Bathroom Design
New This Week: 6 Bathrooms That Rock a Shower-Tub Combo
Designers showcase beautiful ways to make this classic bathroom feature worth keeping
Shower-tub combos sometimes get a bad rap. They are too often viewed as dated, and many homeowners prefer to ditch their tub to increase the size of their shower. But in a relatively small bathroom in which you want the dual function provided by a bath and a shower — especially if you have young kids or want to consider future buyers of your home who might have young kids and prefer a bathtub — the shower-tub combo is a near-perfect design concept. Besides, designers know how to jazz up the look of one with statement tile and other features. Here are six bathrooms that might have you rethinking the potential of a shower-tub combo.
2. Classic Black and White
Designer: Lisa Price of Jackson Design Build
Location: Seattle
Size: 58 square feet (5.4 square meters); 5½ by 10½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “To respect the budget, the bath needed to stay within the existing footprint,” designer Lisa Price says. “The fixtures were relocated to create enough space for two people to be in the bath at the same time and to hide the toilet from view. As this is the only bath in the house currently, and with a baby on the way, they were clear they wanted to keep the shower-tub combo. Having a shower-tub combo is also very much in keeping with the era of the home, which was built in the 1920s.”
Main feature. “With the clear aesthetic of respecting the vintage of the home, a black-and-white tile scheme is a natural fit,” Price says. “The wood vanity adds the much-needed warmth to keep the space from feeling too clinical.”
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Designer: Lisa Price of Jackson Design Build
Location: Seattle
Size: 58 square feet (5.4 square meters); 5½ by 10½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “To respect the budget, the bath needed to stay within the existing footprint,” designer Lisa Price says. “The fixtures were relocated to create enough space for two people to be in the bath at the same time and to hide the toilet from view. As this is the only bath in the house currently, and with a baby on the way, they were clear they wanted to keep the shower-tub combo. Having a shower-tub combo is also very much in keeping with the era of the home, which was built in the 1920s.”
Main feature. “With the clear aesthetic of respecting the vintage of the home, a black-and-white tile scheme is a natural fit,” Price says. “The wood vanity adds the much-needed warmth to keep the space from feeling too clinical.”
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Other special features. Cast iron tub. White subway tile with black subway tile band. Penny round floor tile with rosette detail. “Initially, the design for the floor tile layout had a solid black band running the perimeter of the room,” Price says. “During demolition we discovered the original floor layout buried below various flooring layers, and we decided to include that heritage rosette layout. Finding just the right tub took time. We went back and forth on whether we could lose inches of space to allow enough room for a two-person tub. However, once it was settled that a two-person tub would take up too much space, the hunt was on for a cast iron low tub. Although the cast iron tub is more expensive than acrylic, we find that our clients are happier with the quality in the long run.”
Designer tip. Price needed only a small amount of countertop material for the vanity, and was able to find a remnant piece of quartz to fit — much less expensive than a custom-cut piece.
“Uh-oh” moment. “Making the multitude of decisions can sometimes be overwhelming throughout the design process,” Price says. “We gave the clients the opportunity of pushing back the production start date by four months or pushing into fifth gear. As we are a design-build company, we have a production schedule to meet. Everybody loves a deadline, and we pushed through.”
Bathtub: Bellwether in enameled cast iron, Kohler
Designer tip. Price needed only a small amount of countertop material for the vanity, and was able to find a remnant piece of quartz to fit — much less expensive than a custom-cut piece.
“Uh-oh” moment. “Making the multitude of decisions can sometimes be overwhelming throughout the design process,” Price says. “We gave the clients the opportunity of pushing back the production start date by four months or pushing into fifth gear. As we are a design-build company, we have a production schedule to meet. Everybody loves a deadline, and we pushed through.”
Bathtub: Bellwether in enameled cast iron, Kohler
3. Elegant Marble
Designer: Carrie Cross, in collaboration with Laura Young
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Size: 78 square feet (7.2 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The owner wanted to create a French country estate in the heart of southwest Florida, ensuring that every space was finished with elegant yet inviting materials, making her guests feel like kings and queens upon visiting,” says designer Carrie Cross, who collaborated with her client through Houzz ideabooks. “This is one of three guest bathrooms on the second floor, and we adhered to our standard specifications of always having at least one tub-shower combo for future resale to families with small children or, in this case, grandchildren.”
