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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Shower over bath?

24 replies

dandelionsticks · 27/11/2020 02:26

Hi there, our family bathroom is in desperate need of a refurb. It is horribly dated and is literally falling apart (shower door recently fell off!). The room is around 3x2 metres and we currently have a separate bath and separate shower as well as basin and sink.

I would prefer to replace with a bath and overhead shower combined. DH wants a separate shower as he argues that the kids are older now and increasingly have showers not baths. This is true. However, we already have a separate shower room on the floor above which is meant to be our shower room but they could use it. I'd also like to regain some floor space. If the kids want to shower, they can hop in the bathtub and use the overhead shower. It may not be as nice as a walk in shower but I would rather have space than have it feel cluttered and cramped as it does now. DH also thinks a stand alone bath looks nicer. He also tends to not use the shower upstairs as he says the water pressure isn't as strong even though I can't tell the difference.

What do others think? We don't have mobility issues so getting in/out of a bath to shower isn't an issue. If we did, well there's always the shower room upstairs.

I'm open to both ideas as it may be that the bathroom only feels cramped due to it being so old and dated. I'm sure modern bathroom suites are far more sleek and streamlined plus there's the option of a wet room style shower. I'm also really indecisive (worried I'll get it wrong but we've waited ten years to rip out this bathroom which came with the house, so want to get it right!)

Thanks!

OP posts:

Sunflowergirl1 · 27/11/2020 05:59

We have a shower over the bath in one bathroom. It works fine except that we have a 5 panel folding back screen. We had occasions of it leaking under the seal which needs replacing fairly regularly. The fixed screens are just a pain and having them if you want a bath is useless.

Modern suites are sleek but in reality don't save any space as no point reducing bath size

The over bath screens will not suffer a full onslaught of a decent power shower so the point where it seals to the wall needs to be the same wall the shower head is attached to, so showering away from it.

DH would be happy to get rid of the bath but I still love going for a soak in a weekend. Also, I know ripping the bath out can out off buyers when if comes to selling as many like baths or need them for children

Onedropbeat · 27/11/2020 06:06

I really hate separate shower cubicles and would never have one

Even massive ones feel claustrophobic and no matter how soft the water is they require so much extra cleaning than just a shower over the bath

We went with a larger and wider bath instead and much prefer it

smartiecake · 27/11/2020 06:14

Op we are considering the same. The bathroom we have in this house has a separate bath and shower cubicle. Its a tiny bathroom and also our only bathroom and loo.
We are in a hard water area and the shower cubicle is impossible to keep looking clean and nice unless it is cleaned, scrubbed with viakal and dried after every use, which is approx 6/7 times a day. It looks awful as all of the runners have limescale on them and its so hard to clean. I want to replace it with a shower over the bath as i also like a bath. I'm thinking an L shaped bath so its wider at the shower end. We need to make a decision quick as we want to order it asap.
I think if you have a separate shower room then I would go for the bath/shower combination in the other bathroom to keep a bath. As someone else has pointed out if you were to move families may prefer a bath for smaller children

sunsalutations · 27/11/2020 06:20

My husband doesn't like shower cubicles as he feels claustrophobic so we installed a shower over bath recently. We put in a P shaped bath from City Plumbing which is a bath shaped for this purpose. Looks really nice.

Porgy · 27/11/2020 06:22

I have a separate bath and shower cubicle. I do feel like the bath is a waste of space, but the kids will NOT entertain the idea of a shower!

I've never had a problem keeping the shower cubicle clean either.

pinkbalconyrailing · 27/11/2020 06:28

shower over bath is fine imo.
I personally am not in favour of a p shaped bath, but as the room is quite big a large bathtub might be an option.

put in a handle as well in case one of you has a twisted ankle (or you have infirm visitors).

Countmeout · 27/11/2020 06:39

No I would never give up the separate shower. We had a bath over the shower many years ago and it was a pia. I never felt it feels as safe or secure as a stand alone shower. My latest shower has a very smooth low shower tray and doors with few bits to collect dirt/ scum / whatever. It has been so easy to clean. I love a bath a few times a week but definitely could not do without a separate shower for day to day.

SillyOldMummy · 27/11/2020 06:42

We got a pressure-increasing shower head for over shower over the bath - it was a transformation! A very cheap way to make the shower incredibly powerful. Highly recommend. Try one in your top floor shower room, then decide what to do about the main bathroom.

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 27/11/2020 07:05

I would not give up a separate shower. Showers over baths are a horrible compromise.

Look for sleek design and good layout, get a few bathroom design companies to quote, for the ideas.

Personally I never have a bath so a quality shower experience is important. Once they were 11 the Dc always used the shower, not the bath, too.

