When I renovated my old guest bathroom, I had no idea there were so many types of glass shower doors. I just assumed you grabbed a framed one and called it a day—nope. The first thing I learned: your bathroom layout pretty much chooses the door for you.
In my tiny space, a sliding (or bypass) glass door ended up being the best option because there was literally no room to swing a door open without hitting the toilet. But in my sister’s master bath, they went all out with a frameless hinged door—it swings wide like a boutique spa. If you’re working with a corner shower, those neo-angle or bi-fold doors are game-changers. They fold inward so you don’t lose that precious floor space.
Oh, and if you’re lucky enough to be doing a walk-in shower with a fixed glass panel? That’s the dream. No doors, no fuss—just clean lines and zero obstacles. Just keep in mind those need a good drain slope so water doesn’t go rogue all over your floor.
Glass Options: Frosted, Clear, Tinted, and More
Let me tell you something I learned the awkward way: clear glass looks gorgeous… until you forget to squeegee it and end up with hard water spots that practically require a chisel. So if you’re not someone who loves cleaning glass daily (guilty!), consider frosted or textured glass. It hides watermarks better, plus adds privacy without closing off the space.
We also experimented with tinted glass in our basement bathroom—went with a grey smoked glass—and it honestly gave the whole space a moody, spa-like feel. Super cozy, especially with warm lighting. Just a heads-up though, darker glass can make small bathrooms feel a bit tighter.
Low-iron or “ultra-clear” glass is another thing I didn’t even know existed until our contractor mentioned it. It’s pricier, but it doesn’t have that greenish tint regular glass has—so if your tiles are pale or pastel, it’s worth the upgrade. Just make sure you actually see the samples in person. Online pictures do not do them justice.
The grid-style sliding door with matte black framing adds a graphic, contemporary flair to the marble bathroom. Brass fixtures bring warmth and elegance to balance the sleek structure. (@vigoindustries).
This modern shower enclosure features striking matte black hardware that frames the glass with a bold, industrial edge. The minimalist design adds a strong architectural contrast to the soft white walls. (@hotelglassfurniture).
A classic white subway-tiled shower feels fresh and timeless, thanks to a simple frameless glass enclosure. The built-in bench and niche add function without disrupting the clean design. (@aceglasscompany).
This layout cleverly skips a full enclosure by pairing a soaking tub with a partial glass panel, maintaining an open feel. Blue-toned tiles add a calm, coastal mood while the black fixtures ground the look. (@bostonglassgroup).
Textured “tempest” glass panels offer extra privacy while still letting light flow through the shower space. Chrome hardware and pale marble accents keep the room feeling polished and modern. (@alderferglass).
Choosing the Right Shower Door Based on Bathroom Size
Alright, I’ll be honest—my first bathroom reno was a sizing disaster. I picked a hinged door because it looked fancy on Pinterest… only to realize it opened right into the vanity. We had to reverse the swing and still had to do the bathroom shuffle to get in and out.
So now my golden rule is: measure everything twice, and map out door swing before buying anything. If you’re working with a small bathroom, go for sliding doors or even a fixed panel walk-in style. Anything with a wide swing just eats up space and causes drama.
For bigger bathrooms, hinged or pivot doors are great because you get that spa-like openness. And if you’ve got a weird nook or angled wall, neo-angle doors can save you from custom glass nightmares. Even better—some companies let you order pre-cut kits for those awkward layouts so you don’t blow the whole budget on custom work.
Framed Glass Shower Doors
Framed glass shower doors are like the reliable best friend of bathroom design—maybe not the flashiest, but solid, functional, and usually budget-friendly. I used them in my very first apartment reno because I didn’t have the budget (or frankly the courage) for anything fancy. And honestly? They held up surprisingly well!
The metal frame adds support to the glass, so it’s usually thinner (and cheaper) than frameless panels. You’ll often see aluminum or stainless steel finishes—polished chrome, brushed nickel, or even matte black if you’re going for a modern edge. The downside? That frame can trap soap scum and grime in corners, especially along the tracks of sliding doors. You’ve gotta stay on top of the cleaning, or it gets funky fast.
Still, framed doors are a solid choice if you want something sturdy and simple that won’t break the bank. And if you pair them with the right tile and lighting, they can still look totally elevated. Think of them as the “smart casual” of shower design.