Main feature. “Everything in this bathroom is significant, from the multicombinations of white marble materials to the customized bachelor’s chest turned into a sink vanity, to the custom paint blend and wood trim not visible in the photo,” Cross says.
Vanity top: Bianco Neve marble; floor tile: Bianco Carrara marble, polished, 12 inches square; baseboard tile: Bianco Carrara bullnose marble; shower wall tile and room wall tile below chair rail: Bianco Carrara marble, polished, 3 by 6 inches; chair rail tile: Thassos marble; tile above chair rail: Greecian White arabesque marble; tub skirt tile: Bianco Carrara marble, five-eighths of an inch square; sconces: Rosendal, Savoy House
Designer: Carrie Cross, in collaboration with Laura Young
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Size: 78 square feet (7.2 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The owner wanted to create a French country estate in the heart of southwest Florida, ensuring that every space was finished with elegant yet inviting materials, making her guests feel like kings and queens upon visiting,” says designer Carrie Cross, who collaborated with her client through Houzz ideabooks. “This is one of three guest bathrooms on the second floor, and we adhered to our standard specifications of always having at least one tub-shower combo for future resale to families with small children or, in this case, grandchildren.”
Main feature. “Everything in this bathroom is significant, from the multicombinations of white marble materials to the customized bachelor’s chest turned into a sink vanity, to the custom paint blend and wood trim not visible in the photo,” Cross says.
Vanity top: Bianco Neve marble; floor tile: Bianco Carrara marble, polished, 12 inches square; baseboard tile: Bianco Carrara bullnose marble; shower wall tile and room wall tile below chair rail: Bianco Carrara marble, polished, 3 by 6 inches; chair rail tile: Thassos marble; tile above chair rail: Greecian White arabesque marble; tub skirt tile: Bianco Carrara marble, five-eighths of an inch square; sconces: Rosendal, Savoy House
4. Fabulous Flooring
Designer: Jill Koch of Designs on Madison
Builder: Wieland Builders
Location: Mason, Ohio
Size: 45 square feet (4.2 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This bathroom is located on the lower level and is primarily for children, so the homeowners opted to keep the shower-tub combo to optimize space and provide both bath and shower options for kids,” designer Jill Koch says.
Main feature. “The floor tile pulls this bathroom together,” Koch says. “With the clean white subway tile on the interior of the shower, and the dark contrasting vanity, the oblong hexagonal floor tiles ground the room and provide alignment between the two.”
Other special features. Maple vanity with espresso stain. Crystal White granite countertop. Light blue walls (Niebla Azul by Sherwin-Williams).
Designer tip. “Installing a split shower curtain instantly gives this bathroom an upgraded feeling,” Koch says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The homeowner had a hard time deciding on paint colors,” Koch says. “We encouraged them to have fun with this room, so they went with a light blue to brighten up this lower-level bathroom.”
Designer: Jill Koch of Designs on Madison
Builder: Wieland Builders
Location: Mason, Ohio
Size: 45 square feet (4.2 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This bathroom is located on the lower level and is primarily for children, so the homeowners opted to keep the shower-tub combo to optimize space and provide both bath and shower options for kids,” designer Jill Koch says.
Main feature. “The floor tile pulls this bathroom together,” Koch says. “With the clean white subway tile on the interior of the shower, and the dark contrasting vanity, the oblong hexagonal floor tiles ground the room and provide alignment between the two.”
Other special features. Maple vanity with espresso stain. Crystal White granite countertop. Light blue walls (Niebla Azul by Sherwin-Williams).
Designer tip. “Installing a split shower curtain instantly gives this bathroom an upgraded feeling,” Koch says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The homeowner had a hard time deciding on paint colors,” Koch says. “We encouraged them to have fun with this room, so they went with a light blue to brighten up this lower-level bathroom.”
