Having an additional bathroom in your home can seem like a luxury, particularly if you have a growing family or are having overnight guests.

However, not every shower is made equal. Walk-in, stall, and corner showers conserve space, although they may need compromises.

Think about the sacrifices you might need to make to maintain cleanliness in small spaces, whether you're putting one in a brand-new bathroom or simply thinking about adding one to an already-existing half bathroom.

Space Should Be A Priority

In a corner shower, even the stylish bathers may get a sense of the glass walls closing in on them. For walk-in showers, it's generally recommended that they provide at least 36 by 36 inches of area. Anything smaller could make you feel a little cramped.

Standard prefab shower kits are well-liked since they don't take up a lot of room and are reasonably priced. Their sizes usually vary from 31 by 31 inches to 36 by 48 inches.

Look for a showroom with models you can enter to determine whether there will be enough space for you to feel comfortable taking a shower before making a decision. But don't just enter and act like you're taking a shower.

Ask yourself: is it easy to reach everything?

Find out if you can bend or stretch comfortably.

• Can you shampoo your hair without running your elbows up against the sides?
• Can you lather your body parts comfortably without hitting anything? 
• Is it easy to get the soap that fell down the floor?
• If shaving is a daily practice for you, will you be able to do this to your face or legs without worrying about the space?

If you have a problem doing any or all of these, it’s time to re-evaluate the space of your bathroom.

Let’s Talk About Resale Value

Having an additional shower might increase your property's value, but there’s no guarantee of that.

Many homeowners believe this – that adding more showers can have a positive effect on the property’s value. However, that relies on the buyer whether they like this or not. There’s no use adding a shower if it’s not going to be utilized.

Therefore, there's a strong possibility you'll be adding value if, for example, you add a brand-new stall shower to a master bedroom that didn't have a master bath and the other homes in the neighborhood don't have one either.

Adding a stall shower to a powder room off the kitchen or in the basement, on the other hand, might not be something buyers will use frequently enough or see the benefit of having.

Consider whether the amount you are spending will yield a return on your investment, just like you would with any home repair, and get the advice of a reputable real estate agent for their perspective.

However, it's not always about turning a profit on a home upgrade. Sometimes the upgrades are just made to make your house more enjoyable. Install and enjoy once you've figured out it's the perfect fit for you and your home, both literally and figuratively!