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Original poster

Would you choose separate bath and shower, double vanity or more bathroom space?

34 replies

Alez · 01/05/2026 21:06

We're doing a reno, combining our tiny bathroom and box room to make one larger bathroom. The layout is tricky though so I'm trying to work out what to prioritise...

I had wanted a separate bath and shower, but if we do that we have to have a smallish vanity (80cm). I think the room is just big enough for it but it may feel a bit tight.

So, we could do a shower bath. That would give us lots of room and we could fit a double vanity or stick with a larger single and have a bit more space.

Having a separate bath and shower feels so luxurious to me, I love the idea of it. But we have two young kids so either more space or a double vanity feels more practical. We will have a shower room in the loft as well.

Another option could be to block up one of the windows (the room will have two). That would mean we could do a slightly better layout so it would be less tight with a separate shower and bath. But I hate the idea of doing this, it feels wrong to make the house less light as it is east-west facing and can be quite dark anyway.

What would you do?

OP posts:
Namechangingagain12345 · 01/05/2026 21:16

if you did the shower over bath would it be the normal straight bath size or one with a wider shower end?

if it’s a standard bath then definitely the separate shower.

i personally wouldn’t double vanity anyway

poetryandwine · 01/05/2026 21:38

We went with shower over a slightly large bath, and extra space. It looks very nice, but I wish we had chosen a completely different configuration with separate bath and a moderate, not tiny, shower.

It allowed for all the recommended clearances but not much more. But I think it would be a worthwhile tradeoff as a separate bath is much nicer.

MotherofPufflings · 01/05/2026 21:51

I don't get the point of a double vanity: I don't want anyone else in the bathroom when I'm using it, I'd rather take it in turns and be on my own. I guess it would stop DH dropping his bristles in my sink but it would also be another sink to clean.

Chasingsquirrels · 01/05/2026 21:53

MotherofPufflings · 01/05/2026 21:51

I don't get the point of a double vanity: I don't want anyone else in the bathroom when I'm using it, I'd rather take it in turns and be on my own. I guess it would stop DH dropping his bristles in my sink but it would also be another sink to clean.

This.

I'd definitely go for a separate bath & shower.

Tortephant · 01/05/2026 21:57

Separate bath and shower far out weighs double vanity

CuteOrangeElephant · 01/05/2026 21:58

Can't you do an omnitub and have a separate bath and more space?

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 01/05/2026 22:00

Separate bath and shower 100%. A 800mm sink is actually quite big snd you don’t need bigger to be honest. A separate shower speeds life up and is way nicer than climbing into the bath every day. Make sure you put in a heated towel rail near the exit of the shower. A warm towel is another little luxury!

tsmainsqueeze · 01/05/2026 22:04

Tortephant · 01/05/2026 21:57

Separate bath and shower far out weighs double vanity

Yes to this.
I loathe double vanity , i do not want to watch my husbands ablutions 😊

ForPinkDuck · 01/05/2026 22:04

Separate bath and shower. I have a tiny bathroom and would love this.

Mintearo7 · 01/05/2026 22:22

100% separate shower and bath. This will future proof if your are still living there when kids are teenagers (separate shower is much more desirable to them) or if you come to sell. I’ve know people to rip out double vanities when doing bathroom renos, they only suit a small minority of people I think.

Villanousvillans · 01/05/2026 22:25

I don’t understand the double vanity thing. There’s no way I want to spend any of my time in the bathroom with someone else. Do people really stand side by side having a wash etc?

Theolittle · 01/05/2026 22:27

I’m lazy and hate cleaning my separate shower it’s a real pain with the huge glass enclosure!

HotLikePapaJohns · 01/05/2026 22:31

MotherofPufflings · 01/05/2026 21:51

I don't get the point of a double vanity: I don't want anyone else in the bathroom when I'm using it, I'd rather take it in turns and be on my own. I guess it would stop DH dropping his bristles in my sink but it would also be another sink to clean.

This. I also don't get the point of a separate bath and shower. Again, more cleaning, and pointless unless you have mobility issues. I don't want someone to come ah shower while I'm in the bath.

Pearlstillsinging · 01/05/2026 22:43

I would choose the separate shower and bath
We have an over bath shower and what a pain it was when I broke my leg! I spent at least 4 months going to use a friend's stand alone shower, as I was unable to climb into the bath to shower at home. Made worse by the fact it was during the Covid period!

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 01/05/2026 23:11

@HotLikePapaJohnsOf course no one uses the shower when you are in the bath! How odd! The separate shower gives you choice and a walk in one is safer than climbing in and out of a bath. Showers use less water and cleaning - it’s very little! Just wipe down the tiles and the glass - it’s easy! No idea why this would be onerous. A lovely rain shower is a treat and it’s quick!

ArtAngel · 01/05/2026 23:24

I would always go for a separate shower if possible. I don’t like showers over the bath.

I would just go for a big shower and not bother with a bath at all, but you want a bath so…

I wouldn’t bother with two basins.

WhoWhereWhatWhy · 01/05/2026 23:30

I wouldn’t have the double vanity, and I think an 800 vanity is fine. Can you choose one that is fairly deep with a basin that has a fair sized rim so that you have space on the flat surface for a decent amount ie toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap etc? And as much storage as possible in the vanity? Would you like a drawers or a cupboard type vanity?

I’d go either with the separate bath and shower cubicle, or shower over bath and built in cupboard in the space you’d have had the shower. You could keep all your welds and bath mats (everyone needs a spare set), and all manner of other stuff like extra loo rolls, extra toiletries, first aid etc.

You could also look into putting some storage on the wall area above the loo, and have a cabinet above the vanity, with a semester useful (if you’re having a shower).

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 01/05/2026 23:32

Having gone from double vanity to single, I miss it. I didn’t have to clean anyone else’s toilet paste or bristles out of my sink, and I liked the extra space.

I do now have a walk-in shower but… eh… it wasn’t really worth it.

DumpedByText · Yesterday 00:56

Separate shower and bath. I have a shower over the bath and I hate it, can't wait to get a walk in shower put in.

StainedGlasses · Yesterday 01:08

I’d have a bidet.

Koulibiak · Yesterday 01:21

I’d have a huge double vanity and a huge shower. No bath. Kids can learn to shower from a young age. We love our double vanities, of course we don’t use them at the same time 🤦‍♀️ but it’s just nice to have your own sink that isn’t shared with anyone. Baths are such a waste of time

DoAWheelie · Yesterday 01:25

Separate bath and shower for sure.

You want a bath for relaxing and reading etc, but if you have a combined one then every shower will be a bit shit and you'll be annoyed by it every day.

Vanity just needs decent storage options nearby to make it workable and is much easier to do without imo.

Twiglets1 · Yesterday 04:28

Separate bath and shower.

keepswimming38 · Yesterday 04:42

You don’t need two sinks.

AnnikaA · Yesterday 04:43

Separate bath and a shower. You will not regret it.

I have a new take on this as I had a leg injury and couldn’t climb in the bath for ages. Without the shower I’d have been unable to wash!

Shower is faster and more water efficient.

We have a small bath - I don’t miss the extra length of a normal bath, I curl up when I want to soak.