5. Soothing Gray
Designer: Jane-Marie Bloomberg of Embellishments Design Studio
General contractor: Pheasant Run Construction
Location: Edina, Minnesota
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted to modernize the original 1950s bathroom yet still keep it functional for bathing small children,” designer Jane-Marie Bloomberg says. “Due to the size limitations of the bathroom — distance of sink from door, space between toilet and tub — she felt limited in the ways to maximize storage yet still keep some of the original character of the space. This bathroom was the only one in the home with a tub, so it was important to keep that functionality. However, an unsightly shower rod fought with the sloped ceiling and made the room feel even smaller.”
Main feature. “The tub-shower combo with the hinged glass door is the biggest change from what existed before,” Bloomberg says. “By removing the shower rod and curtain and providing a full view of the tub and shower, we gained needed square footage of viewable space.”
Other special features. Light gray 3-by-12-inch subway tile on walls. Mosaic floor tile. Wood cabinet enameled in Sabre Gray by Benjamin Moore. Recessed medicine cabinet.
Designer: Jane-Marie Bloomberg of Embellishments Design Studio
General contractor: Pheasant Run Construction
Location: Edina, Minnesota
Size: 60 square feet (5.6 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted to modernize the original 1950s bathroom yet still keep it functional for bathing small children,” designer Jane-Marie Bloomberg says. “Due to the size limitations of the bathroom — distance of sink from door, space between toilet and tub — she felt limited in the ways to maximize storage yet still keep some of the original character of the space. This bathroom was the only one in the home with a tub, so it was important to keep that functionality. However, an unsightly shower rod fought with the sloped ceiling and made the room feel even smaller.”
Main feature. “The tub-shower combo with the hinged glass door is the biggest change from what existed before,” Bloomberg says. “By removing the shower rod and curtain and providing a full view of the tub and shower, we gained needed square footage of viewable space.”
Other special features. Light gray 3-by-12-inch subway tile on walls. Mosaic floor tile. Wood cabinet enameled in Sabre Gray by Benjamin Moore. Recessed medicine cabinet.
Designer tip. “A nice trick we used was to paint the walls and the ceiling in the same color (Horizon by Benjamin Moore), which further gave the illusion of increasing the size of the bathroom overall,” Bloomberg says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “Originally we wanted to line the tub up with the start of the sloped ceiling in order to give more room between the toilet and the corner of the tub,” Bloomberg says. “This meant we would also be able to fit a tiled pony wall on the side of the tub. However, to do so, we would have needed a 54-inch tub instead of a 60-inch tub. The cost of this smaller, less typical tub, since it was a soaker tub with lots of bells and whistles, could have been driven off the lot for the price of a small car. So after we provided a second set of drawings showing how the new tub would work in the space, the owners decided they were fine with a 60-inch tub, no pony wall and a bit less space between the toilet and the tub.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Originally we wanted to line the tub up with the start of the sloped ceiling in order to give more room between the toilet and the corner of the tub,” Bloomberg says. “This meant we would also be able to fit a tiled pony wall on the side of the tub. However, to do so, we would have needed a 54-inch tub instead of a 60-inch tub. The cost of this smaller, less typical tub, since it was a soaker tub with lots of bells and whistles, could have been driven off the lot for the price of a small car. So after we provided a second set of drawings showing how the new tub would work in the space, the owners decided they were fine with a 60-inch tub, no pony wall and a bit less space between the toilet and the tub.”
6. Warm Wood
Designers: Matthew Collins (architect) and Julie Collins (interior designer), both of Uptic Studios
Location: Valleyford, Washington
Size: 80 square feet (7.4 square meters); 6½ feet by 12⅓ feet
Homeowners’ request. “This bathroom is located in the loft space above a small kitchen and living area that is within the barn house,” says designer Julie Collins, whose clients used Houzz ideabooks to communicate about the design direction. “The barn house is a secondary building on the owners’ property, used as storage for vehicles, an RV [and] boats, and provides the owner with a workshop space. The additional living quarters provide the owners with extra living space for guests and for future family expansion. The tub-shower combo was designed as a result of the smaller, limited living space.”
Main features. “The room contains a beautiful picture window set at 8 feet up, which brings in beautiful natural light,” Collins says. “The walnut vertical-grain vanity anchors the room and gives the space depth and texture while remaining subtle and rich.”
