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Bathroom dilemma - tub, shower, and toilet?

5 months ago
last modified: 5 months ago

We were trying to do "small" bathroom remodel but its turning into major heated debate. Please help! We both desperately want to put in a freestanding tub (even if small one!), but our bathroom is awkward shape/space. We do not want to knock down any walls, and ideally do not want to move the double vanity. We would also prefer to not move the toilet much either, which is currently in the back corner where the 60" and 113" meet, but will if necessary.

My husband likes idea #1 where the tub and toilet are in the alcove. I'm really not keen on it but will live with it if only option. Spacing JUST works. We could do slightly smaller tub, closer to Japanese style, and save few more inches. I came up with idea #2 with "alcove" being more wet room with shower and tub behind glass, but he hates it and toilet being more obvious when you walk in; he doesn't want to put up wall to make space feel smaller. #3 is another idea I had with smaller tub but makes the open space to back a little tighter; we also would have to change window to tempered glass of course (window sill is 24" from floor)

Apologies for drawing. was working on this during little free time at work so limited on accessible tools, but measurements are accurate. measurements are the "inside" wall useable area. The long wall is 156" wall-wall (including vanity) with window pretty much in center.

Any ideas?












Comments (42)

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    Moving the toilet is not always a dealbreker. Depends on accessibility of the plumbing.

    I like #3 because the tub becomes the focal, point and the shower is big. 33” might be tight for walking. Where are all the pieces now? If that area is currently empty, maybe put a piece of furniture in that spot for a time to see how easy or annoying it feels before you start construction.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    THanks. Yes, i like it being focal point too but the walking space is a concern and would it make bathroom feel smaller narrowing that area...though its not like the tub is enclosed so maybe not? I probably was erred on side of caution because we haven't picked out the tub, so, with 27" inch tub, i actually do have another 1.5-2 inches on top of 33. I also have the tub measured about 6 inches from window; 4 inches from window would gain couple more on the other side of course.

    This is current set up with tub/shower the traditional combo shower from 80s.


  • 5 months ago

    I am sure that the 80s finishes are strongly impacting your decision, but the current layout you just shared seems like a good use of space. Would you be satisfied with a gorgeous tub with shower, elegant tile, and a glass shower door?


    In option #3, is it possible to switch the tub and the vanity?

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    #1 seems crazy to me - you’d have to hang over the toilet to clean the tub and the area behind it? no reason to have a free standing tub if it‘s jammed in the corner, they do best sitting alone like a piece of sculpture in a very large bath

    are you and DH dedicated bathers? FWIW we cut our tub in our master design bc even though I liked the idea of bathing, I wasnt sure I would use it — we had other tubs in the house and I had never wanted to bathe so much that I used one of them so that gave me pause.


    agree that the current layout seems the best use of space

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    I know. I was telling my husband I can't wait to set out of the tub into the toilet. I am a frequent bather and take relaxing bath most nights to unwind from chaotic days, especially in the winter (Northeast so that's a lot of nights )

  • 5 months ago

    is a hot tub out doors an option for your relaxation?

  • 5 months ago

    I posted this somewhere else a few months ago, so you may have seen it already -- but honestly, after putting in a freestanding tub in a remodeled primary bathroom, I *strongly* prefer the alcove tub in my kids' bathroom in the house we moved into a few years later. It's much easier to clean, it doesn't take up as much space, and most importantly, for me, anyway, it's *way* more comfortable and relaxing to take a bath in. It's easier to get in and out, and as a bather, it feels cozier to be enclosed by 3 walls rather than being out on display. ;) So if you are a frequent bather, you might consider this... function over form.

  • 5 months ago

    sounds like the bath makes sense for you all for sure, if it were me I'd do the combo with the shower and try to find a tub that feels nice to recline in and is deep enough (we went to a Kohler showroom where we could actually get in the tubs and that was super helpful) - once you have beautiful tiles in there, it will feel like a relaxing spot

  • 5 months ago

    Yeah, no bathroom renovation is small, ever.


    It sounds like you really get great use out of a tub. As such, I'm not sure why you'd want to have to curl up in a 51" x 27" tub, unless you are an extremely petite person. Have you tried taking bath's in this small of a tub? It doesn't sound relaxing to me.


    But, if you are set on that size, what about this layout? The shower is more sizeable and you have more space between it and the toilet. I don't know that I love having a tub 30" behind the vanity. I can just imagine taking a step too far back away from the sink and falling backwards into the tub.