PaperTowels · 27/11/2020 07:08

We have a shower over our bath, bought a special lovely big rain showerhead for it. I don't feel it's a compromise?!

amyboo · 27/11/2020 07:30

We have a shower room for us, and the kids have a bathroom with a shower over the bath. Keeps everyone happy as they all sometime like a bath still, as do DH and Iz the bathroom is a decent size and we could have fit a separate shower cubicle in as well, but I much prefer having a roomy bathroom with a shower over the bath, than a space where everything is crammed in.

MoirasRoses · 27/11/2020 08:22

I’ve lived with both, wouldn’t bother me in the slightest. A shower is a shower 🤷🏼‍♀️ I find cleaning our shower cubicle fine, it’s a bit extra work I suppose. And I certainly don’t find them claustrophobic personally. The opposite in fact, I close the doors & I feel transported to a warm & quiet world away from my ever demanding young children 😂

But if my room was on the small side, I’d happily have a shower over the bath. So long as I can get washed & clean, I’m happy!

Original poster

dandelionsticks · 27/11/2020 09:08

Thanks everyone. Some useful things to think about here. I hadn't actually thought about the cleaning one which I should! We are in a hard water area and the glass screen in the shower upstairs is already a PITA to clean. The bath is a must as now the kids are older, I can actually have a soak in the bath now. I also think the lack of a bath may put buyers off if we sell. Will share the advice above with DH and we will discuss again. If we don't reach a decision soon, i fear the bathroom will never get done!

Thank you Mumsnetters!

OP posts:

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 27/11/2020 10:17

We’ve had 2 baths with very good showers over, for over 30 years. And the often-maligned shower curtains, which I prefer to screens, since they can run the length of the bath. I wash them regularly.

We often have guests staying and everybody’s always perfectly happy with them. The only reason they wouldn’t work would be for anyone with limited mobility, who was unable to get in and out of the bath.

TreestumpsAndTrampolines · 27/11/2020 10:26

I like having a separate shower and bath, but having said that, you already have a separate shower, and if it's going to be a cramped shower anyhow, then may as well have the elbow room instead.

And there's really nothing at all wrong with an over-bath shower - when our separate shower was on the blink (and we were waiting to save for refurb) I just bought a second hand combined shower/tap off ebay, fitted it on the wall, and it was absolutely fine.

Having said all of that, I was talking to someone recently who was going off-piste, and having a shower, and then a japanese soaking tub which takes up a lot less space, but still lets you sit up to your neck in hot water. So that might be a possibility?

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 27/11/2020 10:45

I have never found a shower-over-bath that has a good surface to stand on. And you have less space than in a stand alone shower. That's the compromise.

PaperTowels · 27/11/2020 11:03

I also think the lack of a bath may put buyers off if we sell

Wait, what? DO NOT end up with no bath at all!

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 27/11/2020 11:07

Despite my personal aversion to anything other than a great shower, it is true that your shower-loving DH can shower upstairs, and a good shower-over-bath is probably adequate for teens.

LOL, I am looking at houses now and thinking 'if I get rid of the bath I could have a storage cupboard there...'. I WISH more houses had decent showers instead of a bath.

rc22 · 27/11/2020 11:19

We have a shower over the bath and we are perfectly happy with it. We're looking to move. As others have said, I love the ease of cleaning a shower over the bath but would happily move to a house with a bath and a separate shower cubicle. Wouldn't move to house with just a shower or just a bath and nowhere to add a shower

minipie · 27/11/2020 11:34

Can you post a picture or plan? I would generally vote separate but depends on just how cramped it will be.

Qc16 · 27/11/2020 11:50

I think you should go with a good sized bath with a quality glass screen - make sure the area where you would stand is wide enough and flat to stand on. Also get a proper thermostatic shower valve with a good shower head .
If you forego the separate shower you could possibly have a double basin which is useful in a family bathroom. With the money and space you save you could have a cabinet to hold all your towels etc.

Saz12 · 27/11/2020 11:54

I’ve a shower over the bath in one room, separate shower in another. It suits us fine!
If separating them means the bathroom is cramped (same for me!) then imo it’s obvious solution. You should be able to boost water pressure in upstairs shower if needed.

bilbodog · 27/11/2020 12:38

Might be worth getting a water softner put in at the same time as a new bathroom whatever you do - no more limescale!

Original poster

dandelionsticks · 27/11/2020 20:37

Didn't realise you could install water softener! Good idea.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Going to make a list of pros and cons based on the above and also get a scaled plan drawn up with both options to see how cramped having a separate shower and bath would be.

Would LOVE to huge a huge bathroom where I could have a lovely stand alone bath, separate shower area, double basin and somewhere to put the towels and laundry basket with enough room to swing a cat!!!

OP posts:

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