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Original poster

Getting rid of bath

62 replies

twolittleboysonetiredmum · 19/08/2017 14:08

Has anyone done this and fitted a large shower area/wet room instead? We live in a 4 bed with a tiny family bathroom - literally room for a normal sized bath, sink and toilet. Shower currently over bath.
We are going to redo the entire bathroom and can't decide if we'd regret losing the bath for an awesome shower area instead. We have three young dc who use the bath but that's it really. We won't be selling for a long long time so needs to work for us with teenagers etc
Any opinions/experiences?

OP posts:
Gizlotsmum · 19/08/2017 14:27

Would your kids use the shower? I know my youngest wouldn't

Original poster
twolittleboysonetiredmum · 19/08/2017 14:45

They will when we're away but wouldn't choose to at home no. That's one main reason I'm unsure but then equally they'll only be young for a few more years and then surely will want to shower more? I've never been into long baths or anything so no idea if they're popular with older kids and teens?

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/08/2017 15:26

I would personally but what will you do if/when the shower is out of action?

Could you fit a shower downstairs or in an en-suite?

Do you have older relatives who will struggle to get in and out of a bath when they visit?

I had work done 10+ years ago. Had a downstairs cloakroom and a new bathroom fitted.
In retrospect , I wish I'd had a shower downstairs in the cloakroom and a different bath . Mine has a bit of a slope at the shower end and it is slippery to boot.

Can you get one of those P shaped baths so you can still keep a bath but more shower room?

fussychica · 19/08/2017 15:59

We did this, no kids though. We have a full bath length shower, low profile tray and massive glass screen to minimise splash. We love the ease of just walking in and it makes our small bathroom look very spacious.

Bunglemyjungle · 19/08/2017 16:03

None of my family really like baths but I fell for them in a big way as a teenager

Redglitter · 19/08/2017 16:05

I'd love to get rid of my bath. It's definitely on my long term to do list. If it suits your family better go for it

DrMadelineMaxwell · 19/08/2017 16:05

We're looking to do this. Both my dds prefer a shower to a bath and I find the shower over the bath to be a pain.

Dh lost a leg as a tern and he would find it much easier with a bath sized shower as he could fit a stool in there too.

It's our next home improvement project.

Heratnumber7 · 19/08/2017 16:06

We took our bath out. Best thing we ever did. 2 teen DDs too.
There's so much more space on the bathroom, and water/elec bills are lower too.

70 Why would the shower be out of action any more than a bath would?

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/08/2017 17:12

Hera if your shower breaks for any reason (and here we've had the pipes freeze, very low water pressure , old shower breaking)
then you have the bath as an option. Till you get the shower fixed.
If its just a shower unit, what d'you do ?

Original poster
twolittleboysonetiredmum · 19/08/2017 17:53

We have a very small low toilet room downstairs which is under the stairs, so no chance of a second shower or bath. We're unlikely to ever have the money for extending and adding more room so our tiny family bathroom is it.
No relatives who visit, wouldn't an elderly person find a walk in shower easier than a bath?
I have considered a p one but worried we'd end up with the equivalent of a corner bath in 10 years time. And I think they look ugly. I do like the simplicity of a walk in shower. Hmm
And I'm not bothered about value of house to another family but I know it'll be an issue one day for someone which bugs me slightly

OP posts:
AVeryBigHouse · 19/08/2017 18:01

From a reselling point of view, my parents replaced the bath with a shower in their last two houses and had no problems selling. You have to do what will work for your house and family.

How old are your children now? Once they can sit steadily, they'll be fine to wash in the shower tray and you can use a baby bath if they're younger than that. Other than that, I'm sure they'd soon get used to a shower.

Original poster
twolittleboysonetiredmum · 19/08/2017 18:05

They're 5, 4 and 1. They'll happily play in a shower when we're away etc but do like chilling in the bath before bed. But in a few years they'll be washing independently won't they, (I hope!) and I assume will choose w shower most times

OP posts:
BeepBeepMOVE · 19/08/2017 18:09

Are any of your children sporty? Long soaks for achy muscles is a definite requirement in this house!

specialsubject · 19/08/2017 18:23

Wet room in the UK only works with lots of heating and needs very good design. So unless you need one for disability reasons, don't.

The kids will use what is there. Set it up how you want it.

ToneDeafHamster · 19/08/2017 18:39

We got rid of our bath a few years ago now. We have a tiny bathroom, and I hated the shower over the bath. We love the shower and when our DD was very small, we used an inflatable duck bath in the bottom of the shower. She showers now, usually playing with all her toys in there.

WelliesAndPyjamas · 19/08/2017 18:48

Get a short bath. And a clear shower screen (visually, less blocking of light etc).

Original poster
twolittleboysonetiredmum · 19/08/2017 18:51

A short bath and a separate shower do you mean?
For those of you who have done t - do you have a wet room or a large shower tray? Which one makes for a more spacious feel and enjoyable wash?!
I don't mind showering in a bath, but prefer not to. I agree kids will deal with whatever we have, our heating is good and we have a very good bathroom fitter so design wise I think we could make it work...

OP posts:
agirlcalledmove · 19/08/2017 18:55

we live in a small 1960's 4 bed with 4 dc. Our bathroom is infinitely better with a large shower tray and proper shower than with a bath over the shower.

we have no other place for an alternative wash room either.

Best thing we have done

FrancisCrawford · 19/08/2017 18:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JennyPeanut · 19/08/2017 19:01

We just replaced our bath with a bath-sized walk-in shower. The shower has a tray, so not a wet room, but the room is fully tiled and looks amazing.

I thought I would miss having a bath, but I don't. I also find a shower relaxing, surprisingly.

It is more tricky with little ones though, but our kids aren't tiny any more and we don't plan to move any time soon, so house values don't really apply.

And our parents appreciate how easy it is for them, when they stay over.

beachbodyunready · 19/08/2017 19:01

My Dsis got rid of her bath and replaced it with a walk in shower her reasons:

  1. Bathroom was very small
  2. Her DH didn't think there was enough room when showering in the bath.
  3. Everyone liked a shower.

3 years on she hates it! Her reasons:

  1. She now literally yearns for a soak in the bath.
  2. She can never have a relaxing bath.
  3. Dc's miss the bath.
  4. During recent valuation of her house the estate said that having a shower only would put off buyers and a bath is what they prefer.

All in all she really regrets doing it.

RandomMess · 19/08/2017 19:01

We just had a very large baby bath and the kids sat in that in the shower instead.

ToneDeafHamster · 19/08/2017 19:20

We have a large shower tray. We toyed with a wet room, but were told that it wasn't advisable unless on a ground floor.

GreenTulips · 19/08/2017 20:08

Wet rooms don't dry very well in English temperatures, I've seen too many mouldy doors where the cold air comes in.

You need decent underfloor heating to help dry the floor

I wouldn't buy a house without a bath, we have just installed a shower bath and its fine

OlennasWimple · 19/08/2017 20:29

We don't have a bath in the house we are living in now, just three very lovely roomy showers. I really miss having a bath and would never choose to live in a house without a bath again

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