Prefabricated shower surrounds and fancy imported tiles are undoubtedly good looking but they are very expensive and often too pricey for most of us to afford. That does not mean you cannot have a great looking bathroom for just a few rands. It does not matter what the cost or quality of the materials are. Your shower wall will either look well made or very bad depending on the amount of time and effort you put into the project. One of the main points is appropriate attention to detail.

Broken Tile Mosaic

You can visit construction sites, tile shops and DIY stores and ask them for free broken tiles. Be creative and try out a few designs on a scrap piece of wood or paper. When you are happy with your design, use it as a guide to install the broken tiles on the shower walls. If your shower walls are not waterproof, you can use cement-fiber board as a subsurface. Leave at least about 1/8 inch between pieces so you could grout between them.

Pebbles

You can use a technique similar to laying tiles to create a shower wall that reflects the seaside or a river’s edge. Instead of broken tiles, build a mosaic of interesting, small, polished river pebbles. Use a sand-colored grout between each pebble to resemble the beach or a riverbank. If you want to make it more interesting, intersperse seashells or beach glass. This whole project is free to collect, except the tile glue and grout. If you cannot collect your own pebbles, purchase pebbles from a quarry or pebble tiles that already attached to a backing for easy installation.

Galvanized Sheet Metal

If you want super cheap but durable shower wall, you could use ordinary galvanized steel roofing. It is easy to install, horizontally or vertically, with ordinary screws and rubber washers to prevent leaking around fasteners. It comes in many lengths to suit different ceiling heights, and you can cut it with tin snips or drill with ordinary metal bits or hole saw for installing fixtures. Coat it with a clear sealer to keep it bright and shiny, or allow it to oxidize naturally for a mellow rust effect. If it rusts too much, replacement is cheap and easy as well.

Stained Glass

Like broken tiles, broken glass is a resource often overlooked or disposed of. Set clear or colored glass pieces with white tile adhesive that dries to allow the colors to show at the best they can. These techniques works equally well with broken mirror pieces. With a little bit more effort, you can use a glass cutter to cut pieces to interesting shapes before installing them for added appeal. A dark grout between colored pieces of glass, will give it a stained glass effect.

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Self-Rimming Sinks

This style is the easiest to install and it can be fitted into an existing counter. A rim encircling the bowl sits on the countertop to support the weight of the sink.

• Also known as drop-in sinks
• Most popular style
• Easiest to install, approximately one hour
• Can be easily be installed into an existing counter

Vessel Sinks

These are typically bowl-shaped units that sit on top of the counter surface. They do not require undermount installation.

• Also known as countertop sinks
• They are generally higher, which makes them more comfortable
• A bold design choice
• Vessel sinks require a pop-up drain

Wall-Mounted Sinks

These are perfect for bathrooms that could use extra floor space. This sink is supported by the wall and does not require a vanity base, countertop, or legs.

• They often include a shroud to hide any piping
• Do not use any floor space
• Good choice for small bathrooms
• Can be installed at different heights

Pedestal Sinks

It is a stand-alone style sink that takes up floor space. You can install this ina small bathroom where storage isn’t a priority.

• Not installed into a vanity
• Features a wide basin and a narrow base
• Similar to a birdbath shape
• Take up relatively little floorspace

Undermount Sinks

This sink is installed below a solid countertop. It maximizes counter space and it is easy to clean.

• Must be used with solid-surface counters
• Gives a smooth look that’s a rising trend
• You can wipe directly into the sink
• Easy to clean

Console Sinks

These are a cross between wall-mounted and pedestal links. The exposed base offers a less bulky option for small spaces.

• Wall hung sink with two or four legs
• Acts as both a basin and the counter
• Saves space
• Compact and offers storage

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