    Stacy thanked Kendrah
  • 5 months ago

    I like Kendrah's floorplan above. But I would switch the tub and the vanity as suggested by J up-thread.

  • 5 months ago

    THanks. Actually i do like the toilet in that other corner and turned. I could technically then do a slightly larger tup and push it back to allow a little more space in front of vanity too. It maybe offset from windo but thinking if i get slipper tub and place the non-slope portal along window, while not ideal, it may work and not look too bad! however, the issue is my husband refuses to build any wall at risk of making room feel even smaller....so toilet in back corner will just be sitting there out in the open a bit so have to think about that.

  • 5 months ago

    so toilet in back corner will just be sitting there out in the open


    Toilets do sit in the open in most bathrooms. It is only large bathrooms where you have walls or separate toilet rooms. Your bathroom is too small to segment it up with walls. Hence, you have it in the open. Hiding it behind a tub or shower is just creating even more of an obstacle course in a crowded space.


    Yes to @melindas1977 's suggestion of the layout I posted but with J's switch of the tub and vanity locations. What is your husband's objection to moving the vanity?


  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    Thanks Kendrah. I guess I need to look at some pictures of toilet "sitting out there". I can't get my mind beyond a prison toilet thats totally open/exposed :) . While i fully agree small bathrooms don't have walls near toilets, I do feel toilet is usually somewhat usually "blocked" a little by some other obstacle, like vanity. Its not just surrounded by 300+ sqft of open space. The problem is bathroom isn't that small footage wise, its just the shape of that footage.

    Turning the vanity is an issue because the window is only ~25 ft off the ground and 42 inches wide (including molding), so the vanity would have to be one end of the wall or the other to not seal off / block several inches of the window which seems weird to me. Plus, even if you do block it, with the window in center of vanity, I can't picture how mirrors would work and not sure i like idea of only tiny mirror on each side of the window. With vanity at one end, there is no room for tub.

    Also, I should have added it in drawing, but the door opening (which we are switching to barn door type of thing because it hits the vanity today) is pretty much that space to left of vanity. so if you turn tub there, you almost will be walking into tub sticking out.

    I perhaps could split the vanity into two on either side of window, although we do like our double vanity and of course that gets into even more plumbing work. I'm still not sure it will fit though with required space, and i think the tub in that wall still may have an issue with entryway.

    I think i'm ready to give up this can't work very well without moving or bumping out a wall, which we aren't willing to do right now.


  • PRO
    5 months ago

    IMO a tiny FS tub is huge mistake if relaxing eveery night is the aim I aslo bathe every night and would take a tub/ shower combo with a nice deep soaking tub before what you are planning . Take some pics of the spae as it is too and post here in a comment these drawings are always IMO poor ways to understand function

  • PRO
    5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    " I'm not willing to move a wall........."

    Drywall is cheap. Nobody here has any idea what rooms surround this bath as it can only be described as way too small/awkward for your WISH list.

    Show all that surrounds the bath, Spare us the color blocking pictures. Use a piece of paper, white and black pencil or pen, give every wall and window it's dimension in inches. Show door swing/entry and direction of swing, for this bath and all that surrounds it.

    P.S

    "window pretty much in center.

    There is no "pretty much" , there is exactly where.





    A barn door entry to a bath? That is a hard ...no.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    @Patricia Colwell Consulting Funny - i was sleeping on it and starting to come to same conclusion that tiny tub is not worth it. My husband is insistent on nice walk in shower since that's his main use and not bather (and i do use shower daily too, so not against nice walk in shower). My in-laws got rid of both tubs in their house for nice walk in showers, so this is mindset he coming from :)

    Is the wet room idea in image 2 just that bad? I'm surprised that wasn't more appealing solution - maybe because of toilet placement? or wet rooms are just...eh? (lol the shower area being more open is a little high school locker room like to some i know)

    Beginning to think i just give up on the tub and accept taking bath in the kids/secondary bathroom, which isn't that far away (all on the same floor) and put nice shower/tub in there.

  • 5 months ago

    Folks on this forum really don’t like wet rooms, they’re pretty trendy and bathing in a shower enclosure may not be optimal - if you haven’t done so, I’d search the discussions on Houzz for wet room discussions - they get pretty specific and may help you think thru the pros and cons (master baths are so $$$$ if moving a wall is a layout gamechanger then maybe good to think about it?)

