Give Your Shower and Tub Their Own Spaces

By: Leslie Plummer Clagett (Page 1 of 4)

shower and tub divided by a curved glass wall

Photo by : David Livingston

A curving wall of glass block and a corner jetted-tub installation are the keys to the layout of this 12 X 9-ft. bath. The tub surround is cleverly extended into the shower, where it forms a triangular seat. A couple of space-saving tricks make the most of the area: The entry to the room is through a pocket door rather than through a standard hinged model; similarly, the doorless shower (sometimes called a "walk-behind" design) frees up valuable floor space in the middle of the room. (Showplace Kitchens & Baths, Delores Hyden CKD, Box 955, Dept. TH399, Redmond, WA 98073; 425/885-1595)

Image by : Trevor Johnston

The design of this bath is both spacious and accessible. A window sheds light not only on the shower and tub areas but also into the sauna (through the door to the left of the shower). (Cedar 9 Design, John Fortney, 1010 Cedar St., Dept. TH399, Berkeley, CA 94710; 510/526-8050)

Image by : Trevor Johnston

separate tub and shower bathroom arrangement

Photo by : David Livingston

One of the primary benefits of a separate tub and shower arrangement is that its lets two people wash up simultaneously, alleviating the bathroom bottleneck that often characterizes the morning rush hour. Installing a storage unit between the two fixtures is a practical move. The open shelving can hold fresh towels or collectibles, while the enclosed base cabinet—properly secured to prevent curious kids from accessing it—is better suited to holding cleaning supplies. (Neil Kelly Designers/Remodelers, 804 N. Alberta, Dept. TH399, Portland, OR 97217; www.neilkelly.com; 503/288-7461)

A glass shower enclosure lines up with the tub in this 8 1/2 X 8-ft. bath. Tub fittings are mounted on a half-wall, which is topped by a frosted-glass panel that provides privacy without sacrificing light. The pattern of the glass continues that of the wall and floor tile. The use of glass and mirrors in this compact space helps to make it seem larger and more open. (Acorn Kitchens & Baths, 4640 Telegraph Ave., Dept. TH399, Oakland, CA 94609; 510/547-6581)

Image by : Trevor Johnston

Browse Images

Browse Bathrooms Galleries:

View All

On Newsstands Now

In the Magazine

Easy Upgrades That Say Welcome Home

Showers are perfect for the speed-cleaning workday mornings require. But by the end of the week, when you're ready to unwind, it's great to be able to turn to the tub for a soothing soak.

If you're thinking about remodeling or adding on that master bath you've always wanted, you might want to consider substituting a separate tub and shower for the more typical combination model. You'll have more to choose from in terms of options and sizes with separate fixtures, and they offer more design flexibility, as you'll see from the projects shown in this feature.

The notion of separating the shower and tub has wide appeal. Eighty-five percent of Americans in the market for a home consider a separate shower enclosure an essential or highly desirable feature in the bathroom, according to a recent study by the National Association of Home Builders.