The tub will look nicer. The larger shower and storage will be more functional.

@RappArchitecture thanks, I was actually worried it would look cramped/cheap, especially becuase a 51" soaking tub looks small even though it is perfectly usable. Helpful to hear your take.

@arcy_gw thaanks for sharing your perspective! The $ aspect is somewhat of a wash -- it's a new build, so the incremental plumbing cost is neglible.

Tub and shower seem very cramped, which is an unappealing look. And, the tub will be super hard to clean around. The extra storage that comes with only having a shower will be a bonus selling point.

Thanks @Kendrah! Would you have the shower at the back and storage near the door OR would you pull the shower up toward the door and have the storage across from the toilet?

Is this the only bathroom? How does it relate to the rest of the house?

Without knowing anything else, I think it's very cramped with a separate tub and shower--I'd opt for a bigger shower. I'd also rethink two sinks--one would give you more counter space in the bathroom. The other comment I have is that the closet seems very large for such a small bathroom

Thanks @diana great points. Spot on about the sink -- going to do a 48".

It's an 1800 sq fit home and this is the primary bedroom on floor 3. Floor 2 has a bedroom + office + hall bath. Floor 1 has open kitchen/living. Basement has a flex bedroom/media room + bath.

Would you have the bigger shower toward the door or keep it at the back of the bathroom?

Honestly, I think I would try to rearrange the entire bath/closet area. I would prefer to have a reach in closet accessible from the bedroom, and then a direct access to the bathroom from the bedroom. Are you working with a design professional on this project?

I’m with Diana. A bathroom across the back wall, and reach-in closets facing the bedroom.

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC actually that was the original set-up, but switched to this. It's just a quirky preference liking closet spaces that are directly accessible via the bathroom. The idea is to keep the closet pocket door mostly open and have it almost as a hall into the bathroom. Not going to revisit that aspect, but would like to dial in the bathroom. Your comment does make me thinkg that perhaps it's best to keep the shower all the way in the back so that that if someone absolutely hates the current set-up they could punch in a door directly from the bedroom. at the spot there the tub is currently located.

Ok, so someone else already proposed what I suggested. Not sure why you would want a hall going into the bathroom in such a small space--you need to maximize every inch in this bed/bath suite. But if that's your choice, then yes, keep the shower in the back. Good luck with your project.

IMO we need masurements of the whole space including the bedroom but as for the tub please do a tub/shower . I love my tub but no way would I use that silly soaking tub ever .I actually had a client recently thta redid her bedroom with balcony to change the balcony to a closet best thing ever for her . They never used the balcony in 12 yrs her layout was almost exactly like yours. Then the bonus is a nice big useable bathroom where you coud do a nice tub and seperate shower just a thought. If wanting to explore bettr ideas we need measurements

Gosh the “hall” to the bathroom will be overflowing with clothes and shoes etc - are you really really sure on that aspect?

I think the tub and shower looks too cramped. I would do a combo unit and have the extra storage. And go against the grain, put it on the wall with the window, and make sure that window is a good watertight one. I'm assuming the shower/tub enclosure would have glass walls with a space like that. Toilet in the corner where the tub is placed now. Storage along the rest of that wall. Vanity stays where it is, but with one bowl. Or, if the window in the shower is a nope. Put the shower unit where the vanity is, storage where the toilet is. Vanity and toilet where the tub and shower are now. Or, just leave it be. Nix the tub, put a shower unit in where the shower is. Storage in the space left over from removing the tub. Or, you could have the vanity along the whole window wall, with the toilet and shower unit taking up the other corners. You got options. Just nix the tub.

Also, ventilation. I would put in an overkill exhaust fan in the bathroom. It's main door is into the closet, so you want to make sure it's not humid. An exta exhaust in the closet might not be bad, if only for airing out. And a ceiling fan in the bedroom to keep it all moving around. I assume you have HAVAC. This is just the extra air movement to help ensure it.

Will suggest making your closet smaller and your bath larger. Will also suggest that you not make the door to the bathroom go thru the closet.

Thanks so much @Norwood Architects @beesneeds @la_la Girl @Patricia Colwell Consulting! The one thing that is super clear from your comments is to nix the tub. I appreciate the pushback and questions on the closet integrated with the bathroom. Will take a beat on that one and think about it more. It's a personal quick that I find closets integrated with bathrooms to be convenient (it's just nice to be able to roam naked into the closet and pick out clothes) and feel elevated. There are doors to address mold and to close off the closet from the room if desired. But, the configuration is a personal quirky preference and this house ultimately will be for a general buyer. So, I'll definitely think it through more.

I appreciate the quirk. But since this suite seems to be the only thing on that floor, it would also be easy enough to wander naked around the whole area. If your notions are indeed geared for the benefit of others rather than your quirk... Yes, the majority of people would prefer a bathroom door to lead to the bedroom rather than through the closet.

