To help you ponder your decision, there are several aspects you can look at, such as how often and for what reasons you use the tub, how much the conversion will cost and how much money it will save you in the long-run. However, there are some advantages and drawbacks to showers that can easily be pointed out and are common to most cases.

It is undeniable, for instance, that showers are more sustainable, and as you only use the water you actually need, instead of filling a whole tub. It is also quite true that they are much more practical and time-efficient, as you can start right away, without needing to wait for the water to warm up and, again, fill a whole tub.

On the other hand, a shower can never provide the comfort and relaxation that a full bath can, and it is certainly more challenging to bathe small children or animals in it. On top of that, it is a common belief that houses which do not feature a bathtub are harder to sell, so it is important to have that in mind before you go through with a conversion.

However, if you have your mind made up about having a tub to shower conversion, there are some good news for you. For instance, if your existing bathtub is already enclosed in an alcove, you likely have already most of the work done for you, as the dimensions are pretty similar, there are water sources in the area already, and the installation is pretty easy, only taking a couple of days.

Aside from being simple to achieve, these conversions don’t even need to be done by professionals as there are ready-made shower kits on the market which any handy man can easily install in a couple of days.

The bad news is, if you have a standalone bathtub, which is not placed in an alcove, you will pretty much need to go through a whole bathroom remodeling process, which includes finding a new water source for your shower, changing the flooring, and installing the actual shower, which is something that needs to be done by a professional, and might not be quite cost-effective – take a look at our custom bathroom guide.

At the end of the day, the question of whether you should or not convert your bathtub into a shower depends as much on preference as it does cost. If your bathroom has ideal conditions for the conversion to begin with, it is a fairly easy decision to make, but if not, the investment may be too great, and one which may not pay off in the long-run.

Whatever your bathrooms decor type, there will be a type of reclaimed wood that can be integrated seamlessly into your home. From old and rustic, to modern and contemporary – the choice is yours.

Take a look at the 30 best reclaimed wood bathroom vanities we could find online to see what we mean.

We start off with this awesome stained oak peice. The old wood retains its historic appearance despite being re stained.

How about using a light white wash to give the salvaged timber a light an airy look. I love the way this vanity contrasts against the stark red bricks.

You can only just see the long old timber plank that makes up this basic bathroom vanity. Simple, but stunningly effective

I love the way that many different types of salvaged wood have been combined together to make this awesome contemporary vanity.

This reclaimed wood vanity looks increasingly rustic with its dark iron handles. i am in love with the HUGE mirror too!

This vanity has been made from a single source of salvaged wood. The in built lighting really amplifies the stunning natural aged appearance of the timber

This vanity looks great with the old iron wash basin on the the top.

One of the great things about reclaimed wood is that it usually works very well when combined with granite. The white washbasin, black granite, and brown wood combined make a stunning effect.

I love the fact that this wood has not been retreated and still has chips and scratches from whatever it was originally used for. Note how awesome the oxidized copper basin looks with the white tile!

Not all reclaimed wood vanities need to look vintage. This contemporary example combines the historical wood into a modern decor.

Another great example of how granite counter tops can complement a dark stained vanity.

This is one of my personal favorites. A large beam has been snugly attached into this little alcove to make a stunning vanity.

This vanity really gives the feel of an old log cabin with its weathered wooden doors.

The wood paneling on the wall really allows this peice to blend into the rooms decor seamlessly.

We love the little things here at pats color. The rustic iron toilet roll holder on the side of this reclaimed wood bathroom vanity complements the wood (and wash basin) perfectly.

This vanity has been made from reclaimed barnwood. Its warm and rich color is used to a striking effect here!

I love the way that the doors on this reclaimed wood vanity have been attached using a barn door style hinge. This extra little added touch transforms this from an average piece, into one of the best examples we could find!

Why not leave your vanity unstained and allow the historical beauty of the salvaged timber to be the centerpiece? The rusty hinges on this piece look incredible!

I love how the two circular mirrors bring this whole bathroom into a modern chic kind of decor.

This wood has been sunbleached in its previous life and the colors look incredible!

