Photos of bathroom

How long is the wall the tub is on, and how deep is the shower?

We have a very similar layout and what looks like a similar size (ours is 8' x almost 6') except without the separate shower. Our tub/shower is opposite the toilet (which doesn't work since there isn't enough clearance, but it's an old house and that's where a freestanding tub was when the house was built so they just kept it there over the years). Next to it, we have a floor-to-ceiling 36" wide cabinet that was added in the 1950s. If I could remodel ours, I'd flip these and put the tub/shower where your tub is and the cabinet where your shower is. Would something like that work, if you essentially built out your shower like a recessed cabinet where the lowest drawer or door was set up off the floor the height of the two steps? (And no steps--just drywall or trim there.) We have a partial wall that steps down to a knee wall between our cabinet and tub, though I don't love that setup and would prefer a curved corner tub--not sure they make those anymore, though (and they are more of a pain for shower curtains, so there's a tradeoff for keeping the natural light).

Here's an old photo of how they handled the wall to be able to use an alcove tub--it's not a great solution, but it does make the room feel more open because it isn't a full-height wall there.

Change the door swing TOWARD the tub Buy a vanity to replace the pedestal sink. Hang a net in tub for tubby time bath toys, Buy a hotel style rack for over the toilet, fold up the towels. Use hooks on the back of the bath door.

You have ONE bath,, and nowhere to bathe during a gut : ) Where do five people go during an extensive remodel?

Better ideas will come from a drawing and the ACTUAL dimensions for everything. walls, window all of it.

This might work, depending on measurements and whether the steps in your bath can be levelled. It gets you a closet; a slightly private toilet; light. It requires moving the door, sink and tub. And it requires a custom vanity so that the vanity looks like it goes to the floor even though it stops to make room for the stairs underneath. I've also assumed that you have convenient access to the backside of the current shower, such that storage would be a viable replacement.

Thank you everyone for the AWESOME ideas!!! You all are the best!!

Does anyone think there is any value in having a standalone tub plus shower? Wondering if I should even consider options where we keep both.

I’ll get actual dimensions soon 😀

I wouldn't keep both unless you frequently use them both at the same time. In a bath that size, it's not worth the floor space IMO (especially if you already feel there isn't enough storage).

I would not keep both shower and bath. I would get a 32” wide tub if it fits easily to give more elbow space when showering and then use a shower curtain that is installed an inch or two outside the edge of the tub to grab even more elbow space. With a decorative shower curtain on a double ring with separate liner it looks very nice.

@Jennifer K your idea/layout is really great!