I assume that the second floor bathroom has a tub/shower combination? Having at least one tub in a home makes the house attractive to more people when it's time to sell (if a family has little ones, the parent(s) will want a tub for bathing).

Where I live, a separate shower + separate tub are expected in a primary bathroom - but my home is larger than the one you are building. Plus, different areas have different preferences.

I definitely wouldn't put a freestanding tub into that area - it's too small and will make your bathroom appear crowded.

If you post a scaled drawing (maybe the one above is a scaled one - sometimes they aren't) that includes the exact dimensions of each wall/window/doorway/window for the entire primary suite, there are many talented people on here who will provide you with various layouts (typically much better ones) that you haven't considered.

If you are building this to sell then redesign the bath and closet. I would pass on this setup even if you nix the tub. To me it is weird to walk through an open closet like that to get to the bathroom. I can appreciate having access from the bathroom to the closet which I currently have, but not with this layout which also wastes a lot of space in the closet with 2 doors. Is this just a regular bedroom or the main bedroom?

If just a regular bedroom I would not worry about having access from the bathroom to the closet as it would likely just be used by one person so no worries about waking someone else up or anything. I'd remove the door from closet into bath and have more closet space and then put a door into the bathroom where the tub is as a 51" tub is only good for someone the size of a younger child.

If access to the closet is needed for your unknown buyer whom you don't even know if they'll care about that or not then nix the door to the bedroom and rearrange the closet and again put a door to the bathroom where the tub is.

If you prefer the entrance to the closet from the bathroom, why not nix the tub, move the shower there, put a bedroom to bathroom door over where the shower is now, eliminate the door to the closet from the bedroom. Then, if future owners want to access the closet directly from the bedroom, they can add a door there .If you eliminate the bedroom to closet door, it would give you another full wall of closet space. I actually might then switch placement of the vanity and toilet, if there is enough room to walk between the toilet and shower. That way, there won't be a straight shot view of the toilet from the stairway. If you close off the door to the closet from the bedroom and insulate that wall, it would be the ideal place for your bed, with a view out the doors to the balcony.

Would this work for you? Make the shower 60 X 36 and have36 inches to the left for an entry door. Then on the top wall, do a one sink 60 inch vanity (sink in middle, drawers on both sides for storage). You might have to take a couple inches from the closet to make this work,

Top quality Pocket door on closet.

Thanks @Karenseb this is a really thoughtful layout. What gives me pause is that this is the primary bedroom and in some instances it may be shared by a couple. Making the closet accessible only via the bathroom could be awkward for two people. Also, I worry about moisture getting stuck in the closet. Still, this is great food for thought.

Thanks @Olychick this was basically the original set-up, though the closet had its own entrance. I'd hesitate to make the closet only accessible via the bathroom becuase this is the primary bedroom and in some instances would be shared by a couple.

The bathroom will have a properly vented exhaust fan vented to the exterior, and the closet will have an hvac supply duct. (I’m making assumptions) No air is trapped in the closet. This layout is FAR superior to your initial suggestion, and by having one door to the bedroom roughly centered you have a flexible furniture layout and someone can shower and dress in the bath while a partner sleeps.

Why don't you take karenseb's plan, close up the wall between the bathroom and the closet, and then have a door from the bedroom to the closet? You could have clothes hanging on both sides of the closet. That would seem to make the most sense.

Thanks @HALLETT & Co. will definitley think about it! I struggle with how a closet via bathroom would work for a couple.

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC your suggested approach was pretty much my original design. The closet is plenty big as it is and I think the link to the bathroom will be a nice feature that elevates the room.

I should have provided some more context. This is a northeast urban core environment with highly paid professionals and some of the premium projects in the area take inspiration from loft-style living and ultra-modern hotel designs where you have things like open bathrooms and open closets, muted tones and natural materials, and minimal ornamentation (e.g., not thick shaker cabinets; not giant wall sconces; not aggressive wall paint colors; not mega moulding; not gold faucets). I took a look at both of your portfolios and your work is nice (the Lafayette project was terrific @HALLETT & Co.!). But, it seems that you're coming in thinking about a different type of end user.

The limited space makes things tough - whenever I see combined closet/bathrooms I always wonder if the significant other is on the toilet - will the other person enter and get dressed anyway or do they have to wait? it’s grim but practical 🙈

I’ll add that good layout doesn't have anything to with materials like gold faucets and paint colors

YES @la_la Girl that is exactly why I"m super resistant to the above posts suggesting having the closet accessible only via the bathroom! In the sketch I posted, the closet comes before the bathroom.

I suspect you will have humidity/mold/mildew problems in the closet if it serves as the only access to a bathroom with bathing facilities.

You don't want the closet only accessible from the bathroom, but the bathroom is only accessible from the closet? This is a "what were they thinking?" design.

I don't see how "the link to the bathroom will be a nice feature that elevates the room." Have one door to the closet from the bedroom, and another door to the bathroom from the bedroom. Easy peasy.