Ideas needed for new shower...

Happy Sunday!

I am putting in a new shower in the second bath and this brings up some interesting possibilities for the enema enthusiast! I have been thinking for weeks about different approaches. Maybe some of you have some points I haven't thought about. For example, should I install one of those pre-fabricated bases or do tile? As the shower will be 60x42, one seat or two or none? Should I add an extra (regulated!) valve for a shower shot type of device? Extra hangers for bags? What kind of drain?

So far, I am inclined toward a tile/marble shower base and shower surround with two seats (easier for shaving also...), larger drainage basin, extra valve or two, maybe even a recessed nook for keeping gear concealed. I would really love one of those "doorless" showers, but that's asking too much for the space I think.

This is like a once in a 10 year kind of project. What would you do? One thing I'm not sure of is color also. I am inclined toward a dark color rather than white. But the white gives a nice clinical feel though....

You want a drain that has a removable cover if possible so "debris" (you know what I mean) can be easily washed down.

Do not make a recessed covered cabinet or whatever in the shower--it will get moldy and mildewy because it will never dry. That's not where you want to have a hiding place for goodies. Besides, your housekeeper will undoubtedly find your toys and equipment there.

You definitely need an extra valve/spigot or two for a hand shower so you can pop a shower shot on and off, not to mention colon tubes, etc. The hand shower is also good for rinsing down the entire shower enclosure so you don't get soap scum build-up.

Tile the ceiling in the shower also. Do ALL tile/granite/marble, etc.

Do two seats or a bench where two people can sit under the shower---relaxing on lazy days. The seat back should be angled slightly like on a chair, not a 90 degree wall so it is comfortable to lean back against.

In addition to auxiliary needle shower heads and hand showers, it is nice to have TWO regular shower heads side by side so two people can shower under their own shower heads on the normal days where you both have to get showered and dressed at the same time, although this may not be possible in a 42 x 60 shower if there is a seat or bench to sit on. If you can, a 5 x 7 or 5 x 8 foot shower enclosure starts to open up real possibilities, among which, you can lay down with room to spare. (You can put down a foam yoga mat if the tile floor is too hard for you. They're easy to clean in the shower and dry pretty fast.) A shower that large needs TWO floor drains. One that size also allows you to use real colonic speculums obtaining an endless water supply from the hand shower hose (input) and have the feces waste line (output) go right down the drain.

The color of the tile or stone doesn't matter. Pick something classic if you use ceramic tile since you will hopefully be living with this for many, many years. With marble and granite, they are all classic because the rocks have been around for millions of years!! The color of the grout should be moderate so it never looks stained. You do not want the enclosure to be clinically white. Some day you are going to sell the house and spending $40,000-50,000 or even more on a bathroom that looks ugly to potential buyers is not a good idea.

Make sure that all corners (walls, floors, ceiling, etc) where there is a change in geometric planes are silicone caulked NOT grouted. This will ensure years of leak free performance. DO NOT grout and then silicone the corners. That isn't the same and it is third rate construction, unfortunately, many contractors do that. ALL caulking must be completed and dry before grouting is done.

Believe me, I do know what I am talking about.

By the way, if you get a bidet, get an American Standard, NOT Kohler. Not that I have anything against Kohler, but the American Standard has a diverter valve that allows water to flow through the rim of the bidet seat so you can warm it up before you sit on it in addition to the fountain spray. BUT you should check this out with your local plumbing dealer. When we were building, that's how the bidets were, Kohler might have bidets that have water flowing through the rim now.

One final thing, you might also think of adding a steam generator.

Have fun with your project.

Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to compose that well thought out reply! 😉 I think I am going to do an all granite installation. And, I also loooove your suggestion about adding the steam generator. I agree totally also about the clinical white approach. It would definately be a little uncomfortable for someone buying the house in the future. But, I would have a great deal of fun watching guests expressions during the holidays. The room is too small for a really large shower.

One idea I am currently working on which is somewhat but not totally related is an additive injector system for soap, coffee, etc. etc. which would dispense with a regulator device direct into the water outflow. This would obviously be an external device with some kind of resevoir. I am somewhat surprised this hasn't been done or suggested yet. It seems like a nice kinky weekend project once worked out on paper!

I have never had the opportunity to use a bidet. I know in general what it does, but how exactly does one use it?

^^^^ You sit on a bidet like a toilet with your legs spread and you wash your genital/perineal areas under running water. Instead of a toilet bowl full of water, it is more like a sink with a little lawn sprinkler in the middle that sprays up at you. 😁 😁 😁 😁

It is most often used by women, especially after sex when a shower isn't convenient, like in the middle of the day when the kids are on their way home. 😁 😁 That's when I use it. Men use it less often for anal cleaning and it can also be used like a sitz bath.

Yeah...you know those Japanese folks have models which are really great with such features as heated seats and blow dry. I think I saw one with music even. Which brought me to another idea for the room....an LCD flat panel at the other end for entertainment during a longer session...

I redid my shower a few years back. Definitely do tile - and get extra tiles in case you break or crack one. I chose a beige tile, mainly because it's easier to keep clean. I had my tile guy put three "wainscoting" rows of slightly darker tile - one a foot above the floor, another at waist height, and a third one row below the top row. I also had him put lots of "hooks" around the walls at various levels - I wanted them not just for wash cloths, but also for enema bags, and whatever else. I suggest you get brushed nickel hooks and shower gear. Chrome is nice, but much harder to keep clean. For enema bags, you can always get some decorative chain, make a loop in one end, and put it over a hook. Then, put the enema bag hook at whatever height you want it in the chain.

I made the mistake of getting chrome fixtures, and I have to wipe it down after every shower because of the hardness of the water. I have a glass door on the shower stall, and that has to be wiped clean after every shower for the same reason. You may want to consider a grab bar or two - both for your safety and to enhance resale. Finally, I suggest you try different bench configurations before you commit to a specific design. The comment below about an angled back is definitely important. Also, figure out how the seat will drain (or not) while you're sitting there. Finally, if you get a steam generator or soap injector, figure out how easy it is to get it serviced and who will do it locally. No point in getting something that is difficult to fix.

One more thing... if you are doing a frameless glass shower door or side enclosure, ask your glass company about coated glass. It will shed water drops and eliminate the need to constantly clean left over scum from hard water. Not an expensive add either. Most of the pre-fab shower door kits do not have this option (yet)

A few years ago when we redid the bathroom and took out the tub to replace with a shower, I was told to use Rain-X on the inside of the glass doors and on solid sheet walls. Water beads up and runs off and is easily squeegeed off. The coating lasts for quite a while.

….butt, I sure do like Susie's idea of a perfect shower area, if I just had the room for it.

Dan