    Stacy thanked la_la Girl
  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    @JAN MOYER . Thank you for comment. However, if you're going to quote someone (since you started your comment with something in quotes and implies verbatim restatement), it should be accurate. I never said quote "I" will not move a wall. I said "we" are not willing to move walls....as in my husband won't budge on that. As stated in my in my initial post, this has turned into a heated debate so saying "I" won't move the wall is an unfair and inaccurate quote, which i don't appreciate.


    window - yes i could be accurate. i mean pretty much as the center of window is .25 inches off center for some reason. 78.75 vs 78.5

    Barn door - eh, we actually have that sliding type door in bathroom in second house (bought like that) and, while I agree not perfect, we don't mind it at all. Since the bath is inside the primary bedroom "suite", the bathroom door isn't fully closed/locked that much and isn't used by anyone else, so hasn't been an issue at all. Its better than the door swinging into the person standing at vanity which happens all the time now. Regardless of tub issue, we will be replacing the door.

  • 5 months ago

    @la_la Girl Thanks! I have been assuming they are trendy but they do help with some room. I did look them up and read mixed things so far on here but will read more.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    I‘ve always assumed they are $$$$ with all the waterproofing and so much tile, but understand how they could be an efficient use of space

  • PRO
    5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago


    Two views...........reality check...? pick?




    "Unwilling."...... and whomever, usually equals you probably need to pick your POISON/ (s) and change more than you want to change.

    and I won't get in the debate of I/We : ) or the semantics thereof.





    Decide which is more important? Vanity sharing or double watering holes.......ASSUMING an entry can change, as with the info provided it's a guess, and all the other "options" suggested above are fairly awful options, (jmo) which include sizes, clearances, looks, all.



  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    @JAN MOYER Thanks. This are great ideas! Tub/shower - you;re suggesting tub/shower combo, correct? (Not a wet room). Just making sure i understand.

    I would love to move entry and this is interesting idea! Not sure it will work as we have hallway area that goes to staircase to 3rd floor but will need to look. I know the walls I could theoretically "easily" bump would be the 113" wall and the wall vanity is on - the vanity wall goes into our bedroom we could steal from, and most of the 113 wall goes into extra bedroom/office we could definitely steal from.....but again, my husband won't budge

    And yes i know you said "I/"We" are semantics - so I'm sorry I nitpick on that, but again, if you're going to quote someone, it should be accurate.. implying I'm the one being stubborn wasn't fair and, yes, i'm probably bit oversensitive as I'm the one trying to brainstorm and open to solutions! :)

  • PRO
    5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    .......................OY!!~

    Your best option is Kendrah's from up the thread. With 1/2" scale below.

    Tell DH.......only so many wheels can be reinvented.

    You get a modern tub...tight to the wall or DH shall volunteer to CLEAN in and around any other.

    Are there yet more options? NO. : )

    and do a pocket door....



  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    @JAN MOYER LOL THanks! I think this is best idea if have to pick best of the bad. I know none are ideal :( The divider between toilet and tub -out of curiosity - were you thinking like pony wall or full height wall....or?


    Total square footage wise, the bathroom is not an awful size but the shape, etc is terrible!! If it was fully up to me...i would completely change entry to the corner where the vanity meets the wall with window so the entry is better from our bedroom too vs the little nook it is now but alas. My husband is in creative/marketing industry and well respected in his industry, so to him, its all about aesthetics (beautiful tile, beautiful floor) and great at that and what matters to him, but he's awful about spatial design and function....and often causes our biggest debates (lol he finally accepted the white counter chairs in kitchen, while beautiful, was an awful idea with multiple young kids, pets, etc)

    Based on comment above, I was looking more at 30" between vanity and tub, and while its feasible, it is a bit tight, isn't it? Like if you're trying to open and get something out of cabinet, etc. I'm leaning back to just forgetting the tub and accepting using the one in the secondary bathroom and will do nice soaking tub/shower combo in there (we are redoing that bathroom too but MUCH easier and no debate! LOL) . Would you do that vs the above and squeezing a tub in master bath? while not ideal, I think I can live with that and master having large shower, no tub, and more open space.

  • PRO
    5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    ^^

    When you post a question, and you OMIT over 50% of the context? You don't get all the help you can get. Nothing lives in isolation from something else!

    That means an extremely accurate drawing of the existing condition - and graph paper is fine...1/2 inch scale is easiest to read. It also mean add JPEGS of the existing condition. That which surrounds the "victim " is also important..as you/we never know what is really possible or? IMPOSSIBLE!

    We aren't in the space. If you called a designer in? What would he /she see, that we can not see in this post.

