Discover how showering is evolving, with spa-inspired spaces boasting personalised features and sustainable design

The Keuco Light Shower is a ceiling model which comes complete with LED illumination. It can be adjusted from daylight to warm white and dimmed to suit time of day

As bathroom design continues its transformation, from a room purely for hygiene purposes to a reinvigorating living space, daily washing rituals have been taken to another level.

While the focus has often been on the freestanding bath as central to this movement, marketing director of Merlyn Eileen Slattery reminds designers: “Showering is central to wellness, offering a quick, daily rest that’s both accessible and revitalising.

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“With the right design, it becomes a pleasure not just a routine.”

Putting some statistics to this, leader marketing and product management for Grohe UK and Lixil EMENA Lewis Neathey states: “A 2024 European survey conducted by Grohe found that in addition to cleansing, 64% of respondents associate showering with relaxation, followed by wellness (41%) and me-time (40%)

Premium experience

Water delivery is key to soothing body and mind and showers can offers a wide variety of sprays to suit individual’s needs and moods.

Unveiled at ISH 2025 the Grohe PureFoam generates foam for cleansing and is used with both sprays of the 110 handshower – Rain or Jet Spray

Head of communications marketing at Aqualisa, Nigel Palmer states: “The temperature and tactility of a shower – how it feels on the skin – can either be invigorating, restorative or relaxing.

“From a quick, drenching cold shower to awaken the senses to a longer, meditative warm rain shower, it should be possible to control these aspects precisely.

“The latest digital smart showers can do this effortlessly.”

Think expansive wetrooms with recessed ceiling showers featuring lighting and sound create a spa-like experience.

“Personalisation and creating a mood is essential in a wellness bathroom, and is some cases this goes beyond the stylish and practical and requires the need for a touch of the dramatic” exclaims country manager of Keuco UK James Sketch, adding: “The Shower Light really comes into its own”.

Grohe introduced its own drama at ISH 2025, as alongside a shower with a filter to remove chlorine at ISH – Grohe Rainshower Aqua Pure – it also introduced Purefoam which upgrades its showers to provide Kinuami –  a warm, foam – for a cleansing skin treatment.

Wellness for all

However, multi-sprays offering a variety of experiences – from wall-mounted or riser kits through to handshowers – can provide wellness showering for a variety of budgets.

The Abode Uno Showers collection includes extra-wide shower heads, concealed thermostatic shower valves and push button controls in three on-trend finishes

Product category manager of Sonas Bathrooms James Quinn states: “A wellness environment doesn’t have to mean luxury in terms of cost -it’s about thoughtful design.”

And brand marketing manager of Roca Natalie Bird agrees, adding: “Creating a wellness-inspired bathroom is possible at every price point – it just take more consideration when it comes to choosing the right elements.

“For example, something as simple as the finish can have a big impact on the overall cost.”

And James Quinn outlines the differences between wellness showering at various budgets.

He continues: “At the top end, wellness is defined by space, texture and sensory immersion.

“At the middle, it’s about harmonising practicality with atmosphere, while at entry level, it’s about smart choices; slip resistant trays, consistent water flow and well-lit airy spaces.”

Surround and service

To complete the wellness showering space, bathroom designers then to consider the surrounds as much as the water delivery.

To personalise the showering area, Kudos has introduced interconnectors to join glass-to-glass corner posts, corner profiles and mirrored décor panels

“Frameless or minimalist styles with generous height and space promote openness and clam. Seamless glass, soft finishes and intuitive features help elevate the experience”, explains Eileen Slattery at Merlyn.

And CEO of Roman David Osborne agrees, looking at the big picture of bathroom design: “Customisable options, including multiple colour finishes, allow homeowners to co-ordinate their shower enclosures seamlessly with wider bathroom interiors – creating a cohesive, personalised space that supports relaxation and self-care.

“Matching colour palettes across bathroom fixtures and fittings help reinforce a sense of harmony, enhancing the overall feeling of a bathroom sanctuary.”

While marketing manager of Flair Showers Gillian Furey looks at small details, as she adds: “At Flair, we believe in transforming everyday rituals into moments of joy.

“That joy might come from the silent elegance of a gliding door, the reassuring feel of a beautifully sculptured handles, or the simple pleasure of dealing with a Customer & Technical Support team.”

IF Design, RedDot and Good Design award-winning Oro enclosure range –  from Flair Showers –  offers frameless bi-fold, sliding and hinged doors, as well as quadrants

Global wellbeing

With a continuing need for sustainable design practices to enhance global wellbeing, how it fit with personal need?

Hansgrohe Raindance Alive features a mesh-effect cover, designed to look less technical and more homely. It features three sprays: RainAir, PowderRain and Massage

With a need to conserve resources, how can manufacturers balance the need for luxuriating in water, with the requirement for water efficiency, particularly with the looming mandatory Water Label?

Manufacturers have created showers with flows that enhance experience without wasting the precious resource. Advanced fluid mechanics have seen showers optimised to rejuvenise.

“Wellness is often associated with the luxury of water, but creating efficient shower solutions doesn’t mean compromising on experience. Sonas prioritises a balance between indulgence and responsibility, designing products that deliver a sensory-rich experience while reducing water usage.”

And helping to promote this message, is Grohe UK and Lixil EMENA as Lewis Neathey of states: “We’re continuing to drive education and fight the common misconception that low-flow showers and bathroom fittings provide a sub-standard experience.

“Users can have it all with a luxurious experience that also helps to save water, and we see it as our job to drive this change in mindset.”

Neathey explains how retailers can help their customers to choose sustainable options for their wellness-inspired bathroom space:

“Retailers can make it easier for customers to quickly spot greener alternatives by adding point of sales information around the showroom.

“Another great way to encourage customers to opt for sustainability-minded products is to have working displays and demonstrations.”

Certainly designing for wellbeing shows no sign of abating. With boutique hotels and spas continuing to inspire bathroom design, and consumers sharing the aspirational projects on social media, the wellness showering trend will continue.

James Quinn of Sonas Bathrooms concludes: “As self-care continues to influence home deisgn, the shower will increasingly become a wellness destination in its own right.”