Italian shower: why it is taking over modern bathroom projects

An Italian shower has been appearing more often in bathroom designs because it removes the step of a traditional shower tray and blends the showering zone into the rest of the floor. The result is an unbroken surface that makes moving around easier and can make the room feel larger, although it relies on carefully planned drainage and proper waterproofing.

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

The key distinction is the floor level. A standard tray sits above the floor as a raised piece, whereas the Italian option keeps the shower area almost flush with the rest of the bathroom, using a gentle slope to guide water towards the drain.

That arrangement changes several aspects of the space:

• It removes the step at the shower entrance.
• It may allow you to go without a fully enclosed shower screen, or to use only a single fixed panel.
• It carries the same wall/floor finish from the wet zone through to the rest of the bathroom.
• It depends on fall and drainage to manage how water runs off.
• It cuts down on corners and tracks that often collect residue.

Why does this design make a bathroom feel more spacious?

Because the floor reads as one continuous plane, the shower area does not look like a separate compartment. When the same finish is used across the full floor, the visual lines stay uninterrupted, helping compact bathrooms appear bigger and less chopped up.

Which advantages explain designers’ preference?

With no change in level, access is safer because there is less risk of tripping, and showering can be more comfortable for older people, children and anyone with reduced mobility. Fewer doors, frames and runners also make everyday cleaning more straightforward.

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 set the shower’s overall size.
• A more open look that aligns with the rest of the bathroom.

Can every bathroom have an Italian shower?

Not in all cases. Fitting one requires enough space to keep splashes under control, a subfloor that can be formed with the right fall, a correctly sized drain, and waterproofing across the entire wet area. Costs also tend to be higher, especially when a renovation involves lowering the floor or changing existing pipework.

The conventional shower tray will not vanish from every project

Even with the growing popularity of the level-access shower, the traditional tray still has a place in quick refurbishments, rental properties and bathrooms where the subfloor cannot be altered. Off-the-shelf trays also typically mean less building work and offer more predictable water containment.

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