    Then, you clarify what you must have, from what would be nice to have because few get ALL of what they want, even in a new build.

    So......come back with that . Stay in the same thread.

    Ps I doubt a move of the entry to YOUR preferred locale helps anything... but....I'll spare you the reasons for now.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    geez you go from being very helpful which i appreciate) to very snarky. Or maybe you have been snarky this whole time, and I was stupid enough to try and give you benefit of doubt you were being kind/helpful.

    "over 50% of info" was omitted?? that's bit snarky and quite an exaggeration! what do you consider "over 50%"?! I was very clear in my initial post - moving walls is not an option, so what is around or backs up to bathroom is irrelevant; the space provided is the space we have to work with. I provided measurements, I said where the window was, minus .25 inches (would i wouldn't consider "over 50% of context"....matter of fact .25 of that length is less than 1% of the "context") the only thing I wasn't fully clear on, which I already admitted, was the entry way which because the door won't swing open, as less impact to my drawing but admit should have been more clear where it is...however, that's hardly "over 50%" of context.

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    Why on earth would you spend 50-80K to move all the plumbing in the world plus a full remodel, just to end up with a worse bathroom than you have now? You’d think you’d want to listen to the folks with decades of experience doing this professionally and at least get some of your money’s worth.

  • PRO
    5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    It is not snark at all. I understand your frustration, But. I ask yet again...what would we see if in your space, as compared with the question as you posed the question?

    Do we see a master bedroom picture? Do we see the actual bath in a picture? Do we know what is around this bath? Did we even know in the first information if there was another tub in the house, that you were willing to have a Soak?!

    I am not telling you what to do exactly, because IF I were in the home of a client, I would see ALL of the bath, the master bedroom and all on that living floor that surrounds.

    It's a free to you site, It's a Sunday morning on a beautiful day. Some folks , and not just me, took the time and interest to offer you suggestions, and not allllllll of them may have not asked for a fuller picture. Not all of them have done 400 baths or kitchens or you name a room, for nearly 35 years....in as many homes.

    That doesn't make them wrong, or anything else............it just means they haven't done as many over whatever period of time: ) for money. $$$$ and all above asked is your money. ..your bath.

    Narrow baths are not impossible.....entries matter. Windows matter..where everything is .matters.


    Wrapped views · More Info



    Wrapped views · More Info


    Wrapped views · More Info


  • PRO
    5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    Expensive projects like this really should engage professional design help on the front end. It actually saves money in the long run. Nothing is worse than a wishy washy decision maker who wants to consider ”all the bad options” instead of just the ones that physically work and meet codes.

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    The cost of moving walls pales compared to the costs of moving plumbing. If you are trying to minimize structural changes due to budget, then the moving of the plumbing should be off the table entirely.


    There is no compelling reason to change anything at all about the layout, unless you have a large budget. Live with what exists and just throw some paint and new towels at it. Keep saving. Keep planning. With a professional. Who can see the whole home and all the everything that you haven’t shared.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    @KT Builders i hear what you are saying and for 7 years, we did the paint solution and lived with the 80s tile. The plan was initially to retile, etc, but of course started opening pandora's box as is typical with renovations!

    We do have estimates, and, while plumbing is expensive, moving plumbing AND moving walls is insane. Our house is custom built farm house (not by us though!) with massive custom, intricate woodwork, moldings, etc. Nothing is standard or standard size - not the windows, not the front door, not the interior doorways, etc. Our insurance appraisal, when they came after purchase, actually significantly increased the appraisal to rebuild if something happens because of that and cost to replace all the custom woodwork. So moving a wall, for example, is moving a wall, custom moldings, and custom built in, intricate book case. of course its doable - anything is doable for the right money...but by then, our kids are close to graduating and we're probably out of here...and can be someone else's issue :)

    I was simply looking for ideas if we were missing something and/or validations of various ideas makes sense. several ppl were helpful and got validation of one design my husband likes of tub/toilet (while up to code) is silly, 30" behind vanity, also while up to code, is kind of tight, some thoughts on wet room, etc.


    (adding- the sliding barn door works here as well, because its farmhouse and complete look/feel of the house, eg even the garage is was, and still built to resemble, two story barn.)

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    Keep the layout as is. A tub shower, with toilet alcove. Unless there is an adjacent closet to take over for a separate shower, what you have is better than anything you would waste money to do.

  • PRO
    5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    ^^

    That's called picking a "poison": )

    She said.......

