Which window are you closing up?

Can you post a floorplan showing the adjacent rooms?

Is your designer a bath designer? I can't imagine suggesting a 3' x 3.5' corner shower to replace a tub. That seems like a move backward rather than forward.

What is your goal for this master bath?

For various reasons you should listen to the advice of your designer.

A good way to find out how a space works is to lay it out on a floor. Like in a garage or even on a driveway if those are the easiest.

We aren’t either window because it’s too expensive. Shower would go where bathtub is. Contractor is very concerned that designer’s shower is too small.

This is the proposed change

Why not make the shower the same size as the current bathtub?

Apparently showers need to be wider than bathtubs?? And if it were wider, there wouldn't bespace for the sink

Would you consider changing the layout of the whole room? This room is one example below and the size is 5.24 ft x 6.88 ft. It has a much smaller sink area but the shower is decently sized.

Or perhaps waiting until you have the funds for a full reno including removal of a window.

We have considered changing the whole layout but it's not about having or not having funds, the cost would be so high we would never get a return on investment.

ROI is a major part of the discussion if you are planning to move soon. If you are planning to stay longer (this is subjective) then it is ROI + usefulness, which is also subjective. Typical periods defining long are in the region of 5 yrs<, 10 yrs< etc.

What is your time frame for moving?

Are you remodeling for yourself? Or to sell?

the angled shower is larger than the one we had in our master in the last house, and that never felt tragically small. i think you'll be ok with it, especially if its not forever. making an even smaller vanity would be more noticeable to your every day experience than a larger shower. and if you intend to sell soon, a tiny vanity looks tiny in photos. the angled shower can be finessed a bit.

if money is tight, any reason to not keep the tub/shower combo? or are you just ready to move on... and i understand that.

Apparently showers need to be wider than bathtubs??

There sure are thousands of people out of compliance, then, because one of the most common bath renos there is is replacing a 30 x 60 tub with a 30 x 60 shower.

In any case I think the first plan is horrible for a tub/shower. Do you really want a toilet right at your head when you relax in the tub? Ick.

This is really not all that small a bath. The average bath in the US is 5 x 8, and the space is usually better used than in any of your plans. You really need to think this out better.

I don't think the tub would ever realistically be used by an adult. Only as a second tub to bathe children, that is why we wanted to change for a shower.

@ninigret, that point about the corner shower may vary by region. I know in my area that would be a deal killer on resale without a huge discount on the house. Better to have the full sized shower and a smaller sink if there is no way to make all the components fit in the master bath.

OP, check with a Realtor in your area to see the value of a properly sized master bath shower or one of those corner showers.

Yeah, I mean it's tough. I live in a very HCOL area but houses are all old so often funky layouts etc

Denita... sure. the question is, will a buyer who balks at the angled shower balk at the whole house anyway.

emily... how long before you think you will move? will HCOL mean a buyer is likely to demo 3 rooms and make a super master bedroom? your realtor can probably tell you that, too.

if you will be here 5 years, renovate exactly for yourself, you know whether you want a larger sink or larger shower. don't try to guess for the next person, who might just rip it all out anyway.

Also you can use a narrow vanity, although it might be custom. My vanity is only 18" deep including the top, which allowed for extra width.

The absolute minimums are 21" between the edge of the toilet facing the edge of the sink or vanity and 24" deep area in front of the tub or shower. Your local code may require more.

In one of my bathrooms I have 21 between the bowl of the toilet and the rim of the tub and there is not 30" between the edge of the sink and the tub, but it is serviceable. But there are some incredibly small baths in my region.

We have a rectangular shower that's about 35 x 42. It's not huge, but it's not cramped either. If cost is an issue and the 36 x 42 shower is your best option, then go for it. You won't be unhappy.

I'm also confused why you can't replace the 30x60 tub with a 30x60 shower. That's exactly what I did.

@emily, you posted: Yeah, I mean it's tough. I live in a very HCOL area but houses are all old so often funky layouts etc

Right now you have a useful layout. Going with the corner shower is moving from a useful layout to a funky layout. I'm a fan of showers only, especially in the Master, but not when you are sacrificing the shower size and the layout of the bath.

If you are concerned with the shower size, go to a home store like Menards. They have all sorts of showers on display and you can stand inside one the size of the proposed one in your design. That is what I did to see what I could put up with and what was too small.

Many people (I'm one) grew up using a tub/shower combo, and the 1937 Cape house I live in now has one that is used every day with no questions/concerns.

Ninigret - they would only demo 3 rooms for a large master if they only wanted 1 bedroom . High COL area with small old houses

(It’s a 1925 Center Hall colonial)

I still don't understand why you rule out a standard 30 x 60 shower, which is one of the most common sizes there is. A quick search at HD produces no less than 86 shower pan options in that size.

So I interviewed 4 contractors and they all said showers needed to be wider than bathtubs. I just took their word at face value

Perhaps an inch or two to allow for the curb, but that's all. If they had to be substantially wider, nobody with a standard 5 x 8 bath could ever change to a shower.

alot of people take the minimum recommendation to mean a shower has to be at least 36x36 to mean than 36 x60 is minimum for width, but most local codes and designers allow for code and comfort for a narrower shower when the length is so much over 36. 30 by 60 is a common walkin shower size with ready made pans. Call your town to see if this applies where you live. I find 30 x 60 more comfortable than the allowed 32x 32 showers are.

Thanks, everyone. I think I might explore the option of a 32 x 48 to allow a little bit more room for a vanity. I do think the angled shower proposed is too small

Do the 30x60 shower!! It will make your bathroom feel so much larger with glass!

How wide is the doorway into the bathroom?

As I understand the size requirement, you need 900 square inches and fit a 30 x 30 circular disc but some codes have an exception for standard tub replacements. Opinions vary, but you maybe able to get permission for a smaller shower than the 30 minimum by requesting permission to update for safety and energy efficiency, replacing existing with antiscald valve, low flow showerhead and toilet. If you are in an area of older homes, this is a common issue and code enforcement has seen many houses with this issue. While the rules may state one requirement, different authorities and even different individuals wirhin the same office may apply them differently. Nothing substitutes for asking the authority before expensive decisions are made.

Emily, Have a longer shower in same area, Place wall to wall sinks under small window, (from top to bottom of your diagram), toilet under the large window and pocket door to enter.