Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re renovating a bathroom and daydreaming about upgrading to a sleek, functional shower, rectangular shower cabins are basically the MVP of bathroom upgrades. But here’s the question I get at least three times a week from homeowners, contractors, and even fellow trade peeps: Can they actually install one in an already renovated bathroom? Spoiler alert: Yes, 9 times out of 10, it’s totally doable—no need to demo your entire bathroom and start from scratch, which is a huge win for anyone on a tight timeline or budget. As someone who’s been selling rectangular shower cabins for years, I’ve seen every tricky layout, weird pipe placement, and last-minute surprise that comes with a reno, so I’m breaking down exactly how this works, what to watch out for, and why rectangular models are often the best pick for reno bathrooms.
First, let’s talk about why rectangular is the go-to shape for most reno projects. Unlike curved or asymmetrical showers, rectangular cabins fit into corners, tuck neatly into awkward nooks, and use floor space way more efficiently—key when you’re working with existing footprint that you can’t (or don’t want to) change. When you’re renovating, you’re usually working with pipes already run in the walls, a pre-existing drain placement, and maybe a limited amount of space you can repurpose. Rectangular cabins are designed to adapt to that, not the other way around. That said, there are a few non-negotiables you need to check before you even start picking out models, and most of them are easy to sort out with a quick measurement or call to your plumber.
Let’s start with the basics: size and space. Renovations mean you don’t get to make your bathroom bigger (unless you’re doing a full knock-down, which is a whole different ballgame), so you need a cabin that fits the space you have. The good news is that rectangular shower cabins come in a ton of standard sizes, and even custom options if you’re dealing with a really weird nook. For example, if you have a smaller bathroom, the Low Tray Shower Room Hydromassage 120x80cm is a perfect pick—it’s compact enough for tight spaces but still gives you room to move around, no feeling like you’re packed in like a sardine. I’ve sold this model so many times for apartments and older homes where bathroom space is at a premium, and every customer has been stoked that it fit without having to move the drain.
Wait, let’s circle back to drains for a sec—this is the big one that trips people up during renos. When you’re ripping out your old tub or shower, your drain is already in a specific spot, and moving it is one of the more expensive parts of a reno (like, $500+ expensive, depending on your plumber and how complex your walls are). The great thing about rectangular cabins is that most of them have flexible drain positioning. A lot of people don’t realize that you don’t need the drain to be dead-center of the cabin—modern models are made to work with drains that are up to a foot or so off, which is exactly what you need if your existing drain is in the corner or off to one side. That’s a huge perk over older, custom shower setups that force you to move plumbing just to make it work.
Another thing I see all the time in reno bathrooms is uneven floors. Old homes, especially ones with wood subfloors, can have slight dips or slopes that might not bother a regular shower curtain but can mess up a shower cabin’s seal. The solution here? A low tray, which is basically a flat, shallow base that sits on top of your existing floor. That’s way easier to install than digging out your floor to level it, and it keeps water where it belongs instead of seeping into your subfloor. The Low Tray Shower Room Hydromassage 120x80cm I mentioned earlier is built specifically for that—its low profile means it doesn’t trip you up, and it works on most existing bathroom floors without major prep. If you want a bit more luxury, there are even models with hydromassage, which I’ll get to in a sec, that come with matching low trays so you don’t have to hunt for separate parts.
Now, let’s talk about doors. Sliding doors are the most popular for renos, hands down. Swinging doors require a lot of clearance space outside the shower, which is basically non-existent in small or older bathrooms. Sliding doors glide along tracks mounted on the top and bottom of the cabin, so you don’t need extra space to open them—perfect for squeezing into tight corners or next to a toilet or vanity. The Sliding Shower Cabin Transparent Glass 100x80cm is a fan favorite for this exact reason. The clear glass doesn’t make your bathroom feel smaller, which is a common fear with adding a big shower cabin, and the sliding mechanism is super smooth—no sticking or jamming, even after a couple years of use. I’ve had customers put this in bathrooms that were only 5ft wide, and they still had room to walk around after installing the cabin.
If you’re after something a bit more modern, maybe with a touch of luxury, rectangular cabins don’t skimp on features. Hydromassage is the big one that people ask about these days, and it works really well in rectangular shapes because you can line the walls with jets for full coverage. For example, the Gray Glass Shower Room with Hydromassage has sleek, matte gray glass that goes with just about any bathroom style—from modern to farmhouse—and the hydromassage jets target your back, shoulders, and legs, so you get a spa-like experience without having to go to a spa. If you want even more, the Black Profile Hydromassage Steam Cabin adds a steam function, which is perfect for anyone who likes to unwind after a long day. Steam functions are super popular in renos because they don’t require too much extra plumbing, and the rectangular shape fits the steam generator perfectly so the steam circulates evenly without getting trapped in corners.
Wait, let’s get real about the hidden costs and headaches that come with renos, because that’s what most people don’t talk about. When you’re renovating, you don’t want surprises that make you push your timeline back or blow your budget. The good news is that rectangular shower cabins are pre-fabricated, which means they come ready to install, no custom cutting or waiting weeks for a fabricator to show up. Custom showers can take 4-6 weeks to build, but pre-fab rectangular cabins ship in 1-2 weeks, depending on the model. That’s a huge plus for anyone who’s living in their home during the reno (I don’t recommend it, but I know lots of people do it) and wants to wrap up the bathroom part fast.
Another thing to consider when installing a rectangular shower cabin in a reno is ventilation. Old bathrooms often have tiny or nonexistent ventilation, which leads to mold and mildew—total nightmare. A lot of modern rectangular cabins come with built-in vents, or they’re designed to work with your existing bathroom vent. The tight seal of a cabin also helps keep moisture inside where it belongs, so your fan doesn’t have to work as hard. I’ve had customers tell me they used to have mold on their shower curtain every week, but after installing a rectangular cabin, that problem went away because the glass and seal keep the water from splashing all over the bathroom walls.
