No Need to Compromise on Style With a Shower-Tub Combo
In an ideal world or, rather, an ideal bathroom, many of us would like enough space to have a tub as well as a standalone shower. While having just one or the other is one route to take, lots of us will opt instead for a combination. A shower-tub combo doesn’t have to be a style compromise, though. Here are 15 beautiful ideas to get you started.
1. Hide the plumbing. Concealed pipes and wall-mounted controls make for a cleaner look than exposed plumbing. Neither is superior; it simply depends on the effect you want to create. (See the next photo for an example of how lovely exposed pipes can look.)
As with any fixed shower head, be sure to triple-check the measurements and positions to get the shower in exactly the right spot so that the water won’t splash over the edges of the tub.
This combination of shower and tub lends itself to a curtain rather than a glass screen. Check with everyone in the household that this will work for them, as some people do passionately prefer the simplicity of a screen. For larger members of the family, an all-around curtain could also feel claustrophobic. You’ll get more of a sense of space with glass. However, a curtain is beautiful if you want to conjure up a classic look.
You’ll probably want to put the shower curtain inside the tub to avoid drips running straight down it and onto the floor.
As with any fixed shower head, be sure to triple-check the measurements and positions to get the shower in exactly the right spot so that the water won’t splash over the edges of the tub.
This combination of shower and tub lends itself to a curtain rather than a glass screen. Check with everyone in the household that this will work for them, as some people do passionately prefer the simplicity of a screen. For larger members of the family, an all-around curtain could also feel claustrophobic. You’ll get more of a sense of space with glass. However, a curtain is beautiful if you want to conjure up a classic look.
You’ll probably want to put the shower curtain inside the tub to avoid drips running straight down it and onto the floor.
2. Or expose it. In this Shabby Chic-style bathroom, the homeowners chose a shower with exposed plumbing. Large fixed shower heads like this one, and the concealed-pipe version in the previous image, are classic. But be aware that because there’s no slider rail, you won’t be able to adjust the height of the shower head.
Some designs come with a tilt option at the neck of the shower head, but that’s pretty much it. Consider whether this will be practical for your needs. (Those with long hair, for example, may hanker for a shower that can adjust to hit the shoulders rather than the head on between-shampooing days.)
Some designs come with a tilt option at the neck of the shower head, but that’s pretty much it. Consider whether this will be practical for your needs. (Those with long hair, for example, may hanker for a shower that can adjust to hit the shoulders rather than the head on between-shampooing days.)
3. Give tradition a contemporary twist. Those classic Victorian-style showers aren’t only for roll-top baths and floaty curtains. Though this space clearly has traditional influences (hello, subway tiles, patterned floor and, of course, large, round fixed shower head), it has been brought thoroughly up to date. And it’s not only the subversion of floor tiles into something fresh and graphic (rather than Victorian) that does it.
This version of the classic shower head is defiantly clean and contemporary, as are its matching chrome controls. Glass instead of a curtain and, of course, the edgy chimp print further boost the modern feel.
This version of the classic shower head is defiantly clean and contemporary, as are its matching chrome controls. Glass instead of a curtain and, of course, the edgy chimp print further boost the modern feel.
4. Consider a Nordic look. Here, a classic-style shower fixture, albeit one with a smaller shower head than in the previous bathrooms, works well in an almost sauna-like, Scandinavian-style space, with a traditional sink and a toilet with a wooden seat.
5. Get the best of both worlds. In this neutral, contemporary bathroom, the ceiling-mounted shower head is complemented by a handheld attachment.
If you or someone in your home is likely to want a shower that they can aim below the face, then consider mounting your handheld attachment higher up, as this can be operated independently of the overhead shower.
To avoid cluttering the wall with two sets of controls, the shower ones were mounted on the adjacent wall instead. And to maximize the sense of space generally, large tiles and matching grout give the appearance of a seamless surface.
If you or someone in your home is likely to want a shower that they can aim below the face, then consider mounting your handheld attachment higher up, as this can be operated independently of the overhead shower.
To avoid cluttering the wall with two sets of controls, the shower ones were mounted on the adjacent wall instead. And to maximize the sense of space generally, large tiles and matching grout give the appearance of a seamless surface.
6. Go contemporary on a budget. Here, a pedestal-free basin, back-to-wall toilet and ultracontemporary neutral tile create the feel of a classy, modern bathroom. With this backdrop, a standard, wall-mounted thermostatic valve, shower hose and slider bar look just as slick as their fixed-head and multifunctional relatives.
With no need to consider a separate handheld head or to have extra pipes installed into your wall, you might save money too. Proof that it’s all about the styling!