Designers: Matthew Collins (architect) and Julie Collins (interior designer), both of Uptic Studios
Location: Valleyford, Washington
Size: 80 square feet (7.4 square meters); 6½ feet by 12⅓ feet
Homeowners’ request. “This bathroom is located in the loft space above a small kitchen and living area that is within the barn house,” says designer Julie Collins, whose clients used Houzz ideabooks to communicate about the design direction. “The barn house is a secondary building on the owners’ property, used as storage for vehicles, an RV [and] boats, and provides the owner with a workshop space. The additional living quarters provide the owners with extra living space for guests and for future family expansion. The tub-shower combo was designed as a result of the smaller, limited living space.”
Main features. “The room contains a beautiful picture window set at 8 feet up, which brings in beautiful natural light,” Collins says. “The walnut vertical-grain vanity anchors the room and gives the space depth and texture while remaining subtle and rich.”
Other special features. White field tile in a herringbone pattern for the vanity backsplash and shower walls. Wall-mounted faucet. Brass fixtures and accents.
Designer tip. “We design casework as furniture,” Collins says. “Reviewing shop drawings and cross-referencing them to our original design intent and construction documents are crucial for the successful execution of the cabinet’s design as well as function.”
More on Houzz
Top Styles, Colors and Upgrades for Master Bath Remodels in 2019
Browse popular bathroom design ideas
Find a general contractor
Shop for bathroom vanities and more
Designer tip. “We design casework as furniture,” Collins says. “Reviewing shop drawings and cross-referencing them to our original design intent and construction documents are crucial for the successful execution of the cabinet’s design as well as function.”
More on Houzz
Top Styles, Colors and Upgrades for Master Bath Remodels in 2019
Browse popular bathroom design ideas
Find a general contractor
Shop for bathroom vanities and more
Designers: Teal Davison of Teal Davison Design + Finish (interior design) and Marty Buckenmeyer of Buckenmeyer Architecture (architecture)
Location: Portland, Oregon
Homeowners’ request. “The client is a professional couple, and we remodeled the entire home. This bathroom was going to be used by future children and by guests,” designer Teal Davison says. “Therefore we wanted the bathroom to be practical for kids, playful enough in design to grow into, but could also be enjoyed by guests. We chose to keep the tub-shower combo to allow for bathing of babies and adults.”
Main feature. “I was really excited to use a tile that when you walked by would be timeless but also add some color,” Davison says. “We chose to use the solid hex tile on the wall for the main color theme, and the unexpected tile that has a pattern on the floor that brings some playfulness but [is] not too youthful. The space is not that big, so I like how these two tiles work together and complement each other. It makes it feel very thoughtful and connected. Sometimes people overdo it in tile, and small spaces get too busy. I think we nailed it here.”
Other special features. “This tub has great depth for adults and easy access due to its thin side wall — [it] makes for an easy step to get into a shower.” Davison suggested to the client that they use a half-glass shower door to allow for an updated contemporary look and to protect water spray during showers. It could be opened during bathing, making it easy for parents to lean over the tub and bathe the kids. “This door is on a 90-degree hinge that allows the door to be open all the way to the wall, Davison says. “I like this aspect also because as an adult when bathing, you don’t feel like you’re in a cave. And a plus: no more moldy shower curtains.”
Designer tip. “I like to use a color in plumbing faucets to hide the fingerprints of kids or frequent use. It does a bit better than chrome in the kids’ bath,” Davison says. “I also like to use a matte finish on the wood in spaces that will be used pretty hard. Kids might push stools up against cabinets to brush teeth in the early years and tend to use the cabinets hard. I protect the client from having chipped paint on their kids’ vanity by choosing a matte finish [and a] durable wood — preferably a nice clean white oak — that can stand the test of time and growing kids.
“Another fun tip is I like to use the excess countertop material that my client pays for and owns to install some mini shelving in the shower. In this bathroom we chose just to do two triangular corner shelves for overflow of shower product.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “It’s always hard to make sure the cabinetmaker, plumbers, electricians [and] tile and countertop installers are all thinking of the whole picture,” Davison says. “Designers usually — or should — do a good job of that. Although we talked and measured and planned, the vanity light was installed centered on the faucet rather than on the vanity. We had to move the light over to ensure the light was centered over the vanity and the mirror to give the room a balanced look. This requires an electrician and paint touch-up. Not fun.”
Wall paint: Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore
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