Choosing the Right Shower Tray
When planning a bathroom, tiles, brassware, and furniture often catch our attention first. But some of the most important decisions are the ones that shape how the space works every day. Your shower tray is one of them. From its dimensions and shape to its finish and installation requirements, choosing the right shower tray means balancing appearance, comfort, and practicality.
Whether you're designing a compact ensuite, updating a family bathroom or creating a spacious walk-in shower, here are the key things to consider before making your choice.
Start With Your Bathroom Layout
Before choosing a shower tray, consider the space you have available and how you want your bathroom to function.
A larger tray might offer more room to shower, but it still needs to work comfortably within the wider layout.
Think about the position of your basin, toilet and bathroom furniture, as well as the space needed to move around the room. It's also worth considering how your shower enclosure will open. A hinged door, for example, may require additional clearance, while a sliding door could be more practical in a compact space.
Our advice: Measure carefully, but don't think about dimensions in isolation. Consider how the entire bathroom will work once everything is installed.
Choose a Shower Tray Shape That Suits Your Space
Shower trays come in different shapes, each offering practical advantages depending on the bathroom layout.
Rectangular Shower Trays
Rectangular shower trays are well suited to longer showering areas and are often used in walk-in shower designs.
Their proportions can create a more generous showering space, particularly when paired with a simple glass panel.
Square Shower Trays
Square shower trays offer balanced proportions that can work well in smaller bathrooms and ensuites.
They're a practical option where space is limited, provided there is sufficient room for the enclosure and comfortable access.
Quadrant Shower Trays
With their curved front edge, quadrant shower trays are designed to fit into corners while reducing how far the enclosure extends into the room.
This can make them a useful option when preserving floor space is a priority.
Offset Quadrant Shower Trays
An offset quadrant tray combines a curved front with an elongated shape, offering additional showering space compared with a standard quadrant design.
It can be a good option where you want more room to shower without introducing a fully rectangular enclosure.
Our advice: Rather than choosing a shape based on appearance alone, think about how much usable showering space you need and how the enclosure will sit within the room.
Consider the Height of Your Shower Tray
The profile of your shower tray can influence both the finished appearance and the way it's installed.
Low-Profile Shower Trays
Low-profile shower trays sit closer to floor level, creating a clean, contemporary finish.
They're particularly effective in modern bathrooms and walk-in shower designs where a more integrated appearance is preferred.
However, a low-profile tray isn't automatically suitable for every installation.
The existing floor construction and drainage arrangements will influence how low the tray can be positioned.
Raised Shower Trays
A raised installation may be more practical where pipework or the structure of the floor makes a lower installation difficult.
Although it creates a more visible step into the shower, it can offer a workable solution for certain bathroom renovations.
Our advice: Discuss the intended tray height with your installer before making a final decision. The most suitable option will depend on what's possible within your bathroom.
Think About Material, Finish and Feel
A shower tray should complement your bathroom design, but its material also influences durability, weight, maintenance and the way it feels underfoot.
Stone resin shower trays are a popular choice thanks to their solid construction and reassuring feel.
Depending on the collection, shower trays can also offer smooth, slate-effect or other decorative finishes, allowing you to introduce subtle texture into the space.
Think about how the tray will work alongside your floor tiles, shower enclosure and brassware.
A simple white finish can create a clean, understated look, while a textured or coloured tray may bring greater visual definition.
Our advice: If possible, view finishes and samples in person. Colours, textures and surface details can look different from how they appear on a screen.
Consider Who Will Be Using the Shower
A bathroom should feel comfortable and practical for the people using it every day.
In a busy family bathroom or shared showering space, an anti-slip surface may be worth considering.
Different shower trays offer different surface textures and anti-slip properties, so it's important to check the specification of the individual product.
It's also worth thinking about the height of the step into the shower, the available entry space and whether your needs may change over time.
Our advice: Consider who uses the bathroom now and how the space might need to work in the future. Where accessibility is a priority, seek advice on the complete shower design rather than relying on the tray alone.
Bring the Details Together
The right shower tray should feel like a natural part of your bathroom design.
A spacious rectangular tray might complement an open walk-in shower, while a quadrant design could help make better use of a compact ensuite.
Surface finish, profile and colour all contribute to the overall appearance, but the best choice is one that works with the practical requirements of your space.
It's worth taking the time to consider these details together rather than making each decision separately.
Explore Tissino Shower Trays
From compact square designs to larger rectangular trays, the Tissino shower tray collection offers a variety of shapes, finishes and profiles for different bathroom layouts.
Explore our range of shower trays to discover the options available, and speak to your local Tissino showroom designer for guidance on choosing a tray that complements your bathroom.
Remember to confirm the technical specifications and installation requirements with your installer before making your final selection.