With no need to consider a separate handheld head or to have extra pipes installed into your wall, you might save money too. Proof that it’s all about the styling!
7. Think deeply. This unusual bath is not only bucking the curved tradition, but it’s also incredibly high-sided, which would give your showering experience quite a different feel.
To keep any shower curtain in tiptop condition, you need to stretch it out after each use so that it can dry, and remember to wash it frequently to prevent it from yellowing or developing mold.
How to Get Rid of Household Mold
To keep any shower curtain in tiptop condition, you need to stretch it out after each use so that it can dry, and remember to wash it frequently to prevent it from yellowing or developing mold.
How to Get Rid of Household Mold
8. Keep your controls simple. The controls for this shower work well in a period house setting. Rather than having modern knobs built into the wall, as is the preferred option for many over-bath showers, or a separate valve that works independently from the tub faucets, this design has everything controlled from the tub mixer.
Also note the ceiling-mounted curtain rod. Its oval shape provides a little more arm room than its circular cousin.
Also note the ceiling-mounted curtain rod. Its oval shape provides a little more arm room than its circular cousin.
9. Choose a statement shower curtain. Usually restricted to a supporting role, the shower curtain panels in this Edinburgh apartment are the stars of the show. They’re backed with a plastic curtain, and the fabric itself is lined with pink ticking, making them feel as luxurious and heavy as any statement window drapes. They give this space the less bathroomy feel its owner was after.
Here, the fixed shower head and the handheld extension are on separate walls so that the latter, fussier part of the shower is tucked behind one of the curtain panels, leaving the prettier part on display.
Here, the fixed shower head and the handheld extension are on separate walls so that the latter, fussier part of the shower is tucked behind one of the curtain panels, leaving the prettier part on display.
10. Tuck it around a corner. Build in an extra sense of privacy by positioning your shower-tub combo in an alcove. This will also better mimic the feel of a separate shower, should that please you.
The wall that was built out to fit in the sink and the toilet’s concealed tank provides just enough room to tuck yourself away. And with the glass screen, the rest of the room is unlikely to get splashed as you shower.
For this arrangement to work in a family bathroom used for bathing small children (or, indeed, small dogs), you might want to put the bath faucets, along with a handheld shower extension, at the visible end of the bath, and move the niche shelving up or along, for easier access.
The wall that was built out to fit in the sink and the toilet’s concealed tank provides just enough room to tuck yourself away. And with the glass screen, the rest of the room is unlikely to get splashed as you shower.
For this arrangement to work in a family bathroom used for bathing small children (or, indeed, small dogs), you might want to put the bath faucets, along with a handheld shower extension, at the visible end of the bath, and move the niche shelving up or along, for easier access.
11. Go for gold. Don’t let anyone tell you a shower-tub combo can’t be a showstopper. This marble-and-gold combination is just about as lavish as you could get — elegant, glamorous and eminently practical, with that lovely large curtain rod providing plenty of splashing space.
The attention to detail is particularly pleasing; check out the matching brass hardware on the windows and doors.
The attention to detail is particularly pleasing; check out the matching brass hardware on the windows and doors.
12. Square up. If you want to take things to an ultracontemporary level, consider switching out a round shower head for a square or rectangular one, as seen here. This works especially well in this bathroom because the bath and its clever side storage panel are also right-angled.
To go the extra mile, you might like to seek out rectangular controls too.
To go the extra mile, you might like to seek out rectangular controls too.
13. Try a touch of frost. Frosted glass, that is. This shower screen offers peepholes should they be required, but also a calming sense of enclosure and privacy (potentially a boon if you have an open-door bathroom policy in your home).
There are so many types of shower screens on the market, not only with respect to the glass, but also to the style and dimensions. Curved, folding, sliding, hinged and fixed — find out which screen will work best with your space.
There are so many types of shower screens on the market, not only with respect to the glass, but also to the style and dimensions. Curved, folding, sliding, hinged and fixed — find out which screen will work best with your space.
14. Celebrate clean and crisp. This pristine take on the shower-tub shows just how modern and slick the combination can look.
Note that a shower curtain in this style of bathroom would soften the crisp, clinical effect — but might also spoil it.
Note that a shower curtain in this style of bathroom would soften the crisp, clinical effect — but might also spoil it.
15. Put up a print. Wallpapering around your bath may seem like a strange and impractical idea, but a decorator’s varnish can give your wallcovering the waterproof finish you’ll need. It’s not something you’d perhaps be able to work around a more enclosed standalone shower so easily, but this fun design shows how great it can be to make good use of those two, very visible walls.