Now, let’s talk about the times when you might hit a snag, because no reno is 100% smooth sailing. The most common issue I run into is walls that are slightly out of square. Older homes, especially ones built before the 90s, often have walls that are not perfectly level or plumb—maybe by an inch or two. The good news is that most rectangular shower cabins are adjustable, so you can trim the sides or adjust the tracks to fit slightly wonky walls without a ton of work. You just have to communicate that to your installer ahead of time, and they can make minor tweaks on site. Another thing: if your existing plumbing has a water shutoff valve that’s in a weird spot, that’s easy to work around because the cabin doesn’t require access to the plumbing except for the supply lines and drain—you can usually mount the valve on the outside wall of the cabin, so you don’t have to move it.
Wait, let’s compare that to other shapes to show why rectangular is better for renos. Curved showers look nice, but they’re way more expensive, and they have fewer size options for tight spaces. Round showers take up more floor space, so you end up with a smaller bathroom overall. The rectangular shape is the sweet spot between functionality, style, and cost. And since they’re so common, there are tons of installers who know how to put them in, which means you won’t have to hunt for a specialty guy who only works with custom showers. That cuts down on labor costs too, which is another win for your budget.
Let me give you a real example, because that’s what makes this stuff click. A couple I worked with last year in Chicago were renovating their 1920s apartment bathroom, which was tiny—only 5ft by 7ft. Their old shower was a fiberglass stall that had a leak, and they wanted to replace it without demoing the entire bathroom. They measured the space, and the drain was already in one corner, not the dead center. We recommended the Rectangular Sliding Doors Hydromassage Shower Cabins in a 120x80cm size (which is basically the same as the Low Tray model I mentioned earlier, but with sliding doors and hydromassage). The installer came, measured the walls, adjusted the tracks a tiny bit because the walls were out of square, and fit the cabin in a day and a half. They were there for a total of 3 days, including hooking up the plumbing, and the whole thing was way cheaper than doing a custom curved shower. The couple texted me a pic a month later and said their bathroom felt twice as big, no leaks, and they use the hydromassage every night after work. That’s the kind of win I love seeing.
Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty of installation, just so you know what to expect. Step one: measure your space, including the width, depth, height, and drain placement. Step two: pick a rectangular cabin that fits those measurements, and make sure it’s compatible with your existing drain (most modern ones are). Step three: prep the floor—if you have an uneven floor, a low tray will cover that, so you don’t need to level the whole thing. Step four: mount the tracks on the walls, install the glass panels, connect the plumbing, and seal the edges with silicone. Most of this can be done in a weekend by a skilled DIYer (if you’re handy) or a plumber/tiler in a day. No need for major construction, no need to move walls or pipes, just straightforward installation.
Wait, should I mention DIY vs hiring a pro? Yeah, that’s a common question. If you have basic plumbing knowledge and some experience with home projects, you could probably install a small rectangular cabin like the Sliding Shower Cabin Transparent Glass 100x80cm yourself. But if you’re dealing with a steam function or hydromassage, that’s probably best left to a pro—those systems have more moving parts, and you don’t want to mess up the water pressure or steam output. Also, a pro will make sure the seal is tight so no water leaks, which is the #1 complaint I hear about DIY showers.
Now, let’s talk about style, because renos are as much about looks as function. Rectangular shower cabins come in every finish and style these days, so you don’t have to settle for something basic. You can get black frames, gray glass, clear glass, frosted glass—whatever fits your bathroom’s vibe. The Gray Glass Shower Room with Hydromassage is super popular right now because the matte gray glass is modern, not too flashy, and works with white, gray, or even navy bathroom tiles. If you want a more luxurious look, the Black Profile Hydromassage Steam Cabin adds a sleek black frame that makes the shower feel like a custom spa, not a pre-fab unit. And since they’re rectangular, they fit into any style bathroom, whether you’re going for a minimalist look or a more traditional farmhouse aesthetic with subway tiles.
Let’s wrap this up, because I know you’re here for the answer to the main question: yes, you can 100% install a rectangular shower cabin in a renovated bathroom. It’s one of the easiest, most cost-effective upgrades you can do for your bathroom, no major demo required. The key is to pick the right size, check your drain placement, and work with a model that’s built to adapt to existing spaces—pre-fab rectangular cabins are designed exactly for that. Whether you need a compact model for a small apartment, a luxury hydromassage cabin for your master bath, or a sliding door model that fits tight spaces, there’s a rectangular option that will work for your reno.
If you’re ready to shop around and find the right rectangular shower cabin for your project, we have a range of models to suit every space and budget. From compact low-tray models for small bathrooms to luxury hydromassage and steam cabins, we’ve got you covered. Our team can help you measure your space, answer questions about fit, and point you to the right model for your reno. Don’t let a bathroom renovation stress you out—upgrading your shower to a rectangular cabin is a simple, smart move that will make your bathroom way more functional and stylish. Get in touch with us to discuss your needs and find the perfect shower cabin for your space.
References:
- National Kitchen & Bath Association. (2023). Bathroom Renovation Trends and Cost Guide.
- International Plumbing Code. (2021). Requirements for Shower Drain Placement and Installation.
- Tile Council of North America. (2022). Best Practices for Waterproofing Shower Surfaces in Renovations.
- Shower Product Manufacturers Association. (2023). Pre-Fabricated Shower Cabin Installation Best Practices.
- Housing and Urban Development. (2022). Renovation Tips for Older Homes with Uneven Floors and Walls.