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Original poster

Is this bathroom arrangement a bad idea?

54 replies

Kescilly · 30/05/2018 10:49

We are redoing our bathroom which currently has a bath but no overhead shower. The easiest solution would be to keep the same layout and tile and add an overhead shower and screen. This would look like the layout in the photo I’ve attached (photo was pulled from Pinterest).

If we do this, we will not be able to open he screen as the sink will be in the way. Does this matter? Currently it is just the two of us in the house and we use our ensuite to shower. This is the guest bathroom/family bathroom if we have a child.

Parents, would you find it overly annoying to use a bath like this for your children?

Our other option is to reverse the shower and have the showerhead and screen down the opposite side. But this would eat up what little storage space we have so we are a little reluctant to do this.

Any advice is appreciated!

Is this bathroom arrangement a bad idea?

OP posts:

Original poster

Kescilly · 31/05/2018 10:59

Thanks for all the replies! Sorry I can't reply to each person individually. It sounds like offset controls might be the way to go, even if it makes maintenance a little trickier. I like the idea of a two-part or folding screen of some sort. Our water is terribly hard so cleaning is definitely an issue.

I don't have the dimensions to hand but we do have enough space to put the bath along that wall, and move the sink and toilet. We decided against this as it would be more costly and time consuming, we'd have to box in pipes and would lose some space that way, and ultimately we'd still have one end of the shower next to the sink.

Feel a bit silly as we don't even know if we can have children, but don't want to spend loads of money and then find the bathroom layout doesn't work.

OP posts:

Original poster

Kescilly · 31/05/2018 11:08

This was one suggestion, with the shower reversed and offset controls. We decided against the wall hung toilet so would be doing a standard one instead. But we were also concerned that this layout would make the bathroom feel even smaller.

i.imgur.com/8fmoYQm.jpg

OP posts:

Wingedharpy · 31/05/2018 12:47

Look at www.outasight-vb.com .
They do a sort of stiff, concertina screen/curtain type of thing which folds up and stores inside a slim mount type of affair.
We considered this for our wet room but couldn't go for it in the end for various reasons.
I have no idea how effective they are but it solves some of the issues raised.

Heroo · 31/05/2018 13:07

I have that layout but a P shaped bath.

I just clean the bath / shower when in there

Heroo · 31/05/2018 13:08

Or you could just have a shower curtian? Can get nice looking ones.

LeeLooDallasMultiPass · 31/05/2018 13:55

It's cleaning the outside of the shower screen next to the sink that would be the issue. I know because I have this exact layout in the children's bathroom.

Because it is the children's bathroom they have a fixed small (20cm or so) glass screen and then a shower curtain. This is to prevent water coming round the edge of the curtain.

It means access into the bath area is not restricted. With a full fixed screen you can't access the taps unless you side mount them and stepping in and out of the bath to bath or shower is restricted.

We didn't put in a folding screen as they are 2 boys who couldn't be relied upon to make sure the rubber seal of the shower screen was firmly in position before showering so this was our solution.

If it was mine and Dh's bathroom I would have a hinged screen or folding screen.

Freaklikemeee · 31/05/2018 14:01

Why not just have a shower curtain that can be pulled completely out of the way when bathing the children?

Wingedharpy · 31/05/2018 15:16

Link fail:
www.outasight-vb.com/over-bath-screen

Wingedharpy · 31/05/2018 15:17

I give up.
Will book myself on a computer course immediately!

weekfour · 31/05/2018 16:44

DON’T DO IT!!

Ours is like that and I hate it. You have to get a wet arm to put the shower on.

Two kids in the bath and you can’t reach one if they’re behind the screen.

It is the bane of my life.

I’d never have a screen again. And I’d try to find a way to avoid having the sink, or anything, next to the bath.

withouttea · 31/05/2018 17:19

What about swapping the loo and the sink? Then you could have a two part shower screen, the dirt with a fixed panel on the wall, then a screen that opens in over the bath and out into the room (and over the loo pan). Then you will be able to access the shower controls more easily.

withouttea · 31/05/2018 17:19

Part not dirt - sorry, typing whilst cooking.

minipie · 31/05/2018 18:06

We have the screen that folds inwards (one piece not concertina). Shower head is high enough to clear the screen. Controls are set on the long wall in line with the centre of the bath so a) don't get a wet arm when turning water on and b) don't get in the way of the screen.

I don't understand why controls set on the long wall are harder to maintain than controls set under the shower? Is it because they have to be concealed rather than exposed? Ours are in a stud wall so if really necessary could be accessed from the bedroom on the other side - is that a possibility for you?

