Shower cubicles separate the shower area from the rest of the bathroom, often with full-length glass or acrylic walls. Also called shower enclosures, they are ideal for maintaining privacy in the bathroom by defining the shower area against the the toilet, vanity, and other sections of the bathroom. They also protect bathroom floors by limiting splash and moisture to a specific area. They are also great with steam showers because they trap steam keep it from flowing to the rest of the bathroom. Shower cubicles are more suitable for large bathrooms, since they take up a significant amount of floor space, although there are space-saving and maximizing designs available.

Shower cubicles may have transparent or translucent walls. Translucent walls are obviously more private, but transparent cubicles may be lined with shower curtains for privacy. Most models will have curtain racks, or will accept the appropriate hooks or fittings.

Corner cubicles are a popular design because they are efficient and space-saving. These cubicles have two walls joined at a perpendicular angle, allowing them to fit into a wall corner. This design is great for relatively small bathrooms, because they take up otherwise unused wall space. Others have only one straight mounting side, designed to be installed anywhere along a wall. There are also freestanding cubicles, usually framed and in a cylindrical shape, which may be set up anywhere on the floor. This is considered modern and stylish, but they take up more space and are best used in large bathrooms.

Most shower cubicles have their own floors (known as 'trays') with drainage fittings, but not all have full walls. Some wall-mounted and corner models only have the outer walls provided, using the bathroom wall to complete the enclosure. Avoid such cubicles if you have a steam shower, because the steam can gradually damage wall and tile materials. Most full-walled cubicles have clear back walls, so that the bathroom wall is visible.

Cubicle doors may be sliding or folding. Hinged doors are also possible, although this is seldom used because it takes up room and defeats the purpose of space-saving. Sliding doors are the most popular option for small cubicles, and two-to four-fold doors are preferred for larger cubicles.

A popular option for modern bathrooms is the frameless shower cubicle. These are made completely of glass or acrylic, without the usually steel or brass frames. They are mostly favored for their sleek, stylish look, which goes well with most modern bathroom themes. Another advantage is that there are no gaps in between the frame and the wall, leaving no room for dirt and moisture to buildup. Of course, they are not as sturdy as framed enclosures, so semi-frameless models make a good compromise. Semi-frameless cubicles have no framing around the perimeter; most models have the panels permanently glued together to create the same seamless look. Many semi-frameless cubicles are single panels with sliding doors, designed for combined bath tubs and shower areas.

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