An exquisite bathroom clad with white marble tiles and a vanity, a shower space with glass and gold doors and gold fixtures.
A vintage-inspired bathroom with white subway and graphite grey tiles, a shower space with black frame doors and a bench inside.
A stylish bathroom with white subway and green and white printed tiles, a clawfoot tub and a shower with glass doors and brass handles.
A soothing and welcoming bathroom with grey skinny and white stone tiles, black frame ribbed glass doors with a single knob.
A small bathroom with grey tiles and printed ones on the floor, a graphite grey vanity, a shower space with seamless glass doors and a single handle.
A shower space done with white stone tiles, a lit up niche, black frame glass doors and black fixtures plus a black marble bench.
A shower space done with teal skinny tile, with black framed doors and a white floor is a bold and contrasting space.
A refined bathroom with white marble tiles, a shower space with ribbed glass doors in gold frames and gold fixtures is wow.
A refined bathroom with black furniture, a shower space with ribbed glass and black frame doors is pure chic.
A monochromatic farmhouse bathroom with white and printed tiles, a shower space with a sliding glass door with a frame and a black vanity.
A modern black and white bathroom with a shower space with black French doors, patterned and black tiles, a tub and a basket.
A creative dramatic black and white shower space with black framed doors and a black marble wall plus a built-in bench.
A glam black and white bathroom with white marble tiles and black and white ones, black frame glass doors and an oval tub.
A glam and sophisticated bathroom done with black marble and penny tiles, with a shower space with gold framed glass doors.
A farmhouse bathroom clad with white subway and black square tiles, a vanity and a shower space done with black frame glass doors.
A chic shower space with black penny and white hex tiles, seamless glass doors with a black handle and black fixtures.
A chic shower space wiht large scale marble tiles, black frame glass doors and black fixtures is a lovely and cool space.
A chic and refined bathroom clad with white marble tiles, with a shower space and with brass frames doors and brass fixtures.
A beautiful neutral bathroom with tan walls, white marble and black and white tiles, a shower space with black frame doors and a stool.
Frameless Glass Shower Doors
Now let’s talk about the Beyoncé of shower doors: frameless glass. These beauties are sleek, elegant, and make any bathroom feel twice as big—especially when the tile is something to show off. I installed one in our master bath last year, and let me tell you, I feel like I’m walking into a spa every morning.
Frameless doors are made from thicker tempered glass that doesn’t need the metal frame for support, which means cleaner lines, fewer visual interruptions, and no bulky hardware ruining the vibe. You can go with a hinged, pivot, or even a sliding design depending on your layout.
But—and this is a big one—frameless doors aren’t always budget-friendly. The glass costs more, and installation has to be precise or you’ll deal with leaks. Pro tip: ask about silicone-sealed edges and slope drainage before committing. Oh, and invest in a squeegee unless you want to see every water droplet for eternity.
If you want that high-end, minimalist look and don’t mind a little extra care, frameless is 100% worth it.
An ethereal shower space with a marble tile floor and a floating bench that matches plus seamless glass doors.
A small serene bathroom with white subway tiles, patterned ones on the floor, a shower space with clear glass doors and a handle.
A small contemporary bathroom with white tiles in the shower, patterned tile floor, a navy vanity and a shower space with clear and seamless glass doors with a gold handle.
A shower space with glass walls and a door done frosted and a single tiled wall with fixtures is catchy and lovely.
A shower space of partly usual and partly frosted glass is ideal to separate it from the rest of the bathroom.
A refined shower space with white marble and penny tiles, glass doors and brass fixtures plus greenery in a vase.
A neutral bathroom with white square, black penny and geo tiles, a shower space with sliding doors and an oval tub.
A modern bathroom with white marble and green tiles, an oval tub, a shower space with clear glass seamless doors.
A minimalist neutral bathroom with neutral and grey tiles, a shower space with niches, a seamless glass door and neutral appliances.
A half frosted glass shower next to the bathtub is a gorgeous contemporary bathroom decor idea.
A gorgeous grey and white shower with a small rounded bench in the corner that doesn't take much space.
A built-in shower space with grey and white marble tiles, forsted glass doors and handles and built-in lights.
A blue frosted glass toilet partition for more privacy and even a colored touch to the neutral space.