Tubbyinthehottub · 31/05/2018 18:11

I have exactly this in one of my bedrooms - the one my son has always used since being a baby. It's not a problem at all. Our screen does fold in towards the wall for easy clean

BubblesBuddy · 31/05/2018 21:06

How wide is the bathroom? Can the loo and a basin be on the opposite long wall. The sink looks awful in the picture. I would have the taps on the long side of the bath but you do have to reach quite far. Having said that, you would have to be a contortionist to get round a fixed screen to turn the taps on!

Anything regarding plumbing that’s hidden is a pain to get at if it goes wrong! So do a layout that actually works. It would be a pain if it was like the photo!

Original poster

Kescilly · 01/06/2018 11:38

Thanks @Wingedharpy, will look into their screens! I think someone else mentioned them too.

I don't think either of us want to have a shower curtain, we'd rather reverse the shower and lose the storage.

@LeeLooDallasMultiPass yes, it sounds like cleaning the outside could be a pain. Thanks for your post, exactly the sort of input I was hoping for.

@weekfour do you think it would be better if the controls were offset like in the plan I linked?

@withouttea that's a possibility, though I'm not sure how involved it would be to move the toilet. Would it look less desirable, having the toilet right next to the bath?

@minipie not sure why it's more difficult, it's just what I've read online. I know nothing about planning bathrooms so feel a bit in over my head.

Sounds like having a screen folding in is key, @Tubbyinthehottub, as a few people have commented. Is your shower head high above the screen?

@BubblesBuddy I don't think there's enough space on the opposite wall but might be something to ask them about. If you look at this plan i.imgur.com/8fmoYQm.jpg we are seeing it from the viewpoint of the door. There's currently a radiator under the window on the right.

OP posts:

gingercat02 · 01/06/2018 11:44

Our bathroom was like this we took the screen down when ds was little as it was awkward and used a shower curtain when we had visitors

weekfour · 01/06/2018 11:55

I suppose offsetting the controls resolves the wet arm problem. I’ve got three DC and the screen really gets in the way.

Also, the eldest has a habit of knocking it when she’s getting in and out of the bath. It clangs into the sink and I’m surprised it’s not smashed by now. Six year olds can be total dicks and however much you think you can train them to not be clumsy, they are. Our screen is coming out as soon as I have saved up. We’re hoping to squeeze a separate shower in by moving our boiler (appreciate not everyone has room for it) but if we had to keep the current configuration then I’d be buying a posh shower curtain. They’re not as ugly as you think.

I thought new bathroom, how hard can that be? But it’s actually quite difficult to get the compromise between practicality and style right.

MsHomeSlice · 01/06/2018 11:58

if you have small children the toilet next to the bath makes a lovey seat.

I also hate shower screens!
they are ugly looking once they have a drip of water on,
draughty AF with your arse poking out to the world,
more or less useless...the ILs have a glorious power shower that you cannot use properly cos the shower screen cannot possibly contain the water, so you have to have it on dribble setting where it would take you a fortnight to get wet through. aside from the moaning about the water meter!!

that Outasight one looks fab though, i have booked marked that for future reference!

weekfour · 01/06/2018 12:00

I think this is very stylish.

Original poster

Kescilly · 01/06/2018 12:12

Most of my life I’ve had shower curtains. Or sliding shower doors which don’t seem to be a thing in the UK? We could do a curtain if we really had to, I just got fed up with them and thought a glass screen would look nicer but also be easier to keep clean.

I suppose we could always take screen out and put a curtain in if we did have a child.

OP posts:

weekfour · 01/06/2018 12:31

Or put the screen up and see how you go? I’d definitely offset the controls if it’s not a load more money.

Btw, I hate cleaning the screen.

mando12345 · 01/06/2018 12:39

I would reiterate my earlier post about cleaning the outside of the screen! Some posters say this won't be an issue, well come round to my house, we are obviously messy washers and brushers of teeth!!
I have a proper water softener with block of salt so no hard water and I am still constantly wiping soapy/toothpastey drops from the wall next to my sink. I can get my hand down to a certain point, then I have to kneel on the floor and get it from underneath.

Original poster

Kescilly · 01/06/2018 13:17

I suppose we could always take screen out and put a curtain in if we did have a child.

OP posts:

Tubbyinthehottub · 01/06/2018 13:18

I meant, I have a screen which is one piece of glass but it swings in towards the taps (or out) so I've never found cleaning an issue. Similarly reaching the taps. I wouldn't get a concertina one, I bet they are a pain to clean with all those edges. I have a fixed shower head high up but also a hose one attached to the wall, useful for hosing down child debris and bubbles.

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