    "got validation of one design my husband likes of tub/toilet (while up to code) is ( EDIT: /not! ) silly, 30" behind vanity, also while up to code, is kind of tight".....

    You walk through (face forward), 30" doorways nearly every single day of your life"

    If talking about this below?

    Tweak inches, tick your wish list...........



    Could we agree this below rather WASTES a lot of space? Too vacuous a feel



    Reverse it ! ( below ) ........and GET a great shower and

    NO Loss of vanity space(s;) storage. Float in the other tub. Take a glass of wine with you.



    But it is not uncommon for someone to dig in their heels, or to throw a roadblock in front of every expense very commonly associated with any new and improved bath. At that point it's impasse, leave said bath alone, and paint the walls: ) Don't throw good money at the non improvement.

    Seems the dud is in the middle down here?



  • 5 months ago

    “I'm leaning back to just forgetting the tub and accepting using the one in the secondary bathroom and will do nice soaking tub/shower combo in there“


    Yes to this!

  • PRO
    5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    " I'm leaning to.....just"

    If you do As Is" Do almost as is... whether one or two vanities and don't do TWO baths at the same time. $$$$$$$ Do one bath to a bigger improvement. Avoid the "spread too thin" resources

    Whether tub/shower, or shower AND TUB, or just shower.

    Look again down here, middle and right, and don't r.u.s.h.

    ...?


  • 5 months ago

    @Stacy - What is the current layout of your bathroom?


    @JAN MOYER's most recent sketch gets you toilet out of the way and a very nice walk in. I love the separation of the two sinks as well.

  • PRO
    5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    ^^

    Current!! as below



    Pick..............: ) Better than above, please

    It's all wasted space,

    and ask if you want to climb over a tub edge to SHOWER. For the next whatever # of years!?

    How you relax and bathe is personal, you do have another tub in the house. Think..years.



  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 4 months ago

    @JAN MOYER You're so right that the current design is wasted space. I think its close to 60 sq ft of open space. That's how we started down this pandora's box. I always wondered why there was so much open space, though now I figured out why :)

    We were leaning towards just going with current layout and doing nice walk in shower. However, my husband finally heard back from his uncle who has been traveling who knows where. He's sometimes our sounding board as, while he's now older and retired, has amassed a name and small fortune building houses in the Hamptons. Without implying any ideas, they sent us some drawings very similar to you, Kendrah, and others here! (Lol they also thought to move vanity to window wall and few ideas around that. However, after some discussion, it seems the shower in the "bump out" area and tub under window is now again the way everyone is leaning. We played with a few measurements within inch or two. the only thing i'm still waffling on is the exact tub distance from the wall (s). REgardless, think it will work but will discuss with contractor again tomorrow and go from there.

    Thank you so much for drawings and suggestions!

  • 4 months ago

    I like #3 but put shower in the corner and the closet between it and the toilet. If the shower head in your current alcove in the corner already this will be even easier. The closet would give the toilet a bit more privacy while a glass shower surround would keep the room more open visually. The tub and shower could be push together and maybe even share plumbing lines.

  • PRO
    4 months ago
    last modified: 4 months ago

    Don't worry about center perfect under window. Clearances matter more

    Keep it sleek and tight to the wall....give the toilet a wee bit of privacy



  • 4 months ago

    With your tight clearances, you might want to consider a tub that looks freestanding but actually designed to sit flush against the wall.

    No idea of quality or if size is correct, but like this:

    [https://www.qualitybath.com/perlato-ptxpln5930-gw-palencia-soaker-tub-59-l-x-291-2-w-x-23-h-product-334461.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_content=Perlato PTXPLN5930-GW&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=342389774&gbraid=0AAAAAD_jkfNMHvJXa7k_EYH-Wi0x4CBGx&gclid=Cj0KCQjw58PGBhCkARIsADbDilz_JcIYN4_u6MATu2GxGJrJZz06UHm_IwO0NxYqcuR9vy12HnxKU4UaAhxxEALw_wcB](https://www.qualitybath.com/perlato-ptxpln5930-gw-palencia-soaker-tub-59-l-x-291-2-w-x-23-h-product-334461.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_content=Perlato PTXPLN5930-GW&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=342389774&gbraid=0AAAAAD_jkfNMHvJXa7k_EYH-Wi0x4CBGx&gclid=Cj0KCQjw58PGBhCkARIsADbDilz_JcIYN4_u6MATu2GxGJrJZz06UHm_IwO0NxYqcuR9vy12HnxKU4UaAhxxEALw_wcB)