Ensuite - Bath or no bath?

[BigBoxLittleBox]

We are renovating our ensuite and currently the plan is to put in a large shower rather than a shower and a bath.

However the ensuite is quite big (3m x 2.5m) and I'm worried it might look odd without a bath. The bathroom designer thinks it would be more "luxurious" with just a shower (along with double sink and toilet obviously).

If we did put a bath in it would mean compromising on the size of shower which my DH isn't keen on. Plus, we don't really bath often (once every couple of months). And when we do bath we use the bath in the main bathroom.

As an aside, we have no plans to move for many many years so I'm not worried about whether it would appeal to others if we sold etc, just whether for that size room we would regret not putting one in.

Any thoughts welcome!

[WhiskyXray]

You don't want a bath so... don't get a bath.

[ISeeTheLight]

I would want a huge walk in shower. And plenty of storage for towels, toiletries etc. No bath.

[londonsaint]

No bath, bigger shower (especially as you have a bath elsewhere in the house)

[Littlebelina]

We've just gone with a bigger shower in our new one, going to add storage

[MiddlesexGirl]

Plenty of large bathrooms with just the walk in shower. Looks fine to me.

• Would never in a million years suit me because I love my baths but from a visual point of view, lack of a bath is not an issue!

[JerkintheMerkin]

I inherited the layout your designer described and really like it. I've upgraded it and am thrilled with the result. Already have a bathroom with a bath in it and as it's only me and DD it would have been pointless to put another bath in the en-suite. We do love our separate sinks/getting ready in the mornings - if feels very decadent

[BrilloPaddy]

We've got a walk in shower, and I really regret not having a bath.

If I want a bath, I have to use DD's bathroom which usually involves cleaning the bath first, moving shower gel/shampoo bottles out the way and sitting in there stressed at the mess.............

But it's personal preference if you're planning to stay in the house.

[FrDamo]

Ditch the bath!

We did when we refurbished our en suite a few years ago. Now we have a great walk in shower. Also a double vanity unit. Guess who always has the messier sink!

We put in electric underfloor heating which is lovely underfoot BUT how it's been laid means there are cold spots (one warm foot and one cold foot when sitting on the loo! And warm heels but cold toes when standing at the sink) AND it costs a small fortune to run (thank you electricity meter for pointing that out).

The only reason to really consider keeping the bath would be the impact on when it comes to selling your house. However as you have another bath in the main bathroom then I don't think it's an issue.

[BigBoxLittleBox]

Thank you everyone for the comments. It has made me feel more confident we are doing the right thing.

[FawnDrench]

Another vote for a larger shower and no bath.

[minipie]

We have large shower, double vanity, loo. No bath. No regrets

Your bathroom is a fair bit bigger than ours though though… I’m a bit surprised you can’t have both? Think ours is 2 x 2.5 ish

[Warmduscher]

Why do you need two sinks?

[minipie]

To avoid bumping heads with DH when we both want to brush our teeth or wash our faces at the same time (like every night)?

[Warmduscher]

@minipie

To avoid bumping heads with DH when we both want to brush our teeth or wash our faces at the same time (like every night)?

You go to the bathroom at the same time every night? I’ve never heard of that!

[Warmduscher]

I meant at the same time as each other. My mind is blown.

[Svalberg]

@Warmduscher

Why do you need two sinks?

We need 2 sinks because I need a hygenically dry one to clean my contact lenses in, and have no desire to clean & dry the sink every time due to DPs shaving & toothbrushing messiness. He can use a dirty sink until either the cleaner comes or he decides to clean it (like, never)

[Warmduscher]

We need 2 sinks because I need a hygenically dry one to clean my contact lenses in, and have no desire to clean & dry the sink every time due to DPs shaving & toothbrushing messiness. He can use a dirty sink until either the cleaner comes or he decides to clean it (like, never)

You clean your contact lenses? I thought you threw them away at the end of every day? This thread has been a revelation to me!

[missyoumum]

We took a bath and small shower out of our en suite and put in huge walk in shower with massive jets and storage cupboard. Had used the bath once in two years and have one downstairs if need one, would def be our preference.

[DuvetDayIsEveryDay]

Massive shower and no bath.

Last year we got rid of our only bath. Absolutely no regrets. The bathroom looks amazing !

[VenusClapTrap]

If I was buying your house, I would have to rip out your bathroom and install a bath. But I’m not buying your house, and you’re not planning to sell it, so do what works for you!

I’m currently renovating a bungalow for DDad. He is adamant he doesn’t want a shower in his bathroom because he’ll never use it, and he’ll have more space if we don’t cram one in there. This is fine - it’s more important that a house is right for the person living there than trying to make it acceptable to future buyers, unless you’re buying it as a short term stop gap.

[RitaFires]

I wouldn't expect a bath in an ensuite and there is a bath elsewhere in the house so I wouldn't think you've lowered the value of the house or put off hypothetical buyers.

A really large shower does sound great, I hope you enjoy whatever you do choose in your new ensuite.

[Svalberg]

@Warmduscher

We need 2 sinks because I need a hygenically dry one to clean my contact lenses in, and have no desire to clean & dry the sink every time due to DPs shaving & toothbrushing messiness. He can use a dirty sink until either the cleaner comes or he decides to clean it (like, never)

You clean your contact lenses? I thought you threw them away at the end of every day? This thread has been a revelation to me!

I wear RGPs, not disposables

[BigBoxLittleBox]

Thanks again everyone!

(We do have a bath elsewhere so the house wouldn't be bath-less!)

And re: the double sink - we have the space and it means I can keep my sink nice and tidy and let DH make a mess of his

[Warmduscher]

I wear RGPs, not disposables

I have no idea what they are and I imagine most people wouldn’t either with just an acronym to go by, but I wonder how other people who wear them manage if they only have the usual number of sinks in their bathroom?

[DILevil]

Huge walk in shower and no bath. I don’t get the “think an selling it in the future”. Like IKEA says, your house is a home for now, not for the future, if you’re doing it up to live in for a few years then do what you want, not what others may or may not want in the future.

Some bits in my house will definitely date, not be to others, but I’m here for the next 5 years and things can be changed.