Italian shower: why it is taking over bathroom design

An Italian shower is appearing more often in bathroom plans because it removes the step-up shower tray and blends the showering zone into the rest of the floor. By creating one continuous surface, it makes moving around easier and can make the room feel more spacious, although it depends on well-planned drainage and correct waterproofing.

What sets an Italian shower apart from a traditional shower tray?

The key distinction is the finished floor level. In a standard setup, the tray sits proud of the floor as a raised piece; with the Italian option, the shower area is kept almost flush with the bathroom floor, using a slight fall to guide water towards the drain.

That layout changes several parts of the space:

• It removes the step at the shower entrance;
• It may allow you to skip a fully enclosed cubicle, or use only a single fixed screen;
• It carries the same wall and floor finish from the wet area through to the rest of the bathroom;
• It relies on a slope and drainage strategy to manage run-off;
• It cuts down on corners and tracks where residue typically builds up.

Why does this model make the bathroom feel larger?

Because the flooring reads as one uninterrupted plane, the shower no longer looks like a separate compartment. When the same finish runs across the whole floor, the visual lines stay open, helping small bathrooms appear bigger and less chopped up.

Which advantages explain designers’ preference?

With no change in level, access is safer and the shower can be more comfortable for older people, children and anyone with limited mobility. Removing doors, frames and runners can also make day-to-day cleaning easier.

Among the benefits linked to an integrated shower area are:

• Easier entry, without having to step over an edge;
• Fewer metal parts to wipe down;
• The option to use continuous finishes;
• More freedom to choose the size of the shower zone;
• A more open look that sits neatly with the rest of the bathroom.

Can every bathroom accommodate an Italian shower?

Not always. Installation needs enough room to keep splashes contained, a screed with the right fall, a properly sized drain, and waterproofing across the entire wet zone. Costs also tend to be higher, especially if the work involves lowering the floor or changing existing pipework.

The conventional tray will not disappear from every project

Despite the popularity of the level-access shower, the traditional tray will still have a place in quick refurbishments, rental properties, and bathrooms where the subfloor cannot be altered. Off-the-shelf trays also usually mean less building work and deliver predictable water containment.

The trend for 2026 points to a growing preference for the Italian shower, rather than a ban on conventional trays. The right choice depends on the structure available, the budget, and whether it is possible to create a fall that takes water to the drain without causing leaks or damp outside the shower area.