Maximizing Small Bathrooms: The Advantages of Corner Showers

What is a corner shower?

A corner shower is a shower that sits in the corner of a bathroom. It uses two walls as sides and has a door or opening that faces into the room.

Most corner showers have a square or angled footprint. The door can swing out, slide, or have no door at all — a style called a walk-in or open entry.

Corner showers come in two main types: prefab kits you install yourself, and custom tile showers built in place. Both work well in small Maryland bathrooms.

Why corner showers work in small bathrooms

The best thing about a corner shower is where it sits. It uses a part of the room that is often wasted — the corner — and leaves the rest of the floor open.

This matters a lot in older Maryland homes. Rowhouses in Baltimore, older colonials in Annapolis, and starter homes across Montgomery County often have bathrooms under 50 square feet. A corner shower makes that space feel workable instead of tight.

A tub takes up a long wall — usually 5 feet — and gives you no flexibility. A corner shower sits in one corner and leaves the rest of the wall free for storage, a vanity, or just breathing room.

What sizes are available?

Corner showers come in a range of sizes. You have more options than you might think, even in a very small bathroom.

Common corner shower sizes

• 36x36 inches — the smallest standard size; fits in almost any corner
• 36x48 inches — a bit more room to move; a good choice for daily use
• 48x48 inches — comfortable for most people; works well as a primary shower
• 60x36 inches — more of a rectangle than a square; good if one wall is longer

For a bathroom under 40 square feet, a 36x36 or 36x48 corner shower is your best bet. For a bathroom between 40 and 60 square feet, a 48x48 shower will feel generous without crowding the rest of the room.

Types of corner showers

Prefab kits

Prefab kits come with walls, a base, and a door — all in one package. They go in faster and cost less. A basic kit starts around $500. They work well in rental properties or when budget is the main concern.

Custom tiled showers

A custom shower is built on-site with tile, a mortar base, and a glass enclosure. It costs more but lasts longer and looks better. You choose the tile, the grout color, and the glass style. This is the right choice if you plan to stay in your home or want to boost resale value.

Frameless glass enclosures

A frameless glass door has no metal border around the glass. It looks clean and modern. It also makes a small bathroom feel bigger because your eye can see through the glass to the tile behind it. Frameless doors cost more than framed ones but are worth it in a small space.

How much does it cost in Maryland?

Costs vary by location and material. Labor is higher in the D.C. suburbs than in western Maryland or the Eastern Shore. Always get at least three quotes before hiring a contractor.

If you are replacing a tub with a corner shower, budget extra for demo and any plumbing changes. In Maryland, this typically adds $500 to $1,500 to the total cost.

Will it add value to your home?

A corner shower can help your home sell — especially if the bathroom currently has a tub that never gets used.

Maryland buyers, particularly younger buyers in Baltimore and the D.C. suburbs, often prefer a well-designed shower over a tub they don’t need. If your home has at least one tub elsewhere, converting a second bathroom to a corner shower is a smart move.

A clean, modern shower with frameless glass photographs well and shows well. That matters in a competitive Maryland market where buyers often decide from online photos before they ever walk through the door.

Tips before you buy

Check your plumbing location

Moving a drain is expensive. Pick a corner that keeps the new drain close to where it already is. Ask your plumber before you commit to a corner.

Pick the right door style for the space

A swing door needs clearance in front of it. In a very small bathroom, a sliding door or a walk-in entry with no door is a better choice. You will not bump into anything when you step out.

Use large-format tile

Smaller tiles mean more grout lines, which make a small shower feel busier. Large tiles — 12x24 or bigger — make the space feel cleaner and larger.

Keep the color light

Light tile reflects light and makes the shower feel open. Save dark tile for a single accent wall if you want contrast.