead corners, moisture-proof, long-lasting (requires proper wall drainage). Disadvantage: Only for load-bearing walls.
  • Floor-standing: Advantages: Ample storage, easy installation, no restrictions. Disadvantage: Bottom prone to moisture/mold; choose double-sided waterproof models.

3. Summary

No material is universally superior; avoid long-term water exposure. Use particleboard for dry areas, plywood for wet areas, and stainless steel for non-dry-wet-separated bathrooms. Wall-mounted cabinets are recommended for easy cleaning (ensure proper drainage). Choose based on bathroom environment, style, and needs.