Our all time favorite vanity here. Finding a plank of wood as stunning as this one will not be easy – but if you can find one… Well the results speak for themselves.

Got a small bathroom? Then why not do something super simple like this reclaimed wood vanity. The pristine white ceramic washbasin contrasts against the wood brilliantly.

I love the different tones that are present in this vanity. Even though this wood has clearly been salvaged from the same source – the differing tones are mind blowing!

The white granite countertops contrast starkly to the dark stain on this timber. The brown wash basin really ties the whole thing together.

When reclaimed wood is made into furniture – more often than not it can look very strong and bold. Well that is not always the case. A light stain has turned this awesome vanity into a quaint little masterpiece.

The variety of golden tones in this example is captivating!

Another awesome and quaint little vanity

I love the way this granite has been chosen to blend in with the wooden cabinets of this one. The black iron handles really add a layer of interest that this piece may suffer without.

A great strong and contemporary use of reclaimed wood. The grey tiles on the top of this bathroom vanity really give it a modern and masculine feel.

The shuttered doors on this vanity have been accentuated by dry brushing a light white paint over the whole piece. It really softens the vanity to create a light and airy feel to the old reclaimed wood.

How about taking a look at our 29 favorite Reclaimed Wood Mirrors to match the vanity?

Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below!

The task isn’t as easy as it seems

However, you may find that you’d prefer to remodel the space only partially, or that you’d rather have it being customized to suit your preferences and needs, or even take matters into your own hands, but you may also find that this is not as easy a task as it might seem at first glance.

This is clearly quite an expensive bathroom – but provides loads of inspiration for those on a budget

Custom bathrooms, in particular, can be somewhat tricky. Bathrooms are places for washing, getting yourself ready for the day, and sometimes for pampering as well. They should be easy to navigate, somewhat spacious and functional, but also cozy, so you can feel comfortable and confident when taking care of yourself.

Keeping a balance between  budget and priorities

While it shouldn’t be the most important aspect, having a clear budget and keeping it in mind at all times is essential when thinking about bathrooms, as renovating these spaces can come at quite a hefty price. A good tip to make sure you do everything that is necessary without breaking the bank is to set priorities – have a clear vision of what needs to or must be redone, and pick those items first, in a way that accommodates your budget needs, and only considering any extra, luxury’ items if you find that you have room for them in your budget after your essentials are taken care of.

Space and layout are important things to take care of as well

The other big aspect to consider is obviously space and layout. Small bathrooms don’t usually work very well as custom bathrooms, as there is little space to work with and actually customize your layout. However, there are always things you can do to economize space, like opting for a shower instead of a bathtub, or choosing a vanity sink, which might look like it occupies a lot of space, but will save you from having to add an extra cabinet for storage.

This bathroom has been customized to give a “barber shop” feel to it. Very nice for a bachelor pad perhaps?

Choosing colors

Also, opting for softer colors and playing with lighting, natural as well as artificial, can easily give a more spacious feel to a bathroom, even if it does not add any actual space. If your budget is tight, you might need to consider the disposition of the items too, especially the sink, toilet and shower, because while they don’t look very attractive, nor are very practical to use when they’ll all lined on one wall – unless, of course, you have a long, narrow space to work with – that is the most cost-effective layout you can choose, because the plumbing is easier to install as well.

The size matters

If you are lucky enough to have a large bathroom, however, there is a lot that can be done to customize your layout. You will always need to be mindful of your budget, as fancier bathroom layouts are also, naturally, more expensive, however, if you have a large area to work with, it would be foolish not to take advantage. In this case, you can opt for more fanciful, luxurious designs, like the use of darker, more indulgent colors, which give the room a cozy, spa like atmosphere, or placing the bathtub in the middle of the room, in a vintage style.

Custom Bathroom Mirrors

A simple custom mirror that fits perfectly in this alcove has transformed an otherwise ordinary bathroom into a great custom design

One thing we need to mention here is the humble mirror. Sometimes you do not need to do a huge amount of renovation to give your bathroom a custom feel. One of the most often overlooked things that can transform your bathroom is a custom mirror.

