I don’t like the word Cheap. It sounds so… cheap. What you’re really looking for are walk in showers that are fabulous and spacious but affordable! Now that sounds better and it’s very easy to obtain.

Here are 9 funky, fun and practical walk in showers.

Walk in shower cubicles - You can pick these up for as little as $250, but don't forget to add on an extra $50 for a shower head. If you want to opt for a digital console and all the high-tech stuff expect to pay more, remember though that you don't need to get all that stuff just to have a shower and get clean. These units are self contained so you don't have to shell out on extras such as trays panels or doors separately. Everything you need is included in a shower enclosure kit except the tap and shower head. There is no need to tile the back wall unless you particularly want to. If you want to individualize your bathroom you might want to add something like a wooden bench ($10 -$15). Total cost should be around $350 including a plumber for the installation.

2. Walk in shower stalls cost about $300 and include a receptor with molded seats, 2 end walls and back wall. The base is an extra $130. Instead of buying a door use a transparent shower curtain ($10). No tile or paint is required. The entire modular unit is sleek and white and has shelves for shampoo and stuff. Add $50 for showerhead and taps and another $50 for a plumber. The total cost = under $550.

3. Walkin shower made of cement can be a rustic alternative. Seal the cement and paint the floor with a special slip-proof, water-resistant paint. Get a plumber to install a shower head and drain. Use pebbles or a wooden slat platform to stand on. Hang a round rod from a ceiling beam and fasten a funky shower curtain (or maybe two to go all the way around). Ad a fern or other moisture-loving plant to the surrounding area and paint the walls a bright color Decorate around the shower with painted clay pots. The total cost will be minimal and depends on what you use to decorate. If the area is already cemented and plumbing has been done beforehand, this walk in shower may cost you nothing more than the $50 for the showerhead and taps, the $50 for a plumber to install them and the cost of the 2 shower curtains and rods.

4. Walk in bathrooms /wet room will cost a little more to tile or lay stone in the entire bathroom, but you needn’t buy a shower unit. This will depend on the tile or stone or wood you choose but it can be a luxury bathroom/spa for under $1,000.

5. Walk in bathroom partial wet room. Design part of your bathroom as wet room and use glass doors to divide it from the rest of the area. Just ensure there are multiple drains.

6. Do it yourself walk in showers can take on many forms. Here are kits available for as little as $100 and those that go up to $1,000. If you can lay your own tile and do some carpentry all you need is a magazine to copy the style. If you’re a do it yourselfer, you don’t need me to tell you what to do.

7. Level access showers are especially inexpensive because they only require good drainage. It doesn’t matter if you have a molded panel on the wall or tile or wood just as long the floor of the shower slopes toward the drain.

8. Bathroom walk in showers made of wood can be great in a cabin or basement. Just remember to use teak (cedar is also good) and not just any wood. This may be the priciest alternative to a funky inexpensive shower but it may be the best. The price will depend entirely on the price of cedar and teak in your area. Check it out.

9. Electric showers can be incorporated into any of the above ideas or used to upgrade an existing walk in shower. They range in price from $50 -$200. A word of caution if you’re on a budget: the cheap electrical models are cheap and cause no end of headaches – avoid them. Even the expensive electric showers can be unreliable. The problem may depend on the type of water you have in your area. If it is mineral rich or has a lot of calcium, it may build up on the heating element and cause it to malfunction.

Cheap walk in showers that are high-tech and modular units that are all inclusive can be expensive. If you are trying to save money it is better to buy the separate components on sale and put them together.

If you have heard about the walk in tubs, they are very expensive! The cheapest walk in tub is about $2,000 and they go up to more than $5,000. They are not for people on a budget. They are especially designed for the elderly and for those who need special care such as handicapped or disabled individuals.

*Please note that all prices quoted in this article are a general estimate. Exact prices may vary considerably depending on your area, the price of plumbing services and the cost of labor in your specific region. Prices of walk in shower cubicles, enclosures and stalls are constantly changing due to improved technology, and in many cases, the prices are going down, not up. This being said, there are modular units that are very pricy and other very inexpensive when on sale. Please shop around at your nearest bath and shower store to ensure you have budgeted correctly and will be able to complete your walk in shower project.