It sounds silly. But an ornate or custom fit mirror can really give an otherwise “ok” bathroom a massive boost in terms of appearance.

But while size matters, remodeling a bathroom will always be challenging. It is, most of all, a balancing act between what you’d like to do, and what you can realistically make of it. Having the right principles in mind, however, is a major step towards success when it comes to customizing any bathroom.

Perhaps you have an awkward spot your shower needs to go in, or perhaps you have a bathroom that needs a little extra something special.

Whatever the reason – more and more people are seeing the value in getting a bespoke custom made shower enclosure.

This article will guide you through the options you have available and provide little hints and tips on how to make the whole process a little smoother.

Design Choices

The first thing you will need to decide is if you want a frameless shower enclosure or not. This means

This is one stunning, very custom shower enclosure. That is certainly the focal point of this room!

(while taking the risk of stating the obvious!) that there will be no frame or edge to the enclosure.

This means you have a very modern and very contemporary look right off the bat. It is really quite astonishing how much better enclosures can look just by making them frameless…This is by far the most popular option – not many people will get a bespoke shower enclosure and ask for it to be framed – although it is certainly possible, they are bespoke after all!

You should also give some thought to the shape of your enclosure – the great thing about getting a shower enclosure custom made is that they by no means have to be the typical square shape you will find in home depot. All manner of curves are available – creating some amazing sweeping lines that will really draw the eye. From circular to slightly curved, you can have whatever your heart desires.

You probably already know where you would like your shower to be located right? But do you have other options?

If so – think about if you would you like a freestanding shower that is the focal point of the room? Or perhaps you would like it tucked away into a corner with curved sweeping glass breaking up the usually harsh lines of a bathroom? Perhaps you would like to build a solid wall around the shower and only have a glass door? The sky is the limit.

Materials

The most popular material for a bespoke shower enclosure is without doubt glass. It is the perfect ultramodern material that will give the contemporary and clean look many people are after. You can have it frosted, semi frosted – or even completely transparent if you are feeling particularly daring!

What colour would you like the door glass? You can have it slightly tinted in whatever colour you like. You can even have one way tint if you wish (so you can see out and others can’t see in obviously!)

This curved bespoke shower door shows what is possible in terms of curvature. The doors can easily be more curved than this – but it should give you a good idea.

The next thing to consider is what you are going to accentuate the showers door glass with? The handles and other trimmings on the enclosure will be much more obvious to anyone using your bathroom – after all a bespoke shower enclosure is probably going to be unique and interesting, right?

What does the rest of your bathroom feel like? Does it need the natural touch? Then perhaps ask for driftwood style wooden handles and hinges? Or even natural stone?

Looking to go ultra modern? Then brushed steel or even titanium may be your best bet. Or better yet – why even bother having a handle at all? Just have an eyelet (hole) cut in the glass to use as a handle – they surprisingly are quite good at keeping the water in the shower when correctly designed.

How Much Do Bespoke Shower Enclosures Cost?

Surprisingly bespoke shower enclosures are not that expensive. The word is getting out, which is why they are soaring in popularity. Providing you do not go super extreme with curves or get silly with super rare materials.

The aluminium or steel trimmings and fittings on this shower enclosure make a stunning effect for minimal extra cost

If for example you have a loft conversion and are creating an en-suite. The angles of the roof will probably mean you cannot get an off the shelf shower. In most situations like this you will find that you will not pay a huge amount more than a standard shower enclosure.

However if you are going crazy with it then you can expect the price to increase – dramatically. Typically speaking the majority of any added costs will come from curved glass in your enclosure. As this is hand made to measure and is much more of an artisan’s task than simply cutting the correct size sheet of glass.

As they are bespoke, there can be a great difference in quality and price between different builders. You should certainly do your research online and look around at various companies in your area.

Nearly all of them will have a website where you can look at past shower enclosures they have done. They will also list all of their options for customization online… But if you do not see what you are after, send them a quick email. In this custom industry – the customer is king.

Do you have a bespoke shower enclosure? Did we miss anything out in the article that you would like answers to? Let us know in the comments below!